Alexa's eyes narrowed as she approached July, her stilettos clicking menacingly on the pavement.
"Oh, honey," she drawled, her voice dripping with condescension. "Are you really trying to play with fire? You'll only burn yourself, and trust me, you can't afford any more damage to that face." “Let’s see who will hide her face after my post. If you beg me, then I can give it a thought,” she smirked and moved her feet in front of her so that she could beg easily for mercy. Alexa was controlling her anger till now because of Max, but now she realizes that she don’t deserve any respect. She let out a derisive snort. "I mean, seriously? Challenging me? It's like watching a chihuahua try to take on a wolf. Adorable, but ultimately stupid just like you." July's eyes flashed with anger. "I'm not stupid, Alexa. And Max? He's nothing special. That's why I'm leaving him. You're welcome to my leftovers." Alexa's gaze flicked to Max, a triumphant smirk spreading across her face. "Thank goodness you finally divorced her, Max. I was starting to worry her delusions might be contagious." She possessively grasped Max's hand, her icy gaze piercing through July. A wicked smile played across her lips. "Watch your mouth, sweetie," Alexa purred, her voice now a venomous whisper. "We wouldn't want your adoring fans to find out why your car really crashed outside the civil department, would we?" July's face paled. "You wouldn't dare -" "Oh, wouldn't I?" Alexa's laugh was sharp and cruel. "Face it, honey. Your squeaky-clean image is as fake as your talent. And about as convincing as your attempt at a career." "At least I don't have to buy my men," July spat back. Alexa's eyes flashed dangerously. "No, you just drive them away. How many exes is it now? I've lost count." July lunged forward, but Greg held her back. Alexa turned to Max, her demeanor instantly softening. "Come on, Max. Let's leave these... lesser beings to their drama." As Alexa tugged him towards her car, Max cast one last glance at July. Their eyes met, a flicker of regret passing between them. "July," he said softly, "focus on Greg. What we had... it's over. Move on." With that, he slid into Alexa's sleek SUV car. Greg watched the car disappear, his frown deepening. A complex mix of emotions churned within him - anger at Alexa's cruelty, concern for July, and an unexpected surge of envy. "He's lucky," Greg murmured, his voice barely audible. July turned to him, her brow furrowed. "What did you say?" "Nothing," Greg quickly replied, averting his gaze. July's eyes flashed with anger and jealousy. "I can't let them win like this. Did you see how Max just left with her? After everything we've been through!" She clenched her fists, trembling with rage. "He had the nerve to cheat on me, and now he's flaunting it. I'll teach him a lesson he won't forget." Greg pushed aside his conflicting emotions and turned to comfort July. "Hey, don't let them get to you," he said softly. "We'll land another movie soon, and before you know it, we'll be shopping for a car that'll make Alexa's look like junk. And Max? He'll still just be a glorified gigolo." Inwardly, Greg cursed Max for landing such a beautiful and rich woman. A part of him wished he was in Max's shoes. But he quickly shook off the thought, reminding himself that he had July. "Listen," Greg continued, his voice gentle. "You don't need to be sad. I'll teach that good-for-nothing a lesson soon enough. Don't worry about stress lines, okay? You need to take care of your beauty. Tell you what - I'll buy you a new car myself. How does that sound?" July's tension seemed to ease a bit. She nodded, managing a small smile. "You're right," she said, leaning into Greg. "I've been under so much stress. But now... now I'm free. And I'm lucky to have you, not that loser." She looked up at Greg, her eyes softening. "Thank you for being here for me. You're so much better than Max ever was." Greg felt a surge of pride. He wrapped an arm around July's shoulders, pulling her close. "That's my girl," he said with a wolfish grin. "Now, how about we go celebrate your new freedom?" In the SUV, Max sat in silence for a while, his mind reeling from the encounter. Finally, he turned to Alexa. "Why did you come here?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Alexa smiled, her eyes softening as she looked at him. "Your grandfather told me you were finalizing the divorce. I couldn't let you face this alone. I had to be here for you." As she drove, Alexa thought about the past. She had loved Max for a long time, dreaming of a future together. When he left her to marry July, it broke her heart. But now, fate had brought them back together. She felt a mix of happiness and relief, along with old feelings coming back. Alexa wondered what had changed in Max's life to bring him back to her and what this meant for her future. She reached out and squeezed his hand. "Now you'll finally be coming back home, where you belong. I couldn't be happier." Max nodded slowly, still processing everything that had just happened. "Thanks," he said softly. "You're welcome, my ex-fiancé," Alexa replied, her voice warm with affection. 'After all this time,' she thought, 'we're finally getting our second chance. I won't let anything come between us again.' She glanced at Max, a small smile playing on her lips.Max stood in his grandfather's study, his heart pounding. The old man sat behind a massive oak desk, his steely gaze fixed on his grandson."Max," his grandfather began, his voice gruff, "it's time we discussed your future. We've secured a marriage contract with the Hunters. You'll wed their daughter next spring." Max's breath caught in his throat. "What? Grandfather, I can't—" "This isn't up for debate," the old man cut him off. "This union will strengthen both our families. It's been decided." "But I don't love Alexa," Max protested, his voice rising. "I'm in love with someone else. Someone real." His grandfather's eyes narrowed. "Real love? Don't be naive, boy. Love comes with time and mutual respect. This marriage is about duty, about family." "I won't do it," Max said, his jaw set. "I won't marry someone I don't love." The old man's face darkened. "If you go against my decision, you'll be banished from this family. Cut off completely. Is that what you want?" Max too
"I'm not here to work," Max said, his voice steady despite his rage. "I'm here to quit."The boss's face twisted into a sneer, his beady eyes narrowing. "Oh really?" he mocked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "And how do you plan to make a living without this job, Mr. High-and-Mighty? Did you suddenly win the lottery?"Max took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure. "That's none of your concern. I'm moving on to better things."The boss let out a harsh laugh. "Better things? You?" He turned to the other employees. "Did you hear that, folks? Our Max here thinks he's too good for us now!"The other workers shifted uncomfortably, unsure whether to laugh along with the boss or support Max. A few nervous chuckles echoed through the bar.The boss stepped closer to Max, his breath hot on Max's face. "Listen here, you ungrateful little punk. You were nothing when you came here. I gave you a chance when no one else would. And this is how you repay me?"Max stood his ground, refusing
Alexa's words stunned everyone at first but in a couple of seconds, they burst into mocking laughter.The boss laughed heartily, shaking his head at Alexa. "Pretty girl, you look beautiful, but you seem to have a few screws loose up there," he said, appreciating her beauty while flirting with her in a way that was far from subtle. Beside Alexa, Max's brows wrinkled and he looked displeased but didn't intervene knowing she had it all under control.The boss continued to taunt, "You shouldn't spend too much time with a loser like Max. Otherwise, you'll begin to have some serious delusions. You really think my bar would go bankrupt just because of a phone call of yours? That’s absurd. Your showoff act is getting on my nerves."He was pretty confident as he strutted around in front of them. But Alexa was rather calm and unfeeling, merely gazing at him coldly."Don't be so quick to laugh," she replied. "Who knows what might happen by the time five minutes are up?""What will happen is you
She stood akimbo, and it was obvious that she was furious. The aura around her was intense, and everyone in the scene could tell that she wasn't to be messed with. Although Alexa looked young, it was obvious she had some good backing.Even Max could not help but give her a few more cursory glances."It won't stop with your rent, loan, and tax," Alexa continued to speak, her chin raised as she evened her cold gaze on him. "If I want you and your entire generation to pack up from this city with nothing, no one can stop me."Max could tell she was not going to let it go. Seeing how the boss and the rest of his colleagues looked terrified, he felt uncomfortable and muttered, "Alexa..."She quickly spun to look at him. "I was already furious with that foolish... woman... erm.." she coughed and gazed at him carefully, unsure if he would be angry at her with that term of address."Anyway, I was already angry with July and her stupid lover," she continued to say. "And yet, he came to provoke
A blue colored SUV sped through a grove of lush and tall trees before stopping in front of a tall iron gate. The building behind the gate was shielded by the tall gate, but it was still evident how magnificent it was. There were two guards standing ramrod straight at the gate with rifles in hand, and when the SUV stopped, one of them quickly approached. Alexa rolled down the window. The guard questioned respectfully, "Do you have a permit, ma'am?"She paused, having forgotten that one needed a permit to enter the Norman mansion. She had gone out in a hurry to pick Max up and didn't take her permit along. She was about to explain this when the guard suddenly sighted the person in the passenger seat. His face immediately changed, and he saluted, "Welcome back, Young Master."Max finally looked over and gave an embarrassed smile. "Hi, Marcus."The guard was clearly pleased to see him and said excitedly, "The door is open. Please go in.""Thank you."Immediately, the gate opened up, an
Max went silent for a few moments.Upon seeing this, the old man sighed and clicked his tongue. "You still don't want to? I thought you would have made up your mind by now."He was still quiet and seemed to be contemplating some things. Eventually, he looked up at his grandfather and declared, "I'll do it."The old man looked surprised at first but quickly regained his composure and nodded graciously. "You made the right choice. You'll begin working from tomorrow, and your first task is attending the business party being held at Dawn Entertainment Corps.""Our affiliate company?" Max asked in surprise. It was just one of the many companies affiliated with the Norman family, and usually, the main branch didn't need to intervene with its activities. "Yes. I've seen that you're a bit knowledgeable when it comes to the entertainment industry. You should start with something you're already good at."His words made Max smile bitterly. There was really nothing he could hide from his grandfa
The Galaxy Media Hotel was alive and bustling that evening. Decorative lights shone around its vicinity, illuminating every nook and corner. Rows of sleek and expensive cars lined the red carpets, filling up the entire parking area, and from time to time, superstars stepped out of them with their various partners. As it was a big event, countless showbiz journalists and reporters were on the scene, each jostling to get the best snap and blinding light flashed from time to time.A sleek black limo pulled up a block from the hotel, and Max stepped out, smoothening the slight creases on his blue suit. He looked toward the hotel and could see the flashes of light in the distance.He shut the car door and leaned down the window to speak to the driver with a slight chuckle, "Thankfully, I quickly stopped you before you parked there. It would be hard to drive out after the event."The driver nodded courteously and asked, "Shall I wait here for you, Young Master?""No." Max shook his head li
"Stop!" A female voice rang out from the other end of the red carpet.When everyone looked over, they saw a lady in a maroon fishtail dress standing there. She was quite a beautiful woman, and although her makeup seemed pretty heavy, it fit her disposition and highlighted her beauty.When Max saw her face, he instantly recognized who she was. Claire Moretti - July's biggest rival in the entertainment circle.The faces of the other people also changed once they saw who she was, especially the rude usher. Who did not know who Claire Moretti was? She was the most ill-tempered of actresses and so sharp tongue that whenever she had it out with even the most bothersome of reporters, they would eventually run away with their tails between their legs.She was what people would call the 'shrew of entertainment industry.'Claire looked at their faces and smiled haughtily seeing how careful they were. She looked quite arrogant, and even the reporters didn't dare to tale her pictures wantonly.Th