Khloe blinked in surprise at the man’s striking features. “And you are?”
Her lack of recognition took Rafael aback; it wasn’t often he encountered someone in the industry who didn’t know his face. Joslyn, fighting to keep her excitement contained, stepped in. “Khloe, this is Rafael Carter, our company’s top star!”
Khloe, who’d spent the past three years in prison and had previously been immersed in her studies, was far from the entertainment loop.
“Sorry, but I’m really curious. What was going through your mind to bring out that performance?” Rafael asked again. He was completely unconcerned about the impression his posture might give, speaking to Khloe openly in front of everyone on set.
Khloe shrugged, her answer as simple as it was surprising. “Nothing. I wasn’t thinking of anything.”
Rafael stared at Khloe in amazement, stunned by her effortless performance. “How could you pull off such an incredible scene without thinking about it at all?”
Khloe remained composed, her face relaxed. “I didn’t think about it. I just let myself feel the moment, and the emotions followed naturally.”
Rafael’s expression changed thoughtfully, then brightened as if something had clicked. “I get it. Sometimes, overthinking stifles creativity. True acting must come from pure feeling and release.”
He looked at her with renewed interest. “You’re unlike anyone I’ve met in this field.”
Nearby, Joslyn could barely contain her excitement. This was Rafael, after all! Rafael was affiliated with Starshine Entertainment purely for business administration; he managed his own film projects.
Joslyn eagerly tugged on Khloe’s sleeve, whispering, “Khloe, Rafael just praised you! We have to take advantage of this moment.”
Khloe, however, remained unfazed, as if it was nothing special. She stood up, preparing for the next scene. It seemed she’d only answered his question, without any intent to foster a connection.
Rafael watched Khloe’s detached demeanor, intrigued even more. He was used to people going out of their way to build ties with him, but Khloe’s attitude was refreshingly different.
As Khloe stepped into the dressing room to change, Joslyn was still buzzing with excitement. “Khloe, did you hear what Rafael said? This is such an incredible chance! We should find ways to engage with him more.”
Khloe stayed calm, changing her clothes unhurriedly. “Joslyn, my focus is on the work. What matters is the acting. As for connections, do I really need to depend on him when I have my own resources?”
For a moment, Joslyn was taken aback, then she recalled that Khloe wasn’t just another up-and-coming celebrity without connections. Khloe was a shareholder in Evergreen Capital, owner of a one-billion-dollar necklace-a true financial powerhouse. Realization dawned on her, and she chuckled. “Khloe, you’re right. I got carried away. You’re the real deal.”
“Can you do something for me?”
“Keep today’s events private. Don’t let anything about my background or Sloane’s words leak,” Khloe said calmly.
Though a bit puzzled, Joslyn had long trusted Khloe’s judgment and quickly agreed.
Khloe didn’t dwell on it for long; instead, she opened her phone to check her emails again.
She opened her inbox and, sure enough, an auditor’s pass from Zhecrora University appeared, along with a notification for auditing courses.
With this pass, Khloe could take any professional course and sit for exams, though she wouldn’t receive official textbooks.
In fact, Khloe had completed her PhD three years ago, finishing her advanced studies at a prestigious university by the age of 18.
However, she had been embroiled in an academic fraud scandal, resulting in the revocation of all her degrees. All her academic achievements-except for those earned anonymously under different identities-had been erased.
Her decision to target Zhecrora University was strategic-both Sloane and Eric were students there, and by their third year, they had become well-known figures. To bring them down, Khloe knew she had to strike at their careers and reputations, not just their relationship.
Sloane and Eric cared deeply about how others viewed them. This auditor’s pass, which she had secured through her mother’s connections, presented the perfect opportunity.
Khloe organized her next steps before diving back into the intense filming schedule. Elwood was a perfectionist when it came to camera work. Even if the character interpretation was flawless, he would continually tweak the lighting, and each shot would be filmed multiple times with different angles.
By the end of a long shooting day, even Khloe, who knew her role inside and out and rarely made mistakes, was drained.
She arrived home late that night, and as she entered her room, she noticed a soft light glowing within. Under the lamp sat Henrik. Had he been waiting for her?
Henrik was dressed in a loose white shirt with the collar open, his collarbone peeking through. His slightly messy hair gave him an effortlessly charming appearance. The soft lighting bathed his face, blurring the sharp angles and lending him a gentle, almost tender expression. A subtle sandalwood aroma drifted through the room, enveloping it in a warm, tranquil ambiance. He sat still, like a peaceful painting, offering a quiet moment to reflect.
At the sound of her voice, Henrik lifted his gaze. “You’re back! I made some soup for you.”
Khloe was caught off guard. It had been ages since anyone showed her such care, and now here was someone waiting for her, with soup no less. She stepped closer and wrapped her hands around the bowl. The warmth soaked into her fingers, stirring emotions within her like gentle waves.
She gave it a sniff before pausing. “Herbal soup? And you added bitter herbs?”
“Hmm.” Henrik leaned his chin on his hand, his tone light. “Your health report came back today. You’re quite frail, so I had this herbal soup made for you. Don’t worry, it’s been sweetened a bit-it shouldn’t taste too bitter.”
Khloe’s brows drew together in a frown. As a medical student, her sharp instincts told her the formula was perfect for her, meant to boost her energy and blood circulation. But she couldn’t stand anything bitter. The mere thought of that bitterness coating her tongue made her shudder.
Khloe quietly set the bowl down, her lips pressed together as she gave Henrik a pleading look. Her eyes spoke of her reluctance as she murmured, “Do I really have to drink this?” Her wide eyes brimmed with a mix of complaint and vulnerability, enough to melt even the hardest of hearts. Yet Henrik didn’t budge. He arched a brow and gave her a faint smirk. “Is a little bitterness really so terrifying?” His deep gaze bore into her, making her shiver reflexively under the weight of his stare.
She wavered, her eyes flickering between the bowl and Henrik, debating whether to admit the truth. “Yes, I hate bitter things, so I don’t want to drink it.”
When Henrik didn’t set the bowl down, Khloe instinctively backed away, preparing to make her escape.
“I’m telling you now, I’m not drinking it, so don’t even try…” Before she could finish her sentence, Henrik slipped an arm around her waist, drawing her firmly into his embrace. His grip was both firm and gentle, effortlessly placing her on his lap and keeping her from slipping away.
“You’re aware that you’re anemic, prone to fatigue, and often dealing with stomach pains, right? And you still refuse to take your medicine? How about this-drink the soup, and I’ll reward you with some candy?”
Khloe’s eyes grew wide, like a startled cat. “But it’s still going to taste bitter. I’m not drinking that!”
“Not drinking it?” Henrik’s chuckle was soft as he leaned in, his hand tilting her chin upward, his voice taking on a husky edge. “Looks like I’ll have to feed it to you.”
Khloe’s cheeks turned red as her heart raced, a mix of nervousness and heat spreading through her. Even with his neutral expression, his striking features radiated an unmistakable authority. Under his steady stare, Khloe grew more anxious, her fingers tightening around the hem of her shirt without realizing it.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
Leave a Reply