Back at the Gray Family, Steven had gone on a business trip, leaving Salma and her four sons to watch the live stream.
She couldn’t help but feel worried about Aaron’s health. Aaron has always had stomach problems. Now that he’s vomiting and experiencing diarrhea in a remote village, who knows what might happen,” she expressed her concern, her face reflecting a hint of disappointment. “Simone is ruthless. She’s ignoring Aaron this time.”
In the past, when Aaron fell ill, Simone would take the initiative to care for him. However, this time, even when he showed weakness and asked for Simone’s help finding herbs for medicinal soup, she refused coldly.
Salma had become somewhat unaccustomed to the change since Simone had left home decisively.
Simone used to care for her mother’s health diligently, monitoring her blood pressure daily and ensuring she took her medicine. She even provided special massages to help her sleep peacefully at night. With Simone absent recently, there was no one to care for her this way, leading to a decline in her sleep quality.
Previously, Salma hadn’t thought much of it. After all, Simone was her biological daughter, and she was expected to be kind and caring toward her mother and family. However, she found it hard to accept that her considerate biological daughter appeared cold toward her brother.
Salma said, “Could she not want to acknowledge us?” She found this especially difficult to accept.
Reuben frowned and said, “She’s probably still holding a grudge against Aaron.”
Titus chimed in, “Aaron is pushing himself too hard. He shouldn’t eat when he’s unwell.”
“And Simone is being ignorant. They are biological siblings, but she’s intentionally creating a tense atmosphere on the show, making us look bad,” Reuben added.
Titus agreed, “Indeed, Simone is becoming increasingly unruly.” He continued, “I had already cultivated an image for Jo as a sophisticated lady. Logically, she should stand out. However, Simone insisted on participating in this variety show, creating a stark contrast with Jo. Now, Jo’s recent reputation isn’t favorable.”
Initially, he had planned for Jo and Simone to have contrasting images to demonstrate that Jo, who grew up in their family, was much more exceptional than Simone, who grew up outside their family. Additionally, he aimed to make Simone understand that without his support and guidance as her agent, she wouldn’t succeed in the industry.
However, unexpectedly, things had taken a different turn. If this continued, it wouldn’t be beneficial for Jodie. To alleviate the situation, Titus had already hired internet trolls to manage comments. Still, due to Aaron’s health issues during the livestream, some fans expressed dissatisfaction with Jodie. Titus also noticed that many viewers were distorting the relationship between Aaron and Jodie, which added to his concerns. This situation was causing him a great deal of stress.
Salma’s face darkened upon hearing her two sons’ words.
“What should we do? Jo has been raised delicately since she was young. She has worked so hard to learn household chores and cooking just for this variety show. It’s not easy.”
After a moment of thought, she suggested, “How about asking Aaron and Jodie to withdraw from this variety show? This way, they won’t have to suffer anymore and won’t clash with Simone, aggravating the conflict.”
Titus immediately disagreed, “No. If they withdraw now, it won’t be good for their reputation.”
Moreover, it would be like admitting defeat to Simone.
He added, “Jo has always wanted to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. If we ask her to give up now, she’ll definitely be upset.”
Salma asked, “Then what should we do?”
Titus pondered for a moment and said, “Mom, how about you give Simone a call and ask her to withdraw?”
Salma was taken aback. “Are you suggesting that I ask her to come back?”
Titus nodded. “Yes. She cared so much about your health before. You can say you’re not feeling well and would like her to come back. You’ve been having trouble sleeping lately, right? It’s a good opportunity for her to come back and give you a massage. As long as she withdraws from this variety show, we’ll compensate her later. After all, she’s our biological sister. We can’t treat her unfairly, can we?” He planned to provide good opportunities for Simone after she returned.
Andrew chimed in, “If she comes back, I can give her the role of the second female lead in my new drama.”
The role of the first female lead had already been assigned to Jodie.
After listening to the reasoning, Salma agreed, “All right. I’ll give her a call, but haven’t they all handed in their phones?” She had been at home watching the live stream these days.
“It’s not a problem. I’ll contact the production team and ask for Simone’s current phone number,” Titus said.
Salma nodded. “Okay.”
He quickly obtained Simone’s new phone number from the production team.
Salma picked up her phone and dialed the number.
Simone was making straw baskets in the courtyard. When she heard the phone ring, she picked it up and glanced at the incoming call.
Although the new phone only displayed the number, she immediately recognized it as Salma’s. In the past, she had memorized the phone numbers of everyone in her family due to her longing for family affection.
She answered the call and turned on the recording, as well as the speaker.
“Hello!” Salma’s voice soon came through.
“Simone, it’s me.”
Simone asked coldly, “What’s the matter?”
Salma said, “I haven’t been feeling well these days, and my sleep quality hasn’t been good. Come back tomorrow.”
Simone chuckled. “You want me to come back to make medicinal meals and give you massages?”
Salma hesitated. That was indeed what she meant, but the words coming from Simone’s mouth made it feel somewhat unpleasant.
“I’m not feeling well, so I want you to come back and visit me.”
Simone asked, “It’s not that you miss me, but your body is uncomfortable, so you need me to return. Am I just a kind of caretaker in your eyes?”
Salma felt awkward.
She had been used to Simone’s care, and she did miss it a little now that Simone wasn’t around.
However, she couldn’t say that out loud; it would sound like she was surrendering. “How can you speak like this?” She continued assertively, “I am your mother, and if I want you to come back, you come back.”
Keira, who was nearby, frowned upon hearing the voice on the phone.
Simone asked, “Do you know that I’m participating in a variety show?”
Salma replied, “I know, but it’s just a variety show. It doesn’t matter even if you come back.”
Simone continued, “You don’t want me to continue participating because Jodie’s performance on the variety show is mediocre.”
She added bluntly, “And you called me to ask me to quit.”
Salma didn’t expect Simone to be so aware of their intentions. She didn’t directly admit it and said, “I watched the live stream, and Jo performed very well. She’s very outstanding.”
“Titus said that as long as you come back, he will help you find two good opportunities.”
“And Andrew said he can cast you as the second female lead in his new drama.”
It seemed like they were implying that they had done enough for her.
Simone sneered. “Well… I thank you for that. But I wouldn’t dare to accept any of the good opportunities from Titus. He’s probably set too many traps for me and is just waiting for me to fall into them. I’ve experienced this before, and I won’t fall for it again. Jodie is the female lead in Andrew’s new drama, right? Are you trying to make me play the supporting role for her?”
Salma had the speakerphone on.
Andrew had a fiery temper.
Upon hearing Simone’s sarcastic remark, he couldn’t help but shout, “Simone, don’t be ungrateful. If it weren’t for the fact that you’re our biological sister, we wouldn’t have bothered with you. What’s wrong with helping Jo? Why do you always have to compare yourself with her? Can’t you just stay low?”
This statement made Keira furrow her brow even more. Could someone really say something like this? He helped his adopted sister belittle his biological sister and expected her to accept it. What was wrong with them?
Simone sneered. “I am indeed ungrateful. What can you do about it? You made it clear before that you wanted to blacklist me from the entertainment industry, and you’ve acted on it. So, continue with your blacklist. Let’s see if I care.”
Displeased, Salma said, “Simone, don’t stay upset anymore. We are still a family. If you come back tomorrow, we won’t blame you.”
This daughter of hers had such a strong temper.
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.