After the waiter left, someone else came in with several plates of fruit.
Complimentary.
"Interesting," Camilo Nogueira commented leisurely, a hint of interest hidden beneath his brows, "Virtue Retreat isn't a small eatery, offering such hospitality is unheard of... what's her background?"
"I don't know."
Camilo laughed, "And yet you show it so obviously?"
Not knowing her background, yet almost willing to lay everything out, could he be bewitched or something?
"Does it matter?"
Pedro Langley replied matter-of-factly.
"Aren't you afraid she has ulterior motives?"
Glimpsing at the seat where Nora Scott had sat earlier, Pedro's voice was deep, "I'm afraid she doesn't."
Spreading his hands, Camilo concluded with certainty, "Master Pedro, you're beyond saving."
After being single for many years and having avoided women, Pedro Langley, Master Pedro, unexpectedly fell headlong for a woman of unknown origin, and was hopelessly trapped, unable to pull himself out.
However, Nora Scott...
Initially thought to be just a stunning beauty who captivated his friend, her background was unexpectedly not to be underestimated.
Quite interesting.
*
Walking down from the third floor, Nora Scott had just reached the first-floor staircase corner when she saw Lily Turner waiting angrily.
Daring to show such an expression, it proved that she no longer needed to watch her face.
Strolling down, Nora chuckled, "Resolved?"
"Where did you go?" Lily directly questioned back, with a gloomy expression and flare of anger, "Didn't I tell you to guard the door?"
The speed at which she turned hostile was surprisingly fast for Nora.
No wonder she's called one of the best actresses among the rising stars.
With a leisurely demeanor, Nora calmly asked, "Got beaten at the door?"
"..."
Lily was stumped by her.
The negotiation went smoothly. After she presented solid evidence, Edgar Sterling had nothing to say. Lily hoped to part amicably, and after discussing terms with Edgar, even ate a meal with him before leaving; overall, the process was quite harmonious.
Now that things were settled, the heavy stone on her heart was lifted, and she no longer needed to be cautious with Nora.
As she descended the last step, Nora stood straight by Lily's side, slightly tilting her head to meet Lily's rather resentful eyes.
"Since you weren't beaten, does it matter where I guarded?"
Still maintaining that infuriating tone, sounding pleasant enough, yet every word carrying a barb.
With eyes turning cold, Lily asked in a harsh voice, "Making excuses for your negligence?"
"Hmm?"
A light smile spread across her eyes, Nora casually changed the subject, "What, picking a fight after things resolved, planning to dock the final payment?"
"..." Suddenly hit with such an accusation, Lily felt her chest tighten in frustration, and after taking a deep breath, she could only coldly say, "Rest assured, not a cent will be docked from your pay."
"Then I'm leaving."
"Wait!"
Lily stopped her, staring at her intently, speaking each word with emphasis, "Logically, the night officially ends when the contract expires; until then, you must continue as my bodyguard."
This matter was reasonable and correct. However, Lily's nitpicking behavior was too obvious.
With a brief pause, Nora didn't argue and simply nodded, "Fine."
In case she got into an accident, the blame would indeed fall on her for "negligence."
Digging a car key out of her bag, Lily tossed it to her directly.
The force with which it was thrown was heavy, seeming to aim at hitting Nora, yet she effortlessly hooked the key ring with just a finger.
"..."
Lily gritted her teeth and turned to leave.
Nora slowly followed behind, taking out her phone to send a message before speeding up appropriately.
*
Today's filming location was even more remote than yesterday's, requiring a two hours' drive from Virtue Retreat.
The meal already took up time, and by the time they reached the set, it was nine in the evening.
This show was on a tight schedule, with densely arranged working hours, leaving the staff exhausted and yawning. Seeing the familiar van approach, they glanced over, only to be surprised when it didn't stop in the film set area but parked in a more forward spot.
The front was quite open but rather secluded.
Did they fail to brake properly?
The crowd thought but paid no heed.
Getting out of the vehicle, the outside wind was biting cold, so Nora casually took down an army coat, wearing it on herself.
Later, Lily also wrapped herself in a down jacket, giving Nora a chilly glance before saying, "I'm filming a night scene, nothing more from you, you can leave now."
Saying this, she stretched out her hand to take back the van keys from Nora.
Lily intentionally had Nora parked there, probably just to bring this up.
"Here."
Squinting slightly, Nora gave a faint smile and tossed her the keys without hesitation.
This tactic of abandoning the bridge after crossing the river truly didn't surprise her.
This place was very secluded; at this hour, there was no chance to flag a taxi, let alone ride-sharing services accepting requests. Furthermore, the nearest subway station was at least a thirty-minute walk away.
She was merely a temporary assistant to a celebrity, unfamiliar with anyone on set, with vehicles being allocated, and having just offended Jesse Johnson the day before, "borrowing a car" was basically impossible.
She might be able to "hitch a ride," but that would just suit Lily's intentions, and who knows what she'd fabricate to humiliate her further.
Indeed, Lily didn't leave immediately, standing still and deliberately asking Nora, "What's the matter?"
"Waiting for a ride."
Nora didn't look at her, her gaze fixed on the desolate and quiet road.
No words of weakness nor a hint of anger, making Lily quite unsatisfied, feeling far from relieved.
After a brief pause, Lily said, "Well, good luck to you."
She couldn't believe Nora's luck would be so great as to actually snag a ride on the roadside.
Even if she managed to flag one down, surely she'd wait a long time, enough to trouble her greatly...
Thinking this, Lily felt some cheer, planning to head to the set for work, but hadn't yet moved when she heard Nora's voice—
"Here it comes."
The words had just landed.
Lily did hear some commotion, startled, as she looked up, a car's headlights shot over, causing her to instinctively close her eyes.
When she opened them again, a sports car appeared in view at once.
Like a silver lightning bolt, it sped through the quiet street, stirring up waves.
Then, as it approached, it slowed, coming to a steady stop right in front of Nora.