The only culprit Martin could think of was the Gu family.
Kristen stepped into the elevator and pressed "1." "No."
Martin turned to stare at her. "Then who? Don't tell me you picked a fight behind my back."
Kristen said nothing, lashes lowered, lost in thought.
Martin stroked his chin, thinking aloud. "Come to think of it, since you joined the company, your resources weren't amazing, but you never lacked roles. Everyone here—men and women—gets dragged out to schmooze. Even our top star sometimes has to drink with the big shots. But you? Not even once."
His curiosity sharpened. He ducked his head and muttered, conspiratorial, "If you've got backing, say it early. I'll pledge my undying loyalty and follow you forever."
Kristen lifted her eyes and gave him a look. "If I had backing, would I need to pay the company thirty million?"
Martin: "…"
Fair point.
The elevator doors opened. Kristen walked out first, Martin trailing, still chattering. "So what now? If we terminate, it's thirty million. If we don't, it's a blacklist. You—"
Kristen suddenly stopped. Martin braked hard. Seeing her face, he followed her gaze to Finn standing beside a blue supercar.
Finn wore a gray dress shirt today, holding a huge bouquet of roses. The moment he saw Kristen, he strode over. "Kris…"
He offered the roses. "I booked a place. Let's sit down and talk."
Kristen didn't spare the bouquet a glance. "There's nothing to talk about."
She turned to leave.
Finn tried to follow, but Martin stepped in his way.
"Mr. Gu…" Martin had always disliked him, but given Finn's status as the second son of the Gu family, he pasted on a brittle smile. "Kristen's already broken up with you. Please stop coming around. People will get the wrong idea if you're photographed."
Finn cast him a disdainful look, then called toward Kristen as she reached for the car door. "Your company wants to terminate you. No one but me can help you."
Thirty million was a sky-high fee. She couldn't pay it.
Kristen froze, turning back. "How would you help me?"
Finn brushed past Martin and closed the distance, thrusting the roses into her arms with new-found certainty. "I can cover the thirty million for you. If you truly love acting, I'll start a management agency and sign you as our artist—the whole company will exist to serve you."
Kristen didn't brighten the way he expected. Her face stayed cool. "And in return?"
There are no pies dropping from the sky.
Her reaction made Finn uneasy. He forced a smile. "Kris, it's not what you think with Grace. I swear I'm clean in body and heart. I love only you. As long as we get married, I'll support whatever you want to do. Okay?"
Kristen ducked her head and let out a small laugh that never reached her eyes.
"So what you're saying is: Grace seduced you, flirted with you. Then why did you keep going to her?"
Finn rubbed his temple, dodging the point. "Kris, haven't I loved you enough? Haven't I been good enough? Everything you like, I put in your hands first. The roles you wanted, I let you take. What more do you want?"
On the side, Martin rolled his eyes so hard they could have fallen out. What kind of scumbag script was this?
"You are good to me," Kristen said evenly. "But not only to me." She pulled out her phone, opened Grace's Weibo, and held it up. "Every 'new release' you gave me, you also gave to Grace. Finn, it's a shame you're not in Yiwu doing wholesale."
Her tone was icy, the mockery unmistakable.
( End of Chapter )