CHAPTER 218: CHAPTER 219: CALL OUT TWICE (4)

Upon reaching a restaurant, Vera Wave came to a halt.

"Merlin, you go ahead and grab a bite inside the restaurant; wait for me. I need to meet a friend upstairs. I’ll be back soon."

"Alright," Merlin Bradley said as he took the documents from Vera’s hands. "Do you want me to order anything for you?"

Vera thought for a moment. "Let’s discuss that when I get back. You go ahead and eat, and remember to keep the receipt for reimbursement."

Waving goodbye to Merlin, Vera jogged towards the office building behind them, took an elevator to the sixth floor, arrived at door 607, and knocked.

"Come in."

A familiar male voice emerged. She took a deep breath, put on a smile, and walked in.

This was an office. Kris Cooper was casually leaning back in his chair. Upon seeing her, he immediately pushed himself up using the armrests.

Vera scanned the room. Seeing no one else, she walked up and started in a sugary voice, "Honey, have you eaten?"

Initially irritated, the sight of her smiling face melted all his anger away. Kris raised a hand to caress her face, his voice filled with concern. "Are you hurt?"

"My scalp hurts." She put on a pitiful look of grievance.

"Serves you right! Who told you to go acting in that crappy movie!" he grumbled, seemingly having forgotten how confidently he himself had proposed the investment in this very movie at the board meeting.

Of course, though his words were harsh, his hand was already gently cradling her head, carefully checking under her hair. "Does it hurt much?"

"It’s much better now." Seeing he wasn’t actually angry, she dropped the pitiful act and smiled at him. "Honey, have you eaten yet? Are you hungry? Should... I go and get you something to eat?"

Kris glanced at her face. "Cut to the chase."

"Well, actually... I came to look for an actor. Remember the Peace Community project? I came to see an acquaintance to introduce me to some actors. He insisted I help him out with a last-minute cameo. I figured, why not? Who knew I’d run into *her*!"

"COUGH!" Kris cleared his throat. "Cut to the chase."

She had called him ’Honey’ and offered to buy him food the moment she saw him. He knew this little rascal was after something else.

He saw right through me? Vera pouted, then finally spilled the beans.

"Actually, there’s one more little thing. You see, the director said... my forehead is full, my jawline is well-defined, and my bone structure is remarkable..."

Was this silly girl reciting a martial arts novel? Kris didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "Cut to the chase!"

"So, in short, I have great potential as an actress, so..." Vera sneakily glanced at Kris’s expression. "He wants me to play the second female lead."

"I’ll pay you double! Don’t take the role!"

"Honey."

"Even calling me honey won’t work!"

The entertainment industry? What kind of place is that? It’s a cesspool, full of shady characters. With her limited experience, how could she possibly outmaneuver anyone there... He couldn’t possibly be by her side all the time. Today was just a coincidence. What if he hadn’t been there? The thought of Maggie Clarke pulling her hair made him burn with the desire to drag that bitch over and subject her to dismemberment.

She knew he’d never agree. Vera’s shoulders slumped, her lips forming a prominent pout.

Frowning at her dejected expression, Kris Cooper placed his hands on her shoulders and spoke gently. "If you need money, I’ll give it to you. Any amount you want, okay?"

"No way!" Vera pouted. "That’s *your* money, not mine! I’m in a relationship with you, not your kept woman! Are you implying I’m some kind of prostitute?"