CHAPTER 697: CHAPTER 697: IT WAS JUST A KISS

Although Ann Vaughn knew that Susie Sommers had a favorite male star, so much that her room was plastered with his posters and her bookshelves filled with his magazines or signed albums.

She often said that if it was this man, even if marriage was a tomb, she was willing to jump right in!

But since Ann Vaughn was not interested in celebrity culture at the time, she never managed to remember his name.

After waiting a while with no response from Susie, Ann assumed that Susie was probably on the balcony venting her frustrations, otherwise known as causing a disturbance.

A moment later, a message from Susie popped up: Crammed full of PDA, and not to mention my husband just unilaterally announced our divorce. I’m having a really hard time.

Little Rose: Does your uncle know you’re so obsessed with him?

Broken Heart’s Echo: ...What was I saying? You wanted to prepare a thank-you gift for President Hawthorne?

Her way of avoiding the question was always so abstract, clearly showing she was again at a dead end with Julian Master Moore.

Ann Vaughn didn’t press further, so as not to touch a nerve.

However, in the next second, she saw a message from Susie: Hey, wash yourself clean, tie a red ribbon, and present yourself on President Hawthorne’s bed—that’s the best gift, isn’t it?

Ann Vaughn: ?

Why hasn’t she blocked this woman yet??

Blocking her was impossible; with her unparalleled survival instinct, Susie managed to keep a spot on Ann Vaughn’s contact list.

The two agreed to meet the next day at noon for a detailed discussion.

Completely unaware of what schemes Susie might be planning, Ann Vaughn readily agreed, and now every time she thought of Cyrus Hawthorne, her face would uncontrollably turn red.

Susie had more experience than she did, so asking her couldn’t be wrong!

"Ah! When will sweet love come my way?" Susie wailed, diving into bed, her mind involuntarily replaying last night’s scene in the bathroom.

Her fingertips brushed her lips, where the soft warmth seemed to linger.

Susie’s excitement quickly cooled down by a cold splash of reality.

From start to finish, she was the only one nervously thrilled here.

Her uncle hadn’t shown up yet—was he purposely avoiding her?

The more she thought about it, the gloomier she became. Susie turned and grabbed her phone to call Sean Sloan directly, asking him where Julian Master Moore was.

"Miss Sommers, the gentleman is at the Temple of the Clear Heart now."

Temple of the Clear Heart? Known as the most spiritually potent temple in The Imperial Capital?

Susie was instantly dumbstruck.

Once she realized it, her voice carried a mix of disbelief and tears: "Uncle is thinking of becoming a monk just because I kissed him!??"

Did her lips have some kind of blessing?

Sean Sloan was stunned by her shout. By the time he thought to explain, Susie had already hung up.

When he called back, he found her phone turned off.

Sean Sloan: ...He didn’t know whether to be astonished that the gentleman had been kissed by Miss Sommers or shocked that the reason the gentleman wanted to retreat for a period of chastity at the temple was because of Miss Sommers?

...

Early the next morning.

As dawn broke, every social media platform was overrun with news of Bryce Andre’s long-hidden marriage, unavoidable the moment one opened their phone.

In less than half an hour, the news caused a tremendous uproar both domestically and internationally, drawing in more fans’ attention, even causing several major platforms’ systems to crash temporarily!

Since starting his career as a singer at sixteen, Bryce Andre quickly earned a spot in the music scene due to his natural vocal talent combined with hard work, becoming a significant figure in the international music industry by the age of twenty-two.

Later, Bryce Andre transitioned into acting without disappointing his fans.

At twenty-six, he won the Oscar for Best Actor with a sci-fi movie grossing over $2.99 billion at the box office.

In subsequent years, any movie involving Bryce Andre was a huge success with a high box office return, earning him the title of "walking box office machine."

Having been popular for half a century, there were hardly any male stars domestically or internationally who could match his achievements and popularity, still retaining his fanbase well into middle age.

But over so many years, even the most experienced entertainment reporters never unearthed any news about his private life; if they did, they dared not publish.

Thus, the revelation of his secret marriage sent shockwaves beyond just the fanbase—it rattled society at large.

Meanwhile, those reporters who spent a night concocting news articles designed to stir trouble for Ann Vaughn had cleared away space and purchased headline spots.

Yet, they were abruptly thwarted by Bryce Andre’s scandal!

Under normal circumstances, their scheme would have had a 100% chance of success.

But despite Ann Vaughn’s rise, there was still a considerable gap when compared to a longstanding, internationally famous star with a vast and stable fan base.

Those stirring articles about her disappeared without a trace soon after being posted, enraging the media that had invested money and sleepless nights, nearly to the point of coughing blood.

"Sorry to break it to you, but you’re getting nothing in return." Little Dumpling chuckled softly in front of the computer.

As soon as the small program started on the computer, all drafts concerning Ann Vaughn vanished instantly.

If anyone deliberately searched for news related to yesterday’s incident, the page would immediately prompt "your phone is infected with a virus, needs cleaning."

As a result, 95% of people would exit, ceasing further searches for related information...

After doing all this, Little Dumpling stretched languidly: "Dad’s the forward; I’m the cleanup crew—hmm, nice teamwork."

But to actually bring out an international star of that caliber to shield Mommy...such unscrupulous tactics are truly worthy of the Archfiend.

And just like that, the entire storm quietly dissipated thanks to the seamless cooperation between father and son.

Meanwhile, Ann Vaughn was still sleeping soundly in her room, completely unaware of what had just transpired.

...

As night descended, a cold breeze blew gently.

The Platinum Palace, Imperial Capital, ever since its establishment, has hosted only banquets for the most powerful and influential families in political and business circles, maintaining extremely high standards and selectiveness, causing many distinguished families to look up to it.

Anyone with wealth and power desires to host a banquet there.

This diamond-shaped golden building, even at night, remains dazzlingly brilliant—an intersection of authority and status.

On the third floor, in the VIP lounge.

"My old man wanted to host his birthday banquet here last year, but couldn’t get a spot, and because of that, he’s been complaining daily; my ears are about to grow calluses."