CHAPTER 143: EVERYONE WANTS SOMETHING FROM ME

Even though I didn’t want to admit it, Penny was right. When I woke up, my mind felt clearer, and my mood was surprisingly good.

But something that made me even happier was the fact that Lando was having breakfast with me!

"Husband!" I called out happily as I walked into the dining room. I immediately sat beside him instead of across from him. "It’s so rare to see you still at home after sunrise."

Lando looked a little startled when I wrapped my arm around his, but he didn’t pull away. Since he didn’t move, I assumed he didn’t mind at all.

"I just have a bit of free time today," Lando said. "It’s because I’ll be leaving for a business trip this afternoon, and I’ll probably return tomorrow before your hearing."

My smile slowly faded after hearing that. It wasn’t just because Lando would be gone—something I should be used to by now, but it still made me sad—but it was the reminder that my hearing was tomorrow.

Ethan had warned me that there was a chance Addison might contact or even harass me. However, she never did anything, and her daughter Madeline also didn’t say a word.

But then again... Madeline was probably too busy trying to win Dorian’s heart back after humiliating him at the charity event. Luckily, reporters weren’t allowed inside. If they were, Madeline would’ve truly ended up a single mother by now.

"I’ll add more bodyguards around you just to be safe," Lando said. "We never know what someone might try to do."

Honestly, I also didn’t know what Addison was capable of. I didn’t think she would go as far as trying to kill me.

Still, I didn’t want to take any chances. So I didn’t stop Lando from increasing my security. "But I don’t want other people to feel uncomfortable. So... Can you ask your bodyguards to disguise themselves?"

Lando nodded gently. "I’ll tell them. Don’t worry."

What I didn’t expect was how ridiculous the bodyguards looked in their disguises. They dressed up as everything; my new driver (poor Mr. Silo got kicked out of his own job), a delivery man, a cleaning service worker, and even an intern.

I had no idea how Lando managed to slip his bodyguards into Red Zone Office as temporary employees in such a short time. But then again... for someone like him, maybe it wasn’t hard at all.

"Helcia, good morning," Junniper Leslie, the writer of My Boss’ Obsession, greeted me the moment I stepped into the script reading room.

It looked like I came too early, so only a few newcomers and some staff were there. Still, coming early was always better than being late.

"Good morning, Ms. Leslie," I greeted back politely.

"Oh, please, call me Junni," she said with a warm smile.

Junni and I ended up chatting for a while, and I could feel some of the newcomers watching us with a hint of jealousy. They had arrived even earlier than I did, yet Junni didn’t talk to them at all.

Honestly, I didn’t expect her to talk to me either. But maybe it was because my character was the catalyst of the drama or maybe she simply knew I had a connection with Brixton.

Red Zone Production wasn’t a branch of Brixton Holding Group, but some of its sponsors did have ties to the Brixtons. Still, in Junni’s case, I had a feeling she was trying to build connections to eventually push her book into a bigger live-action adaptation someday.

Some people might think I’m being too paranoid for always assuming people have hidden intentions when they’re being nice, but that’s what happened to me before.

I used to believe everyone was kind... until they kept stabbing me over and over again.

So in this second life, I won’t trust people so easily. I can still be friendly, but that doesn’t mean anyone can use me the way they did back then.

"It’s really nice talking to you!" Junni suddenly leaned in closer and whispered, "Helcia, I saw your name trending a while ago. Are you really married to one of the Brixtons?"

My smile stiffened the moment I heard her sudden question.

I gave her a small nod and murmured, "You can say that." Then I added softly, "But... not the famous Brixton."

I felt like I needed to emphasize that so she wouldn’t expect too much from me. I mean, people would definitely think Lando was the "useless" Brixton, right?

But even after I said that, Junni still wouldn’t give up. "But you must know your husband’s brothers, right? I heard all of them are very successful." Junni continued, "If you don’t mind, could you introduce me to them someday? I have a few books that I think would be perfect for adaptation by their entertainment company."

I took a deep breath before deciding to give her a neutral answer, since I would be seeing Junni often during the filming schedule. "Maybe someday. They’re very busy people."

Junni’s eyes lit up with excitement, clearly satisfied with even that vague promise. "That’s totally fine! I understand they must be extremely busy," she said, waving her hands as if trying not to look too eager. But the sparkle in her eyes betrayed her.

I simply gave her a polite smile.

Before the conversation could continue, more actors and staff began entering the room. The atmosphere slowly shifted from casual chatter to focused preparation. Everyone started taking their seats, flipping through their scripts, or greeting the directors and producers.

Junni excused herself to speak with the assistant director, leaving me alone for a moment.

I let out a small sigh.

Even now, people still approached me not because of who I was, but because of the people linked to me.

Well... at least this time, I knew better. I wouldn’t let anyone take advantage of me again.

I straightened my back, fixed my expression, and placed my script on the table.

Time to work.