CHAPTER 4: CHAPTER 4: WHO IS POP’S BIOLOGICAL FATHER

"This relationship is quite significant! After all, you’re the Best Newcomer Actress who just won an award at Cannes. Making such a major career decision to return to the country undoubtedly requires negotiations with the entertainment company to jointly uphold your reputation and establish your footing domestically!" Mary analyzed for her one by one.

"And do you know how big of a hurdle marriage and childbirth can be for a female star? Not to mention having a child out of wedlock! Plus, in the eyes of your fans, you’re a symbol of glamour, sensuality, youth, and individuality. If it were discovered that the child is already this big... your public persona would completely collapse!"

Just as Mary finished speaking, a black car suddenly cut in front of their van, forcing the driver to brake suddenly, causing everyone in the vehicle to lurch forward.

Anna Thornton instinctively protected the child, and seeing Pop was unharmed, she breathed a sigh of relief.

But then Mary suddenly screamed.

"Ahhh! Paparazzi... they seem to have caught you with the child!"

Mary’s face turned pale with fright, but Anna Thornton remained composed.

Having learned her lesson, she calmly placed Pop back securely in the child seat and casually replied to Mary, "If they caught it, they caught it; I wasn’t planning on hiding it anyway!"

"What... what do you mean by that?" Mary patted her chest, feeling as if she couldn’t catch her breath, "I have a weak heart; don’t scare me like that."

"Pop needs a clear identity for school in this country."

"But this will cause a huge uproar, Anna. I know you care for Pop, and I also feel for the child having to hide with us at such a young age! But this matter needs long-term planning. Think about how much effort you’ve put in to get to where you are today. Your acting career is still in its early stages; if it’s ruined, how will you support your child and provide her with a good future?"

"I’m not acting on impulse; it’s a decision made after careful consideration. My career will continue, and I assure you Pop will soon have a new life and receive the best care."

Seeing Anna Thornton so confident, Mary was still not quite optimistic, "But once people find out you have a child, both the public and media will eagerly speculate on who the child’s father is."

"If they want to know, let them know."

"You are really..."

Mary realized she couldn’t argue with her and sighed in exasperation.

Then she asked curiously, "Who is little Pop’s biological father anyway?"

"..."

"You’ve kept it quite a secret, not even revealing it to me all these years. Is he Chinese? Well, although our little Pop looks mixed-race, you can tell from her big black eyes and black hair that her dad is the same nationality as us."

"And he must be very handsome; those genes are one in a million!"

The more Mary analyzed, the more curious she became, "But he is really heartless, to leave such a beautiful wife and daughter alone for three years without a word. So, Anna, who exactly is this heartless scoundrel?"

"What do you think about signing with Dynasty Entertainment for my agency contract upon returning to the country?" Anna Thornton asked, changing the topic.

Mary was quickly diverted by her and her eyes lit up at the mention of Dynasty Entertainment, "Dynasty is also my top pick for planning for you. This entertainment company, under the Sterling Group, has abundant resources and currently the strongest growth momentum in the domestic market. However, the issue is, their signing requirements for artists are very strict, especially for female artists! Currently, only Marilyn Ford is an award-winning actress there; all the rest are male stars, it seems quite precarious... perhaps, you should consider other companies?"

"I’m not considering others, I want to sign with Dynasty."

"What if they don’t sign you or their requirements are too demanding?"

"I not only want to sign with Dynasty but also have them provide the best resources to promote me."

Seeing Anna Thornton so self-assured, Mary was also encouraged, "Alright, lady! Then I’ll try to contact them and do my best to help you negotiate..."

To be honest, she also believed that Anna Thornton had the capital for her confidence.

Looking at the current domestic entertainment circle, those with better acting skills than Anna aren’t as pretty as her, and as for those prettier, well... they simply don’t exist!

Mary said as she lowered her head to browse the contacts, but Anna Thornton acted faster. She tapped her phone twice and handed it to her, "Just take me here."

Mary saw that she had pulled up a news article about a celebration banquet being held by the Sterling Group at the Starlight Hotel tonight.

At the Sterling celebration banquet—

The event was filled with social elites, even members of the four major families of Aethelgard gathered there, showcasing how extensive Conrad Sterling’s influence was.

Furthermore, booking the most luxurious hotel in Aethelgard, having Raymond Hawthorne, known as ’The God of Cuisine,’ as the chef, and top-tier wine flown in from France that day was a lavish affair that befitted the prestigious attendees.

Conrad Sterling, in a silver suit, maneuvered gracefully among the guests, making arrangements and socializing aptly.

Standing beside him was a tall, slender woman in a custom-designed white asymmetrical gown, with a grand and sophisticated makeup look. She was Marilyn Ford, who had recently won Best Actress awards at several film festivals.

In fact, everyone present was well aware that this banquet was not solely for the Sterling Group but also to congratulate Miss Ford, hence the toasts were for both of them.

After all, everyone in Aethelgard knew how much President Sterling adored and valued Miss Ford.

Conrad Sterling was a business prodigy with wealth in the billions and a promising future, while Marilyn Ford, besides being an award-winning actress, was the daughter of the Ford Family, the leading family among the four major families in Aethelgard.

Who wouldn’t envy such a pair of talented and beautiful golden couple?