CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48: THERE’S ALREADY SOMEONE IN MY HEART

"No one! We were just joking around." Mary awkwardly laughed it off, quickly changing the subject. "Would you like to try our afternoon tea?"

"I came because I heard there’s food here."

Florian walked in unceremoniously, not even bothering to greet Anna Thornton. He casually took a piece of chestnut cake.

"The taste is pretty good!"

This kid must be truly hungry; he finished a piece of cake in just two bites.

Mary hurried to pile the remaining pastries in front of Florian, trying to please this flower boy straight out of a comic: "There are plenty here, help yourself. If there’s not enough, we can order more."

However, Florian’s second pastry wasn’t taken from his own plate; instead, he stretched his hand and took half of a macaron from Anna’s plate.

Anna hadn’t expected anyone to come this afternoon. Although she asked Mary to order afternoon tea, she hadn’t even put on makeup, clearly unprepared for socializing.

"I’ve already eaten this one." Anna reminded him.

"Sis, although I see your bare skin looks great, female celebrities still need to take good care of themselves. Especially since I saw in the news, you seem to have already had kids, right?"

Florian said, casually shoving the remaining half of the macaron into his mouth: "I’m different; I’m still in my teenage years, and I have a physique that never gains weight, so I don’t have to worry about my figure getting out of shape."

Anna: "..."

If it weren’t for his popularity, with fans defending him, would someone who talks like this really not worry about getting beaten up when going out?

Anna felt her temper rising, but Mary stopped her with a look.

Mary’s look told her, "Please don’t lose it. This guy’s fans are particularly troublesome, dealing with him is even more problematic than dealing with The Great Actress Ford. The fan circles of trending stars here in the country are quite unfathomable, we’re just back and don’t know the ropes, so bear with it for now."

After their eye contact, Mary handed Florian the untouched macaron from her own plate.

After all, Florian is currently the most commercially valuable male artist at Dynasty Entertainment. Even if no one else gives face today, if we can win him over as an ally, that wouldn’t be so bad.

Maybe there’ll be good resources in the future, and he can bring them to Anna.

While Mary considered this, Florian was unimpressed with her diligence. He even looked at her with a somewhat disdainful gaze: "Auntie, the way you’re handing me pastries looks just like my mom constantly giving me food, super creepy!"

Mary: "..."

Auntie?

Mary is only twenty-five years old; she’s just three years older than Anna.

Because of the work as an agent, she can’t dress well and usually wears what’s comfortable — she hasn’t had time to properly dress up...

But no matter what, she shouldn’t be called auntie by an eighteen-year-old boy, right?

Mary felt as if she’d been struck by lightning, her face turned green, almost about to cry with frustration.

Anna couldn’t stand it, glaring at the clueless Florian: "Kiddo, if you’re here to cause trouble, you’re not welcome!"

"No one’s coming to your afternoon tea today; everyone’s upstairs with Marilyn instead. Chase me away, and you won’t even have one ally left."

"Oh, kiddo, you’ve been prying quite a bit, haven’t you!"

"I just heard from my agent that recently there’s a newly returned female star making waves, and now she’s been signed to our company. My agent told me to keep my distance from you."

This Florian is rather straightforward, selling out his agent so quickly.

Anna scoffed lightly: "Even if I do hype myself up, I wouldn’t cling to a kid who’s not even fully grown yet."

"That’s not necessarily true; I’ve never been in a public relationship. The highest national-level heartthrob’s first love, might you consider this headline? It could crash the Weibo server."

"Not interested." Anna rejected him decisively.

"This is the fastest and most effective way for you to surpass Marilyn Ford in fame."

"I never intended to compete with Marilyn Ford. What’s the point of vying for fame? I want to be an actress for myself alone."

"Are you sure you want to give up on an ally with such high popularity like me?"

"Today’s afternoon tea isn’t organized to form cliques. If people come, they come; if not, then forget it. Eat if you want to, and after that, hurry up and leave." Anna said.

Florian had never seen a woman with such a personality before.

He became famous young, with talent for singing and songwriting; everywhere he went, he was elevated by fans and peers.

Anna’s attitude instead intrigued Florian: "Sis, are you unfamiliar with the domestic entertainment circle? No wonder you ruined your reputation as soon as you returned. Even daring to openly talk about having kids — you’re brutal! But let me remind you, in this company besides me, it’s all about Marilyn. You’re putting yourself in a tough spot."

"But, let’s not say there’s no hope for survival — I’m your hope. Honestly, your looks and figure are quite to my taste, and I don’t mind a sister-brother relationship. As my girlfriend, I’d naturally lead you to resources later, not leave you starving."

"Your resources? Never mind, we’re not on the same path."

Anna seldom watched domestic dramas, but sometimes Mary watched, and she would glance over.

To be honest, the acting skills of these young actors nowadays... Just a glance makes her feel it’s hard to watch.

Anna had at least won awards abroad, and her goal upon returning was aiming for prestigious actress awards. Shooting with Florian... isn’t it a waste of time?

"Wait! I see your expression, it seems like you’re really not into me?" Florian looked at Anna in disbelief. "Am I really that unworthy in your eyes?"

Anna nodded: "Sorry, I already have someone in mind. Can’t quite see other men!"

"You have someone? You don’t mean the rumor with the big boss behind Dynasty Entertainment, President Sterling, do you?"

"Uh-huh."

"Aside from a bit of money, what else is good about him? He’s not young anymore; he couldn’t even win over The Great Actress Ford, just an empty paper tiger. Plus, he’s probably second-hand goods."

Seeing Florian’s disdain for Conrad Sterling, Anna couldn’t help but laugh lightly.

Since the scandal of Conrad Sterling sending Anna home late that night broke out, along with her signing on with Dynasty Entertainment, most media and netizens have commented that Anna is clinging desperately, trying to climb up the ranks, looking down on her...

It’s rare to come across someone who evaluates the man from the woman’s perspective and even considers Conrad unworthy.

Anna suddenly developed a liking for this kid.

"I’m different; I’m original, definitely untouched." Florian hadn’t given up promoting himself, "Have you heard what’s the hardest thing in the world? Besides diamonds, what’s second hardest?"