Mr. CEO, You Look Strangely Familiar

Chloe Marshall chimed in, ”It’s so sordid.”

”So many young women would kill to get into this business, and yet so many leave in disgrace. Even among those who manage to stay, how many truly make it on talent alone? It looks glamorous on the surface, but it’s all just a series of transactions.”

Nora Ainsworth replied, ”I guess it’s because the money’s fast. And you get famous. That’s why so many women get hooked.”

About ten minutes later, the official shoot began.

The scene was about the character played by Nora Ainsworth being lured to this location by the character played by Sharon Ainsworth.

The plan was for Sharon’s character to try to murder Nora’s, only to be stopped and captured by Ethan Ellsworth’s character in the nick of time.

With numerous crew members watching, at that exact moment, Sharon Ainsworth turned the act into reality, pretending to slip as she plunged the knife toward Nora Ainsworth.

No one could have imagined that on a legitimate film set, an actress would actually stab the female lead. The director had explicitly told her to stop the knife an inch from Nora Ainsworth’s waist.

But this turn of events was clearly beyond everyone’s expectations.

At first, no one thought it was real. They all assumed it was just pig’s blood and clever camera angles arranged by the props department. But when the director yelled ”CUT,” Nora Ainsworth collapsed to her knees, her face deathly pale.

It was only then that everyone realized the blood was real.

Ethan Ellsworth erupted in fury. He kicked Sharon Ainsworth to the ground, then scooped up Nora Ainsworth and rushed her to a car to get medical help.

Everyone was dumbfounded. Cecelia Willow was scared witless. Before they had even arrived, Quentin Grant himself had called her.

His instructions were to take good care of Nora Ainsworth.

So much for taking good care of her!

”What are you all standing around for?! Call the police! Get Sharon Ainsworth arrested!” ’Her scenes are finished anyway,’ Cecelia thought. ’Someone has to answer for this.’

Seeing the director’s rage, the crew members immediately did as they were told.

”Director, I didn’t do it on purpose! I didn’t mean to!” Sharon cried, but inwardly she was ecstatic. ’I know I won’t go to jail,’ she thought. ’Someone will naturally bail me out.’

Ethan Ellsworth drove while Zeke Marshall and Chloe Marshall held Nora Ainsworth in the back.

Once the car was on the main road, Nora Ainsworth suddenly sat up. ”Ethan, stop the car.”

Ethan Ellsworth stopped and looked back at her, frowning. ”Don’t move.”

Nora Ainsworth lifted her shirt, pulled out a ruptured blood pack and a small metal plate, and huffed, ”I was prepared for her.”

Chloe Marshall’s eyes went wide. ”Nora, you weren’t actually hurt?”

”Of course not.” Nora Ainsworth put the items into a black plastic bag and said to Zeke Marshall, ”Lower the privacy screen. I need to change.”

Zeke Marshall did as she asked, and the screen between the front and back seats was lowered. Nora took out a change of clothes and put them on.

Then she said, ”Okay, I’m done.”

The screen was raised. Ethan Ellsworth looked back, a smile spreading across his face. ”As expected of Young Master Grant’s woman. Always on your guard. What’s the plan now?”

”We’ll play her at her own game, of course. Drive back to the set and follow my lead.”

Ethan Ellsworth turned the car around and headed back.

Seeing Ethan Ellsworth’s car return, Cecelia Willow immediately rushed forward. ”Ellsworth, how is she?”

Ethan Ellsworth furrowed his brow and said, ”We went to a nearby clinic to get it bandaged. The wound isn’t deep. And well, Nora was worried about delaying the shoot, so she insisted on finishing her scenes before going home to rest.”

Hearing this, Cecelia Willow sighed with emotion. ”Nora is such a professional, and so considerate of me. I can’t tell you how touched I am.”

The back door opened and Chloe Marshall helped Nora Ainsworth out. Nora said, ”Director, please don’t call the police. After all, she and I were like sisters once. I don’t want to say anything about what she’s done to me now. I just hope she takes some time to reflect. We’re about to wrap filming; it would be best to avoid any negative press.”

Cecelia Willow replied in a low voice, ”But what if Young Master Grant—”

Nora Ainsworth smiled. ”It’s fine. I’ll talk to him.”

Cecelia Willow took her other arm to support her. ”Are you really okay? Do you want to rest for a bit first?”

”I’m fine. Let’s get back to filming. I can do this.”

Her actions prompted a flurry of media reports. Her professionalism and forgiving attitude instantly restored the reputation Nora Ainsworth had previously lost.

Sharon Ainsworth stood to the side, fuming, but there was nothing she could do.

**

「Several days had passed since Zoe Ellsworth dropped out of school.」

Just as he’d promised, Herman Hawthorne had opened a clothing boutique for her in a prime location.

It sold mid-to-high-end women’s clothing, featuring new and original styles at rather high prices.

But because the clothes were so beautiful and stylish, business had been good for the past few days, turning a profit every day.

Her old fair-weather friends hadn’t contacted her since she dropped out. But that afternoon, someone must have revealed her location, because a few of her former female classmates showed up together.

”Zoe, we’re going to a school party tonight. Could you help us pick out some nice outfits?”

Zoe Ellsworth stood up. ”I have plenty of nice clothes. But first, let me ask, did you bring any money?”

One of the girls was taken aback. ”Zoe, we used to be deskmates. Didn’t you always buy us clothes? We all know you’re rich. How about you just give us a couple of things now?”

Zoe Ellsworth laughed. ”Honey, this is a business, not a charity for beggars. Even as classmates, the best I can do is a discount, not a handout.”

The three or four girls exchanged glances. ”So, how much are your clothes?”

”Prices vary. Some are a few thousand, some tens of thousands, some over a hundred thousand, and some even several hundred thousand.”

The former classmates were stunned. ”Why are they so expensive?”

”The wholesale price is high. The clothes in my shop use fine fabrics, detailed craftsmanship, and beautiful designs, so naturally, they’re going to be more expensive.”

The group looked resentful. ”Well, in that case, never mind. We’re not buying anything.”

But they showed no sign of leaving.

”Zoe, you didn’t even invite us to your wedding. That’s not cool. And here we thought we were such good friends. Now that you’re married, can you introduce us to some guys?”

Zoe Ellsworth understood what they were getting at, but she hated playing matchmaker. The women’s intentions were obvious: they were just looking for rich, handsome guys.

”Sure. There are a few beggars on the pedestrian overpass. I can introduce you to them.”

The girls’ faces darkened instantly. ”You’ve got a great sense of humor.”

”Alright, if you’re not buying clothes and don’t need anything else, you should head out. I have to leave soon, and the staff will be watching the store.”

The classmates had no choice but to leave.

Zoe Ellsworth checked her watch and said to her two employees, ”You two watch the shop. I’ll be back tonight to check the books.”

”Yes, ma’am.”

She left the shop, got in her car, and drove to the outskirts of the city, following the road until she reached the main gate of the Devil’s Training Camp.

She got in without any trouble, wound her way upstairs, and found a woman with her butt in the air, furtively peeking into her husband’s office.

She walked over and kicked Jasmine Walsh right in the rear. The momentum sent Jasmine Walsh stumbling straight into the office.