Chapter 4

Phoebe took me back to her place. When I calmed down, she couldn’t help but ask me.

"Do you regret sacrificing your innocence for such a scumbag?"

"Actually, I don’t."

Phoebe looked surprised, "But the news Felix released..."

"That was fake," I calmly stared at the ceiling, speaking steadily.

Six years ago, Felix of Starlight Entertainment set Asher up to get me. He planned to sabotage Asher’s career.

That same night, if I didn’t go to his bed, a video of drugged, unconscious Asher sharing a bed with another female star would be released online.

In the end, I knocked on Felix’s door. But when he lowered his guard, I used a hidden dagger in my high boots to wound him.

He saw my determination not to comply and demanded I never return to the country. Otherwise, not only I but Asher would suffer too.

But Asher’s grandmother was seriously ill and urgently needed surgery money. He couldn’t lose his job, especially with his career booming, securing numerous big endorsements. He couldn’t afford the huge breach penalty.

So, in that situation, I had to leave. I didn’t take the five million.

Life abroad wasn’t easy. I worked as a dishwasher, waitress, and cashier.

Until recently, I saw a legal report from home, learning Felix had been executed. Only then did I dare return.

Phoebe, knowing the whole story, hugged me tightly, sobbing, "Esme, you’ve suffered. Why not stop working? Even if you go blind, I can take care of you."

"You know my nature. I don’t want to be a useless person who only relies on others."

Given the circumstances, I had no other option but to leave, and I chose not to take the five million dollars.

Living abroad wasn't easy either. I worked various jobs, from washing dishes to being a waitress and cashier.

It wasn't until recently, when I read a legal news report from home about his execution, that I dared to return.

Phoebe, who knew the whole story, hugged me tightly, her voice trembling with tears, "Esme, you've been through so much. Why don't you stop working? Even if you go blind, I'll take care of you."

"You know me. I can't just sit around and do nothing."

"But if you join the entertainment industry, you can't avoid Asher. He went crazy looking for you back then, especially after learning you were with Felix. We all thought Felix had sent you abroad for a better life. Later, some unscrupulous media even published photos suggesting you were pregnant abroad. Asher was devastated, and when he finally appeared in public again, he was a mere shadow of himself. His grandmother passed away during that time too."

Tears streamed down my face, soaking my clothes. "I suffered from severe depression abroad, which affected me physically. Now, I'm at a loss. There's no other industry that pays as quickly as this one. My eyesight is deteriorating, and I don't have much time left."

Half a month later, thanks to Phoebe's connections, I landed a supporting role as the third female lead.

A few days into filming, the lead actress was replaced by Harper, due to the influence of the financiers.

I suspected Asher was involved, but I couldn't understand his motives. Was it just to make my life difficult?

That evening, Asher's Maybach was already waiting by the set for Harper to finish work.

The shoot was supposed to wrap up by noon, and I had dinner plans with Phoebe, but it dragged on until midnight.

At night, my vision worsens significantly, and I can only make out vague shapes. I stumbled many times on set.

This time, it was Harper's foot that tripped me. I painfully got up from the ground.

"Can't you see? Walking past without even a greeting is one thing, but stepping on my foot?"

I quickly stepped back, "I'm sorry, I didn't see."

"Are those eyes just for decoration?" Harper leaned in, pointing at my eyes.

Before I could react, she yanked at the pearl necklace around my neck, scattering the pearls everywhere.

"No, you can't. It's the only thing my mother left me..."

I dropped to the floor, desperately trying to gather them.

But I couldn't see, I couldn't see.

Tears of frustration welled up.

"What's going on here?"

Asher walked over.

Hearing his voice, I froze in fear and instinctively backed away.