Share

Chapter 7

Author: Fortune Abundant
Suddenly, Jennifer slapped Melanie hard across the face.

Through her tears, Jennifer cried, "You know how unbearable it is to soak in cold water in this weather, so why did you deliberately give my stand-in expired milk tea? You made her sick, and now, she couldn't come to work! You did this to force me into the water, didn't you?"

Melanie touched her swollen cheek. Feeling wronged, she tried to explain, "I didn't! I don't even know who your stand-in is!"

The next second, Ken snarled, "Shut up! If you didn't do it, are you saying Jennifer is lying?"

A chorus of voices from the crowd chimed in to accuse Melanie.

"The stand-in isn't here, and Melanie happens to be the only one with the height, body type, and resemblance to Ms. Knowles who can be her substitute. What's her excuse for refusing?"

"Melanie made the mistake, and now everyone has to clean up her mess. How annoying!"

"She's so shameless! Ms. Knowles' stand-in didn't even press charges against her. That's more than generous. How does she have the nerve to refuse to take the stand-in's place?"

Ken shot Melanie a cold glare. "We could've wrapped up with filming today, but you're holding up the entire production."

Although Melanie hadn't done anything, she had been turned into everyone's scapegoat. She tried explaining several times, but no one would listen. They all continued berating her.

In the end, Melanie was forced to go into the water. The production couldn't finish shooting smoothly otherwise, and she didn't want to delay her departure.

Before stepping into the water after she dressed for the scene, Melanie looked at Ken.

"Forcing your girlfriend who just had a miscarriage into icy water. Do you even have a conscience, Ken?"

"Stop pretending! I've always taken precautions. You couldn't have been pregnant! Be good and cooperate. Once we wrap up filming, I'll take you to meet my parents."

"No, Ken. I'm leaving."

In four days, she'd be gone—they would never meet again.

Melanie was telling the truth, but Ken didn't take her seriously.

"Leaving?" he snorted. "Throwing a tantrum and going back to your family for a couple of days, only to come crawling back? Grow up and stop playing childish games!"

Growing impatient with Melanie's reluctance, he pushed her into the water.

The icy chill seeped through Melanie's body, bone-deep, making her shiver uncontrollably. The cold wind biting at her wet skin caused every cell in her body to tremble.

After multiple retakes due to errors, Melanie remained in the freezing water for far too long. Her limbs grew weak, her forehead burned with fever, and her vision blurred. Before losing consciousness, she caught a glimpse of Ken and Jennifer kissing each other affectionately beneath a sycamore tree.

How ironic.

Melanie was hospitalized with a high fever and passed out, remaining there from the 27th to the 29th.

For three days, Ken didn't visit her at all—not even once.

Her social media, however, buzzed non-stop with news about him and Jennifer.

[Ken spent 30 million to buy a 100-carat pink diamond ring for Jennifer, sparking engagement rumors.]

[Ken and Jennifer spotted on a romantic dinner date at a fine-dining restaurant.]

[Ken admits in an interview that he only shares intimate scenes with Jennifer on-screen.]

When Melanie was discharged and returned to her apartment, she crossed the 29th off her calendar.

That was when Ken showed up.

He pulled out a bracelet and hugged her from behind, his tone intimate as he tried to fasten it onto her wrist.

"I've been busy these past few days and couldn't get away to visit you at the hospital. I got you a gift. I got it just for you, so don't be upset anymore."

Melanie had seen the bracelet on social media. It was a freebie that came with the jewelry set he had gifted Jennifer.

Without a flicker of emotion, she pulled away. "Such a precious gift would be wasted on me. Why don't you just give it to Jennifer?"

"Are you jealous? Jennifer and I are just playing up our relationship for publicity. It's all work! You're my real girlfriend. I haven't seen you in days. Did you miss me?"

Ken smirked at her, as though everything was the same as always. Whenever they fought, he'd return like this as if nothing had happened.

He reached out to hug her, placing a mask over her face. When he looked at her again, his gaze carried the same tender affection he reserved for Jennifer.

"Baby, I love you so much. Whatever you want, I'll give it to you. Please stop being distant and make me sad, okay? My heart hurts so much!"

Ken looked at her—Melanie couldn't tell if he was speaking to her, or gazing past her while declaring his love for someone else.
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App

Latest chapter

  • Get Out of the Cage   Chapter 25

    "Yes!" Melanie agreed, delighted.Two years ago, she was afraid of being hurt by another man again. But Jamie taught her, cared for her, and made her inner strength grow.She liked him, so she chose to accept him wholeheartedly. That was all—that was enough. Meanwhile, as for Ken… The first time he set eyes on Melanie, she was only sixteen.She had been much too pitiful. Her resemblance to Jennifer, especially her eyes and eyebrows, made it impossible for him to leave her.Out of sympathy, Ken helped her parents and her. At that time, he had no ulterior motives. He simply helped because he saw someone in need.After being rejected by Jennifer time and again, he was deeply hurt. And then, when eighteen-year-old Melanie looked at him, her eyes betrayed an undeniable affection.So when Jennifer rejected him for the umpteenth time and went abroad, Ken chose to confess to Melanie. At first, he never intended to make her a replacement—he just wanted to have a relationship and for

  • Get Out of the Cage   Chapter 24

    Ken's few good friends, including Wayne, were all from the industry.Before, they had been living quite comfortably by relying on Ken's company. Now that he could no longer take care of himself, their lives had only gotten worse.They tried every way they could to meet Melanie.Those who had once mocked her, calling her a country bumpkin, were now shamelessly groveling and wagging their tails like dogs."Melanie, we've met before. Not sure if you remember? I've always admired your work, especially this movie. I absolutely love it!""Yes, yes, yes! To be able to write such a masterpiece, Melanie, you're truly amazing!""At such a young age, to have this kind of talent, your future is boundless..."Melanie didn't even look up. "I don't remember sending them an invitation. Who let them in?"Security immediately entered, repeatedly apologizing and dragging the intruders out.After this incident, any industry-related event would automatically exclude Ken, Jennifer, and Wayne from t

  • Get Out of the Cage   Chapter 23

    Ken looked at her with a complicated expression. "How did you become like this? You're so unfamiliar now, I almost couldn't recognize you. You were always so gentle, considerate, and kind. You're always caring about me. You...""If being praised for being gentle, considerate, and kind means being constantly suppressed and exploited by you, then you should keep those compliments for yourself," Melanie cut him off.She now preferred to be praised for being confident, beautiful, knowledgeable, and capable, rather than being described as obedient and virtuous.Her transformation was too great, and her response was something Ken hadn't anticipated. He stared at her, momentarily speechless and unsure of what to say.Melanie didn't wait for his reply and got into the car with Jamie and the others.A group of people shamelessly showed up at her place to mooch a meal.While she was cooking, no one acted like Ken, sitting back and behaving like a king. The kitchen was large enough for ev

  • Get Out of the Cage   Chapter 22

    "Grace is better as the female lead," Jack said."No, it should be Emily!" Timothy argued.They argued so fiercely that they nearly started fighting. They both turned to Melanie and said, "Melanie, what do you think? We'll listen to you!"Melanie rarely had to make such a big decision, and she looked nervously at Jamie.He gently cupped her face and tilted it back. "Why are you looking at me? You're the creator of all the characters. When it comes to this, your choice is unquestionable!"Melanie nervously gripped her clothes. "But what if the one we choose doesn't perform well?"Jamie waved it off. "If it doesn't work, we'll replace them. What's there to be afraid of? I'm one of the investors. If anyone's unhappy and wants to withdraw their investment, I can cover it. These are non-issues!"He always exuded confidence as if nothing ever caused him doubt or fear.Melanie looked at him, and her heartbeat began to slow down."In that case, I'd like more options. The two actresses

  • Get Out of the Cage   Chapter 21

    Melanie was stunned still as she listened to Jamie.Then, suddenly, a wide smile bloomed on her face. Jamie was right. No one could trap her—only her thoughts could. She had already broken up with Ken. She shouldn't let the past control or limit her anymore.All of a sudden, she felt lighter. "How about we have barbecue at my place?" she suggested to Jamie. "I'm not really used to the food here.""Sure, what do we need to prepare? I'll help you out."Jamie wasn't just saying it. While Melanie prepared the ingredients, he helped her the whole way through.As she watched his handsome profile, for the first time, she felt her heart race. Her pulse quickened with each passing moment. She nervously shifted her gaze away.But as she turned her head, Jamie looked down and smiled.After enjoying the barbecue together, Jamie helped clean up before leaving.The smell of the barbecue lingered in her mouth. Melanie was in a good mood, thinking about how she could have barbecues more of

  • Get Out of the Cage   Chapter 20

    Jamie glanced at Melanie before speaking to Timothy and Jack. "My colleague here is a bit shy, so you two should stop acting all profound. You're scaring her!""I'm not pretending to be profound. I'm just completely captivated! My god, you really are as good as he's claimed in the past! It's been a long time since I've been this infatuated with a script!" Timothy praised loudly.Jamie tilted his chin upward. "If you had read all her scripts, you'd know she's even more impressive than you think."Jack struggled to look away from the script. Finally, he lifted his gaze. "I have a feeling that when this film is released, thousands will be mesmerized by her talent. She's like a goddess who uses her imagination to create an utterly dazzling world!"Jamie high-fived him. "That's exactly what I thought when I saw her first work. She's a genius!"Timothy clapped. "I'm going to assemble the team right now. Melanie, you're just too amazing. It's such a shame I'm only getting to know you n

More Chapters
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status