A Father's Rejection

She had already seen through Vanessa’s scheming.

This wasn’t help at all.

Vanessa was trying to push her higher… only so she could fall harder.

She would praise Isabella to the heavens and raise everyone’s expectations before filming even began. Then, the moment Isabella made the slightest mistake, the disappointment would be magnified a hundred times.

Too bad.

Isabella had no intention of letting her plans succeed.

She had been sharpening her blade for five whole years.

And she had more than enough confidence to meet everyone’s expectations.

When the media interview segment finally ended, Isabella was preparing to take a short break when Lilian suddenly grabbed her arm.

“Isabella! Where did all of this come from?” Lilian demanded sharply.

Her gaze swept over Bella’s outfit from head to toe.

“Don’t think the company will pay for this! As a supporting female lead, don’t you understand the rules? Who allowed you to steal the spotlight?”

Isabella twirled one of her natural curls lazily around her finger.

“I didn’t want to either,” she replied casually.

“But who knew you’d try to make me late for the ceremony?”

“You—!”

Lilian’s expression twisted with anger, but noticing the people around them, she quickly forced it down.

“You’d better behave yourself later during the dinner,” she warned coldly.

“Don’t say anything that will embarrass the company. Nessa doesn’t tolerate alcohol well, so remember to receive the toasts on her behalf. Do you understand?”

Bella burst out laughing.

“You want me to drink on her behalf?”

She tilted her head slightly.

“Lilian boo… are you dreaming?”

“It would already be impressive if I don’t pour wine on her.”

Lilian and Vanessa were clearly in cahoots.

Groveling before Lilian would get her nowhere.

On the contrary, if she refused to bow to them, Lilian wouldn’t dare push things too far.

Lilian forced herself to calm down.

“Isabella,” she said through clenched teeth, “you’ve finally grown some backbone. You’ve only gotten a small supporting role and you’ve already forgotten your surname?”

Bella had no patience left for her.

She simply turned and walked away.

Lilian stared at Bella’s retreating figure.

Even just her back was enough to mesmerize people.

Her slender waist, the elegant sway of her dress…

It was difficult to look away.

After the ceremony, there was a banquet dinner.

The crew and everyone connected to the production gathered together, drinking and chatting as they got to know one another.

The atmosphere was lively and relaxed.

When Isabella entered, the screenwriter was the first to stand up enthusiastically and pull her to sit beside him.

It was obvious how satisfied he was with her.

“Speaking of which,” the assistant director said suddenly, “isn’t it such a coincidence that the two beauties of our cast come from the same company and even share the same surname?”

Isabella sneered inwardly.

What a coincidence.

Same company.

Same manager.

Yet completely different fates.

One was already the shining star of Starlight Entertainment.

The other had been buried in the lowest levels of the entertainment industry.

Just then, the producers and directors suddenly stood up.

Someone important had entered.

It was the movie’s biggest investor.

Richard Hartley.

Chairman of Founder & Co.

“We didn’t expect Chairman Hartley to personally attend our opening ceremony. It’s truly an honour!” Director Phil greeted him warmly.

“Please, Chairman Hartley, sit here.”

The producer immediately gave up his seat so Richard could sit beside Vanessa.

Richard looked at Vanessa with obvious affection.

“Director Phil, you’re too polite. My daughter is the one under your care.”

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” Director Phil replied with a smile. “Your daughter is extremely talented. She doesn’t need my care at all.”

Richard sighed.

“This child is always so busy. Even as her father, I have to personally come find her or I won’t get to see her.”

Though he spoke as if he were angry, his eyes were full of indulgence.

“Hahaha! You should be proud that Vanessa works so hard,” Director Phil laughed.

“But Vanessa, you’re in the wrong too. No matter how busy you are, you should go home to see your father.”

“I know, Director,” Vanessa said obediently.

She hugged Richard’s arm.

“Dad, don’t be angry. I’ll come home for dinner tomorrow night.”

Richard laughed.

“See? I needed the director to persuade her before she agreed.”

“Dad!” Vanessa pouted. “There are so many people here, leave me some dignity.”

“Yes, yes,” Richard chuckled. “You’re a big star now. I can’t even scold you anymore.”

Bella thought she had already hardened her heart.

But seeing this scene of fatherly affection and daughterly devotion…

Her chest tightened painfully.

She almost couldn’t breathe.

For a moment, she nearly ran out of the room.

But even if her heart was in chaos, her expression remained calm.

She continued discussing the script with the screenwriter as if she hadn’t noticed anything.

However…

She could ignore it.

But someone else couldn’t.

Richard’s gaze cut across the room like a knife.

When it landed on Isabella, it was filled with disgust.

As if merely seeing her at a public event was something shameful.

Bella finally excused herself to the restroom and stepped out into the corridor.

She stood by an open window, letting the cool night air wash over her.

From her bag, she pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.

She held the cigarette between her fingers for a long time.

Then slowly…

She put it back.

She was trying to quit.

Today was the first time she had almost given in.

The cold wind helped calm her slightly.

Suddenly, footsteps approached behind her.

Bella’s back stiffened.

But she turned around anyway.

Her expression was calm, almost emotionless.

“Are you looking for me, Chairman?”

Richard stared at her coldly.

His gaze lingered on her striking outfit.

His expression darkened.

Bella lowered her eyes and smiled faintly.

“Hm. Chairman, you were staring at me like that inside just now as well.”

She lifted her gaze again.

“Aren’t you afraid people might misunderstand your intentions?”

In the eyes of outsiders, he was a wealthy investor.

She was a beautiful young actress.

Rumours could start easily.

“You shameless girl!” Richard exploded.

“What nonsense are you saying?”

Bella raised an eyebrow.

“I’m speaking human language. Are you deaf?”

Richard’s anger exploded.

He raised his hand—

But before it could strike her…

His wrist was suddenly caught.

Bella’s grip was firm.

How could she allow him to hit her again?

He no longer had that right.

Richard yanked his hand back furiously.

“I want you to withdraw from this role immediately.”

“Stop embarrassing me in public.”

Bella’s voice turned icy.

“I earned this role fairly. How exactly am I embarrassing you?”

“You’re only following whatever my daughter wants!”

Richard sneered.

“Look at yourself. You can’t even compare to Nessa.”

“You were so desperate to enter the entertainment industry. Are you waiting for people to dig up your disgraceful past and shame the Hartley family?”

Bella’s face went pale.

That night.

That stranger.

That dead infant.

Her greatest nightmare.

The family had buried the incident out of fear of scandal.

But it had haunted her ever since.

“I’m giving you the chance to leave gracefully,” Richard said coldly.

“Since you refuse… don’t blame me for forgetting we’re father and daughter.”

Bella laughed softly.

“To think we ever had such a relationship.”

“Dad? Bella? What’s going on?”

Vanessa’s voice suddenly sounded behind them.

Richard’s expression changed instantly.

He became gentle again.

“It’s nothing.”

Then he said calmly,

“When you go back, tell your company to replace the supporting female lead.”

Vanessa’s heart leapt with joy.

But her expression turned anxious.

“Dad, why? Bella has already been confirmed for the role!”

“I invested thirty million dollars into this movie.”

“This isn’t a place for her to play around.”

“But Dad, Bella worked very hard to get this role—”

“Nessa.”

Richard interrupted sharply.

“I told you not to help her.”

“You even praised her to reporters.”

“Does she deserve that?”

“But Bella is your—”

“Enough!”

Richard’s face darkened.

“You are my only daughter. Don’t ever mention that again.”

Vanessa lowered her head obediently.

“Dad, please don’t be angry. I won’t mention it again.”

Richard turned to Isabella.

“If you have time, persuade her to stop being stubborn.”

Then he left.

But not before shooting Isabella a final warning look.

Once he was gone, Vanessa’s expression slowly changed.

She looked innocent.

“Bella… this time it really wasn’t me.”

“I wanted to give you a chance but…”

Bella suddenly laughed.

Just one sound.

But it was filled with despair.

Who would have thought…

The one who would destroy all her efforts…

Would be her own biological father?

She had fought so hard for this role.

Prepared for it.

Sacrificed for it.

And yet…

Everything had been wiped away with a single sentence.

By the time the banquet ended, it was already 11 PM.

Bella hadn’t even drunk much.

But somehow she still felt dizzy.

Her steps were unsteady.

Her temples throbbed painfully.

And just as she looked up—

She saw someone she least wanted to see.

Gabriel Rowes.