Anna didn’t linger on the conversation from the night before.
Sowhere between Daniel’s quiet reassurance and the way he’d held her as they fell asleep, she had received the answer she needed—not clarity, but comfort. And for now, that was enough.
So when morning ca, she carried on.
Her mansion buzzed with energy as her manager arrived bright and early, ard with a tablet, a laptop, and the unmistakable grin of soone who slled success.
The trailer was out. And it was doing numbers.
Anna sat at the dining table, staring at the growing pile of printed scripts, endorsent proposals, and a glossy tabloid Kevin had dramatically placed right in front of her.
She blinked. Once. Twice.
"...Is this all for ?"
Kevin bead. "Every last one."
She slowly picked up the tabloid, squinting at the bold headline splashed across the cover.
ANNA BENNETT: THE FRESH FACE TAKING OVER CINEMA
"Oh no," she muttered. "They spelled my na right. This is serious."
Betty, who had been hovering beside her with a cup of coffee almost as big as her head, leaned over to peek at the pages. Her eyes widened.
"Big Sis," she breathed dramatically, "you are going big."
Anna snorted. "Please, yesterday they didn’t even recognize at the café. Today I’m ’taking over cinema’?"
Kevin tapped his tablet. "Yesterday was before the trailer. Today, directors are fighting over you like it’s a clearance sale."
Anna slid the scripts closer, flipping through them cautiously. "Okay, but be honest. Do I have to say yes to all of these?"
She glanced up at Kevin. "Because I still want to sleep occasionally. And eat. And exist as a human."
Kevin gasped, hand flying to his chest. "Sleep is temporary. Stardom is eternal."
Betty nodded seriously. "I can sacrifice sleep for you, Big Sis. I’ll sleep on your behalf."
Anna laughed. "That’s not how it works."
She picked up another script, skimming the first page. "This one wants to play a tragic lover who cries in the rain for three hours."
Kevin nodded. "Very artistic. Lots of awards potential."
"And this?" she lifted another. "A bubbly influencer who falls in love with a billionaire’s dog?"
Betty grinned. "I vote dog movie."
Kevin ignored her. "That one pays well."
Anna leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "I’m not agreeing to everything. I don’t want to disappear into nonsense just because people suddenly like ."
Kevin’s expression softened slightly. "And that’s exactly why they like you."
She paused, surprised.
"We’ll be selective," he continued. "One strong film. One endorsent that doesn’t make you sell shampoo you’ve never used. And maybe"—he smirked—"one music video, because you apparently look good brooding in slow motion."
Betty clapped. "I knew it! Big Sis broods professionally."
Anna rolled her eyes but smiled. "Fine. But if I start brooding at breakfast, stop ."
Kevin stood, gathering the papers. "No promises. Stardom cos with side effects."
As they laughed, Anna glanced once at her phone—no new ssages, no new dreams, no heaviness.
Kevin was still organizing the papers when his phone buzzed again.
He glanced at the screen and froze.
Anna noticed imdiately. "Why do you look like you just won the lottery and lost it at the sa ti?"
Kevin slowly lifted his head. "Because... I just got an email from Orion Studios."
Betty gasped so loudly Anna flinched. "THE Orion Studios? The one with the blue logo and scary contracts?"
"That’s the one," Kevin confird grimly.
Anna squinted. "Why do you sound like they threatened your family?"
"They want to et you," he said. "Today."
Silence.
Betty’s mouth fell open. "Big Sis... do you know what that ans?"
Anna frowned. "That they liked the trailer?"
Kevin nodded. "And that they want to cast you before soone else locks you down."
Anna blinked. "Already? It’s been barely twenty-four hours."
"Welco to fa," Kevin said dryly. "It doesn’t knock. It breaks the door."
Betty jumped up from her chair. "Okay, important question. What do you wear when a big studio calls you?"
Anna shrugged. "Clothes?"
Kevin pinched the bridge of his nose. "Not just clothes. You need sothing that says ’I’m talented, mysterious, and won’t sue you later.’"
Betty nodded seriously. "Also sothing that says ’I eat three als a day.’ Very important."
Anna laughed. "Why are you both acting like I’m being summoned by royalty?"
Kevin gave her a look. "Because in this industry, they are royalty."
Betty grabbed Anna’s arm dramatically. "Big Sis, rember us when you’re famous. I’ll accept small gifts. Like cars."
Anna flicked her forehead. "You’re impossible."
As Kevin packed up, Anna’s phone buzzed softly in her hand.
Daniel.
A simple ssage lit up the screen.
Did you sleep well?
Her lips curved into a small, private smile.
"Yes," she typed back. I have a busy day. Don’t overwork yourself.
Almost imdiately, his reply ca.
I’ll try. Good luck today.
She slipped the phone back onto the table, feeling steadier than she had all morning.
Betty noticed. Of course she did.
"Oho," she sang. "Soone is smiling at her phone."
Anna shot her a warning look. "Don’t start."
Kevin smirked. "Too late. You’re glowing."
"I am not glowing."
"You are," Betty insisted. "You look like those actresses in interviews who say ’I wasn’t expecting this success’ while clearly expecting it."
Anna grabbed her bag. "Both of you are grounded."
As they headed out, the chaos of opportunity waiting beyond the door, Anna took one last breath.
The past still whispered. Questions still lingered.
But today?
Today belonged to her.
***
***
The smile lingered on Daniel’s face as he finished texting his wife. The mont the screen went dark, so did he. The warmth drained from his expression, replaced by the cold, ruthless businessman everyone feared.
"You were right, boss. Collin has sought shelter under Miss Norma’s wings," Henry reported.
Daniel’s jaw tightened, his eyes darkening.
He had anticipated this the mont his aunt staged that little performance at the cell and arranged for Collin’s transfer to the hospital. Norma never acted without an agenda.
Everyone believed Roseline had helped Collin escape. Perhaps she had played a role—but sothing about the situation didn’t sit right with Daniel. His suspicions kept circling back to one person.
His aunt.
"Keep watching their every move," Daniel said coolly. "They’re up to sothing. Aunt Norma wouldn’t go near Collin unless she knew exactly what she wanted from him."
"As you say, boss."
"And cancel my etings for the afternoon."
Henry paused. That alone was unusual.
"Is there a problem, boss?" he asked carefully. Daniel hardly ever canceled etings unless sothing demanded his imdiate attention.
Daniel remained silent for a mont, fingers tapping lightly against the desk. He hadn’t intended to trouble Henry with this—but now, he had to.
"Henry... are you certain you gave every detail about the Bennetts and their lives?" His gaze sharpened. "Nothing overlooked. Nothing left out."
Henry tilted his head, thinking, then nodded. "We covered almost everything." A faint frown creased his forehead. "Why do you ask, boss? Do you think we missed sothing?"
As far as Henry knew, he had dug into the Bennetts’ lives until there was nothing left unturned. Which was exactly why Daniel’s question unsettled him.
Daniel finally spoke, his voice low.
"Kathrine went to Jason’s clinic."
Henry’s eyes widened slightly.
That was all it took.
Understanding dawned, followed by concern. If Kathrine had gone there, then sothing from the past might not be as buried as they believed.
And Daniel, judging by the storm brewing in his eyes, was already preparing for what that revelation could an.
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