<b>Carl’s </b>POV
Finished
After a whole night of plunging into icy water, my body felt like it was falling apart. My bones ached, my teeth chattered, and every muscle trembled from exhaustion.
Just when I thought I was about to copse, someone finally told me Leslie hade to visit
the set.
The news nearly made me cry. My heart pounded like a drum.
She was here!
The director, for once, stopped torturing me and waved me off.
Relief surged through me. Having a rich backer really did make all the difference.
Wrapped in a nket, I hurried outside. The moment I reached the set entrance, I saw her— Leslie, surrounded by a swarm of reporters, camera shes bursting like fireworks. It looked like a movie premiere.
Excitement rushed through me. To appear beside Leslie in public–this was the kind of chance I’d never dared to dream of.
From somewhere in the crowd, someone shouted, “Carl’s here!”
The people parted, leaving a path open. I forced my expression into a practiced smile, trying to look poised and dignified while suppressing the wild joy bubbling inside me.
But as soon as I stepped forward, my feet faltered and my smile froze.
Kirby.
He stood right next to Leslie, radiating cold arrogance. His mint–scented pheromones cut into me like des, making my chest tighten.
One thought filled my mind: I’m finished.
Reporters lunged forward, cameras and microphones swarming me like starving wolves.
I didn’t dare let a flicker of displeasure show. My smile turned stiff as I stumbled closer, until I finally reached Leslie and Kirby.
Leslie shifted gracefully, leaving me a spot between them.
18:54 Mon<b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>22 </b>
Chapter 334 The Spotlight Trap
Center position.
But I swear, it was thest ce I wanted to be.
<b>31 </b>
Finished
Kirby’s oppressive aura pressed down on me until I couldn’t breathe. I didn’t dare meet his eyes. I barely dared nce at Leslie. One wrong move and his re might crush me t.
It was unbearable.
“Carl, how do you feel with both Leslie and Kirby here to support you?” one reporter blurted, shoving a mic so close it nearly hit my mouth.
How did I feel? I didn’t dare have feelings!
My face was frozen in a rictus grin, my heartbeat thundering out of control.
Leslie gave me a gentle smile. “Don’t be nervous. Rx.”
Her tone was soft, but chills ran down my spine.
I risked a nce at Kirby. His tongue pressed against his teeth, his gaze sharp and dangerous as it cut across me. He looked at me the way a predator sizes up prey.
I went rigid, my fake smile stretched wider, my body locked like stone. Rx? Not a chance.
“Leslie and Kirby visiting me… I’m truly thrilled,” I stammered, swallowing hard. “And of course, very moved…”
I wanted to add more, but Leslie’s voice cut through mine. “Let’s focus on his work instead.”
Her calm tone was a warning: shut up.
My stomach sank. The spotlight burned too hot.
Another reporter jumped in. “Carl, what projects are you working on next?”
Leslie paused just long enough, then looked at the reporter with a poised smile. “From what I know, in the next week Carl will be ying roles in three films, making guest appearances in four television dramas, filming sixmercials, and attending more than a dozen publicity events. You can all look forward to it.”
A murmur of awe rippled through the crowd. For a neer tond that many opportunities -it was unstoppable momentum.
At first, I was overjoyed. My chest swelled with pride.
But the longer I listened, the colder I felt.
…
? 31)
Chapter 334 The Spotlight Trap
Finished
<i>I </i>was <i>already </i>dead tired these past few days, running on three or four hours of sleep at most, <i>barely </i>holding myself together.
With this many more <i>jobs </i>piled on me… wouldn’t it kill me?
<b>18:54 </b><b>Mon</b><b>, </b>Sep <b>22 </b>
Burn in the Alpha Princess’s Wrath
Chapter 335 A Tangled Morning
<b>Leslie’s </b>POV