?Chapter 197:


    Remembering that Edwin had given her a birthday gift and that everyone in the Stephens family knew about her marriage to Kaiden except for Edwin, Ellie typed, “Your brother knows about it. Why don’t you ask him?” She hit send, only to see a strange notification. “‘Sorry, the person is no longer your friend.”


    Ellie was stunned. Had Edwin really blocked her? She couldn’t understand why he was upset.


    With a puzzled expression, Ellie clicked on Edwin’s link. It led to a page titled “Happy Birthday To Ellie,” featuring just a photo of the fireworks with the same caption. The inte was buzzing about it.


    “Everyone in the city knows about Ellie’s birthday.”


    “Ellie is really lucky to get such a romantic fireworks disy!”


    “Was it just fireworks? There were birthday wishes all over the theme park.”


    “I’m so jealous of their love.”


    “I couldn’t even find a picture of them online.”


    “Don’t dwell on it. I snapped a photo of them yesterday. Right after I posted it online, it got deleted instantly. I guess they want to keep their looks a secret.”


    “I witnessed it firsthand. He’s incredibly handsome, and she’s stunning. This must be what they call a match made in heaven.”


    “Are guys now expected to go all out for their girlfriends’ birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, and other special asions?”


    “I’m so jealous of their romance.”


    Ellie felt a surge of contentment in her heart.


    Her joy didn’t stem from the envy of her birthday celebration. It was the thrill of their public disy of affection that filled her with pride.


    A smile crept onto Ellie’s face without her noticing.


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    But as she set her phone aside and gazed out the French window, the previous night felt like a distant, unreal dream.


    After the initial happiness, a lingering sense of disappointment settled in her heart.


    For the first time, Ellie felt uneasy about someone being kind to her.


    It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate the affection.


    She just feared the day it might vanish.


    When someone ustomed to warmth steps into the cold, the chill feels all the more biting.


    The day before the shooting of “Peerless Grace,” Ellie arrived at the studio.


    Stepping into the meeting room, she overheard a woman’s voice. “Mr. Morris, I understand my experience might not warrant the role of assistant director of costuming, but Ellie is even less qualified. She’s just a fresh graduate, barely a year out of school. How can she be ranked above me?”


    Ellie didn’t expect to bump into Akira here.


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