Love in the Spotlight: Secrets and Redemption

One I was just an invisible figure in the entertainment industry until one day, a paparazzi caught me kissing a top star named Anthony Ashton, and I was mercilessly criticized. But suddenly, I gained attention!

My manager, Emily Scott, said that controversy could still boost fame, so they quickly arranged for me to join a love-themed variety show to continue this "fabricated romance for publicity" with the top star. However, the star wasn't having it.

He sneered, "Want fame? Then let's make this act real!"

But I dashed off with a patter to his rival.

1

On May 20th, I watched as my social media was bombarded by nearly a thousand haters, leaving me speechless.

"Seductive homewrecker!"

"Seducing Anthony, you'll meet a bad end."

"A superficial and deceitful woman."

All this abuse was because of a kiss with my ex!

Just because I was an invisible figure, did I deserve to be cyberbullied?

No way!

I was about to call Emily to handle this.

Instead, she laughed and handed me a notice.

As I read it, my face darkened.

"Me and Anthony? A fabricated romance for publicity?"

Emily beamed and said, "Jane, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You get to date a handsome guy, earn money, and most importantly, gain fame! You won't be a nobody anymore, and a promising path lies ahead."

If I said I wasn't tempted, no one would believe me!

2

After some time had passed, my life of fake romance got underway.

At a public event organized by the show, countless reporters swarmed as soon as they saw Anthony and me.

"Can you explain the kissing incident?"

"Anthony, is it true, as the internet says, that you two are together?"

"Jane, some say you deliberately seduced Anthony at a bar to ride on his fame. Is that true?"

"Rumor has it Anthony had a past romance with his manager. Does that bother you? Did they break up because of you?"

I stood firm, smiling. "Of course, it doesn't bother me. Anthony and I have been together for a long time. I trust him."

The room was stunned!

I heard reporters exclaim in surprise, while die-hard fans berated me as shameless.

Anthony approached me with a dark expression, whispering, "Just you wait."

Then he pulled me into his arms, smiling for the cameras.

"We hope to deepen our relationship through this show. Please wish us well."

The more hypocritically he spoke, the more nauseated I felt!

3

The truth of that night was actually like this...

The atmosphere in the bar was filled with passion and intimacy as the intense and wild music played.

Amidst the chaotic crowd, I spotted Anthony.

As I drank, watching his dawn-like figure approach, I could only think he was a real scoundrel.

He asked with a raised eyebrow, eyeing my off-shoulder dress. "What are you doing here? Who are you with?"

"Why is it okay for you to have fun here, but not for me to drown my sorrows?" I said, downing a glass of whiskey.

Anthony snatched my glass.

"Since you're single and I'm single, why not reconsider me?" His gaze was deep and affectionate.

I laughed and said, "Why should I? Because you ended up in someone else's bed on my birthday?"

His face turned pale. "Do you have to keep bringing that up?"

I rolled my eyes and turned away without hesitation.

But he suddenly grabbed my wrist with such force that I stumbled backward.

"What?"

My mind exploded, and my lips felt soft.

Anthony, the scoundrel, kissed me!

"Wouldn't getting back together be nice? You'd have all the resources you want, way more than now. You'd also be more famous than you are now." His words were full of temptation.

Without hesitation, I slapped him. "Scoundrel!"

Then I turned and ran, not forgetting my precious Chanel bag.

......

On the way home that night, I kept thinking, "There better not be any paparazzi! My acting career is doomed!"

And sure enough, there were paparazzi who captured the kiss between Anthony and me. They even added filters, making it look incredibly romantic.

My heart turned to ashes.

I was going to be torn apart by his fans!

After calming down, I accepted my new manager Emily's advice to fake a romance with my ex-boyfriend to gain fame.

I prepared for fan attacks, doubled the security at events, thinking nothing else could go wrong, but fate had other plans.

And then, something unexpected happened after all!

In the crowd, a girl with a twisted expression rushed at me, and in front of everyone- "Slap!"

She slapped me hard, her eyes red with rage. "You shameless woman, still trying to date Anthony? Pfft! Go die first!"

4

She then pulled out a kettle of hot water and swung it to splash me!

I shut my eyes in fear, but after several seconds, the pain never came.

I opened my eyes to see a man, both unfamiliar and familiar.

Unfamiliar because we had never crossed paths before.

Familiar because from trending topics on Twitter to skyscraper billboards, even the ads at the station and outside my home, his image was everywhere.

He rose to fame when he was young. He was known by all and was a true top star - Josh Wright.

I blinked in shock. "Josh, you..."

"Are you okay?" Josh interrupted, his voice hoarse, clearly in pain.

I pulled him away and said, "Let's go."

Surrounded by bodyguards, we entered the venue, the noise fading away.

In a safe place, I immediately checked Josh's back.

His suit was scalded by the hot water, with burns covering most of his back.

I had burn ointment ready, just in case Anthony's crazy fans attacked today.

As I took it out, Josh's manager, Evan Mason, glared at me with hostility.

He harshly questioned, "Why do you happen to have medicine ready?"

As soon as he spoke, I felt countless malicious gazes.

I was an invisible figure, and in their eyes, I would do anything for fame.

I retorted calmly, "Anthony has so many haters. After our relationship was exposed, shouldn't I be prepared for attacks? Don't tell me, as a manager, you didn't prepare any preventive measures?"

Evan's face turned gloomy upon hearing this.

While I secretly enjoyed the moment, Josh asked darkly, "The relationship got exposed?"

Evan explained, "Jane just officially announced not long ago that she's with Anthony."

I met Josh's icy gaze, puzzled. "Yes, so what?"

Josh let out a long "Oh."

He chuckled softly, murmuring, "Didn't see that coming."

What didn't he see coming?

My question went unanswered as I turned to see two people not far away, and a surge of anger rose within me.

Anthony was adjusting his perfectly tailored black suit as he approached me.

Beside him was the manager he had slept with-Ella Rowe.

5

On Anthony's birthday, I rushed back home from an overseas event, nearly getting into a car accident on the way, just to celebrate with him as soon as possible.

And what did I get in return?

Anthony, stark naked, caught in a compromising situation with Ella!

Clothes, tissues, and empty bottles were strewn across the room.

I grabbed Anthony to question him, and he simply replied, "It's just sleeping together. What's the big deal?"

Ella, blushing with shame, pleaded with me not to blame Anthony, saying it was her fault for not controlling herself.

Years later, Ella was still the same.

She walked up to me, arm in arm with Anthony.

"Anthony, your tie is crooked." As she spoke, her hand brushed against Anthony's chest.

I felt disgusted. "Yuck!"

Ella blinked, as if just noticing my presence.

"Jane, why does your face look so unpleasant?" She looked at me with concern.

I gave her a sardonic smile. "Just feeling uneasy seeing two shameless people."

Ella's lips turned pale, and tears streamed down her face, truly pitiful.

Honestly, it was a shame she hadn't pursued a career in acting.

"I'm sorry... I forgot you're Anthony's girlfriend now. I overstepped."

I kept a serious expression. "You're mistaken."

I took Anthony's arm and smiled sweetly, "I've always been his girlfriend, both now and before."

Ella bit her lip, looking at Anthony, hesitant to speak.

Anthony seemed to enjoy watching two women fight over him.

I saw the satisfied smile on his face and pinched him hard. "Anthony, isn't that right?"

His face turned beet red. "Yes, that's right."

An awkward silence fell over the room.

I noticed Ella's hand clenching under her sleeve, a hint of malice in her eyes.

The organizers arrived just in time. "Please keep the scene in order. The activity is going to start now."

I let go of Anthony's hand and noticed Josh's gaze.

It was filled with anger. Something seemed ready to burst forth.

I locked eyes with him and stared into his narrow, almond-shaped eyes.

He quickly looked away.

This event didn't take much time. I just needed to make an appearance and sign an autograph.

I quickly changed clothes, said goodbye to Emily, and left, eager to find something delicious to eat.

I hadn't eaten for ten hours to look perfect for the event!

Suddenly, a shadow loomed over me, and then I realized there was a man standing in front of me.

6

I looked up, surprised.

It was Josh.

With his thick eyebrows, straight nose, and playful almond eyes, he exuded charisma. His thin lips were slightly pursed, and he wore gold-rimmed glasses, looking both reserved and alluring in his black suit.

I was stunned.

No wonder he held the top spot in the industry for years.

His aura was incredible, and his looks were off the charts!

While I was in a daze, a hand ruffled my hair, the warmth making my ears turn red.

He smiled and said, "Running around so late at night, you might get snatched away."

Josh spoke as if he were soothing a child.

I cleared my throat to regain my composure. "Josh... I mean, Mr. Wright. What's up?"

"Care to join me for a meal?"

"Huh?"

......

Half an hour later, Josh and I sat across from each other in a Japanese restaurant.

He chuckled, his voice pleasant, "Now, let's talk business. I remember you're quite skilled in singing and dancing, debuting as the top member of a girl group under the famous entertainment company YM. I'm a mentor on a new talent show and hope you'll join us."

I felt a bit overwhelmed.

"I've already agreed to take part in a love-themed variety show with Anthony. If I back out now, I'll have to pay a hefty penalty."

Josh patiently explained, "Both shows are live broadcasts. I've already spoken to them. You don't need to worry. You can participate in the love-themed variety show while also performing on the talent show."

Josh's reply made me feel excited.

He had paved the way for me.

Who could refuse the chance to earn from both shows?

"Alright!" I nodded enthusiastically.

"Then it's settled. No backing out, Jane." Josh's smile was warm and reassuring.

Just then, a few dishes were served.

I looked at them-salmon sashimi, sea urchin sushi, tempura, and strawberry ice cream...

All my favorites!

"Do you still like these?" Josh's eyes narrowed with amusement.

He spoke as if he had known me for a long time.

But I barely knew him.

How did he know my preferences?

"Gurgle, gurgle..." The sound of my stomach interrupted my thoughts.

My ears turned red.

7

That night, after Josh dropped me home, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep, my mind filled with thoughts, "Was I ladylike while eating? Did I dirty his car? What did he mean by what he said?"

I thought about a lot of random things. In the end, it was a sleepless night.

It wasn't until the filming of the love-themed variety show with Anthony began that I calmed down.

The show invited three couples and four single celebrities.

I thought that was it.

But when I arrived on set, I was stunned.

The four singles were either rumored girlfriends or ex-wives of the couple guests.

The relationships among the guests were tangled. However, Josh was an exceptional case.

Since entering the industry, he had no public relationships or scandals.

But rumors had it that he had secretly loved a minor celebrity in the industry for eight years, unable to forget her.