The car pulled up to the venue, and the bickering between Amanda and Jasper died down instantly. They both smoothed their clothes, put on their professional masks, and stepped out.
Jasper, clad in a pristine white suit with a cold, handsome expression, looked every bit the noble count.
"Jasper, look over here!" a chorus of female reporters and fans screamed. Ignoring the flashing lights, Jasper turned back and extended a hand toward the car.
The crowd caught a glimpse of long, slender legs before a delicate hand was placed in Jasper's palm. Amanda emerged gracefully, one hand resting protectively over the neckline of her dress as she stepped onto the pavement. When she looked up and offered a sweet, radiant smile, the screams reached a deafening level.
"Ah! Amanda! My princess! You're so beautiful!"
Amanda's smile brightened at the praise, sending a wave of excitement through the fans. Jasper noticed her starting to wink and flirt with the crowd and leaned in, whispering softly, "Knock it off. Do you want them to stay awake all night taking pictures of you?"
Amanda looked at him, her eyes wide as she pouted slightly. "I know, I'm just playing a little."
As they walked the red carpet—one tall and cold in white, the other petite and vibrant in pink—the contrast was striking. A fan managed to capture a candid shot of Amanda pouting while Jasper looked down at her with a serious, focused face. Within minutes, the photo was posted online, labeled as a "peaceful love scene."
Immediately, their names shot to the top of the trending boards. Elena, playing the second female lead, trailed far behind. Clad in a fairy-like light blue dress, she found herself completely overshadowed by Amanda's presence. Watching Amanda's back, Elena's jealousy burned, but she forced herself to stay calm. She had a role to play tonight. Still, her eyes followed Amanda with a sinister, gloating glint.
Quentin was running late due to an essential meeting. As he prepared his final documents, Secretary James walked in, holding an iPad.
"What is it?" Quentin asked without looking up.
Secretary James smiled, sliding the iPad across the desk. "Your wife is in the news."
Quentin's interest piqued instantly. He reached for the tablet, expecting to see people praising Amanda's talent. Instead, he saw the "offensive" photo of her and Jasper looking like a couple. His smile vanished.
"Take this down," he ordered coldly.
James remained calm. "Boss, your wife is just starting to get noticed. If you suppress this now, it'll be like throwing a wet blanket on her career."
Quentin's gaze turned lethal. "Is it true that she needs a love scandal to become famous?"
"She doesn't need a scandal," James clarified, "but 'CP' (Couple Pairing) culture is powerful. It's not real love; it's just fans loving the characters and pairing the actors together. You can suppress this photo, but if you suppress every rumor for every movie she ever makes, she might as well stop acting."
Quentin rubbed his temples, a headache beginning to throb. The thought of locking her away where no one else could look at her crossed his mind, but he knew he couldn't do that to her.
"Fine. Get out," he muttered. He couldn't bear the thought of clipping her wings.
The premiere ceremony lasted two hours. By 9:00 PM, the after-party for the cast, crew, and investors was in full swing.
Amanda had retreated to a quiet corner. Instead of a cocktail, she held a glass of juice and a spoon, engaged in a fierce battle with a plate of cakes held by Diego.
"Does Quentin starve you? You're eating like you've forgotten your public image!" Diego teased. Having just arrived as an investor, he had gone straight to find the sister he missed. He hadn't expected to be turned into a "human dining table," holding multiple dishes while his sister greedily devoured every bite.
Amanda looked at her brother with irritated, chubby cheeks. "He feeds me! I'm the one who starved myself today to fit into this dress!"
Diego laughed, using a napkin to wipe a crumb from her lip. "They say once a girl marries, she's like spilled water—gone from her family. But you're still a brat."
Amanda chuckled and handed him her juice to hold. "What girl? I'm your sister! Don't say another word—I see roast beef over there. I'm going!"
She hiked up her dress and bolted.
"Hey! What about your cake?" Diego called after her.
Amanda didn't even turn around. she just waved a hand over her shoulder. "You can have it!"
Diego shook his head affectionately. He had taken care of her since they were children; finishing her leftovers was second nature to him. He didn't mind—he loved her more than he cared for himself.
As he finished the last bite of the cake, a voice drifted over. "Amanda is still so naughty. Only you could pamper her like that."
Diego turned to see Elena approaching, her light blue dress flowing as she offered a gentle, practiced smile.