As Vivian Wen’s departing figure vanished beyond the door, George Wen slumped onto the sofa. His fingers trembled with anger.
“How… how did I raise such an ungrateful girl?”
Helen Zhao sat gracefully beside him, her voice soft and coaxing as she rested a manicured hand on his chest.
“Don’t be angry, George. You’ve lost one daughter, but another is about to come back. Summer’s much more obedient than Vivian—and far more filial. I heard she’s signed with an entertainment agency. Who knows? She might even become a big star one day and bring you honor.”
George sighed.
Summer had always been well-behaved, yes—but she wasn’t his biological daughter.
His hand drifted to Helen’s belly, where his real hope now lay—the unborn child she carried.
Helen read the thought flickering behind his tired eyes and let out a delicate sigh.
“George, you know the company’s been struggling lately. Vivian took her mother’s inheritance and found herself some rich man—but hasn’t offered to help the family at all. Maybe she thinks we’re dragging her down. That’s why she left.”
George’s face darkened further, the veins at his temple pulsing.
Helen added a trembling note of pity to her tone.
“If the company really goes bankrupt, what will happen to our baby? It’ll be born into hardship…”
Her tears fell, perfectly timed.
George’s anger melted into grim resolve. He pulled her into his arms, eyes glinting coldly.
He would not let the company fall.
Vivian was still a Wen—her late mother’s money rightfully belonged to the family.
And if she wouldn’t hand it over willingly… he’d find a way.

Outside the house, Vivian wiped her tears, forcing herself to swallow every ounce of pain and humiliation.
She went straight back to campus.
That Monday, the university announced her as Outstanding Graduate Representative.
That night, she polished her résumé and sent it to Huasheng Entertainment, a major media company.
To her surprise, their reply came swiftly: an invitation for an interview.
Excitement surged through her, sweeping away the shadows that had clung to her for weeks.

The next morning, Vivian arrived at Huasheng’s gleaming high-rise headquarters.
The mirrored glass tower reflected her tall, slender figure as she craned her neck to look up.
People hurried in and out—producers, assistants, maybe even celebrities.
After checking in at the front desk, she was told to wait outside a fifth-floor conference room.
Just as she was adjusting her résumé folder, a man exiting the VIP elevator caught sight of her.
Victor Wen.
He froze, then quickly pulled out his phone.
“Bro, guess who I just saw—Vivian Wen! At Huasheng Entertainment!”
On the other end, Simon Min’s voice was calm but edged with curiosity.
“What’s she doing there?”
“Looks like… an interview.”
Simon’s brows lifted slightly.
Huasheng Entertainment. Interview.
“Interesting.”
The corner of his lips curved.

By noon, Vivian stepped out of the conference room, relief softening her face.
The interview had gone well—better than she’d dared hope.
As she headed for the exit, a familiar figure appeared before her.
“Mr. Min?” she exclaimed.
Simon’s gaze flicked to the résumé in her hand.
“You’re interviewing?”
“Mm-hmm.” She smiled brightly. “And you?”
“Just passing by.”
They walked side by side toward the building’s glass doors.
“How did it go?” he asked.
“They said I’ll know in a few days. If I don’t get in, I might just die of heartbreak,” she joked, puffing her cheeks.
Simon glanced at her, the corner of his mouth twitching.
“If not Huasheng, there are other companies.”
“It’s not the same!” Vivian’s eyes sparkled with determination.
“Huasheng has always been my dream. My mom used to be one of their top agents. I want to be just like her.”
Simon’s expression softened; something deep and unreadable flickered in his eyes.
“Then you will be,” he said quietly. “You’re more than capable.”
Her smile was radiant, her laughter light. Under the sun, she seemed to outshine the very sky.
They talked a while longer before Simon’s phone rang.
He excused himself, and they went their separate ways.
Vivian walked back to her dorm humming, her heart impossibly light.
Her roommate Sophie Su took one look and whistled.
“Vivian, it’s not even spring yet—why are you glowing like you’re in love?”
Vivian rolled her eyes.
“I’m just happy.”
“Met a handsome guy?” Sophie teased, waggling her brows.
“You and your one-track mind,” Vivian sighed.
“Can’t I just be happy about something else?”
Sophie laughed, checking her reflection in a compact mirror.
“Please. There are only two things worth chasing in life—money and handsome men.”
She snapped her lipstick shut, grabbed her purse, and winked.
“I’m off to have fun. Don’t wait up!”
Vivian shook her head, smiling helplessly.
She sat down at her desk and opened her laptop—just as a notification popped up.
An email. From Huasheng Entertainment, HR Department.
Her heart leapt to her throat.