Chapter 177

Luna waved confidently at Isabella and said, “These are just minor issues. Do you think there’s an actor under my guidance who can’t be refined?” Else was easy. As long as the right people were in place, everything was manageable. Acting skills could be developed over time, but without the right character, it was all pointless. Luna had the talent and the confidence; any actor she trained would have solid skills.

Right now, Lana couldn’t keep Coline. After searching for so long for a supporting actress, Lana had just one thought: she wanted Celine.

Isabella smiled. Seeing Celine's bewildered expression, she whispered to Luna, “She has a straightforward personality. Maybe she can play herself naturally. If you’re willing to teach her, she might be easy to work with.” Isabella’s biggest worry was Celine entering the industry without anyone to guide her. Since Luna said so, maybe it was a good idea for Celine to learn under her guidance.

In high school, Isabella knew that Celine was really interested in the entertainment industry. She even dreamed about going to a well-known film school and often practiced acting. But because of her family’s situation, Celine had neither money nor connections, which made her feel she was bound to struggle. In the end, Celine changed her major to make some quick money.

Luna’s eyes lit up instantly, and she turned to Isabella with a face full of excitement, asking, “What’s your relationship with her?”

“We are high school classmates,” said Isabella.

Luna was immediately thrilled. “Having a connection makes things so much easier,” she mused. Luna had been worried Celine might refuse, but since Isabella said so, it was definitely going to work out. Luna looked at Isabella with pure excitement. “Great, talk to her later and see what she thinks. You have no idea how hard I’ve been looking for someone for this role. I’m about to tear my hair out!” At this rate, Luna felt like she might never need to buy shampoo again. Now, there was finally some hope. Isabella thought carefully and realized that there really wasn’t anyone in the entertainment industry who fit this role well. After all, the role required natural beauty, and a surgically altered actress was definitely not acceptable. Moreover, Celine was in desperate need of money. If she could master this role, she’d surely rise to prominence and overcome her financial troubles; Luna wouldn’t treat her poorly afterward.

The bar was bustling and noisy as usual. Isabella and Luna sat close together, purposely speaking in hushed tones, so Celine had no idea what they were discussing. But seeing them talking and laughing together so easily, Celine felt a pang of bitterness. It used to be like that with her and Isabella. But now, things were different. It felt like there was an invisible and immense wall between Celine and Isabella; they had grown apart. Celine lowered her head, concealing the mixed emotions in her eyes. “This is all my own doing, and I have to bear it,” Celine thought. “But…it really hurt.” Celine hung her head, not daring to look at them, and stood respectfully to the side.

She was already standing at the booth entrance, and just as Celine finished speaking, someone behind her gave her a hard pinch. Celine was so startled that she let out a scream, “Ah!”

8:26 AM

Chapter 177

Everyone’s eyes were instantly focused on Celine. Alorir experts Lansa and Isabella immediately stopped talking, their expressions turning extremely cold. Suddenly, behind Celine stood a heavyset man, leaning closer to Celine with boozy breath, and said with a leer, “Hey there, come keep me company. Name your price, and I’ll pay it.” His greasy gaze wandered all over Celine as if undressing her with his eyes. Celine was so frightened that the color drained from her face, especially since it was happening right in front of Isabella. Humiliation and embarrassment brought tears to her eyes as Celine held back her distress and said, “Sorry, I just sell drinks here.” She wasn’t some kind of escort.

Celine was trying to avoid the chubby man, Seth, hoping to smooth things over. However, Seth Livingston, driven by his impulses, was not easy to get rid of. Instead of leaving, he got even closer. His words to Celine were downright explicit. “Selling yourself to me pays better than bartending tips. I’ve got lots of money.” Tears welled up in Celine’s eyes, her voice tight with anger. “Sir, please have some respect.”

Rejected over and over, anger brewed in Seth’s chest as he swung his hand and struck Celine across the face.

Slap!

With a hint of intoxication in his eyes, now filled with rage and disdain, he sneered, “Bitch, you’re fortunate I’m even showing interest to let you sleep with me. Don’t be ungrateful.” Celine, struggling to remain steady, leaned against the booth wall to support herself. She looked up, her face streaked with tears.

Lama had clearly reached her limit and shouted, “Stop!” Instantly, people nearby turned their heads. Isabella hurried over, pulling Celine to her side, and asked quietly with concern, “Are you okay?” Celine was momentarily stunned as more tears spilled out uncontrollably. She shook her head, face in her hands, and whispered, “I’m fine.” But the wave of sadness and frustration threatened to overwhelm Celine.

Seth, already quite drunk, leered at the two new pretty faces before him, his eyes flickering with sleazy intent. “Having both of them in bed will be more exciting,” he wondered. Seth took a step forward, approaching Luna closely, reaching out to touch her face. “Hey, girl, how much for a night!”

Before his hand even touched Luna’s face, she swiftly grabbed his wrist. Luna gritted her teeth. Daring to harass a girl out in the open, he was definitely asking for it. She retorted coldly, “Don’t worry. I’ll soon show you how much a night in the ICU costs.” With one hand gripping Seth’s wrist, Luna clenched her other into a fist and swung it right at his face.

Bang!

“Ah!” A scream echoed through the bar. The crowd, who had been drinking and dancing, were now drawn to the commotion at the booth, all turning their attention there. Seth clutched his aching face, angrily glaring at Luna. “You bitch, how dare you hit me? Do you believe I can have someone kill you?” “They don’t even know who I am to provoke me. I’ll make them kneel and beg,” Seth wondered with rage.

Luna looked at Seth with disdain and mocked, “Kill me? Bring it on. I’d love to see you try.” Luna was always the one in control and had never seen a man act so arrogantly in her presence. She rolled up her sleeves, ready for another round. “Screw you, brainless trash! Is that thing between your legs made from leftovers!”

Chapter 177

“Such a scum,” Luna thought with disdain. She despised such a guy the most in her life. Even though Luna had seen many such jerks in the entertainment industry, she just couldn’t hold back her fiery temper, especially since the man had the nerve to target someone she was determined to protect. Luna cursed at Seth, making his face flush red and then pale. He pointed at Luna with a trembling finger. “You bitch!”

Isabella walked up and slapped Seth right across the face. Instantly, a red handprint appeared on Seth’s cheek, leaving everyone around gasping in surprise, not expecting these two women to be so fierce. They went right in with a punch and a slap.

Isabella glared coldly at Seth. “Wanna end up in the ICU?”

Celine started to panic a bit. Most people who came to this bar were from high society, and since Isabella’s family treated her so badly, it was likely she wouldn’t have anyone to stand up for her. “I couldn’t let Isabella get into trouble with the wealthy because of me,” Celine wondered. Celine quickly grabbed Isabella’s hand and said anxiously, “Bella, don’t offend these people for me. I’m fine…I’ll leave the job right away….” Celine had originally come here for the high salary, but she couldn’t bear being around the men here. She would rather take on a couple more jobs.

Seth’s face turned even darker. “Turns out neither of them has any connections! Yet they dare to lay a hand on me,” he wondered. “They must be incredibly bold!” Seth gritted his teeth, pointing angrily at Isabella and Luna. “You two bitches better watch out…” He looked down and started fiddling with his phone, apparently getting ready to call for backup.

Luna sneered. “Wait? Sure, I can wait! I’m in no rush!” She knew that anyone who came to this bar had to be either rich or influential, but she didn’t care. “I absolutely can’t let Bella and her classmate get into trouble,” Luna wondered. Celine was crying even more, clearly afraid of getting the two of them involved. She quickly choked back her sobs and said, “Bella, you go with your friend. We can’t afford to mess with him.”