Chapter 5

Once the heat died down, Kyle finally mercifully let me go.

He condescendingly tossed me a card.

"There's another hundred grand here. Asher still values the old times. Don't let him down."

Then he narrowed his eyes.

"Of course, if you change your mind and want to enter the industry, you can still contact me. We can negotiate all the terms."

I scoffed, too lazy to deal with him, and left directly.

Three days later, I appeared at the SW Gala.

This gala was broadcast globally. Countless celebrities fought tooth and nail for an invitation.

So when I entered the camera's view wearing a casual shirt, the comments froze for a moment.

[Did I see that right? Was that the fish seller from a few days ago?]

[Is security insane? How did they let just anyone in at such a major event?]

[FYI, I'm here in person. I saw the fish seller come in with an invitation]

[What?? The gala has scalpers now?]

"Asher and Natalie Forever," who'd been holding hands, stiffened when they saw me.

Asher Ford quickly walked over, lowering his voice.

"Summer, what are you doing here? Are you crazy?"

He seemed anxious, trying to shield me from the cameras.

"Leave before anyone notices. I'll take you to the back exit."

Natalie James's expression changed. Dressed in haute couture and enhanced by exquisite makeup, she'd shed her former innocence. By comparison, I looked rather shabby.

She grabbed Asher Ford's arm.

"Do you know what your position is? Do you have to stay entangled with her?"

Then she linked arms with Asher Ford, as if claiming ownership, and smiled sweetly at me.

"Long time no see, Summer."

"I didn't expect that after just a few months, your methods would become so sophisticated. You even managed to squeeze into the gala. Is today's security guard one of your admirers?"

She was deliberately provoking. Asher Ford's expression didn't look good.

More and more people gathered around. Natalie James's smile grew brighter.

She deliberately pinched her nose. "Ugh, what a strong fishy smell. Summer, I'm not trying to criticize you, but couldn't you at least change clothes before coming?"

I shrugged indifferently and looked at her skin, reddened by the wind.

I asked very sincerely, "Aren't you cold?"

Natalie James's face stiffened. Just then, several security guards walked over quickly.

They politely asked to see my invitation, then exchanged glances.

"Ms. Summer's invitation is valid."

Everyone's expressions changed.

"Her identity is... screenwriter?"

I finally smiled. "I wanted to write a script with a fish seller as the protagonist, so I went to experience that life. I didn't tell you in advance—sorry about that."

Natalie James's face turned iron blue. She called Kyle over.

Even though she lowered her voice, the argument still reached my ears.

"She's just a third-rate screenwriter. Can't you handle this? Do you believe I won't film next month's dating reality show!"

"Asher and Natalie Forever" was currently riding high. Kyle couldn't bear to let this cash cow go.

I don't know how he worked it out, but two more security guards came over politely to escort me out.

The livestream comments were updating rapidly.

[What's happening now? Is the fish seller getting kicked out?]

[I really want to see the fish seller cause a scene at the gala. That would be exciting]

[Hey, but how do I put this... Natalie James's fans could paper a wall, but the fish seller with no makeup standing next to her is actually holding her own!]

[Support "Asher and Natalie Forever!" Please remove unrelated people, organizers]

I looked at the smug Natalie James and the silent Asher Ford.

Probing gazes landed on me one after another.

I suddenly smiled.

"Are you sure you want to remove me?"

Natalie James shouted, "Of course. Stop embarrassing yourself, Summer."

Someone playing the neutral party nearby also said I really didn't fit the gala.

I nodded. "Then this gala doesn't need to happen, does it?"

Everyone froze, then burst into laughter.

Natalie James laughed so hard she swayed. "Summer, have you lost your mind?"

The next second, the gala doors were pushed open.

Camera flashes went crazy, and the livestream immediately crashed.

[Holy shit! It's Ethan Knight! Who invited this ancient god out?!]

If the domestic entertainment industry could only have one top-tier celebrity, no one would question it—it would definitely be Ethan Knight.

His gaze swept across the venue, then he walked straight toward me.

Under everyone's gaze, he stopped in front of me.

"Miss, what are you doing here?"