Chapter 3

Hearing this, I felt like I was back five years ago.

He was a well-known young director, and actresses would always use the excuse of having him explain scenes to invite him to hotels late at night.

Of course, they weren't actually discussing scripts.

I couldn't help but confront them.

At first, he would explain to me.

Later, he started calling me a jealous shrew with a cold face.

But this time, he didn't continue cursing as he used to.

After a moment of silence, Lucas pulled out a check for a hundred thousand dollars and placed it in front of me.

"For old times' sake, I won't abandon you."

"Take the money. Buy yourself whatever jewelry you like. Don't covet other people's things, and stop being a nanny."

"I promise you, once Mr. Gray signs the contract, I'll find a suitable role for you."

"Don't worry. Once this movie successfully makes it to Hollywood, I'll make a fortune soon."

Lucas's condescending attitude made me sick.

Under everyone's shocked gaze, I pushed away Lucas's hand holding the check and said with a smile:

"No need, Mr. Rivers. I don't accept things from strangers."

Ignoring Lucas's face turning the color of liver, I turned and walked away.

But before I could take a few steps, Lucas grabbed me and demanded coldly:

"Sophia, I'm offering you money and you won't take it? What do you mean? I'm a stranger?"

I replied: "Since we've already broken up, it's better not to have any more contact to avoid misunderstandings."

I thought of my somewhat jealous husband.

But Lucas glanced at Sarah with a look of understanding.

"Fine, once I finalize the collaboration with Mr. Gray, I'll let you play the female lead in this movie. Is that good enough?"

"But you need to quit your nanny job with Mr. Gray right away and practice your acting skills, so people don't question my judgment when casting..."

Before he could finish, I declined directly:

"Really not necessary, thank you."

Hearing me refuse again, Lucas was furious.

His hand holding the check froze in midair, his teeth grinding audibly.

"Sophia, you've really grown a backbone now, haven't you? You've fallen to working as a nanny and you're still acting high and mighty?"

"Fine! Keep being high and mighty then. The female lead role goes to Sarah!"

Hearing Lucas say he would let her play the female lead, Sarah's eyes lit up, and she quickly said:

"Lucas, I'll definitely do my best. I absolutely won't embarrass you."

Hearing their conversation, I let out a scoff.

"Isn't it a bit early for you two to be discussing this? Don't count your chickens before they hatch..."

I remembered when we had just gotten together and he was still an unknown director.

To support him, I turned down several acting offers that came my way to focus on being his female lead.

He said he didn't have enough funding, so I gave him all my savings.

He said he needed connections, so I swallowed my pride and asked my family to help him network.

He was generous with me, always stuffing money into my bag.

His tone back then was as condescending as it was now.

"Take it, don't be shy with me. How much can those acting gigs of yours make? Stick with me, and there'll be plenty of opportunities in the future."

I refused. Every single time I refused.

I never touched a cent of the money he gave me. I kept it all in one account.

I just wanted to help him, not be kept by him.

But he didn't understand.

All he knew was that his generosity was rejected, that his goodwill was spurned.

So he became furious and gave the female lead role he had promised me to Sarah instead.