116: [Bonus chapter]Truth slaps

[Bonus chapter]Truth slaps

It was no doubt Leo was a man at the top of his game. He was a celebrity among celebrities — an icon. But before Dominic Zhu, Leo felt intimidated. Dominic hadn't done anything but say a few words, but his presence and aura alone were entirely of a different caliber.0

Dominic's status played a huge part, of course. 

Dominic could ruin someone's career with ease, or uplift them with a single word, just like what happened to Paula Shen. 

Although Leo acknowledged Paula's talent as an actress, there were far more talented artists out there. She wasn't as exceptional as Heaven. The point was, Paula got her break because she was being backed by the CEO of LYON Group. Leo had been in the industry to respect a person's stroke of luck and didn't think much about Paula's backer. After all, having a sponsor in the industry was a normal occurrence.

It was foolish to dwell on something one couldn't change. 

But because of this, rumors quickly spread in the entertainment circle. That rumor was Paula being actually Dominic's secret woman, and she would become the future matriarch of the Zhu Family. Although many people knew Dominic had a son from an unknown woman, marrying a single father like him was no issue. 

The rumor started five years ago and even though until now it was never confirmed, people, including Leo, just accepted that they didn't owe anyone an explanation. It was their relationship and their silence only meant they wanted everything private. 

Leo glanced over his shoulders as Dominic walked a step behind him.

'Despite those rumors, I still can't believe it was actually true,' he thought, setting his eyes ahead. 'Has he been here since the beginning? Did he see me and Miss Shen?'

Leo felt nervous at the thought Dominic was watching Leo get close to Dominic's lover. Even though it was part of their work, Leo didn't want to offend Dominic. He was the last person anyone would want to offend. 

'I should apologize and explain later.' Leo mentally nodded, determined to clear up the situation before a misunderstanding arise. 

This was what he meant when he asked Paula the question of no one would get angry. He meant he didn't want to anger Paula's lover, who was apparently the one and only Dominic Zhu.

"Hey, girls." Leo sported a smile to hide his nervousness at the man's presence behind him. 

Paula and Heaven lifted their eyes up. Leo immediately caught the surprise that turned up on Paula's face. Understandable. Dominic and Paula had been discreet about their affair. So, meeting publicly and with Paula's friends in the industry would surely be a surprise. 

Leo was so focused on Paula and Dominic and his personal dilemma that he didn't notice the flirtatious grin that appeared on Heaven's face. 

"Mr. Zhu, you can sit in here." Leo turned to Dominic, offering him his chair that was close to Paula's. "Miss Shen and I were just practicing our chemistry for the upcoming film we will work on together."

Leo discreetly explained why his chair was so close to Paula's nervously. But instead, Dominic kept standing with his eyes on the person across from them. 

"He said you guys were just chatting, and he invited me to join," Dominic spoke, ignoring Leo's invitation and even twisting facts.

Leo didn't invite him, but offered to call Paula for him. Yet, Dominic lied with a poker face. 

"Do you mind? I can wait for you in the car if you're uncomfortable," added Dominic monotonously. 

Leo furrowed his brows as he slowly lifted his eyes to Dominic, only to notice the latter didn't seem looking in Paula's direction. No. Matter of fact, Dominic didn't even cast Paula a single glance as if he didn't notice her presence. 

'Who is he talking to...?'

When Heaven spoke, Leo's pupils dilated as he held his breath. 

"It's fine." Heaven smiled, pushing herself up to stand. "I was just helping Paula and Senior Wu in their upcoming film. But I think it's done now."

Leo slowly turned his head in Heaven's direction, only to see her smiling affectionately at Dominic. When he glanced back at Dominic, a subtle smile turned up on the man's icy features. 

'What is going on…?' Leo instinctively set his pair of surprised eyes at Paula, only to see the woman looking at Dominic with equal shock as him. 'Ah… I think I'm the one who misunderstood.'

Heaven smacked her lips as she faced Paula. "Paula, Senior Wu, I'll go ahead first. It was nice meeting you. I had a lot of fun."

She maintained a wide smile, tilting her head down slightly before picking up her purse. Heaven almost skipped her steps, hooking her arm around Dominic's arm.

"Are you sure you're going to leave?" asked Dominic as the two of them walked away. "There's still time before Basti finishes his lesson."

"I'd rather use that time with you." Heaven winked, grinning from ear to ear as she was getting bored with Paula and Leo's company.

Dominic's eyes softened. "Are you not upset anymore?"

"You're here already, so I feel much better. Do you know I've been watching you while you were having a meeting with those guys?" 

Dominic and Heaven chatted as they exited the establishment, not even looking back at Paula and Leo. The two who were left behind could only stare at the two lovers, leaving the establishment with Heaven's arm hooked around Dominic's.

'What… in the world?' Leo snapped his eyes as reality sank in, setting his eyes back to Paula. "Miss Shen, what — why did Mr. Zhu and Heaven look like they were…"

He trailed off when Paula smiled bitterly at him. 

Now, Leo suddenly had a conclusion no one ever thought about. The reason the LYON Group supported Paula was not because Dominic and Paula were in a relationship. It was because Paula was Heaven's friend and because of that, Heaven's 'lover' gave Paula a chance to shine on her own. 

This truth behind Paula and Dominic's connection felt like a stab in Leo's heart. 

"Don't tell me…" Leo's breath hitched as another conclusion hovered over his head. "Mr. Zhu's son was Heaven's…?"

Paula sighed as she sat down weakly. "Long story, but yes," conflict shone in her eyes as she immediately thought of saving her face from this embarrassment. 

"I don't want to say more, Senior Wu, because it's a long and complicated story." Paula set her eyes on the car where Heaven and Dominic were going in. "Saying more will put her in a tight position after all." 

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