117: [Bonus chapter]Turning fall backs as opportunities

[Bonus chapter]Turning fall backs as opportunities

Paula was the first person Heaven run to when the latter came to know her pregnancy. At that time, Heaven was a rising star after winning the most prestigious award an actress could get. Projects and endorsements were flooding Heaven's agency, making one think she was unstoppable.  1

Thus, Paula felt secretly happy when Heaven cried a river, revealing her pregnancy to the person she thought was her real friend. A friend who was akin to a sister. 

Paula's first thought back then was to convince Heaven to continue the pregnancy. She remembered using all the right terms, arguing she shouldn't listen to her agency, which was telling Heaven to get rid of the child. 

The agency kept everything a secret, telling Heaven if she got rid of the child, everything would fall back to normal. Heaven would get to keep her career and attain her dreams. Meanwhile, Paula fought for what was 'moral.' However, Paula had a different reason than what she claimed. 

Paula wanted Heaven to keep the child, knowing this child would be her downfall. 

This happiness, however, was short-lived when Paula came to know the man who got Heaven pregnant. It was as though the world was mocking Paula. How could Heaven, even her misfortune, be far better than hers?

How could she carry Dominic's child? Of all people, why would it have to be Dominic Zhu? The man whom Paula never thought of reaching because he was just far beyond anyone's reach.

Still, Paula's schemes became an opportunity for her. 

Upon learning how Paula convinced Heaven to keep the child, Dominic rewarded her with kindness and generosity, and that was the start of a long-standing rumor circulating Paula and Dominic. 

People started talking, noticing that the network and agency had suddenly given extra care to a small-time actress. Given the LYON Group wasn't discreet about it, people assumed malicious conclusions. Paula wasn't ugly, after all. In fact, she was very pretty.

From then on, Paula's life changed.

Those in the industry who didn't pay her attention in the past started currying favor for her. She knew about the rumor, but she kept quiet and led them to believe it. After all, Dominic didn't care much about any rumors about him. 

It wouldn't even be a surprise if he didn't know such rumors existed, knowing he had more important things to deal with.

Moreover, what was so bad about it?

Heaven and Dominic were married in papers only, and Paula believed if she works hard enough, these rumors could become true. Unless Dominic broke his silence, Paula planned to carry on with this lie. 

Everything was perfect up until now… so how could things turn out like this?

How could Dominic, even after all these years, wouldn't even cast her a quick look?

"Miss Shen, what — why did Mr. Zhu and Heaven look like they were…" Leo's puzzled tone brought Paula back to the current lapse. "Don't tell me… Mr. Zhu's son was Heaven's…?"

Paula's knees felt as soft as tofu, wobbling back to her seat. 'No! This isn't happening!' she denied in her head, only to see Leo looking at her as if he was seeking enlightenment. 

'Paula, Paula… get a hold of yourself!'she mentally scolded herself, telling her this could be an opportunity. 'Turning your fall back into opportunities are your specialties! Get yourself together!'

Paula sighed deeply, massaging her temple slightly. 

"Long story," she said weakly, sporting a bitter smile. "I don't want to say more, Senior Wu, because it's a long and complicated story. Saying more will put her in a tight position after all."

"What do you mean by that?" Leo furrowed his brows, sitting down on the chair. 

"I can't, Senior." Paula shook her head, keeping her lips tight. "It's not something I should tell anyone."

"Paula." Leo sighed, leaning closer to the table. "This… I admit, this is something that I didn't expect. However, I'm getting worried. What you do mean by you telling me more will put her in a tight spot?"

Reluctance could be seen in Paula's eyes, biting her lips as if she was pondering whether to tell Leo of the real story behind Heaven and Dominic. She didn't need to think much about it, though. She already planned to twist the truth from the beginning. 

"Please don't tell anyone about this. Especially to Heaven." Paula huffed helplessly, looking straight into Leo's eyes. "I don't want her to be in trouble or make her think I'm betraying her by letting you in her secret."

Leo opened his mouth, but his voice was stuck in his throat. His heart thudded, thinking of the worse of why Paula was acting this way. 

"You're right. Heaven was the mother of CEO Zhu's son. It was the reason she had to leave the industry without a word." Paula lowered her eyes as if she was recalling a painful memory. "It was also the reason she had to stop her communication with you."

She slowly lifted her gaze, but this time, there was a layer of tears coating her eyes. "You know Heaven couldn't stop talking about you back then. She would even wait for your messages or calls. But all of a sudden, she told me she got pregnant and had to leave everything."

"I know rumors about me and Mr. Zhu were circulating, but I didn't have the heart to clear things up." Paula pressed her lips into a thin line, acting like a victim. "Because keeping my silence was the least I can do to protect her."

"Why…" Leo was confused. "… do you need to protect her?"

Paula didn't answer but sported this inexplicable look that could lead to various conclusions. And it did because Leo couldn't help but jump to an ugly conclusion of a man in power, excising his authority to get what he wanted. 

Leo had seen those types of men. 

Men, be it businessmen, celebrities, politicians, and people in the industry who had a perfect public image, but a rotten personality behind the camera. Being at the top of the food chain, Dominic could do whatever he wanted without consequence. Therefore, it was easy for others to create an image of him based on his status alone. 

Little did Leo know, as he was deep in thought, a sneer appeared on Paula's face. 

'I don't know why she suddenly changed her tactic,' she thought, mentally scoffing as she recalled how Heaven acted towards Dominic. 'But one thing is for sure, she still likes Leo. It was obvious with how she reacted. If Leo made more effort, I'd just push her a bit for her to make a stupid decision.'

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