Chapter 499
He felt the sting of humiliation at the thought of it. Shawn’s threat to break his legs wasn’t exactly something you’d brag about at the bar.
Leo’s gaze dropped, unable to meet his sister’s eyes. “Look, for everyone’s… safety, we’re going to have to turn down any ad gigs for you,” he said.
“Huh…” Collins, though confused, pondered for a moment before suggesting, “We could pass on the other offers, sure, but this photoshoot is one we can’t just shove aside.”
“It’s easy,” Leo waved dismissively, “I’ll just do a shoot for them, free of charge.”
Collins‘ expression twisted into a complicated grimace. That might have worked once upon a time, but now… After a few seconds of silence, he said, “They made it clear that they only want the photos with her.” The subtext was clear – Leo, the star, had lost his shine.
Leo felt a sudden, overwhelming jab from the world around him.
Mirabella coughed and tilted her head toward Leo, who seemed to have retreated into his shell again. “So we do this shoot, then no more after that?”
Leo sighed inwardly. “Fine.” It was the only way
Mirabella turned her gaze back to the passing scenery outside the car window and pulled out her phone, She scrolled through her call log and dialed Nikolai back. The missed call during the photoshoot had been from Nikolai.
Leo turned to talk to Mirabella but stopped when he saw her on the phone.
The call connected quickly. Mirabella’s eyes remained on the view outside as she spoke calmly, “Nikolal”
“Mirabella, I need your help urgently. Can you take leave… no, or I can come to your school and get your excused,” Nikolai said without preamble, getting straight to the point. The urgency in Nikolai’s voice was evident, suggesting the patient’s condition was serious.
Mirabella pondered for a brief moment before responding. “No need. I didn’t go to school today.”
At that, a look of relief washed over Nikolai’s somber face as he eagerly said, “Then do you have time now? I can send Asher to pick you up.”
“No, just give me the address. I’ll come myself,” Mirabella declined.
“Alright, come straight to my place,” Nikolai instructed.
“Okay.” Mirabella glanced at her wristwatch. “I should make it in half an hour.”
“Good, I’ll wait for you.”
After the call ended, Mirabella looked up at the road ahead and said to Collins, “Could you please drop me off at the next intersection? I need to take care of something.”
“Do you want a ride there?” Collins had overheard the phone conversation.
Mirabella shook her head. “It’s fine, I’ll catch a cab.”
“Alright then,” Collins didn’t press further.
Leo looked at his sister and opened his mouth to speak. Mirabella met his gaze head–on. “No questions.”
11/2
Chapter 499
Leo could only nod in silence.
“I’ll get back home on my own later,” she added.
Soon, Collins pulled over to the curb, and Mirabella got out swiftly.
As the car pulled away, Leo watched his sister’s figure on the sidewalk through the rearview mirror and let out a melancholic sigh. His sister always had her secrets.
Meanwhile, at the Reeves residence.
Nikolai had just hung up with Mirabella when he turned around to find his son lurking behind him, giving him quite the startle. He glared at him. “Sneaking up behind me like that, you trying to give me a heart attack?”
