Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Smoke Rising from the Head
To others, it might have seemed like a simple blessing, but for Ken Young, who had just survived a disaster and now believed Arabella Donovan’s words implicitly, it was an immense comfort.
"Then I’ll take that as a good omen."
Hector Donovan glanced at his old friend lying in the hospital bed with his daughter standing there all alone. He thought of their home, which had likely been cleared out, and couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
"You can’t go on like this. Your daughter’s a senior in high school, right? She’ll have to go back to school in a day or two, so it’s better to hire a caregiver to look after you. If money is an issue, just call me or Webb. Don’t be embarrassed. Everyone faces hardships at some point. You’ll get through this."
Ken Young knew Hector Donovan meant well. He was worried that woman had siphoned off all his money, leaving him unable to get through this crisis and too embarrassed to ask for a loan. That was why he’d brought it up so tactfully.
His heart, chilled by the betrayal of his own family, warmed slightly at the kind gesture.
"Thank you. I’ve already asked a nurse to help me find a caregiver. And don’t worry. If I really need your help, I won’t hesitate to ask."
The group had arrived in a flurry, but they were all somewhat silent as they left the hospital room.
Seeing that everyone’s spirits were low, Sheldon Webb thought for a moment before offering some words of comfort. "You don’t have to worry too much about Young. From the sound of it, a good chunk of his and his wife’s joint assets has likely been transferred away, but he set up a trust fund for his daughter years ago. Knowing how much he dotes on her, there should be a lot of money in it—more than enough for them to get through this."
"And after this, as long as Young can bring himself to ditch that freakish family and get back on his feet, life will only get better for him and his daughter."
The moment Sheldon Webb finished speaking, everyone stared at him in surprise.
Hector Donovan looked Sheldon Webb up and down, as if seeing his own agent for the very first time. "How do you know so much about his family’s business?"
Sheldon Webb rolled his eyes. "I’ve known him a lot longer than you have. And while Young doesn’t like talking about his family, he absolutely loves showing off his daughter. You hear about it enough times, and you’re bound to learn a thing or two."
The explanation was perfectly reasonable, and it did make Hector Donovan and the others feel much more at ease. Arabella Donovan, however, found something odd.
’If there was a trust fund, how did he and his daughter end up nearly homeless?’
The Donovans’ steps faltered for a moment before they quickly resumed walking, careful not to let anything show on their faces.
Arabella Donovan didn’t notice their strange reaction. When she recalled Ken Young saying his wife and brother-in-law were plotting to use his ID to take out loans from loan sharks, it suddenly clicked.
’In the original story, the Hale siblings must have succeeded. They probably cracked the safe, stole the deed to Ken Young’s apartment and sold it, then used his ID to take out all kinds of loans, including from loan sharks.’
’No matter how much was in Georgia Young’s trust fund, it couldn’t possibly withstand the duo’s relentless squandering.’
Ken Young was merely a background character in the main story. He was mentioned only in a few brief sentences early on to explain the reason for his misfortune, and he had virtually no role later in the plot.
When the male protagonist had achieved fame and success, the author, perhaps intentionally emphasizing the passage of time and how much things change, arranged for him to encounter a homeless man who bore a striking resemblance to Ken Young while on his way to a press conference.
The man was filthy, with disheveled hair and ragged clothes, looking utterly wretched.
Most importantly, his eyes were severely clouded, giving people the distinct impression that his mind was no longer all there.
While waiting at a red light, the protagonist made eye contact with the homeless man from a distance. His heart jolted, and he was suddenly reminded of an old acquaintance he had long since forgotten.
Moved by a wave of emotion, he had his assistant get out of the car to buy a boxed meal and leave some money for the man.
From beginning to end, the author never explicitly confirmed if the homeless man was Ken Young. But based on Arabella Donovan’s understanding of these kinds of plotlines, there was a nine-out-of-ten chance it was him.
Back when the protagonist was just an obscure extra nobody cared about, Ken Young was already a respected veteran who had been in the industry for many years.
But by the time the protagonist had become a superstar—the center of attention wherever he went—that same veteran had become a homeless man on the side of the road.
It was all about creating a dramatic contrast, a truly poignant twist of fate.
At this thought, Arabella Donovan narrowed her eyes, no longer feeling so troubled about Ken Young’s hospitalization.
’After all, judging from the way Ken Young just treated his daughter, if he had still followed the predetermined plot and become that miserable homeless man, then his daughter probably would have... ’
Hearing this, the Donovans’ hearts sank. They thought of the girl—still a minor, yet bravely standing by her father’s side, helping him fight back against her mother’s family, and defending him with all her might.
One of them couldn’t help but remark, "You know, with the Hale Family, it’s a case of a good shoot coming from bad bamboo. Thank goodness that girl, young as she is, already knows right from wrong. She’s standing firmly by her father’s side and supporting him. If not for her, Young would probably be devastated right now."
The assistant director, who also had a daughter, nodded in firm agreement. "That’s a credit to Young’s parenting. He didn’t let her pick up any of the terrible traits of that bizarre family. It’s truly a blessing in this unfortunate situation."
As soon as the assistant director finished, he turned and saw Director Grant’s solemn, serious expression. He assumed Grant was still agonizing over how to schedule Ken Young’s remaining scenes.
"I looked over Young’s scenes before I came. He only has seven or eight left. Our show is a Xianxia fantasy, which requires tons of green screen work and has few on-location shoots anyway. It doesn’t make much difference whether we film his scenes now or later. It won’t cause any delays."
"I’m not thinking about that."
"Huh? Then what is it?"
"’Verbal altercation,’ correct. ’Financial dispute,’ also correct. A knife drawn means murderous intent; seeing blood is a bloody calamity. She was right about everything."
The assistant director was utterly confused, but the Donovans knew exactly what Grant was muttering about. Their expressions instantly grew complicated as they turned to look at Arabella Donovan.
Caught off guard by suddenly becoming the center of attention, Arabella Donovan froze for a moment, and her eyelid began to twitch.
Sure enough, the next second, Grant sidled up to her, his eyes shining. He rubbed his hands together greedily and said, "Master Donovan, do you think you could do me a favor, for your brother’s sake, and give me a reading too?"
The assistant director: "???"
The three Donovans: "..."
Arabella Donovan: "..."
’So I’m "Master Donovan" now? Weren’t you the one who told me not to pull this stuff on set? Now you’re taking the lead in breaking your own rule? What is this, knowingly breaking the law?’
Others might not know the real story behind Arabella Donovan’s previous fortune-telling, but Hector Donovan did.
"Actually, doing this kind of reading depends on affinity. You can’t just do it for anyone."
"I get it, I get it." Grant gave a mysterious, all-knowing smile.
"Rest assured, Master, I know the protocol." He then lifted his hand and made the universal gesture for money by rubbing his thumb and fingers together.
The corner of Hector Donovan’s mouth twitched. Just as he was about to explain that wasn’t what he meant, he heard Arabella Donovan gasp.
’Huh, so it wasn’t my imagination? Why is there black smoke rising from the director’s head?’
