Chapter 47: Chapter 47: Even Idol Dramas Don’t Film This Kind of Plot Anymore
Lily Sterling was both shocked and delighted, her eyes glued to the text message.
288,000!
She had fantasized about earning her first bucket of gold with her first role, but she had never imagined she could make this much.
Even though she already knew her salary when she signed the contract, actually receiving the money now still felt unreal.
"Sis, 288,000... I never dreamed I could earn so much from my first role," Lily Sterling murmured, her voice thick with emotion and on the verge of tears.
Cecilia Sterling fondly stroked her younger sister’s head and said softly, "You’ll only earn more than this in the future."
Lily Sterling nodded excitedly and looked up at her sister, speaking from the heart. "Sis, I know that being an actor pays well, but I honestly didn’t get into this for the money. I genuinely love acting."
"I know," Cecilia said reassuringly. "And it’s not just me. Mom knows too. That’s why she was so supportive of you taking the art school entrance exams."
Hearing her sister suddenly mention their mother, Lily Sterling froze for a moment.
Ever since she’d reunited with her sister, she had deliberately avoided talking about their mother. She never expected her sister to bring her up so calmly.
Lily Sterling bit her lip and looked down, her voice dropping to a whisper. "The art school exams... becoming an art student is expensive. Mom had to sacrifice your dreams for me and Ethan. She really blames herself for it."
"I’m sorry, Sis. We’re the ones who held you back."
Hearing her sister say this made Cecilia’s heart ache all over again. She quickly put an arm around her sister’s shoulder. "Don’t say that. It wasn’t easy for Mom to raise the three of us on her own. I was the one who was too stubborn back then. If settling for second best could give you and Ethan a better future, I was willing to do it. I really was."
With that, Cecilia broke into a smile, her tone light and easy. "Besides, I’ve come to realize that Lorcain Tech is a great school too."
"Really, Sis? You don’t resent Mom anymore?" Lily Sterling looked at her sister, unable to hide the excitement in her eyes.
The rift between her sister and their mother had always been a weight on her and Ethan’s hearts. She truly hoped her sister could forgive their mother for being forced into a corner.
Cecilia Sterling nodded firmly, her voice sincere and strong. "I stopped blaming her a long time ago."
In that moment, Lily Sterling wept with joy and threw her arms around her sister. It wasn’t just their mother; she had also been carrying a heavy burden of guilt toward her sister.
A gentle smile graced Cecilia’s lips as she softly patted her sister’s back. "I’m planning to go back to Veridia for the National Day holiday."
"Really?" Lily Sterling looked up in surprise, but her expression quickly turned to regret. "But I have to join the film crew before the holiday starts. I can’t go back with you."
"You just focus on your work. I’ll be fine going back by myself."
Lily Sterling could only nod. A moment later, she was buzzing with excitement again. "I’ve earned money! I’m going to the mall tomorrow to buy presents for Mom and Ethan. What do you want, Sis? I’ll buy it for you!"
Cecilia didn’t want to spoil her fun and replied without hesitation, "I’d like an evening gown."
She remembered the day she couldn’t find anything suitable to wear to James Lockwood’s investor party. It was likely she’d need one again in the future.
"Okay, I’ll get it for you!" Lily Sterling clasped her hands together, a look of pure contentment on her face. "I also want to buy gifts for Hannah, Nina, and Yvette, and then treat them to a huge dinner to celebrate!"
Seeing the smile on her sister’s face, Cecilia felt a satisfaction she had never known before. This was the kind of success her sister had always wanted but could never attain.
From now on, she would do everything in her power to safeguard her sister’s path in life.
「The next morning.」
Estelle Goodman stayed in bed until the last possible second before finally getting up to wash and head to her morning class. To her surprise, as soon as she went downstairs, she saw Shawn Lane sitting on a bench by the road.
He looked awful—his face was pale and his expression was utterly dejected. Recalling that he had come looking for Cecilia Sterling yesterday afternoon and then again at night, Estelle couldn’t help but be alarmed.
"Dude, you didn’t wait here all night, did you?"
Estelle walked over, her face a mask of astonishment.
Shawn Lane looked up at the sound of her voice. When he saw it was Estelle, he quickly stood up. He was still wearing the same clothes he’d had on when he left home yesterday, clearly not having changed.
"Estelle, Cecilia didn’t come back all night, did she?"
The moment he spoke, his voice was dry and hoarse from disuse. Combined with his devastated appearance, Estelle almost felt a pang of pity for him.
"Isn’t this a bit much, Shawn? What’s the point of waiting all night? Even idol dramas don’t use this plot anymore."
Pity was one thing, but she couldn’t resist a snarky comment.
"I’m worried about Cecilia. Why didn’t she come back all night?" Shawn asked, seemingly oblivious to Estelle’s words.
Estelle sighed. She had promised Cecilia she wouldn’t reveal a single thing about her to Shawn, so she just shook her head. "I don’t know. But I suggest you stop waiting here. It’s seriously creepy."
"I have class, and I’m about to be late. I really have to go." Estelle shook her head disapprovingly. Before leaving, she couldn’t help but add, "You should go home, catch up on sleep, and get some rest. Don’t pass out here."
Once she was a safe distance away, she quickly sent a warning to Cecilia. 「Babe, whatever you do, DO NOT come back to the dorm right now. I just came downstairs and Shawn is planted out front like some tragic statue. OMG, he waited for you all night!」
Looking back, she saw that Shawn had sat down on the bench again, clearly having no intention of leaving.
Before long, Beatrice Lynn showed up.
"Shawn, what are you doing here?" Beatrice Lynn was wearing a green dress, Shawn’s favorite color. With the sun shining on her, she looked as bright as a flower, obviously having dressed up for the occasion.
"Your mom said you came back to campus yesterday. I asked your roommate, and he said you didn’t come back to the dorm at all last night. Did you stay here all night?"
"Shawn, say something! I’m talking to you!"
Already on edge, Shawn’s head started to throb from Beatrice Lynn’s nagging. He snapped his head up and glared at her, barking, "What do my affairs have to do with you? Haven’t I told you to stop bothering me and to stay out of my sight?!"
His face was vicious, his eyes shot with red.
Beatrice Lynn was frightened by his expression, and her eyes instantly filled with aggrieved tears.
Seeing her like this only annoyed Shawn more. Her ability to well up with tears on command was uncanny; she could get into character in a split second every single time.
"Your mom was worried about you, so she asked me to come find you," Beatrice Lynn said, her voice choked with sobs.
Shawn turned his head away in frustration. "I don’t need anyone’s concern. Leave."
"I won’t!" Beatrice Lynn wiped away the tears that were about to fall and, with reddened eyes, plopped down on the bench next to Shawn. "Your mom told me to watch you, so if you’re not leaving, I’m not leaving either."
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Shawn shot up and roared. "Am I some kind of criminal that you need to watch over me?"
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