A Coincidental Encounter


    I sshed water on my face and took deep breaths. Lauren called for a drink and handed me a ss.


    I felt calmer after downing it. Then I covered my face with a towel and said, “Go ahead and chat. I’ll rest


    for a bit.”


    “Why are yo


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    you napping all day? You just slept in your car, and now you’re sleeping again?” Ivanna teased me,


    giving me a yful nudge. “What’s going on with you?”


    “There’s too much going ontely. I’m working myself to death! Cut me some ck, will you?” I replied


    from behind the towel.


    Tears had already mixed with the water droplets on my face.


    Ivanna didn’t press me and chatted with Lauren instead. +regained myposure before removing the


    towel from my face.


    “Weren’t you napping?” Ivanna asked. “You know, you do look like that actress I mentioned earlier.


    Chloe, I’ll be your manager if you ever want to step into showbiz. Although you’re much prettier than


    her.”


    “Step into showbiz? I’m about to step into another world.”


    Lauren handed me a ss of wine, which I sipped.


    Both of them chuckled. “So you want to be a celestial being now?”


    We continued our conversation until I was utterly exhausted. “I swear, if we keep soaking any longer, I’ll


    turn into a prune! I’m starving to death. Can’t we eat?”


    Lauren and Ivanna giggled, and we went to the dining room.


    The food here was exceptional. I devoured everything in sight, replenishing my energy and filling my


    emotional vold.


    As we headed back to our private room, we bumped into the two people I least wanted to see. They


    were both impably dressed.


    The woman eximed, “Ivanna! You’re here too!”


    Ivanna turned to look, then stared at me, dumbfounded. I gave the woman a cursory once–over.


    Something about her seemed oddly familiar.


    Lauren pulled me over, and my bathrobe slipped to the ground. I quickly draped it back on.


    Ivanna’s voice was calm as she said, “What a coincidence!”


    “Yeah, just having a casual meal with Mr. As!” The woman seemed to be exining herself to Ivanna


    “Of course, this is a great ce for a meal!” Ivanna’s voice had a hint of sarcasm. “Enjoy your time. I’m


    here with my best friends!”


    Ivanna didn’t engage with the woman any further. Instead, she took my arm and led us to our room.


    I didn’t look at As throughout the entire encounter. Honestly, I was too afraid to. I hoped it was all just


    an illusion


    In the room, Ivanna immediately scrutinized me. “Did you see them earlier?”


    Ivanna was perceptive and had noticed my emotional turmoil.


    I chuckled faintly and asked, “Does it make a difference?”


    Lauren had been observing me closely, asionally sharing nces with Ivanna. They were clearly


    worried about me.


    I suddenlyughed. “What’s with those faces?”


    “Chlo, if there’s something on your mind, let it out. Don’t keep it to yourself,” Ivanna said earnestly. “You


    shouldn’t take that too seriously


    “Exactly, who knows? Maybe it’s some important discussion,” Lauren added.


    “What are you trying to say? I wasn’t thinking that far, but after hearing you two, now I am.” I looked at


    them with a smile, probably looking worse than if I were crying.


    “Do you know who that woman is?” Ivanna asked, looking at me intently.


    “I don’t know, and I don’t want to know! I remained calm and said it inly.


    “It’s that actress Iined about–Harmony Hampton, the one under ourbel!‘ Ivanna said in


    annoyance, “I said she was getting a big head. It turns out, she thought she snagged herself a sugar


    daddy! That little-*


    Ivanna’s words snapped me back. I realized that the face I saw just now did seem oddly familiar.