Chapter 182: You’ve Changed

Chapter 182: Chapter 182: You’ve Changed

Director Lincoln was even more excited than she was: "This script is my life. If anyone dares make me change it, I’ll fight them to the end. Not even The Pop King could sway me."

Director Lincoln and the producer weren’t stupid. Where there’s a policy from above, there’s a workaround below. If the female lead can’t act, they wouldn’t dare cut her scenes. They’d just shoot everything as is. With a weak lead, the rest of the cast would only look even better in comparison.

And of course, there was another factor: Lillian Young’s team lacked foresight. Obsessed with screen time and endearing characters, they’d put all their chips on the leading lady, without realizing that in crime dramas, besides the male roles, it’s the villains that steal the show.

The third female role was morally ambiguous, toeing the line between good and evil, and her scenes were actually far more important than the lead’s.

Honestly, Lillian Young’s team should be glad they chased after peanuts and let the real prize slip away. If they’d gone after the third female role, would anyone else get to see such an amazing performance?

With contracts signed, the production side would wire the advance payment within a few business days, while the remainder would be settled at the end of filming.

By the time Renee Morgan got back from the teahouse, it was already night.

Remembering how rushed her exit had been, she sent Ethan Sterling a message once she got home.

Renee Morgan: "Mr. Sterling, everything went smoothly. I’m home now—just thinking of you."

Linley Lincoln knew that in the whole city of Maridia, plenty of people were trying to figure out where Ethan Sterling was. Just at his own office, there were at least a dozen calls a day, and even in his usually quiet workplace, acquaintances—some of whom barely knew him—would show up, making small talk, fishing for an invite to grab drinks and get closer to him.

Even Linley Lincoln, patient as he was, couldn’t take it forever. Once he sent the last one away, he locked the door. No matter who showed up, he’d ask through the glass door if it was official business or personal. If it was personal, he flatly refused to see them,

After leaving work early from District J, he drove to Sterling’s apartment complex.

Ethan Sterling had just seen Renee Morgan off downstairs, and as he came back up, he ran into Linley Lincoln at his doorstep.

Seeing him come in from outside, Linley Lincoln held back his questions.

After Ethan opened the door, Linley took off his shoes and slipped on some slippers without being told.

Watching Ethan head to the kitchen, he followed: "Sterling, are you planning to cook? Let me help you wash the veggies..."

Linley trotted after him with interest. He’d known Ethan for years, and knew he’d been independent since his teens—a time when he’d become a real pro in the kitchen. Linley had been lucky enough to mooch a meal once, but ever since Ethan joined the military, he’d been as elusive as a ghost; mooching a meal was out of the question, and even seeing him at all was rare.

"Sterling, you made all these?" Linley stared at the table laden with leftovers (from an absolute feast), so shocked his jaw nearly hit the floor.

The table hadn’t been cleared yet; there were still two sets of used chopsticks and bowls, as if he’d had a guest for dinner...

Ethan didn’t deny it. He grabbed the trash bin and started clearing the table with practiced efficiency.

Linley, quick as ever, saved a few dishes, microwaved them, then fetched a clean set of chopsticks and bowl from the sterilizer. Sidling up to Ethan, he probed: "So who came over today? Someone from higher up?"

Ethan dumped the leftovers, wiped the table with a cloth, and replied coolly, "No, just a friend visiting."

A friend?

Linley blurted out, "You have friends in City of Maridia?"

These years, Ethan had been in the military, rarely had any time off. Even if he did have friends, they’d have lost touch by now. How could he suddenly invite someone over? And even if it’s a friend, would he really be this hospitable, cooking for them himself?

Ethan turned on the faucet to wash the dishes. Linley frowned: "Aren’t you staying in City of Maridia these days? Why not have the cleaning lady come over?"

Ethan answered blandly, "I gave her a vacation. If I don’t wash the dishes, they’ll start to smell."

I mean—if a friend comes over, then let them. But why give the cleaning lady time off?

Linley didn’t get it, but didn’t dare press further. He scooped some rice and began to eat.

After dinner, Ethan rode with Linley to the Maridia Central Tower—the local branch of Apex Conglomerate.

By this time, the company had long since closed for the day. The two security guards on duty rushed over to intercept them at the entrance.

Ethan casually produced his work ID and handed it over.

The two security guards exchanged glances, examined the ID, and when they saw the title, thought they’d misread. After double-checking it couldn’t have been faked, they handed it back, hesitating: "The company’s closed. Do you need us to open the door for you?"

"No need," Ethan replied coolly. He strode up to the glass doors, and without entering a code, gazed into the eye scanner at the entrance. The doors unlocked instantly.

The two guards stared in shock. They had no idea the door even had a retina scanner—they thought it only worked with keys or a password.

Linley was visibly stunned, too, but quickly recovered and hurried after him.

About an hour later, Ethan came down from upstairs. The security guards rushed out again, but this time didn’t dare say a word, standing respectfully to the side.

Linley had gone to the underground lot to fetch the car. Ethan stood in the night breeze outside, emanating a restrained aura that somehow made him feel even less approachable.

When Linley came out, that’s what he saw.

After parking, he was just about to call Ethan over when someone knocked on the car door.

Linley rolled down the window, and Ethan’s low, unhurried voice drifted in: "Mind if I try out the car?"

Linley: "..."

Trying to figure out what separates a car worth several hundred grand from one worth several million?

Although confused, Linley still opened the door and took the passenger seat.

With Ethan at the wheel, Linley felt a bit anxious, fidgeting with everything in sight. When he heard a WeChat notification, he reflexively grabbed his phone—then realized it wasn’t his and quickly looked over at Ethan: "Sterling, someone messaged you."

They’d just reached an intersection. Ethan recited his password for Linley to unlock it.

Linley, a little excited, punched in the passcode and opened the message.

[Mr. Sterling, everything went smoothly. I’m home now—just thinking of you.]

Contact name: Renee Morgan.

Linley: "..."

M-Morgan...Renee Morgan?

The global top A-list celebrity?

Her again...

Linley sneaked a glance at the man beside him, then carefully passed the phone back, voice lowered: "Um...you should take a look?"

Ethan glanced over, then after parking at the curb ahead, took his phone and replied: "Good."

Phone locked, car back in motion, Ethan’s gaze remained calm, as if texting a female celebrity like this was the most ordinary thing in the world.

Linley squirmed with curiosity, and while Ethan was focused on the road, he couldn’t help blurting out: "The friend who came to your place today...was it Renee Morgan?"

Traffic jams were the norm downtown. Since Ethan wasn’t familiar with the streets, he kept his full attention on driving. Linley’s question wasn’t exactly a secret, so Ethan nodded: "Yeah."

Linley nearly blurted out ’what the fuck’—inviting a top celebrity over was one thing, but cooking for her? Ethan, you’ve really changed!!

That night, when Renee Morgan opened the slate app, she was still a bit anxious. Only after checking the message box and seeing that Blank hadn’t brought up wanting to spar again did she finally relax.