After Rebirth, I Accept The Arranged Marriage-Chapter 151: Bathroom Massage

Jessie Sterling raised an eyebrow when she heard this, a spark of interest in her eyes.

She had considered every possibility, but she never expected to hear that name.

Her subordinates had done a thorough job, and they quickly explained the whole story of how Nina Walsh had gotten into Thorne Pictures.

"...I hear this newcomer has a powerful background, even more so than Cheryl Stuart, one of Thorne Pictures’ own stars. When a rich girl decides to dabble in the entertainment industry, others naturally have to make way. Although Rachel Ford has a few projects under her belt, she’s not exactly A-list. When someone with a stronger backing comes along, she has no choice but to step aside."

Jessie Sterling: "So, in Thorne Pictures’ latest youth idol drama, Nina Walsh is the lead, and Rachel Ford—who was willing to breach her contract just to jump ship to Thorne—has to play a supporting role for her?"

The person in charge nodded. "That’s the information we’ve gathered."

Jessie nearly laughed out loud. It wasn’t just because an actress she didn’t even know had chosen the wrong path, but also because she finally understood why Nina Walsh had suddenly targeted Brianna Hudson over the New Year, insisting on featuring her in one of her videos.

It seemed that from that moment on, or perhaps even earlier when Nina had proactively extended an olive branch to Arya Thorne, she had already decided on this path for herself.

"Tsk, she’s pretty sharp."

That evening, Jessie returned to the Four Happiness Courtyard, soaked in the bathtub, and called Lynn Jennings, casually bringing up the topic of Nina Walsh.

Lynn genuinely thought Nina’s move was a rather smart one. After all, she’d learned from Serena Lynch that Nina wasn’t very focused on her studies. Once Roman Lynch cut off his academic support, she would likely have a hard time graduating this year on her own.

That being the case, it was better to use her title as the Lynch family’s adopted daughter to make some money in the entertainment industry first. Once she had cash in hand, she could think about whether to continue her education.

"I just wonder how long she can get away with waving that flag," Lynn said.

Jessie, however, didn’t think Nina had made a good move. On the contrary, once you’re in the entertainment industry, if you don’t have real protection, life becomes very difficult after the "Lynch family’s adopted daughter" banner is torn down.

Especially with Nina’s personality—she probably wasn’t the type to tolerate things. She couldn’t even stand Serena Lynch, Roman Lynch’s own sister, and wanted to replace her. She even wished for all of Roman’s affection to be focused on her alone.

’Too greedy, but without the ability to back it up. She’s bound to suffer for it in the end.’

"It’ll probably stop working very soon," Jessie said.

Lynn hummed in response, sounding puzzled.

Jessie explained, "Before, when she wasn’t in the industry, she had no conflict of interest with Cheryl Stuart. But the pie in this industry is only so big. If she wants a slice, she needs to see if others are willing to share. Besides, she’s currently building a reputation as a rich girl trying to make it in showbiz. Doesn’t that clash directly with Cheryl Stuart’s persona?"

Others might not be able to dig up Nina’s background, but Cheryl Stuart has now latched onto the Hudson family of Port Caldoria. You think she doesn’t have her own sources of information?

Cheryl Stuart’s roots in the entertainment industry run much deeper than Nina Walsh’s.

On the other end of the line, Lynn couldn’t help but chuckle softly as she listened to Jessie.

’Who said Jessie was just a dumb beauty?’

"We’ll see how Arya Thorne chooses then. But no matter who she picks, she’s bound to offend someone in the end," Lynn said. ’But what does that have to do with us? It’s good enough if we don’t kick them while they’re down. We can just watch the drama from the sidelines.’

Jessie nodded. She actually wanted to ask Lynn about her situation with Cyrus Sheridan, but before she could, there was a knock on the bathroom door.

At this hour, no one other than Victor Morgan would be at the Four Happiness Courtyard.

Jessie had no choice but to quickly end her call with Lynn, then call out in a loud voice, "What do you want?"

Victor Morgan had been Jessie’s driver for the day. When he dropped her off at the company that morning, he had promised to pick her up from work in the evening.

Victor hadn’t gone back on his word. He just hadn’t expected that even after he had been so "attentive and considerate," Jessie’s attitude toward him hadn’t changed one bit.

Victor didn’t know if it was just his imagination, but ever since he’d brought Jessie back from Finland, something had been missing. On the surface, they seemed to have reconciled, and Jessie didn’t reject his intimacy, but something was off.

Jessie used to be someone who loved to act cute and be clingy.

He could see it in the way Jessie behaved around Quincy Sterling. Whenever she completely trusted someone, she would turn into a noble yet lazy little kitten in their presence, occasionally offering up her belly to be scratched.

But he felt like it had been a long time since Jessie had voluntarily shown him her belly.

Victor: "It’s me."

He acted as if he hadn’t caught the meaning behind her words, walking in as he answered.

The exhaust fan was on in the bathroom, so it wasn’t too steamy. The moment Victor walked in, he saw Jessie soaking in the tub, her skin flushed pink.

It wasn’t a bubble bath, but a bath bomb with blue and purple essential oils, which left Jessie almost completely exposed to his gaze.

Victor didn’t miss the way Jessie tried to hide by sinking into the water the moment he entered, a futile gesture.

He couldn’t help but chuckle to himself.

’Does Jessie really think that little movement of hers could actually hide her from me?’

’Little does she know, the more she acts like this, the more I can’t let her go.’

"What are you doing here!?" Jessie shot Victor a sideways glance, as if to say he had come at a bad time.

The beauty sat lounging in the tub, a sliver of her snow-white shoulder exposed. Even her glare seemed captivatingly flirtatious.

At least, that’s what Victor thought in that moment.

He was someone who could maintain his composure. Even though he could hear the annoyance in Jessie’s words, Victor’s expression showed no sign of displeasure.

"You’ve had a long day. I’m here to help," Victor said.

Jessie was about to raise an eyebrow and ask how he planned to help her, but before the words could leave her lips, she saw the man in front of her suddenly walk behind her and crouch down.

The next moment, Jessie felt a large hand press down on her shoulder.

"If it’s uncomfortable, let me know," Victor’s voice came from behind her.

Jessie wanted to scoff—what could Victor possibly know about massage? How could it be comfortable? But before she could say a word, a soft moan had already escaped her.

It felt good.

The large hand behind her was kneading her shoulders and neck with just the right amount of pressure, relieving the fatigue from a long day sitting in the office.

Jessie couldn’t help but narrow her eyes in pleasure.

"Is this okay?" Victor’s voice came from behind.

Jessie nodded. "Mmm." She couldn’t bring herself to lie. Victor’s skills were surprisingly good—better than she ever would have imagined.

Hearing this, the man behind her let out a soft, ambiguous chuckle.

Perhaps it was because Victor’s massage was so comfortable, or perhaps it was the warmth of the bathroom, but Jessie had been soaking for a while and was growing drowsy.

Just as Jessie felt her eyelids about to droop shut, a pair of hands suddenly appeared on her chest.

’This isn’t how you give a massage!’

In that instant, Jessie’s eyes flew open.

She was about to turn and question him, but before any sound could escape, her lips were sealed.

Jessie never would have thought that by simply turning her head, she would give Victor the opening he was looking for.