The Trending Topic Herself: The Villainess is the Superstar!-Chapter 40: Endorsement

Ryan mused, "Do you know Serena Sawyer?"

Maya Monroe shook her head, honestly saying, "No, I don’t know her."

Ryan thought for a moment, "Makes sense, Serena Sawyer is quite independent in the circle and carries herself with an air of pride."

Serena Sawyer looked away, casually asking the assistant next to her, "Who was the female artist standing with Ryan over there? She seemed a bit familiar."

The assistant replied, "The one next to Ryan? That’s Maya Monroe."

Serena Sawyer softly repeated the name, then smiled, "The beautiful little girl with the godlike looks?"

The assistant couldn’t quite grasp Serena Sawyer’s thoughts; typically, Serena Sawyer wouldn’t call someone so endearingly. He could only reply, "That’s her."

"She is indeed quite beautiful..." Serena Sawyer’s eyes sparkled with amusement, "She really got under Madeline Underwood’s skin a while ago, quite interesting."

*

Maya Monroe arrived at the studio using the address Ryan gave her; she had a photoshoot for an endorsement today, the product being a new candy from a well-known domestic food brand, Little Ox.

Maya Monroe hated running errands the most, a monotonous and bland life that had to be repeated endlessly.

The director, bag slung over his shoulder, explained a few key points to Maya Monroe.

Maya Monroe drooped her head, nodding listlessly.

The director noticed she seemed tired, "You don’t look too well right now. Why not rest a bit and resume once you feel better?"

Resume later? No way!

Maya Monroe waved her hand, forcing a smile, "No need for a break, I feel fine right now."

For most other artists, shooting an endorsement is a great opportunity to increase fame, but for Maya Monroe, shooting nonsense commercials is just a waste of time. If she took a break now, wouldn’t that be an even bigger waste of time? Better to finish the shoot early and be done with it.

The director looked at Maya Monroe with more admiration, seeing her continue working despite being unwell. Such dedicated artists are truly rare.

The director initially thought choosing Maya Monroe as the brand ambassador was a bold move, but now that he saw her in person, he truly realized that rumors were unreliable.

In the commercial, Maya Monroe plays a young urban woman who, after a tiring day’s work, reaches for her cherished stash of Little Ox candies, then gives the camera a sweet smile.

Maya Monroe followed the script, and as she posed with the candy, she couldn’t help but swallow a bit.

The greatest agony of only being able to look but not eat.

The photographer raised his camera, about to remind Maya Monroe of the next lines, but was stopped by the director.

The purpose of shooting commercials is to attract consumers, and Maya Monroe’s genuine reaction was far better than any prepared line, natural and unaffected. If this wasn’t Maya Monroe’s real reaction, the director could only praise her acting skills as superb!

Fortunately, Maya Monroe finally remembered the ad slogan she needed to say:

"Sour and sweet, what a delightful flavor, oh this deadly sweetness!"

Maya Monroe didn’t forget to tug at the corners of her mouth in a perfunctory smile.

"Okay! Cut!"

The photographer held his breath; the effect of Maya Monroe’s shoot was perfect, especially the last smile, stunningly beautiful. High looks are truly impactful, making her look gorgeous from every angle!

In all his years, this was the photographer’s easiest shoot. He remembered last month’s trending topic and nodded sincerely. Maya Monroe looked even better in person than in pictures, her legendary beauty was true! No need for angles or filters, any candid shot was a masterpiece!

The director was equally satisfied, "Looking forward to our next collaboration."

Maya Monroe was still holding the props, reluctant to let go, "Um... if possible, can I take these candies with me?"

The director was stunned, then laughed, "Of course, take them all if you like!"

Maya Monroe also gave a genuine smile.

Not long after Maya Monroe returned home, she received two large boxes of candies, reportedly gifts from the Little Ox brand, filled with the latest candies in various styles.

Maya Monroe’s eyes shone, only thinking: Such a good thing?

Vincent Summers often visited the villa to discuss matters with Ian Rowe, occasionally seeing Maya Monroe sitting in the living room playing games, wearing oversized clothes that, when hunched over, showed her slim waist.

Maya Monroe had a candy in her mouth, its stick out in the air, while her fingers kept sliding on her phone screen, eyes burning with fierce battle intent.

Vincent Summers didn’t know when Maya Monroe got addicted to gaming; considering her impressive aura, could she be playing ranked?

Vincent Summers took a closer look, an eye slightly twitching.

Wow, Candy Crush Saga.

"Over a thousand levels, very impressive, Maya Monroe!"

After passing the level, Maya Monroe turned to glance at Vincent Summers, seeing his baby face filled with speechlessness.

Maya Monroe pretended not to hear the sarcasm in his comment.

"To a genius like me, reaching this level in just a few days is nothing!"

Maya Monroe said, flashing a hand gesture.

Vincent Summers snorted, inwardly grumbling: Really shameless.

Ian Rowe hadn’t come downstairs yet, so Vincent Summers chatted with Maya Monroe a bit more, "Aren’t you afraid all those candies will ruin your teeth?"

Maya Monroe grabbed a handful of candies from the table, waving them boastfully, "What do you know? These were sent by the brand itself. You think I’m eating candy, but in reality, I’m savoring the recognition from others!"

Vincent Summers twitched his mouth, "Nothing but nonsense!"

Sounds were heard from the stairs as Ian Rowe descended.

Vincent Summers’ disdain instantly turned into a bright smile, "Ian, you’re finally down."

Ian Rowe nodded slightly, his gaze resting on the still-curled-up Maya Monroe on the couch for a few seconds.

"Let’s go."

Upon hearing Ian Rowe’s voice, Maya Monroe sprang up, grabbing a handful of candies from the table and heading towards Ian Rowe.

She remembered Ian Rowe’s reaction to eating candy last time; he had said he didn’t mind, but in truth, he clearly disliked eating candy, his brow almost furrowing.

Thinking of this, Maya Monroe’s smile grew even brighter, "Honey, wait a bit before leaving, here’s some candy for you."

Ian Rowe’s gaze shifted from her smile to the candies in her hand, his brow twitching.

Vincent Summers stood to the side, "I’m standing here too, Maya Monroe, you can’t favor one over the other, at least give me something as a gesture."

Maya Monroe’s face remained smiling, looking at Vincent Summers, "My husband is my one and only, how can you be compared to him?"

The candies in her hand were limited; offering candies to Ian Rowe was for plot development, giving one to Vincent Summers would be like throwing meat buns at a dog—getting nothing in return.