The Trending Topic Herself: The Villainess is the Superstar!-Chapter 41: Married Man

"So stingy!" Vincent Summers complained, "Do you think I’d be desperate for those two candies of yours?"

Maya Monroe ignored Vincent Summers and looked at Ian Rowe with bright eyes.

Ian Rowe felt uncomfortable under her dog-like adorable gaze. He knew how much Maya loved snacks, especially protective of her food, yet she was willing to give her favorite candies to him...

Ian Rowe couldn’t quite grasp what was happening inside him, feeling an inexplicable irritation, a sense of losing control.

In the end, Ian Rowe took the candies from Maya Monroe’s hand.

The candies that Maya held in both hands ended up fitting in Ian’s single palm.

Ian Rowe turned and left.

Before he left, he seemed to have said something, but Maya Monroe’s mind was entirely focused on the candies in his hand and didn’t catch his words.

*

Ryan Spencer wanted Maya Monroe to visit the company, and when she arrived, she was informed that Ryan was in an emergency meeting.

Maya received a text from Ryan, asking her to wait for a while.

Feeling bored, Maya wandered to the lounge. With the year-end approaching, all artists were busy filming and attending announcements, and the large lounge was empty.

"Maya?"

A slightly puzzled voice came from behind, with a hint of a gentle smile.

Maya turned around and saw a somewhat unfamiliar face.

"Serena Sawyer?" she hesitantly asked.

Serena Sawyer smiled. Her appearance wasn’t outstanding, but her aura was second to none.

"I didn’t expect you to remember me."

"You’re an award-winning actress. I think anyone who watches TV dramas would recognize you, right?" As a fellow antagonist, Maya didn’t plan to antagonize Serena. There was no point, as it didn’t boost the drama’s excitement.

Readers liked either the protagonist Kiki Monroe’s fierce confrontations or her sweet moments with her girlfriends. Who would be interested in seeing two antagonists teaming up?

"What brings you here..." Maya asked, thinking that as a busy award-winning actress, Serena wouldn’t be here just because she was idle.

"I accidentally left something here and came back to find it."

Maya nodded, guessing it must be something important for Serena to personally come back for it.

After finding her belonging, Serena said goodbye and left.

From the memories of the original character, Serena wasn’t the approachable type. Unexpectedly, she seemed remarkably... warm?

Maya was only puzzled for a moment and brushed it off. She received a call from Ryan, asking her to come to his office.

*

Valerius Entertainment CEO Office:

"Mr. Rowe, it’s really not easy to see you! I’ve been hoping and waiting day and night, and finally, you’re here!"

Ian Rowe sat lazily on the sofa, glancing at him, "Be serious."

Joel Quinn, with a mischievous grin and charming presence, said, "Rowe, I really didn’t expect you’d come here. Don’t you have a ton of things to handle?"

Joel Quinn was the Executive CEO of Valerius Entertainment.

Ian Rowe flicked some ash off his cigarette, his jade-like fingers particularly noticeable.

"Tristan Rowe hasn’t been behaving lately. He’s trying to win over The Lancaster Family to get their shares. The Lancaster Family is weak now and might lean towards him."

Joel’s face turned serious, dropping his playful expression, "Leave this matter to me. Our family has always had a good relationship with The Lancaster Family. But to be honest, your third uncle really is relentless. Why is he fighting for power? Without an heir, is it just for a little recognition while he’s alive?"

Ian blew out a smoke ring, his eyes showing a sharp glint, "Perhaps he’s still dwelling on what happened over twenty years ago..."

Not many knew about the incident from more than twenty years ago. Back then, Joel was just two, a little toddler, and didn’t fully understand it either.

Joel didn’t press further. He stood up and poured Ian a cup of tea, "You can’t seem to kick your smoking habit. Here, drink more water."

Ian looked at him, "You went abroad recently, how was it?"

Joel Quinn smirked, "Oh, don’t even mention it. It was fantastic. Everywhere I went, I was followed by a group of beauties. Their faces, those figures... amazing."

Recently, Joel made headlines in entertainment tabloids. He could’ve suppressed the reports but chose not to, enjoying being the center of attention.

Joel leaned forward, eyes twinkling with amusement, "Rowe, let me tell you where I encountered the most beauties..."

He suddenly stopped, noticing Ian’s indifferent expression, instantly losing interest, "How could I forget, you’re a married man now, with a fierce wife at home who’d claw you apart."

"Joel," Ian said slowly, "she’s changed a lot."

"Changed a lot?" Joel recalled reading entertainment gossip even while abroad, "Is it about her becoming prettier? Did you help her get into the ’Wandering Beyond the Horizon’ cast? Shane Morgan isn’t easy to deal with, he’s stubborn as a mule! I couldn’t even get my girlfriend a role with him."

Joel’s tone was regretful, but his expression remained unchanged.

"I didn’t help her. She secured that role herself."

Joel was genuinely surprised, "Really? So you’re saying Maya actually has some skills? Does this mean she’s becoming motivated?"

In Joel’s mind, Maya was tasteless with a bad temper, always causing a scene. The current media buzz about her felt like a complete transformation from the old Maya.

Ian hesitated on his teacup, "It’s not about motivation; it’s like she’s become a completely different person."

The public said Maya’s significant change was her new awakening, but Ian felt she was like a totally different individual, lacking any of the eagerness for improvement.

"I see..." Joel nodded thoughtfully.

"By the way, where’s Vincent Summers? Wasn’t he always by your side?"

Ian took a sip of tea, still maintaining a calm demeanor, "I sent him to get some documents, it won’t take long."

Joel couldn’t help but laugh, "Why didn’t you send a secretary? Vincent Summers really has it tough!"