The Trending Topic Herself: The Villainess is the Superstar!-Chapter 210: Leo Lancaster, That’s Enough

"How can you have so many snacks! Maya, you must have a Doraemon pocket! Whatever you want, you’ve got it."

Through the rearview mirror, Joel could clearly see Maya repeatedly tearing open snack packages and stuffing them into her mouth.

She wasn’t as chubby as when she was younger, but her appetite was just as big...

He assessed in his heart.

Maya glanced up at him briefly, then lowered her head again to look at her phone, where a simple game that tested speed, not intelligence, displayed.

Joel chuckled lightly, not at all annoyed by Maya’s lack of response.

Throughout the ride, Leo had attempted to start several conversations, only to have Joel interject each time.

"Didn’t expect you to like coffee so much, Leo. Is the pressure too much? Seems like being an actor isn’t that easy. I think I’m more carefree and easygoing. No matter what, a trip out always has a beauty to accompany."

"But if you enjoy coffee, I have a place to recommend. It’s a spot I frequent. The ambiance is serene, and you occasionally encounter beauties. I’ll take you there next time."

Leo’s eyes were unchanged, a slight tug at the corners of his mouth: "Is that so? Thanks then."

"Why be so polite with me? I called you overseas enough times too!"

From the back, Maya watched Joel lean increasingly toward Leo’s direction, squinting slightly.

The book didn’t mention any particular entanglements between Leo and Joel... Could it be after meeting the female lead, Kiki, Joel and Leo were now on opposing sides, hence their current awkward situation?

Before long, the car finally stopped at Valerius Entertainment.

Leo glanced at Joel first: "Aren’t you getting off?"

Joel smiled softly: "Didn’t expect to pass by here; too bad, I’m not headed to the office. Leo, could you take me a bit further later?"

Leo’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, his overly fair hands lined with blue veins.

Maya had already opened the car door first, slinging her bag over her shoulder: "I’m heading off now."

"Little Yao..."

Leo looked at the hand resting on his arm, eyes narrowing with a cold warning: "Joel, know when to stop."

Joel chuckled lazily, withdrawing his hand: "Was just joking with you, don’t take it to heart."

Leo’s gaze lingered on him for a moment before he unhesitatingly undid his seatbelt and got out of the car.

"Little Yao!" Leo quickly caught up with Maya, handing her a hat: "You left your hat in the car. It’s windy outside, you better wear it!"

Maya took the hat: "Thanks."

Leo looked at her exposed eyes, beautiful yet calm.

"I’ve been thinking a lot lately, and there’s one thing I don’t quite understand..."

Maya lowered her head to put on the hat: "What don’t you understand?"

"Whether it’s milk tea or lobster, why has your taste changed so quickly?"

"Of course, that’s not the most important. What intrigues me most is your personality, your temperament has changed significantly, almost... like you’re a different person."

Maya’s fingers paused on the hat, then lifted her gaze: "Change... who doesn’t change? Others say I’ve become much more composed."

"Leo, don’t you like my changes?"

Leo was silent for a few seconds, the storm in his eyes never settling.

Do I like it?

He initially treated her like a little sister, but from some day onwards, he realized his feelings had changed.

Why?

Was it because she became more dazzling or more captivating?

He couldn’t pinpoint it, the only certainty was that he found it increasingly difficult to look away from her, unable to resist the craze in his heart.

After a long while, his eyes filled with a smile: "Seeing you grow and mature, of course, I like it."

Maya smiled: "I’m off then, no need to see me off anymore."

Leo slowly watched Maya’s departing figure.

Returning to the car, he saw Joel fiddling with a string of beads.

"Back? Took you long enough?"

"What’s that in your hand?"

"Ian likes this kind of thing, so I got a set too. Not bad."

Leo sharply closed the car door, turning to look at Joel: "Really going to the book café?"

Joel shrugged: "What else? Do I not look educated enough? I’m really doing it for the cultural experience this time."

Leo’s gaze darkened: "It’s just the two of us here, no need to lie. What’s your real agenda?"

"Don’t be so serious." Joel toyed with the beads, speaking slowly: "I’m just afraid you’re not clear-headed, so I came along to take a look and catch up."

"I’m not clear-headed?"

Joel didn’t answer, instead, he asked back: "Are you clear-headed now?"

Leo paused for a moment, then his gaze shot toward Joel like a knife.

"I’ve seen it all, I never intended to condemn or blame you for anything. I know some things are hard to turn back from unless you hit a wall, so you’ll have to figure it out yourself. But as your friend, I return the words you said to me – know when to stop."

"Leo, you’ll get hurt."

Joel also lifted his gaze, looking at Leo.

"... You wouldn’t understand." Unlike his usual calm or gentle decorous tone, his voice carried a hint of difficulty.

Maybe even after hitting a wall, he wouldn’t turn back? Who knows...

*

After work, Maya quickly returned home.

Awaiting her, as usual, was a steaming meal. Unrestrainedly, she pulled out a chair and sat down, suddenly feeling something wasn’t right.

She turned her head, seeing Ian carrying a plate coming over.

This time of day...

For a moment, Maya couldn’t discern if it was Ian coming home this early that was surprising, or the fact that he was carrying the food.

He was still tidy and elegant, now carrying a few hints of worldly mundane scent.

Only when the food settled stably on the table did Maya snap out of her daze.

"You... Honey, why are you home so early today?"

Ian looked at her.

Not seeing much embarrassment or awkwardness on her face, this realization pleased him greatly.

"There’s no busy work." He thought for a moment and added: "I’ll be coming back early from now on."

His eyes slightly lowered, the cold and stern features showing rare traces of gentleness and affection.

Maya nodded, her gaze shifting to the dining table, and she slightly frowned.

Why does this meal feel so different from before?

Without mentioning anything else, the aroma and appearance were much worse than before, could it be Mom Wang’s skills have fallen to this extent?