The Trending Topic Herself: The Villainess is the Superstar!-Chapter 35: Confrontation Scene

Ian Rowe asked me a question, so I should just follow along with the plot and answer.

"Actually, I think it’s better to let Eric spread his wings. He’s quite stubborn and won’t turn back until he hits a wall. Let him try, and no matter the outcome, can’t you still support him?"

Maya Monroe took out a candy from her pocket and skillfully peeled off the wrapper.

She was speaking the truth; the Rowe Family is massive, making it easy for them to elevate Eric to fame. Even if he doesn’t do well... Eric, as the protagonist in the story, can’t possibly fail.

Maya was just about to pop the candy into her mouth when she noticed Ian staring at the candy in her hand. Realizing an earnest conversation might make eating candy seem inappropriate, she was reluctant to throw it away.

"Uh, darling, do you want some candy?" Maya asked with a dry smile, not sounding sincere at all.

Ian looked at the pink candy in her hand, contemplating for a couple of seconds.

Someone like Ian would never eat candy; Maya breathed a sigh of relief and began pulling her arm back when his voice rang out, "Give it to me."

Maya gritted her teeth, "Do you really want it? Actually, now that I think about it, this candy is too sweet and cloying. It’s bad for your teeth, and having too much candy can lead to diabetes..."

Under Ian’s gaze, Maya felt as if he could see right through her. She clamped her jaw shut and handed over the candy, "I love you so much; I’m willing to do anything for you. What’s just one piece of candy?"

Ian paused for two seconds, then shifted his focus to the candy, taking it from her.

Round and shiny, it had a cherry scent when held close.

"It’s quite pretty."

His long fingers pinched the candy, the pink contrasted against his white fingers.

Maya couldn’t admire the scene, only feeling it was a real waste. Who looks at candy without eating it!?

Perhaps Maya’s gaze was too eager, as Ian finally put the candy in his mouth. The overly sweet taste exploded in his mouth, almost instantly causing sensory discomfort.

"How’s it?" Maya asked.

"It’s alright."

Ian hesitated, then added, "I’ll seriously consider what you said."

Maya’s words were indeed spot on; he hadn’t expected her thinking to be so clear and analytical.

*

Maya noticed a peculiar phenomenon around her. When she went out, passersby would sometimes recognize her, looking at her with disdain. But when she went out to buy snacks, the store clerk recognized her and said, "You’re really good-looking."

This had happened more than two or three times.

Maya returned to the nanny van clutching her snacks, her mood bitter and unresolved.

Scott noticed she wasn’t in the best of spirits and casually asked, "Maya, didn’t find your favorite chips?"

"No." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Maya was genuinely in a bad mood, saying little on the way.

As she got out of the car, she felt a sharp, needle-like gaze shoot at her.

Maya frowned and looked over, seeing Madeline Underwood glaring at her with a dark expression. Maya felt it was inexplicable but still retorted harshly: "What are you staring at? I admit I’m good-looking, but there’s no need to keep staring, right?"

Upon saying this, Madeline’s expression turned uglier, as if she wanted to devour Maya whole. Since there weren’t many people around, she dared to act so unabashedly.

How could Madeline not be furious, after all her hard work just to end up being a stepping stone for someone else? She wanted Maya to face reality, yet ended up slapping her own face.

Madeline slowly came over, "Don’t think that what happened earlier means you’ve trampled me underfoot, Maya. You’ll never surpass me!"

The superiority she had felt for so long was shattered by that trending topic.

Maya squinted her eyes, not understanding what Madeline was saying: "Take your medicine on time; I think you have a problem, talking so irrationally!"

After speaking, Maya walked past Madeline.

Today’s shoot involved a scene with Kiki Monroe. Maya continued with her habit of examining the script on set, flipping through it briefly until the words turned into a storyline in her mind.

This scene involved the female lead Ashley Shaw confronting a bewitched Luna, asking her not to continue pestering Jackie Foley to avoid her tarnished reputation affecting Jackie.

After changing her outfit, Kiki stood next to Maya. She took a couple of steps towards Maya, but eventually retreated.

The incident at the old mansion had severely impacted her. Since childhood, she had always been the focal point wherever she went. But suddenly someone had taken away all her glory, overshadowing her brilliance, unleashing unyielding resentment and jealousy in her heart. Previously, her willingness to get close to Maya and form good relations was conditional— those around her mustn’t outshine her. But now...

Kiki was startled, realizing her thoughts were genuinely malicious, but she suddenly recalled Madeline’s words.

Maya couldn’t have suddenly become so outstanding; she’s just learned to be calculating. For instance, she’s built the persona of a genius who studies the script late at night until she can’t get out of bed the next day but insists on memorizing the script on set. Everything Maya has crushed was meticulously planned and premeditated. Since she’s been calculating against me, why should I be nice to her?

With such thoughts, Kiki’s restless heart strangely calmed down.

Maya noticed Kiki moving back and forth beside her but paid her no mind, merely feeling a bit irritated by the constant movement.

"All departments ready... action!"

Luna, in a crimson dress, her cloud-like hair casually draped over her shoulders, held in place by a wooden hairpin, sat languidly on a wooden chair, a mole on her nose glowing like vermilion. Her gaze drifted forward: "The daughter of the Martial Arts Alliance Hierarch, what brings you here?"

Ashley Shaw, in a light pink skirt, looked even more charming and beautiful, walking towards Luna fearlessly.

"Jackie told me about you, an old acquaintance."

Luna let out a hoarse laugh: "Oh? An old acquaintance? What else did he say?"

Ashley approached Luna resolutely, "I’ve come today, for one thing only."

"What thing?"

"Luna, you should know that you’re despised by everyone now, like a rat crossing the street. But Jackie is different; he has a heart full of passion and ambition, and his reputation shouldn’t be tarnished by you..."