Back then, countless labels were stuck to her: country bumpkin, tacky, possessing an air characteristic of the urban-rural fringe. She hit rock bottom again, enduring endless ridicule.

It was at this time, during a dinner party, that she caught the eye of a Tycoon. This marked her golden season of favoritism. This Tycoon established a film and television department solely for her, promoting only her as an artist. He even set up a clothing studio, regularly purchasing all the latest styles from top brands, ensuring she stole the show every time she walked the red carpet. Under his direction, she starred as the lead actress in several big-budget films. Although their box office performance was mediocre, her fame eventually grew, and she finally joined the ranks of A-list stars. With influential people supporting each other, she slowly reached the pinnacle. By then, she was a darling of the fashion world, serving as the spokesperson for twenty to thirty international brands and receiving regular sponsorship from seven or eight luxury brands.

The once flashy woman, whose style screamed of the urban-rural fringe, had transformed into a national goddess. But it’s always colder at the top.

As beauty fades, affection wanes. After many years, her powerful patron had long since moved on to a younger, more tender new flame. However, he introduced her to many other influential figures within their circle, Zhou Ting’s father being one of them. Rina gradually became one of the top socialites in this world of financial magnates, celebrities, famous doctors, and other prominent people.

She played the game adeptly. Recognizing other qualities in her, they gradually began using her to pass messages. She navigated this world like a fish in water, eventually gaining their trust and, naturally, receiving countless expensive gifts. The more secrets she knew, the more extravagant the presents bestowed upon her by these men became.

Mansions worth hundreds of millions, sports cars in the millions, jewelry easily costing tens of millions, not to mention absurdly expensive luxury yachts... Do you really think top-tier actresses can afford these? Filming a movie takes months, and the pay for such hard work is negligible. After various deductions from commercial shoots, the take-home amount is limited. Even if they shoot over a dozen commercials a year, many contracts span three to five years. Calculate it: how many sets of jewelry worth tens of millions can they truly buy?

Celebrities buying mansions worth tens of millions might seem enviable to ordinary people. But are you aware that the discreet young wives of the truly wealthy live in top-tier mansions valued in the hundreds of millions, or even billions, or in priceless ancient manors and estates? In the circle of the super-rich, celebrities are insignificant. Besides, their peak lasts only a few years. Climbing to the top is arduous, but falling can happen in an instant.

Don’t be fooled by their glamorous appearances; more than anyone, they long to secure a wealthy patron. Even if it’s a Tycoon, actresses will desperately flaunt their charms, hoping to catch one. Making money with your body is always quicker and easier than earning it with your hands. This is precisely how Rina gradually sank deeper.

To this end, she even underwent extremely rigorous special training, which naturally brought her extremely generous rewards. But today, the time had come to pay the price.

She propped her head on her hand in distress, pacing restlessly in her room. It felt like trying to breach an incredibly strong fortress, yet never finding the way.

Wan Donglin wasn’t some potbellied official, nor an unbearably vulgar Tycoon, and certainly not a naive, innocent young man. He could see through the tricks of any femme fatale at a glance. This wasn’t even because he himself had undergone special training. The truth was, he had been so hardened by life’s trials that he was immune to all venoms. At any moment, he could effortlessly look you in the eye and see right through your scheming heart.