Chapter 162
Victoria.
Same old poker face—cold, distant, practically wearing a “keep out” sign. But p>
Lisette frowned as she noticed Victoria’s reddened eyes.
She had been crying.
What on earth could make the ice queen shed tears?
Still, Lisette knew better. With how private and guarded Victoria was, pushing her about personal stuff would only backfire.
So she pretended not to see anything off, walked up with a light smile, and handed over the thermal box. “Miss Cooper, it’s warm vanilla custard with milk. I brought it just for you—still warm p>
Victoria lifted her eyes.
In front of her was the same girl from yesterday, the one who had grabbed her hand, grinning like the sun, saying she was her fan.
She was pretty. Not the bold, magnetic kind like entertainment queen Scarlett, but bright and unthreatening—a look that made people feel comfortable around her.
Victoria instinctively took a step back.
Even with those puffy eyes, the icy aura was already sliding back into place—cool and detached, like a wall that couldn’t be climbed.
“I appreciate the gesture p>
“No problem. I’m a fan, just hope you like it p>
“Sorry to trouble you. I’m allergic to milk p>
With that, she brushed past Lisette and walked straight into the dressing room, leaving Lisette awkwardly alone in the hallway.
She didn’t take the custard? Lisette wasn’t exactly shocked. She’d known from her past life just how aloof Victoria was. Not into chatting, not keen on small talk.
But that wasn’t gonna stop her.
Sure, she had her reasons for getting close to Victoria—part admiration, part business.
On one hand, she genuinely admired her acting.
On the other, she was a talent agent. Signing someone like Victoria to VistaSphere would be huge—a major power move for the company’s future.
So yeah, Lisette had motives.
But right now p>
She just wanted to understand her. Genuinely wanted to know what she was going through. No strings, just… concern.
She called the hotel. “Send some vegan panna cotta to the Battle Hymn crew. No dairy this time p>
Then she dialed Alexander. “Hey, I need a little digging done p>
His first instinct: “Friend or foe p>
“Friend p>
“Guy or girl p>
Lisette groaned. “When did you get so nosy, Alex p>
Alexander sighed dramatically. “Wow. My own sister calling me naggy just for showing some brotherly concern… Lise, that hurts p>
Lisette muttered, “You sound more bored than hurt p>
Alexander chuckled lowly. “You know your brother too well p>
She rolled her eyes. “Her name’s Victoria. I’ll send you a pic p>
When Alexander’s busy, he ghosts everyone like he’s wearing a sign that says “Don’t bother, I’m swamped p>
But when he’s free? Jokes nonstop.
“If she’s not good-looking, don’t bother. I’d rather not hurt my eyes p>
“She’s a total knock-out p>
Lisette practically yelled into the phone.
One beat later, Alexander snapped: “No more talking. Send it, now p>
And just like that—click. Call ended.
“Beep beep beep”—the sound blared in Lisette’s ear, and she twitched at the noise. She quickly pulled up Victoria’s character reveal photo from Battle Hymn’s official Twitter and forwarded it to Alexander, adding a cheeky note:
Just a heads-up: [don’t drool on your screen p>
Since the hotel was practically next to the set, and the customer happened to be staying in the Executive Suite, the kitchen wasted no time—barely fifteen minutes later, the freshly prepared vegan panna cotta landed in Lisette’s hands.
Carrying the new vegan panna cotta, she stepped back into the makeup room.
Victoria was in the middle of makeup, and when she saw Lisette approaching through the mirror, smiling like sunshine, she stayed silent.
But Lisette marched over anyway, placed the insulated container gently on the vanity, and chirped, “This one’s totally dairy-free, promise—no allergies this time p>
Worried Victoria might turn her down again, Lisette’s face fell a bit, eyes shining with a hint of emotional blackmail.
“Miss Cooper, pretty please? I got up super early just to make sure the kitchen made this right. Can you try just one spoon? I swear it tastes amazing p>
Without waiting for a reply, she poured out three bowls.
One for Victoria.
Another she passed to her makeup artist.
“Gorgeous miss, please work your magic and make our Victoria even more stunning today p>
The makeup artist couldn’t help but laugh. Between her flattery and gifting vegan panna cotta, this girl clearly knew how to warm people up.
“No worries, she’ll be radiant. Leave it to me p>
“Thank you, pretty lady!” Lisette grinned, then lifted her own bowl and took a big sip, eyes lighting up like she just had dessert.
Obviously, she was proving her point: See? Totally safe. You’re good to go.
The makeup artist nudged Victoria, holding the bowl: “No lipstick yet—try it, don’t let her kindness go to waste p>
Victoria, always observant, could tell Lisette genuinely meant well and decided not to brush her off again. “Thanks,” she mumbled, then under Lisette’s hopeful stare, lifted the bowl and took a couple sips.
It was smooth and rich, with that familiar texture. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had vegan panna cotta. How long has it been p>
A shadow brushed her eyes, some emotion quietly surfacing.
Lisette caught it. Her gaze never left Victoria’s every move.
Something’s going on with her p>
Silently tucking this into her memory, Lisette jumped at the chance to chitchat while Victoria was still sipping:
“Victoria, go get ’em! You’re gonna blow up once Battle Hymn airs. Everyone’s gonna love you p>
Victoria stayed cool as ever, voice detached. “Thanks p>
For the first time, she doubted her usually foolproof bubbly charm.
Man, Victoria was seriously a tough nut to crack.
Soon, Victoria had to go film, so she and the makeup artist finished the vegan panna cotta and got back to work.
Lisette quietly sat to the side, stealing glances her way.
Her face? Total high-fashion magnets would die for that kind of sculpted, unique look.
Yet in her past, Victoria hadn’t accepted a single brand campaign, barely did any acting—two films a year, tops. But every single one? Critical and box office gold.
That’s how “Victoria” basically became a stamp of cinematic excellence.
Every movie she starred in smashed opening day numbers. Studios even started scheduling around her to play it safe.
Ding.
Her phone buzzed.
Alexander just sent over the background check.
Before Lisette even had a chance to open it, someone came bursting into the room—clearly staff—out of breath and shouting:
“Big news! Huge news p>