Chapter 1028
Linnea glared at her plate in sullen silence. She fought to steady her breathing as she whispered, “No gaining weight. That’s right. I can’t afford to get fat—if I do, I’ll never measure up to the others p>
Sylvia reached over and gave her a comforting pat. “Skip the carbs, drink plenty of water. Real stars live on nothing but air, you know p>
“Exactly. I’m a goddess!” Linnea straightened, pushing away her fork and the half- eaten duck leg. “And goddesses don’t do carbs p>
Sylvia offered a wry, understanding smile. Their leading lady simply had no willpower when it came to food—especially when she was angry. As fierce as Linnea could be, her temper nearly always turned inward; she rarely lashed out, preferring to stew until she ended up causing herself more harm than anyone else. She wasn’t a bad person, just… exceedingly dramatic.
Scooping a bit of salad onto Linnea’s plate, Sylvia said gently, “Here, have some veggies. You need the energy-but maybe go light on the meat, okay p>
Linnea eyed the greens with distaste. “Why do you always treat me like a rabbit?” Sylvia grinned. “You’re not a rabbit-you’re more like a sheep. Sheep eat grass and get by just fine, don’t they? Besides, grass won’t make you fat p>
Linnea shot Sylvia a glare. “Being in show business is impossible. I don’t want to do this anymore p>
Sylvia didn’t miss a beat. “If you give up acting, you’ll never be able to afford meat again p>
“Do you have to be quite so blunt?” Linnea huffed, turning her gaze on Sylvia. “You just love having the last word, don’t you p>
Sylvia chuckled dryly. “I’m only telling the truth, and it’s for your own good! You’re an award-winning actress—a natural-born star! You’ve got talent, beauty, the whole package. You were made for this life p>
Linnea rolled her eyes, stabbing a cucumber. “Yeah, sure. For this so-called gift of fate, I guess some lettuce won’t kill me p>
While she nibbled grimly at her salad, Linnea’s glare shifted toward Calliope. “But they won’t get away with this. Sneaking around like that—just who do they think they are p>
“Go on, expose them,” Sylvia said wearily.
“Oh, I will. I’ll ruin their day p>
“Serves them right. After everything they’ve done to you, they deserve it p>
“That Julius is unbelievable. And Calliope she might act innocent, but what right does she have to be Julius’s favorite p>
Sylvia made an exaggerated show of agreeing while helping herself to a generous bite of roast chicken. “Absolutely. They’re both awful p>
Linnea muttered to herself for a while, working herself up until she was stuffed with both food and outrage. By the time Calliope and Julius teft the dining room, Linnea was ready. She and Sylvia slipped out after them, trailing quietly behind.
They kept pace at a distance, following through the hallway. After a bit, Linnea
hurried her steps and managed to catch up just behind Julius.
As if on cue, Calliope and Julius slowed down and glanced back. Linnea who’d just raised her hand in a half-mocking gesture as if to swat then froze, mid motion and clumsily lowered her arm.
“Why’d you two stop walking?” she demanded, trying to cover her embarrassment. “You nearly made me trip p>
“Why are you tailing us?” Julius shot back, hands buried in his pockets.
“I caught you two red-handed!” Linnea narrowed her eyes in triumphant accusation.
“Caught us doing what?” Julius looked genuinely baffled.
“You tell everyone you’re single, yet here you are sneaking around together. Linnea’s voice dripped with satisfaction. “Itock photos of you two at dinner. I’m about to send them to the press. Good luck explaining that p>
Calliope could only stare, unable to find any words.
Julius was lost for a reply.
Sylvia silently wished for the floor to open up and swallow her whole.