Chapter 178: A Love Without Romance

Chapter 178: Chapter 178: A Love Without Romance

She knew deep down that spending this $9,000 meant she’d have to live frugally for the next few months. But the moment she thought of Irene’s composure just now—and how she’d always envied Irene’s background and freedom to chase her dreams—that obsession of "wanting to be her" drowned out everything else.

Even though she and Irene had similar names and similar looks, the other woman lived so freely because of her family and her parents. Why couldn’t she?

After swiping her card and taking the exquisite gift box from the clerk, Ellie forced a smile and walked out of the store with Loren.

The second they stepped outside, her smile collapsed. She looked down at the bag in her hands, emotions tangled. There was the secret thrill of owning the "same model," but even more, there was the ache of blowing her budget and the humiliation of being turned down earlier.

Loren walked beside her, his tone stern. "Ellie, don’t do this again. Spend within your means. There’s no need to compare yourself to others."

Ellie pressed her lips together and didn’t argue back. She only murmured, "I just thought... whatever she has, I want to try having it too."

She looked up at the bustling crowd on Rodeo Drive, suddenly feeling lost. She envied Irene’s background and achievements and wanted to become someone like her. But how, exactly, could she become her?

Seeing her dejected expression, Loren’s impatience faded into helplessness.

He knew she was still young. She hadn’t started working yet, and the glitter of the big city had blinded her. The vanity and jealousy in her were just unwillingness to accept an ordinary background.

He sighed. "Your father’s almost better. Once he’s discharged, you should go back to New Zealand early. It’s more suitable for you there."

Ellie said nothing, just gripped the bag tightly, her steps slowing.

On the other side, after getting into the car, Irene and Nicholas headed straight home.

Seeing his sister’s poor expression, Nicholas didn’t dare speak until the car pulled into the garage and the engine shut off. Then he asked carefully, "Irene, were those two in the store your ex-boyfriend Loren and that rumored girlfriend of his, Ellie?"

Irene nodded, her voice indifferent. "Mm."

"No wonder you looked upset," Nicholas scratched his head, sounding understanding. "Honestly, in a place like Hollywood, breakups and makeups are normal. Relationships between men and women shouldn’t be taken too seriously. If you get along, stay together. If it feels wrong, break up. Let it be. No need to make things hard for yourself."

He leaned back in his seat, playing the veteran. "Look at the stars in the industry—rumors today, official tomorrow, breakup the day after. Everyone’s used to it. Love doesn’t have that many fixed rules."

Irene turned to the car window. The garage lights reflected on the glass, revealing a trace of melancholy in her eyes. "I’m different from you guys," she said softly.

"I’ve always thought the foundation of a relationship is trust and loyalty. If you can’t manage those two things, what’s the point of being together? I know Hollywood relationships are messy, so I specifically looked outside the industry, hoping to avoid all the hypocrisy and games. But it turned out just as unbearable."

"People outside the industry aren’t necessarily reliable either," Nicholas sighed.

"Actually, here, a lot of people do ’relationships without strings.’ Everyone gets what they need without carrying too much responsibility. It’s easier that way. Besides, you’re still young. Look at producers, directors, actors—many of them are like this.

As long as they’re happy together, that’s enough. When they split, they don’t drag each other down." He turned to Irene, earnest. "You could try it too. Don’t take relationships so seriously. You’ll have less disappointment."

Irene was quiet for a moment and didn’t refute him.

Of course she knew Hollywood’s rules. She’d seen how many deals and performances hid behind those glamorous couples. It wasn’t that she hadn’t seen it. But the stubbornness in her bones kept her from accepting such "casual" relationships.

But after what happened with Loren, she’d lost all expectations for romance. Instead of wasting time on people who weren’t worth it, she’d rather put her energy into her career. At least the results she earned would never betray her.

"Your idea isn’t wrong," Irene finally said, calm and even. "But I don’t want to try that for now." She picked up the bag on her lap and pushed the car door open. "For me right now, focusing on filming and my career matters most. As for relationships, let it be. I won’t force it."

Nicholas watched her straight back, knew she’d made up her mind, and stopped persuading her. He followed quickly and said softly, "Alright, as long as you’ve thought it through. Whatever you decide, I support you."

Just as Irene set the crocodile handbag gently on the velvet shelf in her walk-in closet, her phone rang abruptly.

Seeing "Jerry Bruckheimer" on the screen, she answered immediately. "Jerry, good afternoon."

"Irene, you won’t believe what happened!" Jerry’s voice was furious, with a hint of absurd laughter.

"Jim Carrey’s agent just emailed. They officially rejected the three-picture deal. Can you believe it? They said Jim auditioned purely because he liked the role and didn’t want to be tied to a ’dangerous pirate ship’! Jerry scoffed.

"Dangerous? I’m afraid they haven’t seen a project with more potential! Who was begging for an audition slot back then? Now they’re playing hard to get."

Irene leaned against the closet doorframe. Hearing this, understanding flickered in her eyes.

When Irene had proposed adding a makeup screen test, Jim Carrey’s team had already been hesitant. After all, the comedy star was extremely hot right now, with plenty of films lined up. It made sense he didn’t want a long-term contract.

Hearing the news now, she wasn’t surprised. She actually felt relieved. "This isn’t necessarily bad, Jerry." Her voice was calm, certain. "Now we don’t have to keep weighing the two of them."

"You say that easily," Jerry’s anger eased, but helplessness remained. "I was planning to decide after the makeup test, but now we’re down an option."

"One less option is more efficient." Irene walked to the vanity, her fingertips unconsciously brushing the script on the table.

"Johnny Depp’s side has always been very positive. His understanding and obsession with Captain Jack run deeper than we imagined. As long as he’s willing to sign a three-picture deal, the role is his."

She paused, then added, "We can contact Depp’s team immediately and lock down the contract details. The audition day can become his exclusive makeup test and integration session.

Let him start training as soon as possible. Sword fighting, a pirate’s body language, even that unique way of speaking—all of it needs time to refine."