Chapter 549: The Key to Adrian Law’s Room...

Seeing the swarm of reporters rushing over, Cecilia Vaughn was startled and unconsciously furrowed her brows.

"What do they want with me? Shouldn’t they be interviewing Fiona about how she feels winning the crown?"

"Cecilia, maybe it’s because of your other identity."

The man beside Cecilia stepped forward calmly, silently shielding the petite woman behind him.

...

Truthfully, Cecilia didn’t need this kind of protection anymore; she was no longer the timid girl who would get inexplicably nervous around journalists. Still, seeing Adrian’s instinctive way of protecting her made her heart feel as sweet as if it was filled with honey.

If a man loves you, you can’t judge it by what he says, nor by the way he tries to please you with grand gestures. It’s shown in small, unnoticed details—a warm look, a spoonful of perfectly heated porridge.

...

To meet a man like Adrian Law, who cherishes her so deeply in this lifetime—Cecilia’s eyes turned misty. Sometimes, even in her dreams, she’d doubt if she’d just imagined someone like this into existence. Only when she held Adrian’s hand did her heart feel soothed and at peace.

Wherever this man is, that’s her safest harbor.

Cecilia’s heart brimmed with sweetness. She took the initiative to hold Adrian’s large hand, her eyes shining like stars.

"Let me guess what they’ll ask. I bet it’s all about how, as the screenwriter of ’There are branches on the mountain’, I sabotaged Fiona’s chance at being cast as the female lead."

Adrian chuckled softly at her words.

"I’m guessing the same."

The moment their words fell, those people carrying cameras surged toward them, each one firing off aggressive questions like a machine gun.

"Miss Cecilia, since ’Seven Leaves’ is your online pen name, did you know all along that your sister Fiona was auditioning for the lead in ’There are branches on the mountain’?"

"Rumor has it Director Chapman wanted to cast Miss Fiona as the lead, Blossom Vaughn, but in the end, an unknown actress, Claire Sinclair, got the role. Were you somehow manipulating things behind the scenes?"

"Is it because of your past grudges with Miss Fiona—or that she stole your ex-fiancé—that you didn’t want your half-sister to be the lead in your own adaptation?"

...

Listening to their questions, Cecilia felt like her ears might explode.

She cast Adrian a mildly amused, helpless "See what I mean?" look, but her heart stayed calm.

Round and round, all they’re asking is whether she set Fiona up.

They act as if Fiona’s some pristine lotus rising from the mud, untouched by it all.

With a bright, smiling face, Cecilia took a microphone from a reporter.

The man froze, totally surprised that Cecilia was willing to answer; he’d thought prying her open would be tough as nails.

"Miss... Miss Vaughn..."

Cecilia raised her long brows, looking playfully over the crowd with their eyes burning with curiosity.

"Since you’re all apparently so familiar with the previous casting process of ’There are branches on the mountain,’ you must have also watched Fiona and Claire’s audition tapes for the female lead, right?"

"So, do you all actually believe Claire’s acting couldn’t compare to your so-called ’pre-destined’ lead, Fiona?"

Normally, none of this would have been leaked.

But later, since Fiona kept stirring up the buzz, Director Chapman had had enough—and so he released Fiona and Claire’s audition clips to shut people up.

Honestly, even though Claire Sinclair was an industry newbie, that performance in her first murder scene was gripping; everyone who watched it broke out in cold sweat.

With acting like that, she absolutely crushed flower-vase types like Fiona.

Anyone with eyes couldn’t talk trash about it.

...

The reporters hesitated after hearing Cecilia’s words, instantly growing timid.

"But... Miss Sinclair’s acting was just a last-minute audition. Who knows if her future performances will be as stable as Miss Fiona’s?"

"Stable—meaning consistently playing a beautiful decorative flower vase?"

Cecilia’s cool gaze swept over, immediately shutting that person up.

Damn, that was savage.

The crowd stared, speechless. Sure, Fiona’s acting wasn’t anything extraordinary, but among the younger crowd, she was at least watchable. Let’s face it, most rookie celebrities these days are into cosmetic surgery—even for crying scenes, some can’t look heartbroken because of those fixed ’smile lips.’

At least Fiona’s face was natural, and her acting wasn’t the worst. In some shots, she could even give off that pure, heart-fluttering first-love vibe.

...

Some reporters bit their lips, still unwilling to let Cecilia go that easily.

"Miss Cecilia, can you answer directly—was Fiona losing her bid for the lead in any way your doing?"

This was a pointed question—everyone stared straight at Cecilia, waiting for her answer.

But what came wasn’t Cecilia’s reply, but a deep, magnetic male voice that cut through the crowd.

"My wife has made herself very clear. Why would we need to sabotage a mediocre vase-role actress’s shot at the lead?"

"Are you trying to accuse my wife of being a bad person, or are you questioning Director Chapman’s ability to cast roles?"

"..."

When the reporters saw the man defending Cecilia up close, their faces turned awkward.

"O-of course not."

No way they could blame Director Chapman, right?

If they accused Cecilia’s character, that’d be too serious a charge—they were just speculating, it’s not like they’d face consequences for that.

...

In an instant, the reporters scattered like birds and beasts.

Cecilia couldn’t help but shake her head with a sigh.

"Adrian, let’s go get dinner. Actually, because of you, the university invited me to let you stay at The Welcoming Pavilion tonight, but I forgot until just now. We can head there to rest after we eat."

"Sounds good."

Although Adrian had come to pick up Cecilia from Stellerton University before, he’d never really gone inside. Now, looking at his petite wife dressed simply and calmly, he couldn’t help but pinch her earlobe.

"Hey! What are you doing?"

"Cecilia, if only I’d met you back in college."

"It’s not too late even now."

Cecilia beamed sweetly.

"I know there’s a spicy hotpot place on the third floor that’s really good, but since you’re not into spicy food, how about I order you some Beef Soup instead?"

"Sure. Mrs. Law decides."

"You’re such a tease."

...

Cecilia and Adrian were happily eating in the nearly empty third-floor cafeteria. Since most students had gone to the auditorium or eaten off-campus, they got the whole place to themselves for a leisurely meal.

Meanwhile, Rosalind White nervously held the key Fiona gave her, quietly unlocking the room Fiona had indicated.

Supposedly... Adrian... would be spending the night here soon...

Her heart pounded like thunder.