Chapter 212 - 210: Flora Wraps Up

Randall Jennings understood what Cecilia Sterling meant, so he smiled and nodded. He didn’t ask any more about the project, instead changing the subject. "I’ve been a bit busy lately and haven’t had a free moment. Is your mother still in Lorcain? I have some time tonight and would like to invite you and your mother to dinner."

"You’re too kind, Mr. Jennings," Cecilia Sterling said. "My mom just came to Lorcain to visit me. She already went back, but I’ll thank you for the kind offer on her behalf."

"It’s your mother who’s being too polite. She even went out of her way to bring me that God Jumps Over the Wall."

Cecilia Sterling recalled what her mother had been worrying about that day and took the opportunity to ask, "My mom was worried she might have been too forward and bothered you, Mr. Jennings. She sent you a text later. Did you see it?"

"A text?"

Randall Jennings paused, then instinctively pulled out his phone. "I don’t usually check my texts," he said as he searched. "In business, we’re all used to email. Besides, my phone automatically filters messages from unknown numbers as spam... Ah, found it. See? It’s in my junk folder. The system screened it out."

After reading the text, Randall Jennings shook his head with a resigned look. "Ms. Sterling worries too much. I ate every last bite of the God Jumps Over the Wall. Why would I be angry?"

"That’s what I told her. She was just worried because she never heard back from you."

The two stood in the middle of the lobby, chatting with natural warmth. Everyone around them couldn’t help but glance over, their curiosity piqued—especially about the young woman, Cecilia Sterling.

After a few more words, Cecilia Sterling took her leave. Randall Jennings watched her walk out the main doors of the building before looking away. He then picked up his phone and quickly sent a reply to Jasmine Sterling: "My apologies, Ms. Sterling. I only learned you had texted me when I ran into your daughter today. I just saw it. You were worrying over nothing. The God Jumps Over the Wall was delicious. I’d love to have it again if I get the chance!"

*

「At the end of January.」

Lily Sterling was about to film the final scene for her first show.

Under a sky of swirling frost, with red plum blossoms stark against the snow, Flora, to avoid becoming a hostage used to threaten her sister, drew a blade across her own throat. She died beneath a red plum tree!

Meanwhile, in Andrew Sutton’s dressing room.

A staff member, holding a fresh bouquet, knocked on the door. "Mr. Archer, are these the flowers you ordered?"

"Yes."

Andrew Sutton started to get up, but Drake beat him to it, stepping forward to take the bouquet. "I’ll get it."

One look at the flowers, and the color drained from Drake’s face. He waited for the staffer to leave, then turned to Andrew Sutton. "Andrew, are you insane?" he said in a hushed, heavy tone. "Roses? What is wrong with you!"

"What’s the matter?" Andrew Sutton asked, unconcerned. "It’s Lily’s last day. Everyone’s getting her flowers. And they’re yellow roses, not red ones."

"It doesn’t matter what color they are! If they’re roses, it’s a no-go!" Drake’s face fell. "Can you please give us a break? What are you trying to do, confess your feelings or something? You ready to throw your career away? Iris will be here any minute. If she sees these, she’ll tear you a new one!"

Drake knew better than anyone that Andrew Sutton had feelings for Lily Sterling. Andrew had hidden it well, so well that even Iris had no idea.

’If he gives her these roses, Iris is bound to put two and two together. There’s no way I’m helping Andrew clean up a mess this big!’

Andrew Sutton didn’t want to hear it. He lunged for the flowers, but Drake sidestepped him. "Nope. Not happening, Andrew. Absolutely not."

Andrew Sutton glared at him, annoyed. "Give them to me!"

"No!"

The word was barely out of his mouth when a loud POP echoed from the distance—the sound of a party popper.

Lily had wrapped.

On set, streamers flew through the air as applause erupted. The assistant director yelled into a megaphone, "Congratulations to our Lily on wrapping! Flora has wrapped!"

Her eyes brimming with tears, an emotional Lily Sterling bowed to the crew and her fellow cast members.

Director Cole personally walked up with a bouquet and hugged Lily Sterling. "Great work, Lily. I hope we get the chance to work together again."

"Thank you, Director Cole."

Then, the other principal actors—Yuna Sutton, Gideon Hale, and Sophie Grant—came forward one by one to give her flowers. Even Jessica Reynolds had a bouquet ready. It was customary, after all. Even if she disliked Lily Sterling deep down, she had to keep up appearances.

Lily Sterling was soon buried in a sea of bouquets. Yuna and Finn rushed over to help her hold them. Just then, they saw Andrew Sutton jogging over, clutching a bouquet of yellow roses, with a sour-faced Drake trailing behind him.

When he reached her, Andrew Sutton thrust the flowers at Lily Sterling. "Lily, congratulations on wrapping!"

The other bouquets were all varied, but none of them contained roses. Andrew Sutton’s bouquet, therefore, was especially eye-catching. Even though they were yellow, they still stood out.

"Ooh, look at our on-screen couple! Andrew brought roses!" Jessica Reynolds called out loudly in a teasing voice, clearly enjoying the drama.

After what had happened last time, Lily Sterling was already aware of Andrew Sutton’s feelings for her. Receiving roses from him now left her at a complete loss.

’Truthfully, she couldn’t return Andrew Sutton’s feelings. She had never once thought of him in a romantic way.’

’Any feelings that existed were just Flora’s love for Evan—emotions between their characters, nothing more.’

Just then, Yuna had a flash of inspiration. "Mr. Archer is giving those flowers to Flora in his role as Evan!" she quickly interjected.

"Right, right, that’s exactly what Andrew was thinking," Drake chimed in as soon as he heard her, nodding furiously.

Andrew Sutton remained silent, his eyes fixed on Lily Sterling, full of deep affection and a hint of longing.

Over their nearly four months together, from their first meeting in Goldman Golding’s dressing room to the end of this first show, the most profound memory etched in Andrew Sutton’s mind was the moment his lips had touched Lily Sterling’s.

’He could still remember the feeling.’

Lily Sterling deliberately averted her gaze, refusing to look at him. She turned to the others instead. "Thank you, everyone," she said. "This was my first show, and I truly enjoyed the whole process. I’ve learned so much from all of you veterans. Thank you for taking such good care of me. I hope we meet again."

"Go, Lily!"

"You’re going to win an award!"

"Yeah, that’s right! You’ll definitely win awards in the future!"

The crowd clapped and cheered, sending her off warmly. On this set, most people genuinely admired and liked Lily Sterling.

Back in her dressing room, flowers completely covered the table. Lily Sterling started removing her makeup while Yuna and Finn, who had already packed everything, began a final check.

Just then, Lily Sterling called the two of them over to her side. She pulled two red envelopes from the drawer beneath the vanity mirror. "These are for you," she said. "The New Year is almost here. Thank you for everything."

Yuna and Finn exchanged a pleasantly surprised glance. They accepted the envelopes without protest and thanked her in unison, "Thank you, Lily."

Lily Sterling smiled. "I’ve already spoken to Connie. You two will be staying on with me. Get ready to join the new production team after the New Year."

They were both thrilled and nodded excitedly. "Okay!"