Chapter 497 A Calm Before the Storm

Chapter 497: Chapter 497 A Calm Before the Storm

Diana had always been this way.

She wasn’t afraid to take a stand, no matter how much it hurt.

Everything she’d experienced since childhood had taught her one thing: even if she’d never had enough love in her life, she understood that love tainted by betrayal was no longer worth holding on to. Trying to force something that had already been broken was the most pathetic thing a person could do.

She would never give someone who had betrayed her even the slightest chance to do it again.

Not even if walking away felt like a thousand arrows piercing her heart.

She would rather endure a short, sharp pain than remain trapped in something that would hurt her forever.

Diana went to bed.

Rose watched her curled-up figure, knowing full well that she probably wouldn’t fall asleep anytime soon. She needed time to process everything that had happened and figure out what to do next.

Rather than disturb her, Rose quietly left the room and closed the door behind her.

A message from Ryan was waiting on her phone.

Ryan: [Have you eaten anything tonight?]

Only then did Rose notice the gnawing emptiness in her stomach. She’d been so busy comforting Diana that she’d completely forgotten to eat. Without Ryan’s reminder, she probably would have gone to bed hungry.

Rose: [Diana seems calmer now, but I’m still worried about her. I’m staying here tonight. I might need your help later.]

Ryan: [Of course.]

Rose: [Aren’t you going to ask what kind of help I need?]

Ryan: [It’s probably going to involve keeping Liam in check. What happens next depends on what Diana decides.]

Rose clicked her tongue in surprise.

Apparently, Ryan had already anticipated this possibility. He was prepared to step in whenever Diana needed him, without a moment’s hesitation.

That put Rose’s mind at ease.

With Ryan backing her up, Diana at least had a fighting chance. No one could force Liam to agree to a divorce, but everything else? Ryan was more than capable of handling it.

The next morning, Rose woke to the sound of someone moving around in the kitchen.

When she walked out, she found Diana already busy at the stove.

Diana was an excellent cook, though she rarely bothered cooking for just anyone. Now, two bowls of steaming noodle soup sat on the counter, each topped with a beautifully fried egg and fresh greens. The sight alone was enough to make Rose’s mouth water.

For a moment, she simply stood there, lost in thought.

Diana took off her apron and waved her over.

"Come on. If I don’t make you something, you’ll just eat whatever you can find, won’t you? You didn’t eat anything last night, did you?"

She sounded mildly reproachful.

If she hadn’t gotten up to cook for Rose, her friend probably would have skipped breakfast, too.

"It’s not like I can’t order takeout," Rose protested as she walked over.

Diana looked perfectly fine. She was even closing her eyes contentedly as she breathed in the aroma of the noodles.

Yet somehow, seeing her like that only made Rose’s heart ache.

"Takeout isn’t nearly as healthy as a proper home-cooked meal."

Diana handed her a spoon and fork, then lowered her head and started eating.

She took one mouthful after another, eating with such enthusiasm that she seemed determined to prove just how delicious the food was.

"Mmm. This smells amazing!"

Rose watched her with pursed lips.

When Diana’s cheeks were practically bulging with food, Rose reached over and gently caught her hand.

"Okay, slow down. You don’t have to force yourself."

Diana paused, then brushed Rose’s hand away.

"I’m fine. Eat your breakfast. We’re not wasting all this food."

The concern in Rose’s eyes was impossible to miss.

She knew Diana was trying to keep her from worrying. If Diana acted as though everything was normal, perhaps Rose would stop looking at her with such sadness.

Rose didn’t say anything else. She lowered her head and finished her own meal, taking her time until not a drop of soup remained.

Diana quickly cleared the dishes and checked the time.

"I’m heading to the office. I just need to wrap up a few things. Life goes on, and I still have responsibilities at work." She glanced at Rose. "Don’t worry about me. I’ve thought everything through."

"I’ll come with you," Rose said immediately.

She was worried Diana might run into Sophie and lose her temper.

Diana turned toward her and pulled her into a hug.

"Don’t worry. This is my problem, and I’ll deal with it myself."

Rose couldn’t talk her out of it.

In the end, Diana went to work alone.

With several projects running simultaneously and five celebrity endorsers to coordinate, Diana had plenty to keep her occupied. She needed to make sure every shoot stayed on schedule and that the entire team worked together smoothly.

As soon as she arrived, her assistant came over with the day’s schedule.

"Director, here’s today’s shooting lineup. Avery is scheduled for ten, Sophie for two, and Ray for four."

Diana’s eyelashes fluttered at the mention of Sophie’s name, but she quickly composed herself.

"Got it."

"Avery’s already here, but..." Her assistant hesitated, scratching her head. "Sophie is here, too. She says she has something to do this afternoon and wants to reschedule her shoot. She’d like to discuss it with you."

Diana didn’t break stride.

"Does she think everyone here works for her personally? How does she get away with making demands whenever she feels like it?"

The last time they’d crossed paths about the makeup room, Sophie had appeared willing to compromise. She’d backed down and stopped making such a fuss.

But shortly afterward, Diana’s boss had called her.

It wasn’t difficult to guess what had happened. Sophie must have gone to Liam, and her boss had agreed to accommodate her as a favor to him.

"If she wants to discuss something with me, she can come find me herself," Diana said coolly. "When you’re asking someone for a favor, the least you can do is show a little respect."

She sat down in front of the monitors and continued reviewing the day’s schedule without looking up.

"Director, do you dislike me that much?"

A cool, detached voice suddenly came from in front of her.

Diana finally raised her head.

Sophie had appeared at some point and clearly heard what she’d said.

Diana studied the woman’s face. There was a certain resemblance between them, perhaps three parts alike, but Sophie possessed a level of glamour that made her stand out immediately. She had the kind of radiant beauty that belonged to a major star.

Suddenly, Diana understood something.

Sophie had given her strange looks more than once, studying her from head to toe whenever they crossed paths.

Now, looking directly into her eyes, Diana recognized what those looks had really meant.

Scrutiny. And beneath it, a deeply concealed contempt.

Sophie probably couldn’t understand how someone like Diana dared to put herself on the same level as a superstar like her.

"What exactly do you mean by that, Miss Clarke?"

Even Diana was surprised by how calm she felt. Facing the woman who had helped destroy her marriage, she’d expected to feel anger or humiliation. Instead, she felt strangely composed.

Sophie walked closer.

"Whenever I make a request, you seem determined to turn me down. Have I done something to offend you?"

A faint, cold smile touched Diana’s lips.

"Our communication has always been perfectly smooth, hasn’t it, Miss Clarke? Why would you think that?" She tilted her head slightly. "Unless you believe you’ve done something to offend me?"

Sophie’s brows drew together.

Pressing her lips into a thin line, she stared at Diana, who continued smiling as though nothing were wrong.

That smile irritated Sophie more than it should have. Diana looked so carefree, as if she’d spent her entire life surrounded by warmth and happiness, with not a single worry in the world.

In Sophie’s eyes, that kind of innocence was nothing but foolishness.

"You’re joking, Director," Sophie said, retreating slightly. "I was just teasing you."

Diana lowered her gaze to the schedule in front of her. ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Well, you certainly seem to enjoy making inappropriate jokes. If you want to get ahead in this industry, you might want to work on your people skills."

Sophie’s lips tightened.

Before she could respond, a man’s voice came from nearby.

"Didi."

Sophie’s heart skipped a beat.

She immediately looked up.

Liam was standing a short distance away. She hadn’t even noticed when he’d arrived.

He wasn’t wearing a suit today. Instead, he had on a knee-length coat that made his already slender figure look even more striking.

He stood beneath the bright lights, smiling as he called Diana’s name.

There was no visible anger on his face. He looked perfectly calm, almost affectionate.

Yet the moment Sophie saw him, an uncontrollable shiver ran through her.

A chill spread through her entire body.

Diana hadn’t expected Liam to show up either.

A trace of sarcasm flickered across her lips.

What an embarrassing situation.

His wife and the woman he’d been seeing on the side were standing right in front of him, and he could still act as though nothing had happened.

"Why are you here?" Diana asked.

She quickly gathered her thoughts and turned toward him, her expression giving nothing away.

Liam had already walked over.

He pulled up a chair and sat beside her without sparing Sophie so much as a glance.

Then he reached into his briefcase and took out a small cake he’d brought for Diana. Tilting his head, he smiled at her, his eyes filled with affection.

"I was worried about you, so I canceled my morning meetings. Once you’re finished here, I’ll take you to your favorite restaurant."