novelraw Chapter 247: Two Halves of a Star
Chapter 247: Two Halves of a Star
Chapter 247: Two Halves of a StarAt Lamey Country
"You look absolutely wasted. Sober up, will you? The press conference is this morning, and you can’t go in looking like this!" Renzo scolded.
Carla ignored him, grabbing an energy drink from the fridge. She’d been drinking all night, unable to sleep as Alexander’s cold words echoed in her mind, each one stinging deeply.
She sat down and glanced at Renzo. "You worry too much. I’ll be fine by the press conference," she muttered, scrolling through her tablet to check the details her manager had sent on Rain Clayton, every piece of information they could gather.
Carla’s eyes narrowed as she read, her brow lifting in disdain. "Her family’s a mess! How can Alexander and even Uncle Rock overlook that? I don’t see anything special here except her looks and the fact that she’s a prosecutor," she grumbled, her tone bitter.
Renzo, sitting across from her, took a steadying breath. "Maybe it’s time to focus on other things. You’ve got influential suitors lining up for you. Let go of Alexander, Carla. Holding on to him like this could ruin everything you’ve worked so hard for... especially your career."
"Stop saying things like that, Renzo. You know I can’t just let go. I made a mistake five years ago, and I won’t make the same one this time. Alexander is mine!" she said firmly, her voice filled with determination.
Carla was convinced she could win Alexander back. She just needed to be present in his life again, no matter what it took.
Renzo gave her a level look. "But her record is clean, Carla. The issues are with her family, not with her," he pointed out, leaving her silent for a moment. She knew he was right. Alexander and his family weren’t the kind to judge someone based on their family background alone. This was part of what she both admired and resented about them... they valued character above reputation.
Just as Carla opened her mouth to retort, the sound of a door opening echoed from down the hall. She turned and froze as her parents walked in, beaming with excitement.
"Surprise!" her mother exclaimed, arms outstretched. Her father gave a small wave, his usual serious expression softened with a warm smile.
"Mom? Dad?" Carla blinked, quickly standing up and setting her tablet aside. "What are you both doing here?"
Her mother laughed, pulling Carla into a hug. "Oh, sweetheart, we wanted to surprise you! It’s been too long, and we thought we’d come to show our support for your big press conference!"
"Yes," her father added, stepping forward and squeezing her shoulder. "We know how much this launch means to you."
Carla forced a smile, though the sight of them only added to the turmoil already churning inside her. She hadn’t expected this. Their surprise visit meant she’d have to keep up appearances, she couldn’t afford for them to see her still shaken over Alexander.
"Of course. Thank you. It’s...it’s so good to see you both," she said, her voice softer. She glanced at Renzo, who gave her a sympathetic look.
"Are you alright, Carla?" her father asked, his gaze