The Trending Topic Herself: The Villainess is the Superstar!

Chapter 280: Joy Monroe

He smiled stiffly, "I just want to get the keys on the table."

Vincent Summers said as he took out the keys from his pocket and shook them, "Ian, look, I’ve already found them. Let’s head to the company now."

Ian Rowe responded with a nod but didn’t leave immediately. He walked over to Maya Monroe and instructed, "Work is quite busy today, I might be back late. Don’t wait for me for dinner, and don’t skip meals. Monica always follows the nutritional menu, so make sure not to be picky..."

One caution after another was slowly spoken, akin to a meticulous and comprehensive reminder to a child.

This was Ian Rowe’s routine before heading out, and Maya Monroe had long grown accustomed to it, simply nodding.

"Is there any gift you want? I’ll bring it for you when I return."

He reached out and plucked a strawberry leaf from her hair, looking up with a smile, "How were you so careless?"

Looking at his handsome face up close, Maya silently cursed herself; lately, she found Ian increasingly unsettling.

She awkwardly turned her face to the side, smoothing out the stray hairs on her forehead, "I accidentally brushed against something just now."

Ian’s gaze lingered momentarily on the ring on her hand, his lips curling into a slight smile, "Anything you want?"

"I... want to have hotpot."

"No."

"Didn’t you say you could buy me a gift?"

Ian shook his head slowly, "You’ve had quite a bit of hotpot before, maybe it’s time to abstain for a while."

"Abstain..." Maya hesitated, but ultimately said nothing.

Seeing her dejected with her head down, Ian felt both pained and amused, "Jewelry, clothes, nothing you want?"

Maya shook her head indifferently, "I’m not interested in those."

He thought for a moment and gently hugged Maya, "Wait for my return."

Vincent Summers stiffly turned his head, unable to bear witnessing the sweet and sour moment.

*

Today is a special day, Joy Monroe’s memorial day.

Maya Monroe received a call from Monica Jacobs and hurried over. According to the original memories, she needed to come for the memorial every year. Both Monica Jacobs and Jasper Monroe seemed particularly persistent about this.

Maya’s group boarded the car heading towards their destination. Regarding Kiki Monroe’s situation, everyone maintained a silent understanding.

Monica Jacobs carefully observed Maya, "You’ve lost a bit of weight recently, haven’t been resting well?"

"No, I’ve been fine lately, Mom, don’t worry."

White chrysanthemums express remembrance and deep thoughts for those who’ve passed away.

Maya placed the flowers in her hand in front of the tombstone and respectfully bowed. Her gaze inadvertently touched the photo on the tombstone, and she paused slightly.

The person in the photo appears to be in her twenties, smiling brightly with sweet dimples showing on her cheeks, and her black hair draped quietly over her shoulders.

Maya squinted her eyes slightly; upon closer inspection, she noticed that the woman in the photo had features somewhat similar to Kiki Monroe, though their demeanors were entirely different.

Footsteps sounded from behind, causing Maya to withdraw her gaze and step back a few paces.

Monica’s expression was both sentimental and complicated. After a while, she sighed softly. The only consolation was Maya’s attitude towards Joy, no longer simply impatient and disdainful.

Her eyes blinked twice, only for tears to slowly fall.

Jasper gently patted her back to comfort her.

"I... I..." Monica ultimately couldn’t voice anything.

Jasper’s gaze fell on the tombstone ahead, his eyes bitter, "It’s been so many years already..."

The return journey was noticeably somber, with both Jasper and Monica visibly down.

Maya wisely sat quietly, though she couldn’t shake the feeling that the car took several turns and even stopped at a major mall once, seemingly attempting to conceal its tracks.

"Maya, you don’t know how much your aunt adored you. When you were little, she’d often hold you for ages, reluctant to let go..." After speaking, Monica choked up again.

Maya hurriedly handed over a tissue, "Mom..."

Monica seemed to cry harder.

Jasper, seated in the front, turned around, sighing, "Monica, don’t scare the child."

Monica tightly gripped Maya’s hand, unable to form coherent words, "I... I’m just overwhelmed by memories..."

She hastily emphasized, "Maya, don’t forget what I told you, never tell anyone about your aunt’s whereabouts."

"Why?" Maya’s eyes held a subtle puzzlement.

"Your aunt has spent half a lifetime running around, it’s time for her to truly rest. Don’t let anyone disturb her peace."

Noticing Monica’s determined gaze, Maya nodded.

*

Maya didn’t get the hotpot she was craving, but was instead greeted with pastries from The Gilded Emporium.

Maya walked quickly forward, exclaiming with surprise, "Honey, you’re so thoughtful to me, I didn’t expect you’d bring me food."

"You’ve had quite a lot of hotpot lately, so why not change it up this time."

"Alright."

No hotpot, but pastries are just as satisfying.

After dinner, Maya told Ian that she was about to join a film crew.

Ian was silent for a moment, "What type of film are you shooting this time?"

"Heartwarming, healing."

"Are you the lead actress?"

Maya nodded.

"Is there a lead actor?"

She paused slightly, then laughed, "Certainly..." Noticing Ian’s not-so-great expression, she restrained her smile, "There is."

Ian’s face was naturally sharp, rendering his coldness unmistakable when he lowered his gaze. Even from a distance, Maya could feel a trace of icy aura; it wasn’t physical coldness but an atmospheric sensation.

He chuckled slowly, but without warmth, "Oh... who is it?"

"A very talented actor..." After thinking for a brief moment, Maya decided to explain, "Actually, this film’s highlight is family and friendship; romance is practically non-existent."

"By saying it like this..." She smiled, "Do you understand?"

Ian looked at her calmly; his tense jawline gradually relaxed.

"This film is pretty good."

Maya nearly burst out laughing, "You change your mind faster than flipping a book."

Ian slightly raised his eyebrow but didn’t offer any explanation.

*

On the third day of shooting the ’Solara’ film, everything was still going smoothly, and Maya had grown accustomed to life there.

Contrary to his usual concise speech, Ian began sending her numerous messages daily, sharing warmth and trivial stories. Maya, though initially surprised, soon came to expect it and reciprocated by telling him about her side.

After completing a shoot, Maya donned her sunhat and walked toward a shaded area.

Upon seeing a familiar figure ahead, Maya indeed paused momentarily in surprise.