Chapter 214 David's Assistance
David still looked young and handsome, but his style had definitely matured. He seemed more put-together than before.
I couldn't help but give him a once-over. His once bright, passionate eyes had lost some of their spark. A wave of memories hit me, and I felt a lump in my throat, making it hard to speak.
Orval and David had known each other forever. Knowing his old boss was planning to invest in the show, Orval was on his best behavior. He stood next to David with a big, flattering smile.
But when Orval heard the investment was just for me, his smile froze, replaced by shock and embarrassment.
In his mind, David and I were like oil and water. How could someone as unpredictable as David suddenly decide to help me out?
David noticed Orval's confusion and calmly took my hand.
He turned slightly, meeting my eyes with a look of determination and warmth, as if to say, "Don't worry." Then he faced Orval, his voice steady and clear. "Diana and I go way back. We grew up together, so we're really close. I know how hard she's worked to chase her dreams. I'm just giving her a little push in the right direction. What's wrong with that?"
Orval was at a loss for words. His face twitched, and his eyes were full of confusion and shock.
After a moment, he finally managed to say, "No problem."
Even though David said it was just out of friendship, the way he looked at me and his natural closeness made it clear to Orval that our relationship was more than just friends.
I had planned to refuse David's sponsorship, but Orval had other ideas. To him, this was a great promotional opportunity, and the extra funding was a godsend.
I frowned slightly and said softly, "This show already has investors."
David just nodded, his eyes full of certainty.
"I know, but I want to add more investment for you," he said.
He leaned in close to my ear, his voice low but strong. "Diana, trust me. With your popularity, my investment will definitely pay off. I'll get more back in the future."
His eyes shone with conviction, like he could already see the successful future.
I gently tugged at David's sleeve, a bit worried, and whispered, "Do you know who the biggest investor in this show was before you?"
David was a bit surprised, then gave a defiant smile. "Of course, I know, but I don't care. I can't just stand by and watch you get bullied by Aria."
David's smile faded, and he looked at me sincerely, reminding me of our school days. Even though he used to tease me, he never let anyone else mess with me. His eyes were the same back then, full of stubbornness and a protective instinct. The production team quickly gave the green light to David's investment, and soon they were promoting it with the headline, #Mysterious Tycoon Supports Ms. Cooper, Helping Young Lawyer Achieve Entrepreneurial Dreams.
As soon as the news spread, it wasn't the netizens or viewers who reacted first, but Aria, who had always been under Edward's wing. She was furious that the production team was using David's support for me as a promotional point. She stormed into the executive producer's office, yelling, "David investing just for her is totally unfair to me and the other contestants. It's basically cheating!"
She seemed to forget that she and a few other contestants had joined the show thanks to their own wealth and connections.
Unlike Aria, the other contestants who brought funds into the show were humble and low-key, always treating me with respect. When they heard Aria's outburst, they just shook their heads, not wanting to stoop to her level.
No one on the production team paid attention to Aria's complaints, which made her even angrier. So, she turned to Edward, asking him to increase his investment in her so she could compete with me in terms of publicity. Edward had already poured a lot of money into the show, but Aria hadn't delivered the returns he expected. The show's popularity was mostly thanks to me. Being a shrewd businessman, Edward refused to invest another penny.
Aria was shocked by Edward's blunt refusal, and her face darkened with displeasure. But even though she was angry, she didn't dare show it in front of Edward, so she took out her frustration on the production team. The staff, all veterans in the entertainment industry, had long seen through the fragile relationship between Aria and Edward. Watching Aria act out had become a form of entertainment for them, with only Aria herself being oblivious.
Sometimes, I couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for Aria.
She had been with Edward for a while, but why couldn't she see his fickleness? Maybe she still had fantasies, thinking Edward owed her and hoping to marry into wealth one day. In reality, from the moment Edward allowed Anne to hire someone to harm her, she should have woken up.
But I wasn't about to share these thoughts with Aria. I wanted to see how they would continue to torment each other.
What I didn't expect was that after a long day of recording, I would run into both David and Edward at the TV station entrance. Their easy laughter and friendly banter brought back a flood of memories. I stood there, dazed and unsure of what to do or who to approach.
Seeing me walk out of the TV station, David reacted quickly. He stepped forward with a smile, his movements smooth and casual. He placed his hand familiarly and intimately on my shoulder, giving a slight squeeze, as if to announce to the world our closeness.
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