Chapter 185 Change
Winona smirked, her head cocked at an angle as she watched Zachary's dramatic display. "Mr. Bailey, how can I pay you back if I'm not making any money?”
Zachary was momentarily at a loss for words, "I never asked for it back."
His initial insistence on repayment was only meant to deter Winona from divorcing him. However, once she was adamant about going through with it, he never mentioned the money again, and it wasn’t included in the new divorce agreement. In her rush to escape the marriage, Winona hadn’t even reviewed the agreement before signing.
Taken aback by his response, Winona paused before speaking indifferently, "It's better to settle debts clearly. It was agreed upon as a loan after all."
"So, you're set on working for Matthew's company?" he prodded.
"Yes."
Zachary observed her face, letting out a low chuckle. "Is it for the money, or is it for him?"
Anger flashed in Winona's eyes, and just when Zachary expected a retort, she snatched the contract from his hands. "What does it matter to you? Ex-husband."
The elevator arrived, its doors opening to disgorge a flood of people. Seizing the moment, Winona pushed past Zachary and slithered in like a sinuous snake.
Zachary was left to watch the doors close in front of him, powerless.
In the afternoon, the waiter had taken the initiative to add Winona on WhatsApp, sending a message accompanied by an adorably meek emoji.
Staring at her phone, Winona could hardly believe such a docile-looking guy was known to be a heartbreaker. "Are you interested in a part-time gig? We need a hand model for a few scenes."
The waiter replied enthusiastically, "Sure, thanks!"
Aware of his interest in part-time work, Winona forwarded his WhatsApp contact to Director John without hesitation, told someone about it, and then immediately blocked the waiter. Her WhatsApp was for clients and friends only.
Director John nodded briskly, his tone urgent, “Alright, the show airs tonight at eight. If you're free, help us out by sharing it.”
He didn't really expect her to do so; Winona, though well-known in their niche circle, which probably didn't even total fifty thousand, had gained most of her fame from the intrigue surrounding her appearance in a recent documentary.
He had also invited Alex to the show, intending to stir up publicity by pairing up the guests, but that was before Zachary's involvement disrupted their plans.
Now, with the editing done and the premiere set, Zachary and Winona had divorced—it was more than a simple separation; they had also dragged another dancer, Fiona, into the midst of a sensational scandal involving infidelity and a love triangle.
As a director, all he hoped for at this point was to avoid backlash. He had to make an attempt to save the show.
Winona replied, "Sure, I'll tune in. Thanks, Director John."
Director John had mentioned it to her before, but with the whirlwind of tasks lately, it had completely slipped her mind.
No one expected the show to become a hit. With its shoestring budget, featured amateurs, and controversy-riddled plot, it seemed like a long shot. Winona switched on the TV and then got busy with her own chores. Joining the design team for Time-Travel Town meant wrapping up her freelance work. After all, she couldn't expect everyone to stay late brainstorming solutions with her.
Shortly after the show concluded, Rebecca Davis called. "Winona, you've made a splash – no, your art has made a splash."
"My art?" Winona responded, puzzled.
"The piece you restored over three years. Someone posted the original, the damaged version, and your restoration online. People are praising your skill. Some top figures in the field tweeted they couldn't have managed it, and now netizens are raving about how talented and kind-hearted you are. I'd bet by tomorrow, the country's premier museum will extend an offer. You're on your way to becoming a national treasure."
Winona remembered the painting well. It depicted the fateful scene from Shakespeare's Hamlet where Ophelia drowns.
Such antique paintings of this size rarely survived the passage of time. Neglect and wartime evacuations had taken a heavy toll on this one, but fortunately, there had been a study sketch.
Opening Facebook, Winona scrolled through the app’s feed, only to find the top three trending topics were all about that painting. The mere mention of it seemed to carry a weight of status, catching the eye of even the international press. As Winona delved into the comment section, she found it overflowing with admiration for her expertise.
In the instant, Winona felt herself elevated to a height that seemed unreachable by others. Her newfound buzz made the other guests of the show look almost inconsequential. Alongside her, Fiona was a hot topic, too.
"She’s the real deal, and she's competing with Windy for a man? If Mr. Bailey has any sense, he’ll definitely go for someone like our Windy, a true artisan,” one commenter remarked.
"I mean, I think Fiona's dancing is so-so. How did she become a world-class performer?" another questioned.
"It must be some special 'skill' that charmed the right people, even got her the world's top title. Mr. Bailey fancies her, right?" a third speculated.
"Looks and moves, she's not even on Windy’s level. If you're a dancer, stick to dancing. What's she doing? Did Mr. Bailey lose his sight of her charm?" a forth chimed in.
As Winona casually scrolled through the comments, her phone rang. It was Director John. "Congrats, Windy! Ever thought about making a splash in showbiz? I know some great agency. You’d be an A-lister for sure."
"Thanks, but no thanks. You're teasing me, Director John," she replied curtly.
While Winona was basking in a celebratory atmosphere, Fiona was on the polar opposite end. She felt a cold, desolate grip tightening around her heart. Clutching her phone so tightly it was as if she might crush it with her bare hands, she hissed through clenched teeth, "Emily, are you giving up on me too?"
Emily's face remained composed. "It's not about giving up. Our contract simply ran its course. We were bound to part ways eventually."
"Is this because you never intended to renew it, or is it because of the scandal I'm mired in now that you want to cut ties?" Fiona nodded, "Alright, I get it. Emily, mark my words, one day, I'll rise higher than before. And when that time comes, you won't even have the chance to come back." With that said, she signed her name on the termination agreement without hesitation.
As Emily stood, taking her own copy of the document, she offered a parting piece of advice before leaving the room. "Fiona, after all these years of working together, let me suggest something—focus on your career, and don't chase after what’s not meant for you."
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