My Actor Husband's True Face

Night Club

On the way to one of the city's most famous nightclubs, the atmosphere in the car felt lively thanks to Becca's enthusiasm. Shannon, though still a bit hesitant, began to feel more at ease. The shimmering streetlights reflected off the windows, creating an almost magical vibe.

Becca glanced at Shannon through the rearview mirror and grinned.

"By the way, Shan, I forgot to tell you something important."

"What is it?" Shannon replied casually, gazing out the window.

"I remembered you're a talented comic artist who published some popular series. You know, your work has huge potential to be turned into movies or shows."

Shannon shrugged indifferently. "That was a long time ago, Becca. Now I’m not even sure what I want to do."

Becca ignored her response and pressed on enthusiastically. "Coincidentally, I know someone who might be able to help you. He’s a young CEO of a film and television company looking for new projects to produce. He's very influential, and I think you should meet him!"

Shannon frowned and replied, "I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I haven’t even touched a pen in months."

Becca chuckled. At a red light, she pulled out her phone, clearly with another agenda in mind. She handed it to Shannon, showing a photo of a man in a sharp suit, sporting a captivatingly confident smile.

"Oh, you’ll definitely change your mind after seeing this."

Shannon froze. Her hands trembled slightly as she held the phone, her eyes fixed on the image of a man who looked strikingly familiar. She murmured, "This can’t be."

"What? You know him?" Becca asked, her tone brimming with curiosity, as she watched Shannon still staring at the photo on the screen. It would be great if Shannon actually knew the man, wouldn’t it?

Shannon nodded slowly, her gaze still locked on the photo.

"He was my senior in college. I never imagined he’d become someone this big."

Hearing this, Becca’s smile widened, her excitement growing.

"That’s amazing! It means this meeting will be even easier. I’ll make sure you have a chance to talk to him. Who knows, this could be the fresh start you need."

Shannon squinted at Becca. They’d been friends for years, how could she not recognize her friend's schemes? So, before Becca could say anything more, Shannon cut her off.

"I’m not even officially divorced yet. I don’t know if Maxime has signed the papers or not, so don’t even think about pushing me into a new relationship."

"Tsk," Becca sighed in mock disappointment but still said, "Fine, no romantic relationship. But at least try starting a professional one. You can’t just sit around doing nothing all day, can you?"

Shannon didn’t deny it, over the past few days, aside from grappling with her decision to separate from Maxime, she had also been thinking about her future. Now that an opportunity was here, why not take it?

And so, Shannon agreed to follow Becca's arrangements.

The nightclub was a kaleidoscope of neon lights and pounding music that seemed to make the floor vibrate. The air was warm, a heady mix of liquor and expensive perfume. Shannon trailed behind Becca's brisk strides, wobbling slightly on her uncomfortable heels.

This was only Shannon's second time stepping foot in a place like this, and the memory of her first visit quickly surfaced, stirring discomfort.

Back then, Maxime's assistant had called her to pick him up after he’d drunkenly overindulged. It had been nothing but a humiliation, she was mocked for never having set foot in such an establishment before, labeled as "provincial." Even a lowly assistant, someone she barely knew, had the audacity to throw disparaging comments her way.

She bit her lip, forcing the memory away. This time was different, she told herself. She wasn’t here for anyone else, this time, she was here for herself.

Becca glanced back and waved, snapping Shannon out of her thoughts.

"Come on, Shan. The second floor has a better view."

Shannon simply nodded, avoiding eye contact with anyone. She focused on Becca, ignoring the chaotic crowd around her. All she could hear was the click of her heels against the floor as they ascended the stairs.

Unbeknownst to her, a pair of eyes followed her movements from the main floor. The gaze was cold, filled with displeasure, tracking her every step until she disappeared into the crowd.

Shannon continued forward, entirely unaware of the scrutiny she was under.

Maurice descended the stairs with a spring in her step, her mind alight with excitement. She couldn’t wait to find Katie Forteza, the famous actress who happened to be her personal idol. Her task was simple: escort her to the private room where her brother, Maxime, was waiting.

However, as her eyes swept over the dance floor and the throng of people, her smile gradually faded.

It wasn’t Katie she spotted. Standing near the staircase leading to the second floor was Shannon, her sister-in-law, someone she had never liked. She stood somewhat awkwardly, trailing behind a more self-assured woman, seemingly oblivious to the attention she was attracting from a few people nearby.

Maurice paused, her expression darkening with unconcealed irritation.

"What is she doing here?" she muttered. Shannon, who had been missing for days, had now suddenly reappeared in the last place she would have expected.

Without hesitation, Maurice turned on her heel and headed back up to the private room on the upper floor. Upon entering, she found Maxime lounging on the sofa with a glass of liquor in hand.

"Maxime," Maurice called out urgently, "you won’t believe who’s here."

Maxime glanced at her lazily. "If it’s Katie, just tell her to come in."

"It’s not Katie," Maurice replied, her voice growing tense. "It’s Shannon. She’s here. I saw her heading to the second floor."

Maxime frowned, though not out of surprise. Shannon’s disappearance over the past few days had infuriated their grandfather, who demanded that Maxime locate her. While Maxime himself didn’t particularly care, his grandfather’s pressure had made it an unavoidable task.

He let out a long sigh, setting his glass down on the table.

"So, she decided to show up in a place like this," he said flatly, though the derision and disdain in his eyes were unmistakable.

"You’re not just going to let her roam around here, are you?" Maurice pressed. "This club values its clients’ privacy, but Shannon? She doesn’t belong here. You know that."

Maxime stood, moving with deliberate ease, and took a slow breath, as if weighing his options.

"I’ll handle it," he said finally, grabbing his jacket. Not because he cared, but because it was easier to deal with her now while they were in the same place.

Maurice nodded, looking satisfied. As Maxime left the room, her mind was a mix of indifference and curiosity. Why had Shannon chosen to show up here, in a world so far removed from her own?

Neon lights flickered above Shannon as Becca pulled her toward a group of handsome men standing in a corner, each radiating confidence. Becca, ever the social butterfly, wasted no time introducing Shannon to each one.

"Shan, this is Daniel, owner of an art gallery downtown," she said, gesturing to a casually dressed man with a warm smile. "And this is Aiden, an international airline pilot, you have to hear his adventure stories!"

Becca continued her introductions with enthusiasm, her tone like that of an emcee promoting the best of the best. Shannon offered a small, nervous smile, trying to stay polite.

"Come on, Shan," Becca said, nudging her arm. "A little confidence, huh? Pick one to keep you company tonight. Our VIP guest hasn’t arrived yet, and you can’t just stand here alone all night."

Shannon swallowed hard, trying to calm her racing heart. She glanced at the men, studying their smiles, their eyes, even their posture. Finally, she took a hesitant step forward, attempting to exude a semblance of confidence.

But before she could say a word, a cold, familiar voice cut through the lively chatter around her.

"So this is your real face, Shannon," the voice sneered, dripping with sharp mockery. "The woman with the innocent facade has a side like this, huh?"

Shannon froze in place. That voice, even over the pounding music, was unmistakable. Slowly, she turned, and there he was, Maxime. His piercing gaze bore into her, sharp as a dagger, sending her thoughts spiraling into chaos.