Chapter 4 It Utterly Disgusts Me

• While filming, Simone rarely initiated contact with the Gray Family and Leon. However, he would still visit her every month, taking care of her as before and denying any connection with Jodie. Nevertheless, the variety show and his affection for another woman left a deep pain in her heart.
• After completing the film, she returned to Cebros and made the decision to investigate the two of them. A few days after her movie was released, it unexpectedly became a hit, and she even received a nomination for the Best Actress award at a domestic film festival.
• The director mentioned that she had a good chance of winning the award, but before she could attend the award ceremony, she and Jodie were kidnapped at the film festival.
• On that day, the Grays and Leon found them. During the negotiation, the kidnappers demanded that they choose who would be released first while the other would be left behind. Like the Gray Family, Leon chose to rescue Jodie.
• The family's decision did not surprise her, but Leon's choice deeply devastated her; it was truly unexpected. In that moment, she was shocked. Her boyfriend, who had been by her side since childhood, had given up on her for the sake of Jodie.
• She had only one thought—if she survived, she would sever ties with the Grays and Leon. Unfortunately, just as she was about to take matters into her own hands to save herself, one of the kidnappers, driven to madness, fired a shot at her.
• As she fell, she heard the Grays and Leon shouting her name, but her heart had already turned cold. Now, with a fresh start, she had cut ties with the Gray Family and naturally had to bid farewell to Leon as well.
• He did not expect Simone to mention Jodie and make such statements, furrowing his brows. "Nonsense. I don't have a lover."
• Just as he was about to continue speaking, he heard her voice in his ear. "Leon, let's break up."
• He was stunned, thinking he had misheard. "What did you say?" How could she suggest a breakup on her own?
• She repeated, "I said, let's break up."
• His expression changed slightly. "Take back those words, and I'll pretend I never heard them."
• She rolled her eyes and said, "I'm not seeking your opinion; I'm informing you. We're breaking up. We'll have no connection in the future."
• Upon hearing her resolute tone, he asked in confusion, "Why?"
• She did not mince her words. "Leon, go pursue Jodie if you like her." She scoffed again. "You were dating me, yet you asked me to give up my place for her and secretly cared for her. You honestly make me sick."
• If Leon had been honest with her from the beginning and expressed his feelings for Jodie or admitted that there was something special between them, perhaps the situation would be different. Even if she cared about him, she would not stay with him, let alone cling desperately.
• However, he had betrayed her before her death, so she genuinely felt repulsed. "Don't contact me anymore." After saying this, she hung up the phone. Then, she blocked and deleted all of Leon's contact information.
• Meanwhile, Leon only regained his senses upon hearing the busy signal on his phone. He had not expected her to know about his dealings with Jodie behind her back, making the sudden breakup difficult for him to accept. He couldn't resist it, so he called back, but all he received was a continuous busy signal, indicating that he had been blocked.
• He was about to video call Simone when he discovered that he was no longer her friend; she had deleted him. At that moment, he couldn't believe it and felt an inexplicable sense of emptiness. So, he called Jodie to inquire.
• When he learned that Simone had chosen to sever ties with the Gray Family because she refused to give up her place for Jodie and had left directly, he was even more shocked.
• On the other side, Simone was organizing the belongings she had brought from the Gray Residence and took out her household register. After her master adopted her, he calculated her fate. Then, through connections, she managed to be listed in the household register of a deceased family, ensuring that there would be no trouble later on.
• As a result, her household registration only showed herself now. When she returned to the Gray Family, they did not transfer her registration or change her family name on the household register.
• She traced her fingertip over the household register while revealing a relieved expression. Her master probably foresaw that there was no true kinship in her life, even though she had blood relatives.
• This so-called family was more harmful than beneficial. In that case, she would start over and continue to be an orphan with no living relatives, as stated on her household register.
• After Simone finished packing, she received a call from a friend in the entertainment circle, informing her that she had been blacklisted from the industry. The president of Gray Entertainment and a top agent had spread the word, warning everyone not to sign her.
• Simone was unsurprised by the actions of her two sc*mbag brothers, who were attempting to force her to apologize and return by cutting off her opportunities. She felt speechless; even though they were blood relatives, they treated her so ruthlessly for an outsider.
• Fortunately, she had long abandoned any expectations of them. Her affection for them had completely worn away in her previous life, so she was not hurt or saddened this time.
• Simone first called the director to confirm her guest spot, and he gave her a positive response. Then, she searched online for information on how to register an artist studio.
• Gray Entertainment was one of the top three entertainment companies in the country. With Reuben and Titus aiming to boycott her and in the absence of any benefits, other entertainment companies and agents would indeed be reluctant to sign her due to their influence.
• However, Simone had already planned for this. If others refused to pick her up, she could simply establish her own studio. Not only could she act as her own agent, but she could also sign and nurture other artists. This way, the artists she signed would become more popular, and she could convert their loyalty into her life force.
• She called a lawyer she knew for advice. Over the next week, she successfully registered her artist studio, although she had not yet found a location or hired staff. She planned to do those things after finishing the variety show.
• Next, she went to the production team to sign the contract. As she stepped out, she saw Titus and Aaron, accompanied by Jodie, walking towards her. The three of them were chatting and laughing, but they all paused when they saw Simone.
• Upon seeing her, Jodie felt a sense of superiority, smiling and greeting her. "Simone, are you here to sign the contract too?"
• When Simone heard this, she understood the implication of Jodie's friendly greeting and raised an eyebrow. "You too?"
• Jodie nodded. "Yeah. I genuinely love this variety show, so Titus and the director discussed it and decided to have Aaron bring me along. The director agreed."
• Titus regarded Simone with an air of superiority. "Even if you refuse to give up your spot, we have ways to fulfill Jo's wish."
• She looked at him with a faint smile. "So, you could have taken the spot, but you insist on pressuring me to give it up. I must say, you're quite the family."
• The Gray brothers were prominent figures in the entertainment industry. Reuben served as the president of Gray Entertainment; Titus was a well-known top agent in the industry; Luca was a popular and influential singer; Andrew was a renowned emerging genius director, while Aaron was a highly sought-after young male actor.
• As an A-lister, Aaron took the initiative to join this variety show. Not only would it boost the show's popularity, but it would also earn him a favor from the Grays.
• Naturally, the director did not refuse.
• Previously, the Gray brothers had not taken this approach as they wanted to find their significance through Simone and have her give up the spot as compensation for Jodie. Of course, Jodie had hinted and encouraged them to do so.
• Although Jodie had taken away Simone's identity, family, and life, the Gray Family believed that Simone's return meant she was the legitimate young lady of the Gray Family, and that Jodie was merely an adopted daughter.
• In terms of identity, Jodie had lost out, and Simone had to compensate for it. However, ever since Simone returned to the family, most people in high society were aware of her existence, but the Grays did not publicly confirm her identity.
• In their eyes, Jodie remained their beloved little princess. As a result, people outside the family only recognized Jodie as the pampered young lady of the Gray Family. Therefore, Simone couldn't understand why the Grays believed she owed Jodie something.
• Now, faced with the brothers' displeasure beneath their restrained smiles, Simone's eyes showed a touch of disgust as she added, "Fortunately, I've already cut ties with all of you. Otherwise, I would have vomited right here."
• Titus was taken aback by her words, but Aaron sternly warned, "Simone, you're going too far."
• Her words grew harsher.
• She glanced at him and said, "I don't know who's going too far. I used to be a part of your family for over a year, and now that I reflect on it, it utterly disgusts me." She couldn't be bothered with them and walked away, leaving behind the two scowling brothers and the secretly pleased Jodie.