I was awakened by messages in the group chat.

When I opened my phone, I found out that my online store had been reported.

When I tried to log in again, the website became a 404 error page.

Liam's fans wailed in the group and mentioned me like crazy.

[Una, what am I going to do without you, Una?]

[We're students. We can't afford expensive merch. You're our hope, Una.]

I was also frustrated.

Misfortunes never came singly.

Just when the group chat was in a mess, someone opened a new topic, exposing my doing and my Instagram account.

[This washed-up actress steals private photos from the circle. No wonder she and her shop ends up this way.]

The long Instagram post accused me of my immoral behavior, criticizing me from civil, social, and moral perspectives.

I received much attention.

I became popular with negative report.

There was a lot of criticism in the comment section.

But what I soon face was the huge compensation proposed by this Instagram influencer.

His team contacted me.

"Is this Ms. Una Benoite? We would like to talk to you about your online store."

After hanging up the phone, my former manager, Daphne Mikaela, contacted me proactively.

The company attached great importance to it. Even though I have already left the entertainment industry, I used to be their artist.

Daphne didn't scold me and brainstormed with me to find a solution.

"Una, when you were in the industry, I've never seen you so popular. Now, with the exposure of your illegal dealing, you are so famous.

"I have some connections with Liam's manager, so we can minimize the impact. You must show your sincerity."

I nodded, "Do I just need to communicate with his manager?"

"Yes."

Daphne made someone send me to Liam's company.

To my surprise, no one bothered me along the way.

Liam's manager sat on the sofa opposite me, holding a pile of information about my online store.

Liam sat next to me with a mask and a cap. He looked down at the screenshots of my online store, where his personal photos abounded.

I didn't expect I would meet Liam this way after so many years.

My legs trembled involuntarily, and my nails almost peeled off a layer of skin from my finger.

"Miss Benoite, do you know that this is a violation of Liam's portrait rights?

"We can sue you for using his image for profit."

I lowered my head almost to my knees.

Suddenly, Liam spoke with a deep voice,

"How much did you earn?"

"Ah?" I suddenly looked up and happened to find Liam looking at me.

His eyes were very captivating.

My tongue tied up and I became stuttering. "A-Around 2 thousand."

The manager sneered. "Is Liam only worth this much?"

I whispered, "The current market is not good..."

Liam took off his mask and turned to look at me.

Sensing his gaze, I buried my head almost close to my chest.

I dared not look him in the eye now.

"Una, in high school you sold my photos for two dollars each, now you sell my merchandise photos for 20 dollars each.

"Are you so short of money?

"Look up, you are ugly with your head down."

I slowly lifted my head and saw Liam's face.

Compared to high school, his features were more distinct without his callowness.

He looked even thinner than in the photos.

"I'm sorry."

I really needed money, but I didn't expect what I did to have such a big impact.

Liam tapped the sofa with his finger, looked at me with a clenched fist, and raised his gaze: "Then why did you quit the industry?"

I really didn't want to tell him about these terrible happenings, so I summarized it in one sentence. "Personal reasons."

We fell into a momentary silence.

The manager was the first to break the dead silence.

"If you need money, our team has a job that you can try.

"It would be helpful since you have been popular recently."

Why should Liam's manager help me?

"Thank you, but please let me think about it.

"As for the compensation, I will find a way to raise it and not cause you trouble."

The manager suddenly laughed. "Did I say you have to compensate?"

She closed all the materials and looked at me meaningfully. Her eyes changed from seriousness to gentleness.

"Liam is good-hearted. Besides, we don't lack this money.

"Don't care about what people say online. In theory, you helped to promote Liam, so we should thank you.

"However, it seems that your shop have to be closed for the time being."

I stood up and bowed to her, saying, "Thank you."

Then I walked downstairs to take a taxi.

Suddenly, Liam called out to me from behind.

"Let me take you back."

He seemed to realize that it was inappropriate and added, "It's on the way."

A black SUV stopped at the company entrance.

Liam opened the car door for me.

Just as I was about to get in, someone called me from the right side.

Noah ran towards me, looking a bit pale.

I suddenly had a bad premonition for no reason.

"Noah, what's wrong?"

He should be taking care of grandmother in the hospital. Why would he come here?

"I called you many times but you didn't answer."

I immediately took out my phone. It was dead and the screen was black.

"I told you to get a new phone. Your phone's battery won't last long even if it's fully charged."

Noah noticed Liam, who was standing beside me, and gave him a wary glance.

"Liam Shirl? It's because of you that Una got criticized!"

He threw a punch towards Liam, but I took a step forward and stood in front of him.

"Noah, this was my fault in the first place. Do you also want to make headlines tomorrow?"

Noah snorted coldly, but ultimately didn't make a move.

He pulled me to his side and lowered his voice.

"Grandmother is not well. We need to go there quickly."

Grandmother...

"Liam, thank you. Noah is here to pick me up. I'll go first."

Noah threw a helmet at me.

I followed Noah onto his motorcycle, not paying attention to Liam's expression.

Noah and I rushed to the hospital.

Grandmother has been saved.

"Your grandmother's condition is not good. She is counting her last days."

Grandmother's cancer had recently worsened and the cancer cells spread very quickly.

"Now it's starting to compress the cranial nerves. You should be prepared.

"First settle the expenses for this time."

Noah held my hand tightly. "I'll go pay. You stay outside and accompany grandma."

"Noah, thank you."

Noah said nonchalantly as usual. "Don't thank me. We're family."

Sitting by grandma's bedside, I calculated all the money in my bank cards.

No matter how I calculated, I couldn't come up with enough money for the next surgery.

Noah's salary was not high either. His previous savings had been used up.

There seemed to be no way except borrowing money.

"Una."

Grandma woke up and reached out for me. Her rough fingertips relieved me.

"Grandma, are you uncomfortable?"

Grandma smiled.

"Una, you must have spent much money this time. Don't treat me anymore. Save some money for yourself."

Tears uncontrollably streamed down my face as I buried myself in grandma's arms.

"Grandma, it doesn't matter how much money I have to pay. I just hope you are well.

"Don't worry about money, I'm in the entertainment industry. I can earn a lot of money!"

Grandma smiled even more happily when she heard that.

"Una, you're beautiful and talented. You achieved good grades in school since you were a child and now you earn a lot.

"I'm so happy for you."

At this time, Noah came back.

"What happy thing are you talking about? Share with me."

Grandma called Noah over.

"Noah, you're back. Come. We family should spend time together.

"Noah, I have Una accompanying me recently. You should consider yourself more. You are already twenty-seven. You ought to date more."

Noah poured a glass of water for grandma. "I don't want to date. I just want to be with you and"

He paused for a moment and added, "Una."

I noticed his feelings for me and jokingly retorted, "I'm not a child. I don't need you to company."

Grandma looked outside and interrupted us. "It's evening now, I really crave the buns from downstairs."

Noah smiled and said, "I see, Grandma. I'll go buy them for you."

After Noah left, I massaged grandma's arm and teased, "Grandma, you make Noah run errands upon his coming. Let me do that next time."

Grandma looked at me quietly. After some time, she slowly spoke,

"Una, do you have feelings for Noah?

"Although he is your brother, you have no blood relation. Noah is a good young man. You grew up together since childhood. You're very intimate.

"I can tell that he likes you. If you also like him, I will be very supportive."

I can also sense Noah's feelings.

"I just want to be with you, Grandma. There is nothing else in my mind."

Grandma smiled and said, "Do you still remember your high school classmate?"

I was stunned.

It surprised me that Grandma still remembered Liam.

"Don't hide it from me. In high school, you used to talk about how amazing he was all the time. Now he has become a big star."

I smiled bitterly. "Yes, he has become a big star."

"He is so excellent, Una. If you like him, have a try and ask if he likes you.

"Show me his picture next time."

Somehow, I hurriedly escaped. "Grandma, I'm going downstairs to see why Noah hasn't come back yet."

I took a few steps out and found that Noah was standing at the door.

"Noah?"

Noah raised the buns in his hand and said, "I bought some buns. Can you take them to Grandma? I won't go in."

He turned around and was about to leave.

I shouted at him, "Noah, did you hear everything?

"Grandma was just joking. Don't take it to heart."

Noah turned his back to me and sighed.

"Una, Grandma meant it.

"Don't worry too much, I'll go calm down by myself."

I watched Noah's figure and called out to him.

"Noah.

"At least for now, I still want to treat you as my brother."

After giving the buns to grandma, I went downstairs to get some fresh air.

Maybe grandma is right. If I start a relationship with Noah, it can put her mind at ease.

Now my life revolves around Grandma, just like she used to run around for me when I was a child.

I pondered over Noah and grandma's words repeatedly, but in the end, I couldn't go against my heart.

I wrote a long message to Noah.

I told him that I only have familial affection for him.

Noah was straightforward, and he replied to me.

[Una, I think what I have for you is also familial affection. Don't overthink it.]

I stared at my phone absentmindedly, not noticing the person next to me.

"Is there anything I can help with?"

Upon hearing the familiar voice, I suddenly looked up. My feet slipped, and I was about to fall backwards.

Liam immediately supported me, and I fell steadily in his arms.

I closed my eyes for a second, then quickly stood up and put away my thoughts. "Why are you here?"