Keith nodded. “If you’re heading back to the Sullivan family, let me know if anyone gives you a hard time. I can come over and spend the holidays with you.”

Amara shot him an exasperated look. “Just take a break, okay? Spend the holidays with your parents. They must be incredibly frustrated with you lately, so try to smooth things over with them.”

Although she utterly despised Edith Winters West and Nathan West, Amara didn’t want Keith’s relationship with his parents to deteriorate because of her. She hated the idea of being the wedge between anyone and their family.

Keith sighed. “Don’t worry about me. Our family is what it is. As long as I’m in this industry, my relationship with them will never be good. There’s nothing I can do about it.”

Amara let out a soft sigh, choosing not to say anything more.

Keith was right. Edith and Nathan had always staunchly opposed his acting career. Unless he quit the entertainment industry entirely, there was no chance of their relationship improving.

Meanwhile, Liliana arrived at the Everly Group HQ, holding a box of pastries.

Staring up at the towering skyscraper, she took a deep breath, pushed the doors open, and walked inside.

She knew she couldn’t just sit around waiting for Emma Everly to make a move. She needed to actively pursue Finnian herself. She had to use their shared past to soften his heart bit by bit, which was why she brought his favorite pastries.

But the moment she approached the front desk to ask the receptionist to announce her, she was stopped cold. “Ms. Porter, you are not allowed inside the Everly Group. Please leave.”

Liliana froze. “What do you mean I’m not allowed?”

The receptionist maintained a professional tone. “Mr. Everly gave strict orders two days ago. He stated that Ms. Porter is no longer permitted on the premises, and if we see you, we are to escort you out.”

Liliana’s face drained of color. What was happening? Had Finnian completely blacklisted her?

She knew Finnian was deeply frustrated with her right now, but she never imagined he would officially ban her from the building. Just how much did he hate her to go to such lengths?

A wave of agonizing heartbreak washed over her, leaving her entirely at a loss.

Noticing the strange looks the

receptionist was giving her, Liliana’s

heart skipped a beat. Even if she

was devastated, she couldn’t show it, or she would only Fumiliate herself further.

She offered the receptionist a stiff, polite smile to mask her embarrassment, turned on her heel, and hurried out of the building.

The rejection stung like a physical blow. She never thought things between her and Finnian would plummet to this point, but she still had work to do, so she rushed back to the set.

Lately, she had been filming *Embers of Eternity*, a fantasy epic where she played the leading lady.

She had always secured lead roles, but back then, she had Finnian’s backing. No matter where she went, people would flock to flatter her, and she lived a life of absolute luxury.

Now that she had lost Finnian, the flattery vanished, and her industry resources had dried up. The upcoming scripts she received were mediocre at best.

Even as the lead actress on this set, hardly anyone bothered to pay her any special attention. Her days of being surrounded by an entourage were gone forever.

Liliana retreated to her dressing

tel

room to collect herself. She reached for a glass of water, only to find it completely cold. Fury flared in her chest she wanted to yell at her assistant to fetch a fresh one, but when she turned around, the girl was nowhere to be found. She was absolutely livid.

After firing that wretched Nora, she had hired a new assistant.

She thought the new girl would be obedient and much better than her predecessor.

But while the new assistant was

indeed docile, she was entirely incompetent. She lacked any sense of intuition, constantly bungled. tasks and drove Liliana, up the wall on a daily basis. Everything was just so frustratingly difficult now.