Chapter 10: Seeing Another Woman Get into His Car

It rained today, and it just so happened that yesterday Calliope parked her bike at the convenience store where she was working part-time. Later, Matthew gave her a ride home, so she didn't have a chance to ride her bike, which ended up getting soaked all night!

Calliope went to fetch her bike and move it to the company's underground parking lot. Just as she was about to leave, she spotted a familiar figure.

It was Lisa, sporting a tight dress and red-bottomed heels. She opened the back door of a black car and got in.

The car sped off, and Calliope quickly hid behind a pillar with her bike. As the car passed, she caught a glimpse of the license plate and her eyes went wide. It was Matthew's car!

She remembered it clearly because it was the same car that had taken her home last night. But Matthew had said that Lisa wouldn't have another chance to see him. So why were they together?

In that moment, any hope Calliope had left vanished. She shook her head with a bitter smile, thinking, 'Who do you think you are? Why would Mr. Moore give you special treatment?'

Calliope had turned Matthew down last night, and he immediately moved on to another woman. It seemed all men were the same—fickle and unfaithful, just like someone from her past.

Feeling a lump in her throat, Calliope checked her balance and rode her bike to a nearby tech store. She handed over her phone. "Trade-in."

She had bought this phone just before the Brown Family incident, planning to use it for five or six years. But now, she was barely scraping by, and Sophia's nursing fees needed to be paid. She had no choice but to sell the last valuable thing she had.

The store owner was used to employees from nearby companies pawning their phones or computers when they were short on cash. He formatted the phone in front of Calliope and reminded her, "This phone's durable, but it's a bit outdated. Don't fill up the memory, or it'll lag. Next time you buy a second-hand phone, I'll give you a discount."

Seeing the increased balance on her phone, Calliope thought for a moment and transferred most of the money to Bianca, keeping just enough to get by for the next half month.

Bianca: [Is there more?]

Calliope: [Yes, but I only kept a little. My next paycheck is in a month and a half, and I need some for living expenses.]

Bianca: [Send it all. $500 is enough for you. Doesn't your company have meal benefits?]

Calliope was speechless for a moment but eventually transferred another $2,000.

Calliope: [Here you go.]

She didn't send any more messages. Their conversation ended just like that.

Her phone rang again. Calliope really wasn't in the mood to answer, but the persistent ringing made her check.

The caller ID was Amelia Martinez. Anyone who knew a bit about the entertainment industry would recognize her as a small-time actress who hadn't been around long.

But the entertainment industry had a strict hierarchy, and Amelia was stuck at the bottom, occasionally stirring up scandals to stay in the spotlight. Many male and female stars had been used by her for publicity. Amelia would jump at any chance to get noticed. Her struggle in the industry was almost a mirror of Calliope's life.

If they hadn't been friends since middle school, Calliope really wouldn't want to constantly face another person's tough life.

"What's up?" Calliope asked.

"Come drink with me! I landed a supporting role in a big production. This is huge, and I have to celebrate with you!" Amelia exclaimed.

Calliope's time was usually super precious, but Amelia knew she had quit her part-time job at the convenience store and it was after work hours, so she insisted on her coming over.

Maybe deep down, Calliope also had some frustrations that needed a little alcohol therapy.

Whether it was fate or Amelia's plan, she picked the same bar where Calliope and Matthew first met!

After a few drinks, Amelia handed her a bank card with a sweet smile. "Calliope, last time you asked to borrow $30,000, I couldn't help you. I felt really bad about it. So, I got an advance on my pay from the director. I hope it's not too late."

"I don't need the $30,000 anymore, thanks, Amelia," Calliope replied.

Amelia looked confused. "Where did you get the money? Even if you sold your phone, it wouldn't fetch $30,000."

As soon as Calliope had arrived, Amelia had noticed her old phone. Even with a new case, it couldn't hide the poverty and helplessness emanating from it.

Calliope picked up her glass and suddenly smiled, "I sold myself."

"What?" Amelia shouted over the deafening music of the bar, loudly enough for those nearby to hear clearly.

Calliope quickly covered Amelia's mouth, turned to apologize to the people around, and then pulled her down, the two of them huddling together conspiratorially.

"Don't make a scene, I was just about to tell you. I need your advice," Calliope said.

"Alright, go ahead!" Amelia replied, suddenly serious.

Selling oneself for success wasn't uncommon in the entertainment industry. There were even actresses who would sit on a director's lap at dinner parties, trying to please another investor, practically becoming their shared toy.

But Amelia never thought she would hear such words from Calliope! That was Calliope, the belle of the ball since they were kids, the dream girl of countless men, with excellent grades, who went to a top university and then joined Ascend Global Group.

If people ignored the tragic elements of Calliope's family, everyone would dream to be her.

Calliope told Amelia about her recent experiences. They were each other's only friends, the ones they could trust with all their secrets.

That night, Sophia was outside the operating room, and without the money, the hospital wouldn't perform the surgery.

Every moment spent with Matthew in bed was excruciating for Calliope, both physically and mentally. Fortunately, it worked out in the end, a small blessing in a sea of misfortune.

Calliope thought she would never cross paths with Matthew again, but the next day, Matthew became her direct supervisor! Then came all the drama with Lisa.

After hearing everything, Amelia was silent for a long time before she suddenly slapped herself!

"What are you doing!" Calliope quickly grabbed her. Amelia wasn't drunk tonight, so why was she acting so crazy?

The next moment, Amelia hugged her tightly!