Chapter 52 Why Don't You Just Sleep with a Guy?

Chapter 52 Why Don't You Just Sleep with a Guy?
One day later, London.
In the RCA Fine Art Studios building.
Ellie stood before the massive wall, fists clenched and breath unsteady, steeling herself before the blank canvas.
As she mixed her paints, a voice laced with malice drifted in from the doorway.
"I heard that you caused quite a stir back home during your vacation, didn't you? Broken engagement, dating two men at the same time, and offending a local family. You're the laughingstock back home now!" Hazel Turner sneered, watching Ellie for any sign of embarrassment.
She was Ellie's rival and arch-enemy.
Ellie didn't react. Hazel pressed, "Bruce found out, and now everyone knows!"
Ellie responded calmly, "Slander is a form of worship. Are you worshipping me?"
"What are you so smug about? I'm just gloating!" Hazel snapped, instantly enraged.
"Hazel, when did you become so petty? I've always considered you my strongest rival. But now, you're hanging out with people I've already defeated. Are you lowering yourself?"
Hazel's expression changed instantly; her smirk faded, and she looked taken aback.
After a brief silence, Hazel stormed out.
Soon, the sound of a heated argument echoed from the other studios.
After dark, Hazel returned to the studio.
Her lips twitched as she looked at Ellie, who was already absorbed in her second piece, unfazed by Hazel's presence.
"Are you using me?!" she snapped, her anger flaring up.
Ignoring her, Ellie continued painting.
Hazel pushed, "I'm talking to you, Ellie!"
Ellie finally spoke, "Shut up!"
Hazel's temper flared.
Hazel kicked a plank on the floor.
Ellie finally turned.
Her tone was flat. "If you like it, go ahead and smash it."
"What's wrong with you?! You look so lifeless. Did your family die?"
Ellie's brush paused. "My last remaining relative has passed away."
Hazel's look changed.
The studio fell instantly silent.
Two seconds later, Hazel stepped forward, hugged Ellie tightly, and gently patted her back.
"Sorry!" She furrowed her brow, and her voice was filled with guilt. "I didn't know. I'm sorry, Ellie!"
Ellie gently pushed her away. "Let go. I can't breathe."
Hazel stepped aside, looking lost.
Ellie put down her paintbrush. "Let's not argue; I have a headache."
"Okay..." Hazel murmured.
Ellie began packing up her art supplies.
Hazel looked at her with concern. "You...why aren't you crying?"
"I can't cry."
"You've got to let it out somehow, right? I'll be there for you."
"Can you think of a way?"
"Let's go get drunk! It's on me—we won't stop until we're wasted."
Ellie nodded. "Okay."
Hazel grabbed her hand and headed for the door.
Then she blurted out, "How about we go beat someone up?"
"Okay."
"Then...go kill someone?" Hazel continued half-jokingly.
Ellie paused, then nodded. "Okay."
——
That night, the two arrived at an American-style diner.
They sat across from each other and ordered beer, fries, and chicken wings.
Hazel began to eat heartily.
Ellie, however, was only occasionally taking a sip of her drink.
Hazel raised her glass and clinked it against Ellie's. "Drink up! Let it all out. You hold yourself back too much. You need to balance work and rest."
"I know," Ellie nodded and downed her drink.
Hazel finished her drink, poured another, and said, "Don't be too upset, Ellie."
Out of the blue, Ellie blurted out, "I hate the name, Ellie."
Hazel found this a bit odd. "Then change your name. What's the big deal?"
Ellie lowered her head. "Yeah, it's no big deal. I'm just being dramatic."
"Um..." Hazel was momentarily at a loss for words.
She hurried to explain, "Losing a loved one is painful. You've already been really strong."
Ellie shook her head. "No, I'm exhausted."
Hazel suggested. "Hey, why don't you find a guy to sleep with? It's a way to let off some steam."
Ellie looked up at her and calmly said, "I did."
Hazel's hand jerked, and she nearly dropped the wine bottle. "What?!"
Ellie nodded. "I found one. We slept together."
Hazel's eyes widened in shock, her jaw dropping as she stared at Ellie, momentarily speechless.
"So, how was it? Was he handsome?"
A fleeting smile played at the corner of Ellie's mouth. "Very handsome."
"Then why not sleep with a few more? Find someone even better-looking?"
Ellie lowered her gaze. "There won't be anyone better than him."
"You rate him that highly? Just how good is he?"
Ellie thought for a moment, then said, "The best in the whole world."
She pulled out her phone and casually scrolled through the West City news, surprised to find that the situation had changed.
#Breaking News! The Chaos in West City Was Actually a Scheme Set Up by the Torres Family!#
#A spine-chilling scheme! The Torres family completes a major internal restructuring!#
#The Torres family expands its territory, leaving competitors reeling.#
#The heir of the Dark Vein displays astonishing power, seeking real authority, not fame.#
#The Light and Dark Branches have never truly split.#
Ellie stared in stunned silence, lips parted and heart pounding, before finally coming to her senses.

How could the true movements of such a top-tier family ever appear in public news so easily?

It's just a façade.

She shook her head, letting out a tense exhale, and put down her phone.
Still in shock, Hazel asked, "Just how amazing and handsome is this guy? I really want to meet him! Why don't you just have him come over?"
Ellie was silent for a moment before saying, "Dudes only slow my climb."
"Well said!" Hazel raised her glass to clink with Ellie's. "Unless he can actually make you even better!"
Ellie's hand, halfway to her lips with her glass, trembled and paused in midair, her eyes widening slightly in surprise.
Hazel turned her head and urged, "Drink up! Why are you spacing out?"
Ellie downed her drink in one gulp and asked, "Which is more painful, separation in life or parting in death?"
Hazel raised both hands high. "Both at once, of course! Stack the buffs!"
Ellie sighed and called out, "Are you crazy, Hazel Turner?"