Heartstrings on Fire

But Agnes didn’t dwell on it too much, because the 20k was already enough to give her a headache.
Agnes wasn’t strapped for cash, but she did get her allowance transferred to her bank account by Laura each month.
The money was just enough to cover her monthly expenses. But how was she supposed to handle the sudden influx of this extra
20k?
Ask Laura? No way, Agnes couldn’t do that.
Agnes thought of Jared, but quickly knocked herself on the head. She absolutely wouldn’t ask Jared for money either.
When Agnes got home, she started job hunting in the evening. Eventually, she found a job at an entertainment newspaper.
This society, known as “CHERRY“, was actually a team dedicated to tracking down juicy gossip on famous celebrities.
Agnes was a journalism student, and in this field, entertainment reporters were at the bottom of the food chain.
But Agnes needed the money, and this job offered a hefty commission. Given Agnes background, the editor–in–chief, Siam,
immediately greenlit her interview and made her an assistant to Ben.
Ben was the top in CHERRY, a veteran entertainment reporter who was pretty well–known in the business. He was the first to
leak the news about A–list actress Virginia’s secret marriage and child. Many celebrities had a bone to pick with him.
Ben had a mission today, so he brought Agnes with him to Willowbrook International Airport.
After a two–hour stakeout in the car, Agnes couldn’t hold her tongue anymore. “Who the heck are we shooting today?”
Taking a drag of his cigarette, Ben answered, “Mamie.”
Agnes gasped, “Isn’t she in Hollywood shooting a new movie with director Cameron?”
Mamie was undoubtedly a top–tier celeb. She started her career at 16, and in ten years, her career skyrocketed with countless
awards. She was also internationally recognized as one of the most beautiful women. In recent years, she began breaking into
Hollywood, and her market value steadily climbed, especially after becoming the lead actress in Cameron’s movie, which raised
eyebrows worldwide.
Besides, Mamie was the daughter of the Bartley family, one of the Four Families of Willowbrook, so she was kind of a big deal.

The Bartley family was a dynasty in the entertainment industry, with their “Century Entertainment” holding a major stake in the
industry, which always overshadowed her father’s Starlight International Group.
Ben casually mentioned, “I heard that Mamie has finished shooting the movie and is returning home today. If all goes well, we
might snag some juicy gossip.”
Agnes asked, “What kind of gossip? Her super–secret boyfriend?”
Ben raised an eyebrow at Agnes and said, “You’re sharp.”
Agnes was intrigued. This rumor had been circulating for a while that Mamie had a mysterious boyfriend; there where even
whispers of a secret marriage. But this mysterious man had never been caught on camera, becoming one of the biggest
mysteries in the entertainment world.
After another two–hour wait, Agnes was dozing off but was abruptly woken up by Ben: “She’s out, quick, snap some pics!”
Agnes was quick on her feet, picked up her DSLR, focused, and started shooting non–stop..
Agnes was beside herself with excitement because Mamie indeed appeared with a man, and she was even atm in arm with him.
But after a few shots, Agnes suddenly froze like she was under a spell, unable to move a muscle.
Agnes fixated on the man in her telephoto lens, the one who was arm in arm with Mamie.
It was Jared!