Star Actress 177

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Chapter 177 

“Hello?” 

Emily hesitated for a moment before answering the call. She suspected it might be someone from the Johnson family, but she didn’t expect it to be a complete stranger. 

“Ms. Johnson, hello, this is Raina. Are you free tomorrow? I’d like to meet with you and discuss something important.” 

“Ms. Smith, we don’t seem to have any connection. What could be so important that you’d need to talk to me?” 

Emily found Raina’s approach somewhat suspicious. But she didn’t want to show her hand too soon. If Raina turned out to be an enemy, it was better to keep her guard up. 

Raina seemed genuinely calm and composed. She responded with a smile, “I get why you’re cautious. But don’t worry, I won’t harm you. If I did, Daniel wouldn’t let me off the hook. I wouldn’t do anything that would harm myself. It’s about Veda and the others. I’m doing this for your benefit, and I genuinely admire you, Ms. Johnson. I’d love to be friends with someone like you. Would you be open to that?” 

Her words were measured and sincere, making it easy to feel comfortable around her. 

Emily felt touched and replied, “Sure, just let me know the time and place. By the way, how did you get my number?” 

Raina was impressed with Emily’s quick thinking. She didn’t panic and instead apologized, “Sorry, I took the initiative. Knowing you were James’s former fiancée, I figured he must have your number. So, I asked him and decided to give it a try. I’m glad I reached you.” 

Emily pretended to be annoyed, “Next time, I don’t want anything involving James. If you want to be friends, understand?” 

“You want to be friends with me? That’s great! Don’t worry, I understand.” 

Raina was quick to catch the important part, and her joyful tone made it clear she was genuinely happy to have Emily as a friend. 

After arranging to meet the next day, Raina ended the call. 

As Emily hung up the phone, Daniel had already set the table with the dishes he had prepared. Then came Daniel’s attentive care for Emily. Emily could feel his genuine effort, even removing the fish bones for her and gently placing the fish on her plate, “Eat up, there are no bones. You don’t have to worry about choking.” 

Emily’s emotions were hard to describe. She felt both moved and a little sad. She actually liked the taste of fish, but when she was younger, she once ate fish at a wedding banquet, and in her haste, she didn’t remove the bones and ended up choking on them. Since then, she had avoided eating fish. 

Back at the Johnson Villa, she wanted to eat fish but was too afraid. Everyone in the family remembered Bianca’s preferences but never knew what Emily liked or disliked. Once, Bianca offered her some fish, and when she refused, it was seen as an insult, leading to a barrage of scolding. 

At this moment, Emily pursed her lips and held back her tears. Daniel seemed to genuinely care for her, trying to understand her. 

Emily took a bite of the fish, and with tears in her eyes, smiled at Daniel, “It’s delicious. I really like it.” 

She felt completely satisfied with this meal. Daniel noticed her fondness for fish and made sure most of the fish ended up in her stomach. 

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Chapter 177 

She indulged herself, letting him remove the bones, and felt very content. 

“How are you feeling? I can give you another acupuncture session later, Emily offered, wanting to repay Daniel and considering using some of her energy to give him acupuncture. 

Daniel seemed to read her thoughts and said, “I’ve been feeling great since taking the medicine you prescribed and the last acupuncture session. You’ve had a long day, let’s wait until next time.” 

He treated her with genuine care, never acting superior and always considering her well–being. 

Emily felt that if this continued, she might really fall for him. But having experienced betrayal, she was still hesitant about relationships. 

In the end, Emily didn’t insist and left. 

On her way out, she couldn’t help but think of Daniel, and even felt a bit of affection for his dogs. 

“Cloudy, Biscuit, let’s go for a walk. Excited?” she called out. 

Emily didn’t expect to run into Daniel outside. 

“Why aren’t you resting? I’ll take Cloudy and Biscuit for a walk,” she said. 

Daniel explained, “I wanted to walk off dinner. Didn’t expect to run into you.” 

He naturally took the leash from Emily’s hand. 

“It is quite a coincidence,” Emily smiled. 

But she didn’t fully believe it. The villa was large enough for a walk. Knowing Daniel, he wouldn’t have the time to just walk off dinner. Yet, oddly enough, Emily didn’t find his lie disturbing. 

They walked the dogs, chatting casually. 

In a villa like this, the residents were wealthy and influential, and some knew Daniel. When they saw the rumored single Daniel with a woman, chatting and laughing, and the way Daniel looked at her with affection, they were surprised. 

One of them said, “Is this Mr. Smith’s girlfriend? You two make a perfect couple!” 

Daniel didn’t clarify, just changed the subject, and moved on with Emily. But his lack of denial was a tacit confirmation. 

Soon, the news spread in their social circle, 

Originally, Daniel’s decision to bring Emily to the Smith Villa was an acknowledgment of her status. But the Smith family members kept quiet, miraculously keeping the matter under wraps. Those who had previously insulted Emily were now silent, pondering how to earn Daniel’s forgiveness. 

Veda and Zoey saw the news in their group chat, prompting Zoey to call Veda. 

“Veda, I heard Mr. Smith has a girlfriend? Is it true?” Zoey’s crush on Daniel was no secret. Both families had considered a marriage alliance, but Daniel, being powerful and independent, had always resisted. Seeing Daniel getting older, Mason had hoped to discuss his 

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marriage during the family gathering. As the true leader of the Smith family, everyone hoped for a suitable marriage that would strengthen their position. 

No one expected Daniel to bring Emily back. 

“Zoey, how did you find out? I told everyone to keep it quiet. Who leaked it?” Veda suspected a traitor among the Smith family’s staff. Though close to Zoey, Veda was selfish about family secrets. If Zoey had bribed the staff, Veda would distance herself from her. 

Zoey, trained as a family heir, knew better than to cross such lines. 

“Just look at this!” Zoey sent a photo of Daniel and Emily walking dogs together, which had driven her nearly mad. 

Seeing the photo, Veda’s first thought was that they were living together. 

“That woman is shameless and manipulative. Besides her looks, she has nothing. Do you think she can marry Daniel?” Veda spoke with certainty.