Chapter 112

As they entered the master bedroom, Winnie couldn't shake the feeling that it was a bit over the top. The room was as spacious as a top-tier hotel's presidential suite, simple yet elegant, with just a bed and a few uniquely designed columns. The floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across the entire room, and the cream-colored sofa, contrasting with the vast space, made it seem almost too empty. Van still held her, sitting on the sofa without any impatience. Winnie, concerned that his legs might start to ache from sitting too long, tried to pull away, but he gently pulled her back into his arms. "Did I tell you to leave?" Van's tone was calm, though a hint of affection gleamed in his eyes. "There's someone outside... we'll be seen," Winnie murmured, feeling a bit uneasy. "There's no one," Van said. Winnie, feeling helpless, wanted to turn her back to the window, but Van wouldn't allow it. He held her legs in place, adjusting her body so she faced the window while he stayed close behind her. "Mr. Marlowe..." Winnie's voice carried a trace of sadness, her nose tingling a bit, "I won't move." "Really?" Van smiled faintly, seemingly with a hint of self-mockery, lowering his head. "I suppose so, then let's not pretend." He deftly slid open the front of her nightgown, the straps already a bit long, and the motion almost revealed her fair skin. Winnie quickly reacted, softly struggling, "No, no, no, no, you're a gentleman..." Van smiled and let go of her chin, leaning down to kiss her lips. It was a gentle kiss, but with a subtle sense of control, almost like a silent declaration. Then he adjusted her position, pulling her back into his arms, making her sit sideways on his lap. "Tell me, why do you need to borrow money?" Van asked in a deep voice, his tone casual, but the weight of his steady presence made the question carry an underlying pressure. Winnie lowered her head and sighed softly, "My management company's plan for me is different from what I want. I never thought about this before, because the penalty fee is 130 million, plus an annual compensation of 3 million. That amount is almost astronomical for any celebrity, especially with the film industry's downturn in recent years. It's hard to save that much money on my own." She paused for a moment before continuing, "150 million to buy myself out, that's a condition that's almost crushing. My current status is actually making things harder for me. Even if a company wanted to take me on, they would have to consider that my commercial value has already peaked, and there's no real way to take me to new heights. But the penalty of over 100 million, that's a concrete expenditure—like the transfer fees for top-tier football players. The cost and the potential earnings just don't match, and that's why so many companies shy away. There was a company that once extended an olive branch, but they wanted me to star in two idol dramas, and I wasn't willing to do that." Van nodded, his gaze still fixed on her. "The second question—after the contract is terminated, have you found a new agency?" "I want to do it on my own," Winnie smiled slightly. "I need a partner, but I haven't found the right one yet." Van fell into thought for a moment. He recalled that just a few days ago, Wendy had also asked him to lend her money. She had tens of millions for a startup fund and originally planned to invest. But she seemed to need more, and her words were hesitant. He couldn't figure out what she needed such a high startup amount for. Van smiled, a humorous thought crossing his mind. "100 million won't be enough," he said. "I'll start with 300 million. Give it a try—if you manage to make a profit, even just one cent, I'll keep investing in you." Wendy's response at the time had been, "That's way too much!!!" But now, Van seemed to understand. What she wanted wasn't just the money, but something even more valuable—her plan might be far beyond what he'd imagined. Winnie stayed at the villa for the night, and early the next morning, she hurriedly said goodbye to the pony and stormed down the mountain in anger. Her steps were swift, and the angry aura surrounding her seemed to make the air freeze. Behind her, a black Benz quietly followed, the driver cautiously pressing the accelerator as the car slid along in her wake. "Don't follow me!" Winnie turned around, her eyes full of cold fury. "The young master said you always prefer to walk, and since it's difficult to get a cab here, if you don't mind, I have to follow you," the driver said with a slight bow. "Are you tired?" "I'm not tired!" Winnie replied, her tone icy.