Chapter 5 Force Her to Go Home? She Turns to Crystalbrook to Find the Best Leading Man

Laura thought she was hearing things. She stammered, "What, what did you say? Gloria, are you serious? Isn't this the child you've always dreamed of?"

Overnight, she had become a different person.

Gloria's eyes were red, her voice hoarse. "I've thought it through. This child isn't coming at the right time. Please help me arrange it."

Laura sighed, "You haven't been pregnant long enough for an abortion. You need to be at least forty days along. I can schedule the procedure for three weeks from now. Think it over carefully—do you really want this child or not?"

Leaving the hospital, Gloria's mind kept replaying the doctor's words.

"Gloria, you know your own body's condition. You were injured before, and it took three years to recover. If you go through with an abortion, it will damage your body again. If you want another child in the future, it won't be this easy."

"The child is innocent."

Gloria knew full well the child was innocent.

She loved this child more than anyone, but if she kept it, what would her life become?

As she looked up at the vast sky, a few birds spread their wings and soared high.

Should she sacrifice her entire life for one child?

She had already fallen into that toxic marriage. In the end, James still let her down.

This was her only chance to resist, to struggle out of the swamp.

Once the child was born, she wouldn't be able to escape even if she wanted to!

In just three years, James had already cut off her career prospects and entire social network.

After another five years, ten years, when she had lost both her looks and means of making a living, if James had a change of heart, where would she go?

That wasn't the life she wanted. The sadness in Gloria's eyes faded.

Since this path didn't work, she'd take another one!

James's power base was in Silverlake Springs. He couldn't possibly control the entire entertainment industry.Before leaving the entertainment industry, Gloria thought of that blockbuster film. With "Behind the Throne," she and the male lead both won Best Actor and Best Actress awards.

During that time, fans obsessively shipping her with Caspian Rivers went completely wild, and James was extremely jealous.

To make him happy, she had declared her love for him from afar at the awards ceremony, announcing to everyone that she was getting married and having children, starting the next chapter of her life.

If her comeback project could be filmed with Caspian, it would definitely be a hit!

She heard that Caspian had gone to Crystalbrook three years ago. Gloria found him among her thousand-plus contacts.

His profile picture was actually a still from filming "Behind the Throne."

In that photo, he was kneeling on one knee in black clothing.

Like a minister's costume.

With so many scenes, she couldn't remember which one this was.

Over the past three years, she hadn't paid much attention to the entertainment industry. With the film and television industry's downturn and the rise of short dramas, many artists had changed careers. She hadn't heard any news about him.

Maybe he'd stopped using this account long ago.

That would explain why it was frozen three years ago.

His feed only had one post - an edited clip from that show, probably shared for promotion back then.

With nowhere else to turn, Gloria tentatively sent a message: [Are you there?]

She thought this message would sink without a trace, but surprisingly, he replied quickly.

Caspian: [I'm here.]

She was shocked—an instant reply.

After all these years, was he still acting?

As she hesitated, her phone vibrated.

Caspian: [I've been waiting for you.]

Gloria: [If it's convenient, could we meet in person?]

Caspian: [Convenient.]

Caspian was even more agreeable than she'd imagined. Gloria bought the nearest flight and immediately flew to Crystalbrook.

During the four-hour flight, she felt anxious the whole time.

Never mind whether he was still acting—she didn't even have a script, yet she'd rushed over so impulsively. Wasn't that too presumptuous?

Caspian had disappeared after finishing his projects. He probably really disliked being disturbed, right?

Leaving the terminal, she immediately spotted Caspian standing in front of a black car, strikingly handsome.

He had shed his youthful innocence. His figure was tall and straight, his outstanding features eye-catching. His expression was as cool and aloof as ever, his thin lips pressed together.

His well-tailored suit outlined his fit physique. The corners of Caspian's eyes and brows revealed a lofty nobility.

He slowly raised his hand, revealing slender finger bones. A black bracelet coiled around his wrist, making him look both ascetic and otherworldly.

But when she looked at her face, Gloria seemed to see a complex emotion in them.

He spoke slowly, his voice cool and deep. "Gloria, long time no see."

"Long time no see, Caspian."

As their hands met, his palm was very warm. When it gently enveloped hers, it felt like someone had set fire to her hand, scattering dense, burning heat across the skin he touched.

After three years away, she hadn't had physical contact with anyone but James.

After the brief touch, she immediately withdrew her hand.

Their eyes met. His indifferent eyes seemed calm on the surface, but underneath, like a tranquil sea, storms were already brewing.

In the car.

Caspian beside her didn't speak, but his powerful presence made her even more nervous and anxious.

From the corner of his eye, Caspian glanced at Gloria sitting rigidly beside him.

She had changed a lot from before, as if someone had pulled out all her thorns, covered her brilliant radiance, and left her haggard.

Her slightly curled hair fell softly over her white coat. Crystalbrook was warm, yet she wore a thin winter coat. A fine layer of sweat had formed on her small face.

Although Gloria looked tired, her delicate, lovely face was still breathtakingly beautiful.

She used to be a thorny, dazzling rose; now she was a gentle, lovely magnolia.

Her slender fingers clutched tightly at her clothes, as if waiting for the right moment to speak.

The sun was setting—it was already dinnertime.

"Hungry?" he asked.

"Not hungry, I ate on the plane. I—"

Before Gloria could finish, her stomach made an untimely sound.

Caspian noticed the blush rising on her cheeks, and he said calmly, "Let's eat something first."

She bit her red lips, somewhat embarrassed. "Okay."

He took her to a private restaurant, but ordered dishes from Silverlake Springs.

They sat facing each other.

His gaze fell on her wool coat as he said flatly, "Aren't you hot?"

Only then did Gloria realize and took off her coat, revealing a shirt and jeans underneath.

Such a simple outfit, like a college student's, nothing like a married wealthy lady.

She took the hair tie from the server and efficiently tied up her hair, clean and neat.

Gloria held the warm glass in both hands and began. "Sorry for the sudden visit today. Actually, I wanted to ask if you have any interest in filming? I want to—"

In the dim light, Caspian had removed his suit jacket, leaving just his white shirt with two buttons undone, adding a touch of weariness to his coolness.

The only thing unchanged was his innate, lofty sense of oppression, which felt especially strong in this booth.

As if his domain occupied all four sides, his gaze at Gloria carried a meaningful danger in the dark lighting.

She didn't know if it was her imagination, but his eyes seemed to linger for a moment on her finger where she'd removed her wedding ring.

The mark from years of wearing the ring was still there.

"What?" His voice was low and lazy, quite pleasing to the ear. "What do you want?"