Chapter 806 Meeting Rory Again
At the movie press conference where Derrick was the producer, Kate brought Crystal to the event. When Derrick saw the duo, an impatient glint flashed in his eyes. Holding his hand, Tiffany shook her head at him.
Derrick gripped her hand and told her guiltily, “I’m sorry, Tiff.” At that, Tiffany was amused and asked, “Did you do something that you need to say sorry for?”
Derrick was stunned for a moment, gazing at Tiffany more affectionately. Then, he reached out his hand to caress her cheek and planted a kiss on her nose. “Thank you for understanding. I’m so lucky to be able to marry you.”
Tiffany smiled plainly in response, but a gloomy look flashed across her eyes. Kate did not even bother hiding her annoyance for Tiffany. To outsiders, Crystal seemed more like her daughter-in-law than Tiffany was, placing the latter in an awkward place. Although she was Derrick’s wife, she did not get the respect she deserved from the Hissons. When Derrick was not at home, some housekeepers even deliberately ignored her.
After Tiffany married into the Hisson family, she faced restrictions in whatever she did. In comparison, her life before marriage was way more interesting.
Without a doubt, she had sacrificed a lot for this marriage.
Kate led Crystal over and said, “Derrick, I wish for nothing but success for your movie. I saw all the achievements you made for yourself along the way, and I’m proud of you.”
Crystal also passed him a gift and smiled politely. “Derrick, I hope your second movie will be successful. You’re one of the most successful businessmen I saw jumping from the publishing industry to the entertainment industry. I’m very proud of you. Once you take over Hisson Group, I’m sure your career will prosper even more.”
Derrick took over the gifts and exchanged a few words of pleasantries before making an excuse, leading Tiffany away.
Seeing that, Crystal did not get angry. After all, her hastiness was the reason to blame for missing her chance with Derrick. As such, she was willing to wait now. She had devised many plans—even driving Tiffany’s brother into a corner—just to make Kate hate Tiffany more. As her plan was bound to succeed, she would not give up halfway on something she had poured so much effort into.
Fearing Crystal would get angry, Kate patted her hand. “Crystal, be patient. Once the timing is right, we can roll out our plan.”
Crystal shook her head and smiled sweetly. “I’m fine. I’ve been enduring for so many years, anyway. I can wait for a little longer.”
This made Kate appreciate Crystal’s calm demeanor. “A woman like you suits Derrick more. You’re calm and able to help him if anything arises. Unlike Tiffany, who isn’t considerate of Derrick and only knows how to throw tantrums. She’s so petty! I don’t know what Derrick likes about her to give up on such a good woman like you,” Kate distorted the truth while furrowing her eyebrows.
Crystal comforted, “If men didn’t date a few childish women before a mature one, how would they know what’s good for them? I’m sure after Tiffany, Derrick would know the best person for him is me.”
Kate laughed. “You’re right for thinking that way.”
While the duo was chatting happily, Derrick and Tiffany went to greet Amelia and her family, who were also invited.
A glint flashed across Amelia’s eyes when she caught sight of Kate standing together with Crystal. However, as it was the movie’s press conference, the leads were currently undergoing final preparation to go on stage. Although Derrick did not need to do so as the producer, he needed to greet all the guests invited. After all, he invested a huge amount of money into this movie.
“Derrick, I hope your second movie will be a hit, and that you’ll become a giant in the publishing industry and the entertainment industry.” Amelia gave her blessing and passed him the gift she prepared.
Derrick accepted the gift and replied, “Thank you. I’m thankful that both you and Mr. Clinton can make time to come over.”
Amelia glanced at Tiffany and implied something through her words. “As long as you treat Tiffany well, I don’t mind letting Oscar invest in Kany Production Company. She’s my best friend, so anything that happens to her affects me as well. I’m willing to do anything to ensure her happiness as long as she brings it up.”
Derrick could tell Amelia was warning him indirectly. However, he was not infuriated by it. After all, he would treat Tiffany well since she was his wife. Although he knew Tiffany was undergoing some hardships, he supposed it would be good for her to gain experiences through it.
Not only was Tiffany his wife, but she was also the daughter-in-law of the Hissons. Their family was affluent and had complex social relationships. Thus, there was no way Derrick could protect her every time. It would be better if he could let go. This way, Tiffany would be able to grow strong enough to create a happy life with him.
Derrick was sure others would understand his efforts soon enough.
Thus, he replied seriously, “She’s my wife, so I’ll definitely treat her well.”
Derrick continued to chat with Oscar before the former was called away by someone else. Although he wanted Tiffany to go with him, she rejected, “You should go with Oscar and meet with the other guests. I’ll bring Amelia and Tony to eat.”
Derrick nodded.
Meanwhile, Amelia told Oscar to go along with Derrick, and Oscar agreed.
Tiffany brought Amelia over to the place where the food was laid out. After giving Tony some of his favorite food, she sat with Amelia in the lounge room specially prepared for guests.
Amelia said, “What is Mrs. Hisson thinking to bring Crystal to an event like this? Isn’t she scared Derrick would get angry by how she’s treating you?”
Tiffany shrugged. “Ever since she fainted and was sent to the hospital, she never hid her disgust for me. Back in the days, she would still treat me well in front of Derrick. However, she only ignores me now. She was also the one who asked Crystal to stay when she planned to return to Irushea. I guess she doesn’t like me to the point of wanting Crystal to hang around to make me uncomfortable.”
After hearing that, Amelia barked an angry laugh.
It was quite rare to meet a mother-in-law like Kate.
Although the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was hard to deal with, Kate was on another level in how she could not stand seeing her son happy. Derrick and Tiffany were clearly in love, but Kate had to make them suffer to satisfy her.
As a mother, it seemed that her feelings were more important than her son’s happiness.
Unbeknonst to Amelia, she would know soon enough just how shameless Kate would be when she saw how Tiffany suffered in her marriage.
“Tiff, if I knew your mother-in-law was like this, I would have never agreed for you and Derrick to get involved,” she declared.
However, Tiffany shook her head. Compared to the past, she handled things way more maturely now. She was no longer her outspoken self and was mature enough not to have prejudices toward anything.
“Amelia, I’m glad I was able to meet Derrick. If it were not for him, I wouldn’t be able to understand what exactly love is. I’ve written many intense romantic stories back then, having many readers praising them. However, they didn’t know I’m actually one without much dating experience and had imagined all of the stories.” Tiffany smiled. “I finally understood what love is and could write stories that could perfectly show the ups and downs of it. If it weren’t for Derrick, I wouldn’t be able to have such a deep understanding of it.”
Amelia opened her mouth, but she had nothing to say.
If one asked if she regretted meeting Oscar, she would have denied it. Most of their past was unhappy, and Amelia only had a year or two of good memories with him. Even so, she only remembered their happy moments. In fact, she had forgotten their unpleasant past, only reminiscing them in dreams.
After that, Amelia easily changed the topic. The atmosphere in the room was pleasant as the duo chatted while Tiffany played with Tony.
However, someone had to ruin their rarely peaceful moment.
“Hello, Ms. Winters,” a female voice butted in.
Amelia turned around to look. The owner of the voice was none of other than Crystal.
The smile on Amelia’s face stiffened as she answered, “Why are you here, Ms. Halliwell?”
Without hesitating, Crystal went and sat on the other side of them before replying, “I saw you coming here, so I tried my luck to see if I could meet you. I guess my luck worked out since I bumped into you two. I hope you won’t mind me sitting here.”
Amelia frowned. Well, you already sat there, didn’t you? It doesn’t matter if we mind or not.
“Ms. Halliwell, feel free to sit here. Tiff and I still have something going on, so we’ll take our leave now,” she answered while picking Tony up.
Crystal shrugged nonchalantly and smiled. “Ms. Winters, are you choosing to avoid me because you think Tiffany is going to lose to me?”
Amelia gave her a half-smile and said slowly, “It’s a good thing to be confident. However, being too confident is a sign of conceitedness. It’s a kind of sickness by being too full of oneself, and you should consider treatment. I know a specialist that specializes in this area, should I recommend the doctor to you?”
Tony added, “Mommy, I think she’s way beyond cure. I heard that if a conceited person dies, their skin will become wrinkly and ugly. Mommy, you and Godmother should stay away from her to prevent being infected. That’s what the television says.”
Crystal’s expression changed, and she rolled her eyes at Tony.
She felt humiliated after being shamed by a child.
Tiffany carried Tony over and pressed a few kisses onto his cheek. Then, she gushed, “Tony, you make me so proud! You know how I don’t like flies like her and even said such deep words to disgust her. I love you so much!”
Tony did not retaliate and instead allowed her to kiss his cheek.
A vicious and resentful glint flashed in Crystal’s eyes as she looked at the duo’s interaction.
“Tiffany, don’t be so smug. Nobody knows who’s going to win in the end. Old Mrs. Hisson is very satisfied with me, so you’re going to need to hand over the position of Mrs. Hisson once Derrick gets sick of you,” Crystal told her obnoxiously before walking out cockily.
After she left, Tiffany placed Tony down. She was at a loss, the smile on her face disappearing.
Amelia tugged her over and comforted her, “Don’t pay her any heed. Let’s go out. The press conference should have started by now.”
Tiffany nodded in response.
Amelia and Tiffany led Tony out and stood beside Derrick and Oscar.
When Amelia saw the actors and actresses talking under the spotlight, she found one of them familiar.
Pointing at a female actress at the end of the table, she asked, “Tiff, does that female actress look familiar to you?”
After Tiffany looked over, she thought for a moment before blurting out, “Isn’t that Rory Sanders? When did she become an actress?”
Realization struck Amelia. No wonder she looks so familiar. She’s Rory Sanders! After not seeing her for months, she became mature, and her skin looks fairer. But her jaw looks a bit sharp, and her face seems a bit stiff. She must have done something to her face.
The Rory now was nothing of the innocent impression Amelia had for her.
Amelia shook her head, feeling that Rory had become a different person. It had been less than two years since the latter had graduated, but she had worked as a caregiver and an office worker before becoming an actress. Amelia could not help but admire her capability.
Tiffany sneered. “This woman is quite capable. I can’t believe it took her just a few months to become an actress. I wonder who’s the person backing her?”
Amelia shook her head, not really concerned about Rory.
Meanwhile, Oscar noticed Rory and managed to recognize her. His expression darkened as he told Amelia, “Amelia, if you don’t like her, I can make her disappear from Tayhaven.”
“It’s fine. She’s just someone unimportant. It isn’t easy for her to make a living in Tayhaven too. As long as she’s smart enough, we can just ignore each other’s existence.”
At that, Oscar averted his gaze. Since Amelia did not care, he did not find the need to bother with such an irrelevant person.
After the conference was done, Amelia and Oscar were planning on leaving. Unexpectedly, she suddenly felt a stab of pain in her stomach. “Oscar, bring Tony out first. I need to use the washroom,” she said.
Oscar nodded before ordering Jolin to go with her.
After letting Jolin wait outside for her, Amelia went inside alone.
When she came out of the cubicle, she saw a tall woman standing before the basin. Thinking that the woman seemed familiar, she finally saw that it was Rory after the latter turned around.
Rory was also stunned upon seeing her. However, she quickly restrained herself and plastered a smile on her face. “Long time no see, Amelia. I was just wondering if I would see you here after hearing that Mr. Hisson was the investor in this movie. Unexpectedly, here you are. It seems that you became more beautiful after not meeting you for a few months,” Rory started politely.
Amelia glanced at her and answered courteously, “You became better-looking too. I almost didn’t recognize you. I didn’t expect you to become an actress. It had just been a few months since we last met, after all.”
Rory smiled and answered, “I was accompanying a friend to an audition when a talent agency took interest and signed a contract with me. Thus, they told the screenwriter to add a minor role with a few sentences in the movie. I’m sure it’s a role someone with your status wouldn’t bother with.”
Upon hearing that, Amelia merely smiled and did not answer.
After Rory embarrassed her like that, Amelia was already kind enough not to take revenge, let alone have a nice chat with her.
