Inferiority and Redemption

Michaela Baxter was woken up by the vibrating phone.

She instinctively checked the time. It was 2 a.m. She muttered 'crazy' and tapped on WeChat.

Rosa Snow: Michaela... Breaking news! Your husband cheated on you!

Rosa: Picture [link]

Rosa: The mistress is the popular star, Anahi Gaines! Wake Up...

Her brain was confused for seconds before a streak of light shone in. Michaela sobered up instantly and sat up with a start. Having no time to reply to her bestie, she tapped on Weibo.

Trending Topic No. 1: #Ridge and Anahi

It ended with a striking 'B' as in breaking.

Michaela and Ridge Hoover had been married for two years. After their wedding, Ridge didn't leave her in the cold, though he was very busy. He would send her the latest handbags, clothes, and other stuff to make her feel less lonely from time to time.

Not in her wildest dreams had she expected Ridge would cheat on her!

Gossip Hamal V: At 11 p.m. on the 17th day, a reporter snapped pictures of a male star surnamed Hoover going to the room of a female star surnamed Gaines soon after he returned to the hotel. At 2 a.m. on the 18th day, he came out of the room. The two stayed together for around three hours. The reporters contacted the staff of both parties but haven't received any responses...

Michaela slid down and found the video.

In the footage, Ridge walked to the door of Anahi's room, looked around, and knocked on the door. When Anahi opened it, she was wearing a nightgown. They conversed for a while before Ridge got in. Three hours later, he came out.

"Cheating..." Michaela narrowed her eyes, snorted, and immediately dialed the number of Ridge's assistant.

As soon as the line was through, Michaela shouted before Gustavo Woodard could open his mouth, "You! Print out a divorce agreement, take it to that unfaithful man, and tell him to sign it now! I'm divorcing him!"

Gustavo was stunned...

30 minutes later, he arrived at the hotel with the divorce paper.

In the hotel room, Ridge's studio team was racing against time to deal with the news. His agent, Colby Parrish, was contacting people to delete the posts.

"Yes, it's a misunderstanding! Ridge isn't dating Miss Gaines. Sheer misunderstanding, right...."

"During the three hours, the other members of the crew were also in Miss Gaines's room. They were discussing the script. It was not just the two of them. Those trolls made it up!"

Colby talked till his mouth was parched, and those partners were finally pacified. Then he started to focus on the web.

He let out a deep sigh and looked at Ridge, who was sitting silently on the sofa. His bad mood was reasonable.

It was understandable. Everyone would be upset by such hype.

"Ridge, we're at the late stage of the filming, so you'd better not turn hostile to Anahi. Cool down, man...."

"I'm not thinking about that...." Ridge said helplessly.

"Then what is it?"

Ridge was just about to answer when the doorbell rang.

He knew what would happen the moment his assistant got in.

Before Gustavo could take out the divorce paper, Ridge spoke first, "Don't take it out. Buy a shredder tomorrow and put the paper into it in front of Michaela."

Then something suddenly occurred to him. Ridge held his phone and checked on Weibo.

"The couple I'm rooting for is getting real! Hold the banner high for them! I wish @Ridge and @Anahi happiness forever! Go for it!"

"Huge fan, take a break! Happiness forever, seriously? You get high before anything gets serious. Ridge is pretty alone, okay?"

"They stayed in the same room for three hours. It's long enough for full service. Be a man, come out and admit it: simple romance, no biggie. Anahi is pretty and nice. Every man will love her. @Ridge, come out and admit your relationship!"

When Ridge read the third comment, his face fell.

Colby tensed up, "What's wrong? Is anyone stirring things up again? Randy, bring it down!"

Out of anxiety, Randy Patel sweated, "Colby, someone hired trolls to bring up the heat. We brought it down to 23, and now it bounces back to 11!"

Colby cursed, "Randy, bring it down. Jerry, is the clarification statement ready? Publish it ASAP!"

While the team was in a flurry, Ridge got up, went back to the bedroom, and dialed Michaela's number.

At that moment, Michaela was having fun stirring up trouble on Weibo. When the caller ID popped up on the screen, she was taken aback.

As soon as she answered the call, Ridge's lazy voice came over, "Honey, is it fun?"

Michaela made a vomiting face and replied in a sweet voice, "Yes, honey, when will you sign the divorce paper? I'm tired of waiting...."

"I'll ask Gustavo to get you a shredder. Whenever you bring up divorce, the papers will be inserted, and the scraps are my answer. Gustavo's trip could also be saved." Ridge laughed.

Her face fell immediately. "Ridge! You scum! Unfaithful man! Bah!" She hammered the quilt and snarled.

His anxiety vanished from her abuse. Ridge couldn't help but laugh, "Michaela, save your energy cuz I won't divorce you. No matter how many divorce papers you send me, the result is the same."

"Are you dull?" Michaela scolded, "Our family is a leech feeding off you! If you don't want to lose everything, divorce me as soon as you can!"

Michaela yelled and hung up the phone. The rims of her eyes reddened with anger.

Fine, since she couldn't stir things up, she would roast him online!

Michaela logged back in, calling him scum, coward, idiot... on his Weibo page.

Then her 56th account was suspended...

The room fell silent for several seconds.

"Ridge, you jerk!"

...

The following day...

The top trending topic changed from #Ridge, and Anahi to #Ridge denies the relationship.

A clarification statement had been published as the top post on Ridge Studio's Weibo page. It went far and wide online. On top of that, they planned to sue the trolls for maliciously spreading the video and the journalists for the candid camera in the hotel.

Early in the morning, Michaela put on makeup and sunglasses before going out.

As expected, she was scolded when she reached home.

"What's going on with that Ridge boy and you? As his wife, you didn't know he cheated on you?" Lionel Baxter pointed at her nose and scolded angrily, "Is he planning to divorce you? Fine! He must leave without his fortune!"

Michaela crossed her legs, peeling an orange while replying, "He won't divorce me."

"Really?" Lionel's eyes lit up, "That would be great, but you should urge him to break up with that coquette! Those shameless women aim for his money!"

Michaela sneered in her heart. Didn't he agree to their marriage also for the sake of money...

Lionel sat down and naturally took the peeled orange. "Speaking of which, Ridge cheated on you because you couldn't attract him. You used to be an amateur model. Wasn't seducing men your specialty?" He said while eating.

Michaela stopped chewing, fell into silence, and grinned, "Dad, amateur models can't match coquettes. Besides, he goes on shows all over the world. Once there is a TV drama to film, he'll have to stay with the crew for months. Even if I want to seduce him, he is always beyond reach."

"I disagreed when you wanted a secret marriage! What, your status as an amateur model is dishonorable? Now I can see clearly how insatiable he is!"

Michaela smiled silently.

She had lunch with her father and then left.

In the car, Michaela couldn't help but sneer.

Amateur model... Didn't she work as an amateur model for the sake of his damn gambling debt? Now that he was free from the debt, he began to despise her for her occupation.

She took out her cell phone and texted Ridge. There wasn't a reply, and she believed he might be acting in a drama.

...

The crew...

Because of the news published at midnight, the atmosphere was depressing. No one dared to gossip about it since the man was now in the act.

A costume drama named The Regent was being filmed. In the play, the Regent spared the daughter of a sinned minister from the previous reign. To survive and investigate the case, the woman decided to seduce the Regent.

In the scene today, the regent was bathing in the pool, and the daughter of the sinned minister came to serve him.

Before the filming, the director talked with Ridge and Anahi out of his worries about their performance.

"You cool?" The director looked at Ridge and then Anahi, "This scene is crucial. It's okay if you're off your game today. We can shoot other scenes first."

"It's fine for me, and let's hear Ridge's opinion." Because of the news, Anahi didn't dare to talk with Ridge in private. Her clothes were a bit thin, and the color of her bellyband could be seen.

Her figure was good. In the past shows, she often wore dresses that set off her figure. Her advantage never failed to be highlighted in the posters.

In some bold variety shows, Anahi's male partners were even asked if they had physical reactions when performing intimate scenes with Anahi.

Ridge glanced at Anahi, and the latter sheepishly lowered her head.

"Let's do it." Ridge said, "The scene has been set up after all."

The director stroked his nose, "Okay, get ready, let's make it in one shot."

...

The regent took off his clothes, revealing his firm chest, sat in the pool, rested his arms on the edge, closed his eyes, and enjoyed a moment of relaxation.

Just then, the sound of footsteps suddenly came from behind.

The regent opened his eyes, turned sideways, and saw a piece of tulle falling to the floor out of the corner of his eye. Then a woman with a curvy figure came up and got into the pool. She was only wearing a red bellyband.

The regent saw the beautiful view and curled his lips, but his eyes were filled with coldness, "Who permitted you to have a bath with me?"

Anahi played Lainey Wright, the daughter of the sinned minister. "Your Highness, thank you for sparing my life. I'm grateful for your kindness and hope to return your favor..." She smiled.

She moved close to the regent, rested her hands on his shoulders, dropped her mouth to his ear, and whispered, "Your Highness, do I have the honor to serve you...."

Just then, the wind picked up.

The light veil all around fluttered and covered the romantic scene in the pool. Through the veil, the regent was seen pinching Lainey's jaw and forcing her to raise her head.