Chapter 416: Chapter 416

A few days later, Anna Thornton received a call from Rainie Hawthorne.

"Miss Thornton, can I invite you for a meal?"

Anna didn’t know why Rainie was so keen on inviting her to meals.

They weren’t friends, so was it necessary?

So Anna decisively refused her, "I’m sorry, Miss Hawthorne, I’m afraid it’s not convenient, I’ve been quite busy lately."

"Miss Thornton’s career is indeed soaring, no doubt you’re busy. But I really have something important to discuss with you. Anyway, President Sterling’s company has been working overtime recently, I wonder if Miss Thornton could spare some time for me today?"

Rainie’s words revealed two things: one, she knew that Anna Thornton and Conrad Sterling were living together.

Secondly, she subtly mentioned Anna’s career, implying it would be best to meet her to avoid affecting her stardom.

Anna made time to drive to the restaurant Rainie mentioned.

It was another Chinese restaurant, of a higher grade compared to the one near the hospital entrance.

It wasn’t because the Hawthorne family was faring any better recently.

It was because Anna’s value in Rainie’s eyes had increased since the last time.

Rainie was also quite surprised. She had someone follow Anna for a few days, originally to find Anna’s daughter.

But she discovered that Anna went back to the Sterling Residence every day after work.

Honestly, the paparazzi from tabloid magazines are incredibly skilled these days, has no one noticed the secretive relationship between Anna Thornton and Conrad Sterling?

They just don’t dare to report it!

Especially at a recent event of Anna’s, where President Sterling personally attended to help promote her game. Although he claimed it was due to acquiring the gaming company, the online discussions about their matching appearances never stopped, to the point where the "MuAnna" couple fanbase overshadowed others and topped the charts.

Maybe others are unaware, but Rainie can guess with a bit of thinking that Conrad Sterling’s consent must be a factor here.

Back then, when Conrad Sterling had an ambiguous relationship with Marilyn Ford, even amidst strong rumors, she never got a chance to enter the Sterling Residence’s door.

Yet Anna has already stepped through, showing her status in Conrad’s eyes is even higher than Marilyn’s was.

Not only that, Rainie even speculated that President Sterling was never truly interested in Marilyn.

All the so-called indulgences were just Marilyn hiring media to boost her image with borrowed glory.

Rainie thought a man like Conrad Sterling, if he truly liked someone, wouldn’t just offer some entertainment industry resources.

Knowing she couldn’t offend Anna, Rainie’s attitude was much more sincere this time: "Miss Thornton, it seemed like our last conversation wasn’t too pleasant. I think it’s necessary to apologize to you. Really sorry, I didn’t mean to offend."

"Offend? Which point are you referring to?" Anna asked after sitting down. Check latest chapters at novel(ꜰ)ire.net

"I recently found out that you’ve been living with President Sterling." Rainie thought about her past vain attempt to offer herself to President Sterling and felt quite ashamed, "President Sterling does have a good eye, Miss Thornton is certainly one of the top beauties in the entertainment circle."

"The phrase ’one of the top,’ doesn’t sound like a compliment to me. In Miss Hawthorne’s eyes, is there someone as good-looking as me? Who? Tell me, who dares to claim second if I’m first in looks?"

Even someone as seasoned in business and articulate as Rainie was at a loss when faced with Anna Thornton.

Because Anna was practically a master at bantering, with an inexplicable confidence in her own looks.

Though it seemed indeed... Rainie couldn’t think of a second place.

But is that the point right now? No!

"Miss Thornton, you’ve been with President Sterling for quite some time now, right?" Rainie had to steer the conversation back, "It’s clear that President Sterling cares about you, otherwise he wouldn’t have transferred the Sterling Group’s entertainment company under your name."

Rainie had only recently found out that the real owner behind Starlight Entertainment had turned into Anna Thornton.

No wonder she was able to become one of the top trending stars in the industry in such a short time.

"There’s something I must clarify, I haven’t used my control over Starlight Entertainment’s resources for personal gains. The company ownership has never been revealed publicly, I’m still taking roles under my name, Anna Thornton, and the current success is all due to my own efforts, nothing to do with Conrad Sterling."

Hearing Anna’s intent to distance herself from Conrad in her words, Rainie couldn’t help but be puzzled, "Miss Thornton, don’t you think President Sterling’s status could help you achieve your goals more easily?"

"But I really admire your spirit, much higher than that aloof Miss Ford." Rainie continued before Anna could reply.

Complimenting her could never go wrong.

After all, don’t women all have vanity?

But seeing Anna’s expression, she didn’t seem particularly pleased by being compared to Marilyn Ford.

Rainie was almost certain that Anna didn’t have much genuine feelings for Conrad Sterling, otherwise, which woman wouldn’t show jealousy upon hearing about their man’s ex?

From years of business experience, Rainie could still read people’s eyes.

That made things interesting!

It’s often said that people in the entertainment circle are the most heartless and hypocritical, especially female stars. Because they’re good at acting, adept at charm in front of patrons, using their beauty to exchange for equivalent favors.

Anna Thornton was quite impressive, managing to secure Conrad Sterling.

She not only had the means but was also somewhat ruthless.

Otherwise, how could any normal woman not be moved by such an outstanding man as Conrad Sterling?

Rainie herself couldn’t do it!

Anna had no feelings for Conrad yet still accepted being kept by President Sterling, showing she was indeed in it for fame and gain.

That was good, she could be of use to me.

In fact, Rainie came with a plan today, saying all that was to probe Anna’s intentions.

Now was about the right time for her to reveal her true purpose.

"Miss Thornton, here you go!"

Rainie took out a check from her bag.

"It’s not much, but I heard Miss Thornton has a knack for investing in film projects. I believe this money in your hands could multiply several times over soon."

Hearing this, Anna glanced at the check Rainie pushed over, counted the numbers on it carefully, and raised an eyebrow, "You call this not much? The Hawthorne family must have tightened their belts quite a bit to come up with this amount."

Rainie’s smile was a bit stiff, Anna’s face was beautiful, but her words really made people uncomfortable.

Thinking of her purpose, Rainie tried to keep her smile intact.

Anna pretended to take the check, and asked, "I don’t take benefits without doing something in return, what do you want me to do?"

"Actually, it’s very simple, I just need Miss Thornton to help me put this..." Rainie handed over a USB drive, "into President Sterling’s usual work computer."