Chapter 209

Tristan Cole had just stepped out of the restroom when a woman with tear-streaked makeup crashed into him.

"Mr. Cole..." Serena Blake sniffled, lifting her head. Her carefully drawn eyeliner had smudged into raccoon circles, and her false lashes dangled precariously from her eyelids.

Tristan instinctively took half a step back, his brow furrowing slightly.

This woman was a mess.

"Can I help you?" he asked coolly, drying his hands with a paper towel.

Seeing his response, Serena immediately straightened, summoning her most pitiful expression. "I'm so embarrassed, I just—"

"I suggest you fix your makeup first," Tristan cut her off, tossing the towel into the trash. "This is hardly a pleasant sight."

Without another glance, he walked away.

Serena froze, only snapping out of it moments later when she rushed to the mirror—

"Ah!" Her shriek echoed through the restroom.

She stomped her foot in frustration. Her carefully planned "chance encounter" had been completely ruined.

On the other side of the set, Aria Bennett was engrossed in her script.

"Miss Bennett takes her work very seriously," Tristan remarked, appearing beside her with an amused smile.

Aria closed the script and looked up. "Something you need, Mr. Cole?"

This man's sudden approach was undoubtedly about Bianca Cole.

She remained guarded.

"Just passing by to say hello." Tristan sat beside her, his gaze intense. "You're even more striking in person than on screen."

Aria studied his face for a few seconds.

"What? Captivated by me?" Tristan smirked.

"Mr. Cole," Aria said bluntly, "your aura is dark. You'll face a blood calamity tonight."

Tristan's smile faltered. "... Excuse me?"

"Since you're the investor, I'll give you a protective talisman." Aria pulled out a yellow charm from her bag. "But it's not free."

Tristan nearly laughed.

Was she really playing the mystic to get his attention?

"How much?" he asked, intrigued.

"Five million."

"..." Tristan's expression froze. "Are you joking?"

"Fine, forget it." Aria moved to take it back.

"Wait!" Tristan snatched the talisman, barely suppressing his amusement. "I'll take it."

He was curious to see what game she was playing.

Aria recited her bank details. "Keep it on you at all times."

"Absolutely." Tristan tucked it into his shirt pocket, lowering his voice deliberately. "Miss Bennett cares about me that much?"

Aria ignored him and stood to return to filming.

Tristan watched her walk away, his lips curving into a smirk.

This game was getting more interesting by the minute.