Chloe was both shocked and overjoyed, her eyes glued to the text message without blinking.

  288 dollars!

  She had fantasized about earning her first pot of gold from her first acting role but never dreamed it could be this much.

  Even though she knew her acting fee from the contract, receiving the money in reality still felt unreal.

  "Sis, 288 dollars. I never imagined in my wildest dreams I could earn this much from my first role," Chloe murmured, her voice choked with emotion.

  Grace affectionately patted her sister's head and said softly, "In the future, you'll earn even more than this."

  Chloe nodded excitedly, looked up at her sister, and spoke from the heart, "Sis, I've always known actors can make a lot of money, but my original reason for choosing acting wasn't for the money. I genuinely love performing."

  "Sis knows," Grace affirmed. "Not just me, Mom knows too. That's why she supported you so much in taking the arts exams."

  Hearing her mother mentioned so suddenly by her sister, Chloe was visibly taken aback for a moment.

  After reuniting with her sister, she had deliberately avoided bringing up their mother, never expecting her sister to mention her so calmly first.

  Chloe pursed her lips and lowered her head, continuing quietly, "Being an arts student for the exams is really expensive. Mom had to sacrifice your choice for me and brother. Mom actually feels very guilty too."

  "Sorry, sis. We held you back."

  Hearing her sister say this, Grace's heart ached again. She quickly put her arm around her sister's shoulders. "Don't say that. It wasn't easy for Mom alone to raise and educate the three of us. I was too willful back then. If my compromise could give you and Tony a better future, I was willing to do it. Truly."

  As she spoke, Grace smiled and said in a light tone, "Besides, I think UST is pretty good too now."

  "Really, sis? You don't resent Mom anymore?" Chloe looked at her sister, unable to hide the excitement in her eyes.

  The rift between her sister and their mother had also been a knot in her and Tony's hearts. She truly hoped her sister could forgive their mother's difficult situation.

  Grace nodded firmly, her voice sincere and strong. "I stopped blaming her a long time ago."

  At that moment, Chloe cried tears of joy and hugged her sister tightly, because not only their mother, but she herself had also carried guilt towards her sister all this time.

  Grace wore a gentle smile, softly patting her sister's back, and added, "I plan to go back to Novastra during the National Day holiday."

  "Really?" Chloe looked up in surprise, then showed regret. "But I have to join the crew before the holiday. I can't go back with you."

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  "You focus on your work. I'll go back by myself."

  Chloe could only nod, then got excited again in an instant. "I've earned money! Tomorrow I'm going to the mall to buy gifts for Mom and Tony. Sis, what do you want? I'll get it for you!"

  Not wanting to dampen the mood, Grace answered without hesitation, "I want an evening gown."

  She remembered the day she couldn't find suitable clothes for Jones's investor cocktail party. Who knew she might need one again in the future?

  "Okay, I'll get it for you!" Chloe clasped her hands together, looking utterly content. "I also want to buy gifts for Vivian, Mina, and Bianca, and then treat them to a big meal to celebrate properly!"

  Looking at her sister's smiling face now, Grace felt a sense of fulfillment she had never experienced before, because this was what her sister had most wanted but could never have.

  From now on, she would do her utmost to protect and guide her sister's life journey.

  The next morning, Scarlett lounged in bed until the last possible moment before scrambling up to wash up and head to her morning class. To her surprise, as soon as she went downstairs, she saw Eric sitting on a bench by the roadside.

  He looked awful, utterly dejected. Remembering he had come looking for Grace both yesterday afternoon and last night, Scarlett couldn't help but be shocked.

  "Bro, you didn't wait here all night, did you?"

  Scarlett walked up to him, asking with an astonished look.

  Hearing the voice, Eric looked up. Seeing it was Scarlett, he quickly stood up. He was still wearing the same clothes from when he left home yesterday, obviously unchanged.

  "Scarlett, Grace didn't come back all night, did she?"

  As soon as he spoke, his voice was dry and hoarse from disuse, coupled with his disheartened appearance. Scarlett almost couldn't help feeling sorry for him.

  "This is unnecessary, Eric. What's the point of waiting all night? Even idol dramas don't film that kind of plot anymore."

  Feeling sorry was one thing, but she couldn't help ridiculing as soon as she opened her mouth.

  "I'm worried about Grace. Why hasn't she come back all night?" Eric seemed not to hear Scarlett's words, asking on his own.

  Scarlett sighed. She had promised Grace she wouldn't reveal even a hint of information about her to Eric, so she shook her head. "I don't know. But I advise you not to wait here either. It's really too much."

  "I have class, I'm about to be late. I really have to go." Scarlett shook her head disapprovingly, and before leaving, she didn't forget to add another reminder, "Go back and get some sleep, rest up. Don't pass out here."

  Once she was farther away, she quickly sent a warning to Grace: Darling, don't come back to the dorm now! I just went downstairs, and Eric was planted there like a 'gazing-husband stone'! Oh my god, he waited for you all night!

  Looking back at Eric, he had sat back down on the bench, clearly not planning to leave.

  Not long after, Clara actually came looking for him.

  "Eric, what are you doing here?" Clara was wearing the green dress Eric liked the most. Under the sunlight, she looked as bright and beautiful as a flower, obviously dressed up on purpose.

  "Auntie said you came back to school yesterday. I asked your roommate, and he said you never went back to the dorm last night. Have you been staying here all night?"

  "Eric, say something! I'm talking to you!"

  Eric, already unsettled, found that Clara's chatter gave him a headache. He suddenly looked up and glared at her, scolding, "What does my business have to do with you? Didn't I warn you to stop bothering me, to stop hovering around me!"

  He looked fierce, his eyes full of red veins.

  Clara was scared by his expression. Her eyes instantly welled up with tears of grief.

  Seeing her like this made Eric even more irritated. Her skill of tearing up instantly whenever she wanted was simply unbeatable; she could get into character in one second every time.

  "Auntie was worried about you, that's why she asked me to find you," Clara said, her voice tearful.

  Eric is fidgety and turned his head away. "I don't need anyone to worry about me. Leave."

  "I won't leave!" Clara wiped away the tears about to fall, her eyes red as she plopped down on the bench next to Eric. "Auntie told me to keep an eye on you anyway. If you won't leave, I won't either."

  "Are you fucking crazy?" Eric stood up and roared angrily. "Am I some prisoner that needs you watching?"