Seeing John standing rigidly, like a child caught doing something wrong—nervous and guilty—Anita couldn't help but smile.
She wasn't truly angry. In fact, she had only been teasing him.
Her friends had asked her the same question before, so she understood the context. The entertainment industry was a tough world, and for someone like Anita, with her beauty and raw talent, finding stability was a constant challenge.
"You look so nervous," Anita chuckled. "I was just joking, John. You're taking it too seriously. I'm not really angry."
Her bright smile softened his heart. John had truly feared that his earlier question might have hurt her feelings.
He sighed in relief and said, "Anita, I trust you. Please, don't ask me that again."
Anita's heart warmed at his sincerity. "Honestly, it's normal for you to be suspicious. If you didn't care, that would be more troubling."
"Anita, I…" John started, but she quickly interrupted him.
"The Long family in Houston is behind me," she said, her voice calm but serious. "And so is the boss of my agency, Prosper Entertainment."
She continued explaining, a hint of nostalgia in her tone.
"It's a strange story, actually. When I first entered the industry, I had no connection to the Long Family. I just wanted to act, to pursue my passion. I never thought about becoming famous. There were no scandals, no compromises... I didn't think I'd need to endure any of that just to succeed."
At first, she had no grand aspirations—just a simple love for acting. But life in the industry had a way of changing things.
"When I joined a small crew as a background actor, the director picked me. He promised to support me, to make me the lead. But the price for his 'help' was clear. He wanted something else in return."
Her expression hardened, but she continued.
"I refused, right then and there. I told him I couldn't sell my body for fame. The director didn't take it well. He tried to use other, less direct methods. But just as things were getting really ugly, the Long Family stepped in."
Anita's voice became quieter as she continued, a hint of awe in her words.
"They taught the director a lesson, and then, suddenly, he disappeared from the industry. The Long Family has real power. They don't tolerate that kind of behavior."
It was then that Anita learned the truth: the Long Family had controlling interest in Prosper Entertainment. But what she still didn't understand was why they had intervened on her behalf.
"The Long Family explained that they owed a debt to an old Taoist priest, one who had saved an important member of their family. The Taoist priest didn't ask for anything in return, except that the Long Family look after me. As a gesture of gratitude, they decided to support my career. They even helped me sign a contract with Prosper Entertainment."
At first, Anita had hesitated. The whole situation felt too sudden, too strange.
"I nearly walked away from the offer. It seemed too good to be true. But then the Long Family made an even more surprising offer. They told me I could take over Prosper Entertainment as the president if I wanted, as a way to repay the priest's kindness. They offered me the entire company."
Anita shuddered at the memory of that conversation.
"I was terrified. I couldn't believe such an expensive gift was being offered to me. I thought it was a trick."
Despite her fear, the Long Family had been insistent. They begged her to give them a chance to repay the old Taoist priest's kindness, as they feared disobeying him.
After much hesitation, Anita had eventually agreed—though not immediately.
"I agreed to become an artist under their agency, but I read the contract carefully before signing. I wanted to make sure there was no hidden agenda. When I signed, I knew I wasn't bound to anything that could hurt me."
John nodded, piecing it together. The Long Family didn't just want to control her—they genuinely wanted to help.
And once Anita had signed, she noticed something even more surprising. Instead of keeping the opportunities for herself, she shared them.
She gave other stars in the company a chance, too. Many of them had become famous because of the resources she shared.
"That's why I'm so highly regarded in the industry now," she said softly, as though it was no big deal. But John knew it was more than just generosity—it was leadership.
The pieces clicked into place in John's mind, and he felt he understood things more clearly. "Anita," he said carefully, "is the Taoist priest who helped the Long Family named Perry Moreno?"
Her eyes widened in recognition. "Yes! You're right! I've heard them mention him. They asked me if I knew him, but I don't. Do you know him?"
John smiled. "Not only do I know him, but we're close friends. I didn't expect him to be so kind to you, protecting you like that. I guess I'll have to forgive him for making money off my paintings now."
Anita blinked, shocked. "You know him? How is that even possible?"
John chuckled. "Small world, isn't it? Perry has always been a man of honor."
She looked at him for a moment, then laughed softly. "I guess I owe you an apology. I thought you were just an ordinary guy. Turns out, you know all the right people."
John shrugged, his smile easy. "I'm just lucky. But I think I can understand why he'd help you."
Anita tilted her head, studying him closely. "So, what are you going to do with all this new knowledge? Are you going to start calling in favors now?"
He grinned. "Maybe not. But I might have to ask Perry about his 'business arrangements' sometime."