Chapter 3: Stolen Fate and Jamie’s Secret

After receiving the deposit, as agreed, I went to Carter’s studio. My nerves were on edge, the city lights blurring as I stared out the rideshare window.

Seeing me arrive, Carter hurried over.

He looked exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes. His hair was a mess, skin sallow under the studio’s fluorescent lights.

He gripped my hand tightly. “Ma'am, you must have a way to help me, right?”

I used a bit of skill to shake off his hand. I didn’t want his bad energy clinging to me.

“If you don’t trust me, I’ll go to the bank now and refund your deposit.”

Carter quickly forced a smile. “Ma'am, I trust you, otherwise I wouldn’t have come to you for help.”

I pretended not to notice the trace of contempt in his eyes. I’d seen that look before, from people who thought they could buy anything.

“Tell me, how did you realize someone was stealing your luck?”

Carter hesitated.

I looked at him coldly. “Everything in the world has cause and effect. If you don’t tell me the cause, I can’t help you!”

A struggle flashed in Carter’s eyes, but he finally spoke.

“That new drama—I clearly didn’t act like that during filming, but after editing, it turned out like that.”

“This isn’t my usual level.”

He stared at me. “I know this sounds far-fetched. But Ma'am, you have to believe me, I’m definitely not lying.”

Of course, I knew he wasn’t lying.

But his original acting skill was stolen. Now that it’s gone, what else could it be?

Thinking this, my expression softened a bit.

“And then?”

Carter frowned, distressed.

“Then a bunch of random scandals broke out about me—things I never did…”

“Ma'am, you have to help me!”

I patted his shoulder reassuringly. His bones felt sharp under my hand.

“Let’s go check your birthplace first, see if we can find any clues about the person stealing your luck.”

Carter frowned and thought for a while.

“Ma'am, when should we go?”

I smiled. “The sooner, the better.”

After Carter made a call, his car soon arrived. It was a sleek black Escalade, windows tinted so dark you couldn’t see inside.

Before getting in, he handed me a mask and a baseball cap.

“Ma'am, please bear with me. Let’s not let the paparazzi catch us.”

I put on the cap and took the mask, which had a sedative, from his hand. I eyed him, but he just smiled nervously.

Not long after getting in, I pretended to fall asleep, imitating the effects of the sedative. My breathing slowed, my head lolling to the side.

After a while, I heard Carter say something in extreme surprise.

Though he spoke very quietly, I heard it clearly.

“What? You say you were also hit by backlash?”

Backlash?

Who was Carter talking to?

Could the expert behind Carter be the driver in front?

I waited patiently, but never heard anyone else speak. The car’s air felt thick, heavy with secrets.

Carter spoke again.

“How long do you need to rest?”

“Okay, I’ll do as you say. Rest easy.”

Just when I thought Carter wouldn’t speak again, he suddenly cursed.

“Useless! Why should I return what I stole!”

That sentence was like a thunderclap in my ears.

I immediately realized what Carter meant by what he stole.

Unconsciously, I clenched my fists, my nails almost digging into my flesh.

Did he really think Jamie’s fate was so easy to take?

The car suddenly became quiet.

I don’t know how much time passed before the car finally stopped. The streetlights outside flickered through the tinted glass.

“Ma'am, wake up, we’re here.”

As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw Carter’s harmless-looking face.

He handed me a hotel key card. “Ma'am, rest at the hotel first.”

I took the card and curled my lips. “Not in a hurry now?”

Carter’s expression stiffened for a moment, but he soon smiled again.

He followed me into the elevator.

“I’m anxious, but Ma'am needs to be well-rested to help me deal with that villain.”

I nodded and swiped the card to open the door.

“At midnight, go to your family’s plot at the cemetery.”

“Remember, if anything strange happens, contact me immediately.”

After saying that, I closed the door.

Seeing it was about time to stream, I opened TikTok as usual. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking. But hey, the show must go on. I forced a smile for the camera.