Aysel wasn't entirely sure of her conjectures, so she still tried to check if she was right or not.
"That's not something you can control," Lawrence commented, his tone rather harsh as he stated frankly. "You've been in the industry for many years, yet you couldn't do anything to change their opinion. Instead, you're practically always trending due to bad publicity. What if it was found out that you're my beloved grandson's wife? It wouldn't be limited to you anymore."
In other words, he didn't want his grandson to be implicated or caught in the dark side of the industry.
Aysel sighed to herself as she was being defined in just a few words. There was no doubt she had been thoroughly investigated.
However, she already had a plan in her head, and she decided to play it out for two reasons. First, this was the most opportune moment, and second, she wanted to test if Grandpa's favorability towards her would increase.
"Hm, Grandpa. The truth is indeed bitter..." she said in a low voice, her eyelashes quivering, a bitter smile perking her lips. As if making a hard choice, she went silent for several moment, of course, how could she truly be silent when the system couldn't resist asking question.
[Host! What are you planning to do?]
'How many seconds since I turned silent?'
[Uh?]
'Answer!'
[8 seconds now...9 now]
Aysel counted the tenth second in her head, then slowly, her already misty eyes met with Grandpa, showing a hint of resolve and so was her voice, brimming with it.
"Grandpa, you are indeed very right. Nathaniel ought to be always shining like the sun he is, to be worshipped and respected, not to be rotting at the dead of the pit with me, or to be scorned for taking me as his wife. I've decided now."
She clenched her hand, and then said with gritted teeth, her voice filled with determination. "I promised to keep it under tight wrap that I've married to him. And I will continue to keep it a secret until he deemed me worthy enough for him. That way, even if I go downhill later, it won't be discovered that I'm related to him, and he won't be implicated."
[Congratulations! 35% complete.]
Aysel nearly broke into a smile at the familiar chime. She now fully believed that the old man would definitely soften towards her if she acted as though she truly cared about his grandson.
Of course, she didn't actually care whether he rotted or scorned, but she knew very well that if she announced her marriage to him, she would never rise in the industry.
The reason being that the netizens would think she had gone mad and was fantasizing about someone she couldn't have. Nathaniel still remained as one of the top ten most eligible bachelors in all of Sunshine City, desired by many women, wealth and probably look-wise.
The second reason was that this could turn into extremely negative news if the Grants decided not to acknowledge her revelation. She would be finished. And in the meantime, they might even find her distasteful and decide to divorce her. That's losing two important things at a time.
They were the ones in control here, and she needed to depend on them.
Lawrence wrinkled his nose, looking at her thoughtfully then said after a deep sigh. "Everything would be easier if you were to just leave that industry."
Really, enough already.
Aysel suddenly decided to act a little. Remembering Daisy's "white-lotus" behavior, she decided to mimic it.
She tucked strands of hair behind her ear, glancing down shyly. "Grandpa, I...I felt very ashamed to say this, but I was actually a fan of Nathaniel when he was at his prime and even now. I've always been awed by his charm, strength, and charisma. It saddens me that the heavens are jealous of talented people and the unfortunate happened to him. However, one of the greatest things that happened to me is that I married him. I still can't believe it, Grandpa." Her tone was filled with sincerity, and her gray eyes were so pure and innocent that it was hard to doubt her words.
[Congratulations! 40% complete.]
Aysel happily continued her act. This time, she appeared nervous and excited, with joy seemingly radiating from her eyes. "Grandpa! I was so happy when I found out I would be married to my idol! I stayed up late because I just couldn't imagine it!"
[Are you sure, Host?]
The system clearly remembered that she slept the earliest he have ever seen, and in the end, she only woke up the next morning after her door was almost taken down.
The Host is good at spouting nonsense, isn't she?
'What do you know?'
[Congratulations! 49% complete.]
'Almost 50...'
Aysel's shoulders suddenly sagged, and she blinked repeatedly as if trying to cover her emotions. Her voice was shaky. "After your words, I now decided to continue diligently pushing my way in the industry way, one day, when the Young Master is healed, we'll be able to stand together, and the world wouldn't look down on me but would support us. That's my dream, one I would do anything to achieve." Aysel raised her head, her eyes filled with nothing but purity. "That's why I can't leave, Grandpa. Because the industry is the only option I have to become someone worthy of him."
The old man was silent, his expression dazed, and Aysel thought for a moment before continuing.
"If I were to leave the industry now, I might be forgotten in a few years. But if I ever show up with the Young Master later in the future, the past would be revived and we will be shunned."
The living room had turned completely silent. Aysel's soft and sincere words, capable of striking at the softest part of someone's heart, were the only thing that lingered in the air.
Grandpa finally recovered, and his stone-cold eyes now held a trace of warmth as he stared at Aysel.
[Ding! Ding! Ding! Who is this amazing host? Ding! Ding! Ding! The amazing host is Aysel!]
[Congratulations for successfully completing the mission!]
[You've successfully befriended Lawrence Grant!]
[Twenty points have been awarded!]
[Keep up the hard work, Host!]