Chapter 399: Still Considered Her Family
Tina remained calm. If Jasper lacked even this bit of skill, her mother wouldn’t have stayed undercover by his side for three years. However, the lead through Jasper was now a dead end. They had hoped to use Jasper to uncover the real Mr. Kim.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
“Tina, let’s go back,” Jared said, pulling Tina’s hand and bringing her back to reality.
He hadn’t expected Jasper to shoot so suddenly. They had wanted to get Mr. Kim’s whereabouts from Jasper, which was why the X Bureau surrounded him without immediately issuing a capture order. This gave Jasper an opportunity. Although it seemed like Jasper aimed at Tina, he actually fired a blank. Given the distance and angle, even if Tina was on guard, she couldn’t have avoided injury unless there were no bullets in the gun.
In the car, Jasper’s subordinates relayed information. The car was found, but Jasper was missing. A shoe and a lot of blood were left behind, with broken windows and some skin tissue. If he lost too much blood, he might have sunk to the bottom.
“Keep searching,” Jared ordered sternly.
Tina had anticipated this outcome and immediately issued the Shadow Lotus Seal to pursue Jasper.
“Uncle, take me home,” Tina leaned on Jared’s shoulder, her eyes filled with fatigue. “I’m a bit tired.”
Jared covered Tina with his coat. “Alright.”
Tina closed her eyes, recalling the moment when Jasper pointed the gun at her. She didn’t understand why he didn’t shoot but didn’t want to dwell on it either. Regardless of his hesitation, it didn’t change his initial intent to kill her mother.
Jared dropped Tina off at the Reed family home and left.
As Tina headed to her room, she turned and saw Juliet, pausing in surprise. She had heard Juliet recently resumed work and should be busy; how did she find time for a break?
Juliet heard the door open and looked pleased but hesitated upon seeing Tina.
“Tina, you’re back,” Juliet said awkwardly.
There was an unavoidable distance between them now.
Tina nodded. “Yes, why are you back?”
“I came back hoping one of my parents would join me for a reality show, but I couldn’t reach anyone… Guess it’s not happening,” Juliet said with a forced smile to hide her disappointment.
Tina knew the show Juliet mentioned was a family-themed reality show requiring celebrities to bring a family member for camping trips to strengthen bonds. If she remembered correctly, Ember Saffron was also participating.
“For your show, any family member will do?” Tina asked as she sat down facing Juliet.
Juliet nodded. “Yes, but no one has time.”
“I do.”
Juliet was stunned. “What?”
“I said I do. If you think I’m not suitable, just forget I mentioned it,” Tina replied calmly.
Tina wasn’t one to seek the spotlight, but Juliet wouldn’t have gotten this show without Horizon Entertainment’s production team. Considering what Juliet had been through partly due to her own actions, helping her out once wouldn’t hurt.
Juliet felt both excited and incredulous; she thought Tina wouldn’t want anything to do with the Reed family because of their grandmother’s death.
“I don’t think you’re unsuitable at all… Thank you, Tina.” Juliet hugged Tina lightly, her eyes moist.
Tina still considered her family; that was comforting.
She had forgotten that during those days when everything happened, it was she who couldn’t accept their grandmother dying in front of her or accept that Tina had manipulated her family.
Tina patted Juliet’s back. “Alright, send me the schedule; I’ll go take a shower first.”
With just a few words, their relationship returned to normal.
The show was set to start filming in two days. Tina arranged for Shadow Lotus Seal and took Callum Maguire and Snow Judd to Mountain Veil Order for supervision. Their skills in disguise shouldn’t go to waste; Jayden could learn from them if interested.
On the show, Ember Saffron brought his grandmother while Juliet brought Tina. Another actress named Vance brought her sister. Vance had always been Juliet’s rival; they had similar images and roles and were often compared. However, Juliet had won so many awards that Vance couldn’t catch up despite being infuriated.
In the waiting room before filming started, Juliet told Tina, “There will be many things happening during the show; watch my cues to avoid getting criticized online.”
Juliet had recently been afraid of online criticism.
Tina nodded and opened the door to find Vance and her sister Ava already seated inside. Seeing them enter, Vance and Ava placed their bags on the chairs beside them as if marking territory against something dirty.
Six chairs were lined up; Vance and Ava took the middle ones with their bags occupying two more seats on either side, clearly trying to intimidate them.
Juliet was used to such antics by now and thought of moving another chair herself when Tina stepped forward and asked directly, “Is this your bag?”
Vance looked Tina up and down disdainfully. “What’s it to you?”
Ava laughed mockingly. “Anyone can join a show these days; look at that shabby appearance-aren’t you afraid of being laughed at? A murderer’s family really has some nerve.”
Tina smiled slightly and flicked her finger; she tossed their bags onto the floor and sat down calmly before patting the seat next to her for Juliet. “Sit.”
Juliet was speechless but complied nonetheless.
Vance exclaimed angrily, “Do you know how much that bag costs? Can you afford to pay if it’s damaged?”
Leaning back in her chair with legs crossed nonchalantly, Tina replied coldly, “A piece of junk like that isn’t worth knowing its price.”
“You…”
At that moment Ember Saffron entered with his stylishly dressed grandmother exuding elegance. Seeing bags on chairs next to Vance and Ava’s seats made Ember’s grandmother comment sarcastically: “Oh dear girls! Such lovely bags should be cuddled in bed instead of collecting dust on chairs!”
This jab made Vance’s face flush red alternately with white embarrassment while Ava fumed silently beside her sister.
Tina chuckled softly-this old lady never missed an opportunity for snide remarks!
Knowing better than provoking someone like Ember Saffron who held significant influence within industry circles-they could only swallow their pride quietly under his grandmother’s sharp tongue-lashing…
Ember himself wanted greet warmly but caught warning glance from Tine which made him halt mid-step understanding immediately what needed done here-boss wanted experience real-life scenarios firsthand without interference…