Born Into Villain's Family: I Have a 200\% Rebate System-Chapter 555: Ella

His heart began beating faster as the tempting thoughts spread through his mind.

However, reality soon pulled him back.

The difference between Jacqueline and himself was simply too great.

’Until I become an international star... I don’t deserve someone like her.’

Jacqueline was not just any film critic. She was famous on an international level.

Even top directors and major film producers valued her opinions before making final changes to their movies.

Her understanding of the industry far surpassed his own.

What made him feel even more embarrassed was the difference in their achievements.

When he was still struggling through auditions and barely earning anything, Jacqueline had already won two Best Movie Director awards.

The gap between them was enormous.

Even though Theodore himself possessed assets worth millions, Jacqueline and her family had a combined net worth in the billions.

’I’m not enough for her.’

He quietly suppressed the thoughts that had begun forming in his heart.

Meanwhile, Jacqueline was watching him carefully.

Seeing how grateful Theodore was toward her made her feel hopeful.

’Maybe... this is my chance.’

If she gave a small hint, perhaps Theodore would understand.

Maybe their relationship could move forward.

Maybe they could become something more than just friends.

With that thought in mind, Jacqueline looked at him and leaned forward slightly.

Theodore immediately looked toward Jacqueline when she moved.

Jacqueline held her cup of matcha milk tea lightly between her fingers before speaking again.

"Since we already know each other so well," she said with a small smile, "why don’t we take a photo together?"

Theodore blinked in surprise before nodding quickly.

"Sure."

He took out his phone and unlocked it. The screen glowed faintly in the dimly lit room as he lifted it up, preparing to take a simple selfie.

However, just as he was about to press the button, Jacqueline suddenly stood up from her chair.

Theodore looked up in confusion.

Before he could react, Jacqueline walked behind him and leaned slightly forward.

Her face stopped only a few centimeters away from his.

Theodore instantly froze.

The faint scent of her perfume drifted toward him, something light and floral that made his mind feel strangely dizzy.

His heartbeat began pounding wildly.

’She’s... way too close.’

For a brief moment, a reckless thought flashed through his mind.

’Should I just confess right now?’

But the thought vanished just as quickly.

’Stop overthinking things.’

He scolded himself silently and quickly focused on the phone.

After taking several photos together, Jacqueline returned to her seat.

"Send them to me," she said casually.

Theodore nodded and shared the pictures with her.

Jacqueline opened them on her phone and looked through the photos for a moment before raising her eyes toward him again.

"So," she said thoughtfully, "what are your plans after this?"

Theodore leaned back slightly in his chair while thinking for a moment.

"For a while, I plan to focus on some reality shows."

Jacqueline raised an eyebrow. Theodore shrugged slightly.

"I don’t want people to just like my public image," he said honestly. "I want them to like the real Theodore." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Jacqueline nodded in agreement.

"If that’s the case," she said calmly, "then you should use your face as bait."

Theodore blinked. Jacqueline continued without hesitation.

"Let people come because of your appearance, but make them stay because of your talent."

Theodore laughed softly. "That sounds like a good strategy."

Jacqueline’s expression suddenly became serious.

"There is something else you need to be careful about."

Theodore looked at her curiously. "You should carry a camera with you at all times," she said firmly.

He frowned slightly. Jacqueline crossed her arms lightly.

"You are famous now," she continued. "There will always be people trying to take advantage of that."

Theodore understood exactly what she meant.

After spending so many years in the industry, he had already seen many unpleasant things.

Back when he was still an unknown actor, he had been drugged and bullied too.

But now he had become a rising heartthrob.

’God knows how many people might have bad intentions.’

Theodore nodded seriously.

"I’ll remember that."

..................

A few days later, the wrap-up party for the film was held.

During the party, a woman named Ella approached Theodore.

Earlier, the director had introduced her to him.

"This is my niece," the director had said with a friendly smile. "She has just started in the industry."

He had looked at Theodore meaningfully.

"It would be great if you could look after her in the future."

Theodore immediately understood what the director was trying to do.

He simply gave a polite smile.

However, something about Ella felt strange.

Still, Theodore extended his hand politely.

"Nice to meet you."

Ella immediately grabbed his hand.

Instead of simply shaking it, she deliberately rubbed her fingers across his palm.

Theodore felt a wave of disgust rise in his chest.

He calmly pulled his hand back.

Meanwhile, Ella looked at his hand with clear reluctance.

’If only I could have held it a little longer...’

But she quickly calmed herself.

’It doesn’t matter.’

Once her plan succeeded, she would not need to rush things.

Meanwhile, Theodore turned away and began talking with the director.

"I’m sorry," he said politely. "I have another appointment tonight, so I may have to leave early."

The director frowned slightly.

"But you are the main lead," he protested. "If you leave early, it would look rather bad."

Theodore shrugged casually. "That’s not really my problem."

Ever since he had discovered that his sister was secretly backing him, his confidence had grown significantly.

Now he no longer felt the need to please everyone around him.

’Whether a director wants to work with me or blacklist me... it doesn’t matter anymore.’

He had already reached the point where he no longer needed to bow his head.

With that thought, Theodore ignored the director’s displeased expression and walked away arrogantly.

Ella watched him with shining eyes.

’He looks even more charming when he acts like that...’

She almost followed him immediately.

However, at that moment she heard her uncle muttering under his breath.

"Just an opportunistic boy," the director sneered. "If it wasn’t for his connections, he would never have become famous."

Ella rolled her eyes.

Her uncle had used countless underhanded tricks to reach his own position, yet he still criticized others.

’The pot calling the kettle black.’

Meanwhile, Theodore stood near the entrance and checked the time on his phone.

He waited for about twenty minutes.

Just as he was preparing to leave, someone suddenly appeared in front of him.

It was Ella.

Theodore suppressed the irritation rising inside him.

He forced a gentlemanly smile.

"Miss Ella," he said calmly. "You came at the right time. Please pass this to the director. Tell him I have already left."

In Theodore’s mind, the message was clear.

He had no interest in talking further. However, he had clearly underestimated Ella.

The next moment, she stepped forward and blocked his path.

Theodore’s irritation deepened.

"What is it?"

Ella leaned slightly closer and lowered her voice.

"There is something important I need to discuss with you privately."

She smiled faintly. "If you have time, we could find somewhere quiet."

Theodore immediately shook his head. "I’m not interested."

He glanced down at his phone again. Twenty-two minutes had already passed.

His patience was rapidly disappearing. "I need to leave."

Without waiting for her response, Theodore stepped past her and began walking away.

Ella quickly followed him like a shadow.

"It’s very important," she insisted. "You really need to hear this."

Her voice suddenly turned cold.

"If you refuse to listen... you will regret it."

Theodore didn’t even bother turning around.

Over the years, many people had tried to threaten him with similar words.

At first, those threats had frightened him.

But now things were different.

With his current backing and rising fame, such threats barely meant anything anymore.

’Empty words.’

With that thought, Theodore simply continued walking forward without stopping.

Ella watched Theodore walk away without even glancing back.

For a brief moment, irritation flickered across her face.

However, the irritation quickly faded. A slow smile crept across her lips.

’Aren’t you arrogant...’

Her eyes narrowed slightly. ’Let’s see how long that arrogance lasts.’

A new idea suddenly formed in her mind.

Without wasting a second, she quietly slipped outside the building and walked toward a darker corner of the street.

A paparazzi she had contacted earlier was already waiting there.

She quickly walked up to him and whispered a few instructions.

Moments later, Theodore appeared at that exact location.

Ella deliberately stepped forward and pretended to stumble.

Her body tilted dramatically as if she had lost her balance.

Theodore instinctively moved forward. As a gentleman, his first reaction was to help her up.

He reached out his hand. However, just as Ella was about to grab it, Theodore suddenly paused.

Something about the situation felt wrong.

His eyes narrowed slightly. Instead of helping her up, he slowly withdrew his hand.

Ella froze. Theodore’s voice turned cold.

"If you ever try something like this again," he said calmly, "I will make sure you regret it."