The Trending Topic Herself: The Villainess is the Superstar!-Chapter 139: Joy Without Limits

Upon hearing the bad news, Maya Monroe felt even the candy in her mouth lost its sweetness, and she mechanically chewed the gummy candy a few more times.

The rest of the journey was made in silence.

Ryan Spencer glanced at his watch and then said to her, "Do you know who the guests participating in the program with you are?"

Maya Monroe didn’t even have the mood to humor him: "I don’t know."

"You probably didn’t look carefully at the message I sent you, did you?" Ryan didn’t expect a response from Maya and continued, "You never take work seriously, always thinking about slacking off. Do you still remember what you told me..."

"I said I want to be a film queen. You’ve probably repeated this a thousand times, Ryan." Maya slightly tilted her head, looking out the window, her voice carrying a hint of impatience.

She purposely cracked the car window open, allowing the cool breeze to seep in and dissipate some of her inner restlessness.

Ryan sighed, "Maya Monroe, how did I end up with you? I worry myself sick over everything from makeup and food to various announcements and public relations."

"The guests invited to Joy Without Limits will be the main cast of Wandering Beyond the Horizon, members of the FREE boy band, and a newly popular traffic flower, Alisa Shelby," Ryan said slowly.

"So many people? Can the stage hold them?"

Maya always liked asking strange questions but maintained such a serious demeanor that people couldn’t tell if she was joking. Ryan burst into laughter, his anger dissipating.

"Why is your focus always so bizarre? Don’t worry, the stage won’t collapse."

Maya responded, still keeping her gaze outside, watching the bustling street scene.

"There’s no need to elaborate on the main cast of Wandering Beyond the Horizon; you’re definitely familiar with them. However, it seems Leo Lancaster has a scheduling conflict with a film and probably won’t participate. The FREE band is easy to get along with and has a good reputation. Actually, the most difficult member to deal with in terms of temperament is the captain, Miles Wallace, but you’ve probably got to know him well from a variety show you did together recently."

"One person I really need to emphasize is Alisa Shelby. She’s a rising traffic flower, and while she’s not at the top level, her large fan base makes her a formidable presence."

"Do you know what made her popular?"

Maya had no interest in the question he posed but still asked, as a formality, "What?"

"Her looks."

"Her looks?"

"I know what you’re puzzled about. Indeed, there are plenty of good-looking artists in the entertainment industry, but Alisa Shelby’s appearance stands out in the entire circle." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"But that’s not all; she’s particularly good at marketing. Her looks are her persona, and her fans are always extolling her beauty. To some extent..."

Ryan’s gaze turned sharp, "Your persona overlaps with hers. In the upcoming program, she will do everything she can to step on you, and she’ll definitely stir the pot after the show."

Maya couldn’t care less if someone stirred the pot, but there was one thing Ryan mentioned that piqued her curiosity: "How could our personas overlap?"

Ryan’s expression was indescribable, "Have you never paid attention to the evaluation your fans leave for you?"

"Is there any direct correlation between the two?"

Those consistently sarcastic remarks were nothing worth looking at.

Ryan was silent for a few seconds, "Don’t think too much about it. Just be cautious and avoid any traps she sets up during the program. Make sure you stand out and don’t let others steal the spotlight and relegate you to the background."

Maya turned her head, as if she suddenly remembered something, "Isn’t it possible to edit in post-production? You can easily fix it, right, Ryan?"

Ryan choked, "If you don’t say a word and just go with the flow, do you expect me to photoshop a 3D character of you?"

"Fine, I’ll make sure to perform well," Maya reluctantly agreed.

After reaching the destination, Maya followed Ryan to the backstage dressing room.

Since the dressing room was shared, there were already many artists present, many of whom Maya recognized as familiar faces.

"Maya?"

Maya turned her head, genuinely surprised to see Leo Lancaster there.

"Leo... bro? Didn’t you have other commitments?"

Leo still carried his gentle and warm demeanor, a faint smile always lingering at the corner of his mouth, making it hard to have a bad impression of him.

He was dressed casually, with a white shirt that particularly highlighted his elegant and gentle aura.

"... You’re asking about this, well, my schedule suddenly cleared up, so I came over."

He nodded at Ryan behind Maya, his manner courteous, "Mr. Spencer, it’s an honor to meet you again, and thank you for looking after Maya."

Ryan felt a bit odd inside, as Leo’s tone had an air of someone speaking from a senior or familial perspective. Given that he and Maya grew up together, it seemed reasonable, but Ryan just couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

"There’s no need for such words from Emperor Leo. I’m Maya’s manager, and taking care of her is my duty."

Leo’s smile remained unchanged, "Mr. Spencer, please just call me Leo."

Ryan responded, "Then there’s no need for such formality from Leo, just call me Ryan."

"That wouldn’t be very polite. Since Maya calls you Ryan, I’ll join her, considering I am indeed a few years younger than you, Ryan."

Ryan was suddenly reminded of the painful fact that he had just crossed the thirty-something threshold earlier this year.

"Alright."

Ryan got busy, taking another phone call. When he returned, he gave Maya some final instructions, "Get your styling done first. I have something to attend to, but don’t worry, I’ll definitely make it back before the program starts."

Maya nodded.

Ryan not being there was also quite nice, as it meant fewer nagging words in her ear.

Seeing Maya nod so obediently, and with Leo right next to her—Leo’s presence should prevent any issues—besides, Scott and the others were also around.

Only then did Ryan feel completely at ease, and after reiterating his advice, he left.

Leo’s gaze focused intently on her, "I’ve sent you messages, but you never reply. So, how have you been during this time, Maya?"

Maya sidestepped to allow a staff member to pass.

The distance between the two of them once again widened subtly.

Leo’s eyes darkened, though only for a brief moment.

"I’ve been fine lately, thank you for your concern."

Leo’s eyes flickered with displeasure at her obviously distant tone.

Leo became eerily silent, and Maya, unwilling to continue the conversation, let the dialogue fall into awkwardness.

Knowing that Kiki Monroe as the lead actress of Wandering Beyond the Horizon would definitely appear at this variety show, Maya didn’t expect to encounter her so soon.