Over at North City, Zoe won the last round, winning first place with an overwhelming majority of votes.
It was deserved, as her acting skills were acknowledged by everyone from the judges to the audience.
The producers even organized an after-party following the conclusion, since Actors on Set had been topping viewership once it gained traction, and the numbers only shot through the roof after Zoe's secret marriage with Jay was exposed. No variety show hit such viewership rate and search hits in the last three years, and the producers were certainly making bank.
As Zoe headed to the backstage to take off her makeup, a staff member eagerly approached her. "Zoe, is Mr. Parker going to attend the after-party?"
Zoe did a double take. "Why?"
"He was a judge before."
"Oh. Well, I don't know—I didn't ask if he received an invite."
"Well, the producers did ask him, but he said he won't be coming since he has to take care of your daughter." The staff member went straight to the point right then. "They were hoping you'd ask him, so as to thank him for his presence as a guest in the previous episodes."
Zoe refused regardless. "He must have his reasons for saying no. I can't exactly push him."
Moreover, she had no guarantees that she could get Jay to come, and she would be embarrassed if she could not.
"I see…" The staff member appeared disappointed but had no choice but to give up.
"Next time, maybe," Zoe said simply and cleaned her makeup before heading to her MPV with her assistant.
Naturally, Jay arranged the vehicle for her.
She refused, but Jay said that she should keep up appearances since they were married, or the media would write about it.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: A Life Debt Repaid novel (John and Cordy)