Chapter: 1831

"No? That means there is really someone inside, right?"

Jeanne opened her mouth and realized she had been tricked by Rosa.

With a remorseful look, she reached out her hand again, attempting to grab Rosa's arm. "Honey, listen to me. Can you head out with me first? I really have something very important to..."

"Rosa." Before Jeanne could finish speaking, a deep and serious voice emanated from behind.

The voice was both familiar and strange.

Rosa turned around swiftly, fixing her gaze in the direction of the voice. Walking out from the office was a middle-aged man in a dark gray suit. His brow furrowed, and his sharp eyes bore into Rosa, with palpable anger simmering beneath his stern look.

Rosa held her gaze unwaveringly.

"Mr. Moran," Rosa uttered in a cold tone.

In an instant, Rosa recognized the man. He was unmistakable, the patriarch of the Moran family and Libby's father. He was also her biological father, a man with whom she shared no special bond.

Seeing this, Jeanne stepped in front of Rosa and approached Brent.

“Well, well, Mr. Moran, what brings you here unannounced? A little heads-up wouldn't cost you a thing.”

Brent cast a disdainful glance at Jeanne, his eyes brimming with contempt for the glitterati. In his view, they were just actors, nothing more! He had repeatedly cautioned Rosa about her pursuits, but she remained deaf to his advice.

"Who might you be?" Brent asked.

Jeanne caught the disdain in Brent's eyes, but being accustomed to the capricious nature of fame, she brushed it off with poise.

"I guess I forgot the formalities. I'm Jeanne Murray, a fellow artist with Rosa." Her easygoing demeanor revealed Brent's lack of broad perspective.

“Artist? Can't say I've heard of you," Brent grumbled unhappily, shifting his focus back to his daughter. “I'm trying to have a chat with my daughter here!"

Recognizing Brent's stern demeanor, Jeanne sensed trouble when she hurried to the studio upon hearing the receptionist's plea for assistance.

Now standing face to face with Brent, she was determined to intervene.

She didn't know what had transpired between Brent and Rosa, but since she'd known Rosa, she hadn't heard her bring up Brent. Anyone could see that Rosa and Brent did not have a happy relationship.

“Oh, the stars have aligned, Mr. Moran. Rosa's got this crucial gig today. You know Elliott Foster, right? The big cheese is in the studio. Rosa is glued to him for an interview, his car is waiting outside, and time is of the essence. It might not be the best moment for a heart-to-heart, you know?"

Brent's countenance darkened. "What's the meaning of this?"

"Mr. Moran, if you have something to tell Rosa, you can just tell me first. I'll make sure she gets the memo. What say you?"

“Who do you think you are? It's none of your business!" Brent rebuffed Jeanne's attempt to intervene, pushing her aside as he headed towards Rosa.

Jeanne had pegged Brent as a tough figure, but the brusque shove caught her off guard. The receptionist rushed to Jeanne's aid, steadying her. “Are you okay, Jeanne?"