Out of the Shadows: Tidy’s Brilliant Second Life

Chapter 454: Shadows Behind the Spotlight

“Yes. I didn’t tell her about your dreams, but she already knows you’re the lead actor in this movie.”

“Let me give you some advice, Mr. Jenson. If Tilda is the key to those dreams, then many of your questions will find their answers through her."

“This is your family’s matter. Back in Yaflana, we Nomari don’t interfere in other people’s family business. That’s all I can say.”

Silva stopped talking.

From what Tilda had said, it seemed she had already cut ties with her family.

Silva had no idea what really happened between them.

She didn’t know Tilda well, nor Darell, nor the Jensons.

It wasn’t her place to get involved.

“Thank you, Ms. Silva.” Darell’s voice was distant.

Darell’s gaze drifted into the distance.

His sharp, handsome face held a faint, unsettling tension.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that, while he had been busy filming, locked away with work, many things had been happening behind his back.

Things he hadn’t noticed at all.

When Darell returned to the lounge, Cindy was on the phone with the company.

“Yes, I understand. What? Okay, I’ll let Darell know,”

Darell walked in. “What happened?”

“Hmm, there’s a wrap-up party tonight for the cast and crew. Since it’s over, maybe you should call your family? Let them know the good news.”

“I was just about to.”

Darell had been thinking about that.

He pulled out his phone and dialed Dominic first.

Dominic was his older brother. Darell, being the second child, had always been the closest to him.

“The number you have dialed is out of service. Please try again later."

Out of service?

Darell frowned slightly, hiding his worry.

Then he tried his mother.

After a short wait, the call finally connected.

“Darell?” Blair’s voice lit up with joy. “Is the filming already done?”

Even someone as cold and distant as Darell softened when speaking to the woman who had given him life and raised him. “Yeah, Mom. It’s finished. I’ll stay here in Jeselton for a few more days, then head back to Slosa. I’ve canceled the rest of my work. I just want to spend the holidays with you.”

Blair replied, “Good. I’ll talk to the company and make sure everything else is pushed aside. This time, just to defend the Best Actor title–it’s been so long since I’ve really seen you. It’s good to fight for your career, but you need to take care of your health, too.”

Darell said, “I will, Mom. By the way, I’ve been away so long, buried in filming. I haven’t asked much. Has something happened at home?”

Blair paused at his question.

Cindy hadn’t told Darell yet?

After a moment of thought, she let out a quiet sigh. “We’ll talk about it when you get back.”

“Mom, did something happen back home?”

“Yes, many things. It’s not something I can explain over the phone. When you’re home, I’ll tell you everything. For now, just focus on what you’re doing in Jeselton. Don’t worry about us.”

“Okay.”

When the call ended, a shadow weighed on Darell’s heart.

His sixth sense had always been uncannily accurate, ever since he was a child.

And now, that same instinct screamed that something serious had happened while he was gone.

And deep down, his gut told him it was tied to that strange dream.

And to Tilda.

Night fell.

The movie production of “Fateful Ties” held the wrap-up party at the five-star hotel they had been staying in, close to the movie town.

“Cheers!”

The champagne popped.

Lights flickered on.

Balloons floated in the air.

Party poppers burst.

Streamers and champagne spray mixed together, filling the room with excitement and joy.

“Congratulations, Mr. Jenson! The movie is officially wrapped up!”

Darell wore a casual suit, a glass of champagne in hand. At six-foot-two, the lights cast his tall frame into a looming shadow, carrying an effortless sense of power.

His movements had the wild charm of a spoiled young aristocrat–magnetic and impossible to ignore.

“Thank you, Mr. Jenson.”

Wilfrid Johnson clinked glasses with him and laughed.

He was in high spirits tonight, already warmed by more than a few drinks. After another sip of champagne, he let his guard down and began to talk freely.

“To be honest, when the investors first pushed for you, I was worried sick. I’ve been waiting years for the right script, one strong enough to chase another award. When this one finally came along, I couldn’t risk it.

"You may be young, and sure, you’ve already won Best Actor. But this role–it’s complicated. It demands deep understanding and life experience. I didn’t think someone your age could carry it."

Wilfrid smiled and shook his head. “But I was wrong. You’re no shallow pretty boy. You’re the real deal. Working with you has been an honor.”