Love's Change of Heart

Half an hour later, Louis published his first tweet with the picture Zoe sent him. There was no caption, just the trending topics related to the show.

With that, he set his phone aside.

Not long after, Louis received a call from Keaton, saying the evidence against Theodore was conclusive, and the police had started an investigation. However, Theodore had gone missing after leaving the company in the afternoon, and his whereabouts were currently unknown.

“Don’t worry, though,” Keaton said. “I’ve sent someone over to Daphne’s side. Once Theodore shows up, it’ll be like walking into a trap.”

“Got it,” Louis answered after a moment of silence.

Before hanging up, Keaton added, “President Pearson specifically instructed me before going to Jamesdon that you should stay out of this now since the matter concerning Theodore is already set in stone. Same thing from Miss McKinney; the last thing she wants to see is for you to get hurt.”

“I know.” Louis hummed.

After setting his phone down, he got up and hit the shower.

When he came out, he checked his phone while drying his hair to find several likes and comments under the tweet he had published not long ago.

Instead of clicking on them, Louis zoomed in on the photo, lowering his head and getting lost in thought.

After two minutes, he casually tossed the towel onto the couch, slipped his phone into his pocket, and walked briskly toward the door.

…

Daphne had little work and no one urging her to lose weight these days, so she indulged for once, ordering quite a display of takeout and spreading them out on the coffee table. She nestled on the couch and scrolled through Twitter mindlessly while the new reality show played on the television.

After a while, she came across a real-time hot topic, and her suspended finger hesitated in the air for a second before she clicked on it. She enlarged the photo several times and finally confirmed that the figure in the background was indeed herself.

The photo Louis posted was taken in the studio. It had a certain artistic charm, giving off a lively atmosphere with people talking.

Most of the comments under his tweet focused on the recording of the reality show itself.

Many also guessed whom the two backs in the photo belonged to. Some were able to recognize them as Daphne and Louis. However, before they could exchange a few words, they were debunked by Louis’ fans, who quickly responded.

The consensus was that the photo was just a behind-the-scenes shot taken during recording, and people were advised not to read too much into it or spread rumors. If they liked Louis, they should focus on him as an individual.

Daphne couldn’t help smiling in response. Though it was Louis’ first variety show and his first job in the entertainment industry after joining Jellyfish Entertainment, his team was still relatively inexperienced. However, judging from how the publicity stunt turned out, it proved to be quite effective.

For some unknown reason, Daphne clicked on Louis’ tweet and saved the photo before exiting Twitter.

Then, she chucked her phone aside and began selecting food from the coffee table, eating to her heart’s content.

Very quickly, the doorbell rang. Assuming it was the boba tea she ordered, she hurriedly slipped on her slippers and jogged to the door with a kebab. “Coming!”

She opened the door and was about to thank the food rider when she realized it was Louis instead. Daphne widened her eyes and instinctively hid the kebab behind her. “W-What brings you here?” she stammered.

Louis pressed his lips together briefly before saying, “Theodore got away. I’m worried he’ll come for you.”

Daphne opened her mouth, but it took a while for her to speak. “Is that so…”

“Mm.”

After standing face to face at the doorway for half a minute, Daphne suddenly reacted and stepped aside. “Come in, then.”

“Thank you,” said Louis, and while he was changing his shoes at the door, Daphne dashed to the living room.

The coffee table was a mess; the array of food spread across the table. She wanted to clear the table but didn’t even know where to begin.

Just as the young woman was lost, Louis’ voice rang from behind. “Have you not had dinner?”

“N-Not yet.” Daphne turned around and chuckled wryly. “I had work in the afternoon and came back a little late. Would you like to join me?”

“I’m assuming you can’t finish all of this,” Louis said while sweeping his gaze across the coffee table.

A twinge of guilt rose within Daphne as she sat on the couch with her hands on her knees, gazing at the spread in front of her.

Louis was right. She couldn’t possibly finish all the food herself, but it had been what felt like forever since she last had these, so she couldn’t help wanting a bit of everything.

Hence, after a moment’s silence, Daphne tried to defend herself. “Well, I don’t intend to waste them either. There are many strays outside the neighborhood, and I usually feed what’s left to them,” she explained.

“But these are all greasy and spicy,” Louis reminded. “If they eat them…”

Louis paused for a few seconds, leaving his words hanging before he continued, “Do you often eat like this?”

Daphne waved her hands in denial at once. “No, no. How dare I eat like this when I have to stay in shape for work’s sake?! I only indulge once in a blue moon.”

Daphne waved her hands in denial at once. “No, no. How dare I eat like this when I have to stay in shape for work’s sake?! I only indulge once in a blue moon.”

The young man said nothing more. He sat down on the armchair next to her and tidied up the messy coffee table, arranging the food neatly in an instant.

The doorbell rang again, and Daphne hurried to the door, saying, “That must be the boba. I’ll go get it.”

the food rider, Daphne returned to the living room and offered, “I didn’t know you were coming, so I only ordered one. Um, what would you like to drink? I’ll get