From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

The thing Mia most didn't want to happen ultimately did. She thought Lily had accidentally let it slip, because she had only told Lily.

But Lily was also clueless, insisting she hadn't.

Later, they found out that the professional stylist in charge of Mia's makeover had deliberately leaked it to the media to try and claim the credit for themselves.

However, that no longer mattered, because Mia's world had been turned upside down, and what's done is done.

Despite her reluctance, Mia's identity was exposed ahead of schedule, so she had to attend the Genovian diplomatic banquet as a public relations move to salvage her image.

As a result, Mia felt out of place and remained clumsy. She not only caused a series of jokes but also created a chain of chaotic accidents, completely ruining the banquet.

It was simply a complete mess.

Mia felt very guilty and nervous, thinking the Queen would be disappointed and angry, but the Queen wasn't.

Not only that, but Mia also reminded the Queen of her son.

The next day, the Queen let Mia temporarily skip her princess training course, and the two of them went to San Francisco for a trip, giving each other a chance to get to know each other.

Although it was another chaotic affair, this time it was slightly different. Mia saw the Queen's approachable side, and the Queen saw Mia's sincere and lovely side. The two of them finally temporarily put down their guards and began to communicate. Mia also heard more stories about her father from the Queen.

On a whim, the Queen even took the initiative to play the role of a driving instructor, taking Mia to retrieve her Mustang and helping Mia learn to drive.

As a result, trouble struck.

Again and again and again.

Just like Mia, and this time, they almost crashed into a San Francisco city tour bus, hindering city traffic and creating chaos.

At the critical moment, the Queen displayed her royal demeanor, not only cleverly resolving the crisis but also winning the hearts of the citizens with her amiability, becoming a hot topic on the streets and landing on the front page of the "San Francisco Chronicle" the next day:

News of the Queen of Genovia and the princess spread throughout the city.

This time it was slightly different. Countless people became fans of the Queen and the Princess, no longer out of curiosity and inquiry, but out of support and love.

In just one night, Mia, who had been completely invisible at school, transformed into a popular figure, and it seemed like everyone became her good friend.

They no longer looked at her with strange eyes but instead tried to get close to her. Even Josh, whom Mia had always had a crush on, looked at her differently and invited her to a beach party on Saturday.

Mia happily went to the appointment, but she didn't expect that it was all a trap:

A hype trap.

Josh tried to kiss her in front of reporters to create a scandal and generate traffic, while Lana tried to tear down the beach mobile changing room while she was changing clothes so that reporters could take pictures freely.

Everyone was trying to get something from her, but there was no sincerity.

The moment Mia, wrapped in a bathrobe, curled up in Helen's arms and cried heartbrokenly, the entire screening room fell silent, with only the rustling sound of quietly wiping away tears.

So, this is the price of growing up —

Stumbling, bumping, injuries and heartbreak are inevitable.

From heaven to hell, it only takes one night.

The major headlines were praising and touting Mia as if it were yesterday, but in the blink of an eye, it was all Mia's "scandals."

Those media outlets didn't care about the truth and didn't bother to understand Mia, labeling her as a "party girl" and publishing a series of Mia's embarrassing photos.

The Queen was utterly furious.

But.

For Mia, nothing, nothing was more important than the fear of losing her friend.

Mia needed to apologize to Lily, and apologize to Lily sincerely, but the result… naturally evolved into an argument, only, the direction was slightly different from what she had imagined.

Anger, sadness, depression, irritability, Lily didn't hide her disappointment.

However, when Mia told Lily that she wasn't going to be a princess, Lily was very disappointed instead.

Lily admitted that she was jealous, she admitted that she was worried that Mia would no longer be her friend.

"…But the fact is, you becoming a princess is a miracle."

"Think about it, I found out that my TV show only has twelve listeners. Trying to change the world, but only having such insignificant power as mine, that's a nightmare, but you? Wow!"

Lily wanted to protect the earth, whether it was her TV show or her volunteer activities, everything was trying to make her voice heard.

"'Wow' is you having influence, you can make everyone listen, how many teenagers have that kind of ability?"

Lily opened a door for Mia.

But the distraught Mia didn't think much about it, she had already made up her mind that she would not accept the title of princess at the Genovian National Day banquet.

Nevertheless, Mia still hoped to make up for her mistakes, inviting Lily to the Genovian ball, and hoping that Michael could be her dance partner.

When Michael delivered the car that had been repaired at the garage, Mia tried to extend an invitation.

Too bad.

Now it seems that everything is already too late.

"…Listen, thank you for everything you've done for me, you're really too kind." Mia put the remaining balance for the car repair in an envelope, ready to hand it to Michael.

Michael kept his distance impassively, across a table, straightening his back, revealing a polite and courteous smile, "I didn't do it for you. The doctor had the band practice there, I helped fix the car."

A line, drawn clearly.

Mia was somewhat disappointed and also somewhat reserved, "Right, of course, right, right…" She handed the envelope to Michael, "Here, for you."

Michael took the envelope and said politely, "Thank you."

After saying that, Michael was about to leave, but just as he turned around and hadn't had time to move his feet, Mia continued to speak, which made Michael stop, looking down at the envelope in his hand, avoiding Mia's gaze.

Mia mustered her courage, "I know you're still angry that I stood you up, I'm really very sorry, I, uh, I want to make it up to you." She was trying, trying to maintain a cheerful tone, trying to show a sweet smile, staring intently at Michael.

That gaze, landed on Michael's skin.

Michael's shoulders and arms were slightly stiff, he realized that he was retreating step by step, he realized that he was softening, unable to control his head drooping, slightly turning his head to avoid Mia's gaze, equipping armor to arm himself, but he needed to be tough, he couldn't compromise like this.

So, Michael took the envelope in his left hand, put it behind his back, picked up a painted mask from the table, and put it on his face, covering up his expression.

At this moment, he finally had the courage to look up.

With the mask on, nothing could be seen, and Michael finally looked directly into Mia's eyes, gazing quietly, using all his strength to keep his voice steady.

"How do you want to make it up?"