“The culprit must be smart,” Luke explained. “They used a voice changer. From the recording alone, it’s hard to tell who it could be.”
He had seen situations like this many times before. After all, the entertainment industry had a way of bringing out the worst in people. “Looks like someone who’s experienced,” he concluded.
“Contact the media source and tell them to get the culprit on the phone,” Eric said. “Tell them to ask the culprit to repeat their request. While it’s happening, you look around here and see which of the Global staff is on the phone. Follow them quietly and secure evidence of the call. Be sure not to let the culprit figure out what we’re doing.”
Luke could see the intensity in Eric’s eyes. “Yes, sir,” he replied with a nod and turned to leave.
Eric returned to the event room. His sharp gaze swept over to the Davis siblings. Deep down, he already knew which one of them had called the media. The only person capable of doing such a thing was MIA, the highly experienced backstabber. If Nathan were good at scheming like his sister was, he would have made it a lot further in his career by now.
Emma noticed the change in Eric’s expression and looked at him curiously from across the room. Eric contained his anger, picked up his phone, and sent her a short message: “Let’s talk at home.” He had underestimated her sensitivity to his emotions. After living with him for so long, she had come to understand his temper. She knew he only got upset when someone was trying to do her harm. To him, nothing else was worth getting angry over.
She glanced over at the Davis siblings. She already had a vague idea of what was going on tonight. She’d been too outstanding and impressive for Nathan and Mia to ignore. Although she knew they’d try and stab her in the back for it, she hadn’t expected them to have this little restraint.
Ten minutes later, Eric watched as Mia stood up from her seat, phone in hand. She slipped into an empty hallway, hidden from the other guests’ view. After a few moments, she quietly returned to her seat. Then Luke appeared from the same hallway, gesturing to Eric that he had secured the evidence. “Everything is going as planned,” Eric thought.
He had wanted to launch an attack on Mia for a long time, but he hadn’t been able to since all her actions so far had just been part of her job at Global. But now she’s decided she’s brave enough to offend me personally, he thought.
When the gala was over, Emma walked out of the venue with George. Mia and the others followed close behind, so that Emma could feel their piercing glares on her back. George had an issue to deal with at work, so as soon as they got outside, he found his driver and left by himself.
Mia took the opportunity to approach Emma. She looked at her coldly and said, “I really underestimated you, Emma. You managed to make an appearance even though we tried to hold you back. But it doesn’t matter how smart you are. You’ve still done something you shouldn’t have. How dare you take a photo with the CEO of Kaleidoscope? Did you think you could use him to promote yourself? I’m warning you, you’ll only make enemies doing things like that.”
Emma sighed. She didn’t take anything Mia said to heart. “If that’s all, I need to go home and rest,” she replied, turning to leave.
“So, do you think you’re Eric’s girlfriend now?” Mia raged. “He’s only playing around with you. How could you think so highly of yourself?”
Emma turned around and glared sharply at her. “Mia, I admire your ability to be so jealous all the time. Thanks to you, Global’s demise will come even sooner.”
Mia looked at her with ridicule. The thought of the news article she’d organized filled her heart with joy.
Emma could tell what Mia was thinking. This was not the first time she’d seen that provoking smile on her. “Mia’s planning an attack on me and can hardly wait for me to see it,” she thought. But these things never go her way, and this time will be no different.
“Nathan,” butted in, looking at Emma seriously, “while we’re talking, when will you be leaving Global Star? Ages tried to poach you multiple times. Why aren’t you leaving? Haven’t you gotten enough revenge on me?”
“I just want to see if you still have an ounce of humanity left in you, Emma,” replied Emma. At that moment, Lisa pulled up in a sports car, and Emma got in and left without looking back.
Mia turned her scrutinizing glare to Amber. “Why were you so quiet tonight?” she asked.
“I wasn’t feeling well,” Amber replied. Her face was pale. “I’m cheating on my fiancé while pregnant with his child,” she thought. “What’s one more little lie to me?”
“Then hurry home and get some sleep,” Mia said. “The awards ceremony is coming up soon. Don’t let anything go wrong between now and then. Don’t even think of going to the hospital. Just stay home and rest.”
“Yes, Mia,” Amber said. “I’ll be sure to get some rest,” she thought. “I wouldn’t want to miss tomorrow’s top news story.”
Reporters and fans were still swarming the venue after the gala, so Emma and Eric could risk driving home together. The two of them took separate cars home to avoid attracting attention. Emma got home first and began making some soup for Eric to help him sober up. She knew he’d had quite a few drinks at the gala.
As soon as he walked in the door, she handed him his pajamas and told him to get comfortable on the couch. “What happened today?” she asked as she set a bowl of soup in front of him. “Why did you look so upset at the gala?” She sat down next to him and gently rubbed his stomach, trying to make him feel better.
“What do you think?” he replied, pulling her close and handing her his phone. He showed her the recording he’d received and the video Luke had sent. Emma was confused at first, but then her expressions softened, and she let out a laugh.
“Looks like Mia has her methods,” she said. “Too bad she got caught,” he said, gently stroking her hair. “You don’t need to worry about this since it involves me. I’ll deal with it, and I won’t show her any mercy.”
Emma understood what he meant. She knew he’d been waiting for his opportunity for a long time. Since Mia had made the first move, her destiny was now in Eric’s hands. “You already have your evidence. Why are you still upset?” Emma asked.
“I’ve been schemed against so many times. Did you think one more was going to affect me?” he took a deep breath and embraced her in his arms. “My heart breaks whenever someone tries to hurt you. That’s why I’m upset.
Luckily, I can protect you this time.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and took in his scent for a moment. Then she pulled out her phone and showed him the photo of them from the gala. “Does this look like a wedding photo?” she asked, smiling.
“Of course,” he replied, as his gaze softened. “My wife looks beautiful.” He knew Emma didn’t want him to worry about her and was trying to cheer him up.
Even in the face of her manager’s latest scheme, Mia may be brave enough to cause trouble this time, he thought, but tomorrow I’ll make her pay for it a thousand times over.
<< Previous Chapter
Next Chapter >>
