Chapter 41
日25%宝
Yanina’s heart sank. This group of people knew she was going to Utravia, which clearly meant they weren’t reporters but someone sent to stir up trouble.
With that thought. Yanina continued addressing her livestream audience, “Guys, this whole situation has been orchestrated from the start–it’s a malicious event targeted specifically at me. I’ve already reported it to the police, and I trust they’ll provide some answers. I’m just as eager to find out who the puppet master behind this is.”
As soon as Yanina finished speaking, the elevator dinged and several police officers stepped out.
“Did someone here report noise disturbance and trespassing?” asked one cop.
The fake reporters at the door didn’t expect the police to actually show up, and they instantly panicked.
“Officers, we’re journalists trying to interview an online star, one of them exclaimed.
“Interviewing isn’t a crime!” another added.
“Yeah, what law says we can’t interview someone?
One policeman happened to be the same one who had taken Christina away from the club previously. Upon seeing Yanina. he paused for a moment but didn’t bother to acknowledge the unruly reporters clamoring for attention.
“Ms. Fulbright, you seem to call the cops very often, the officer remarked.
Yanina forced a wry smile. I can’t help it; there are always people trying to go after me.”
“Don’t worry, Ms. Fulbright. We’ll get to the bottom of this,” the officer assured her before turning his gaze to the group of impostors.
“You lot, come with me right now,” said the cop.
The fake reporters continued to protest loudly.
“We haven’t done anything wrong! You can’t just take us!”
“Are you guys protecting CrimsonSnow? This is so biased!”
“You must be in cahoots with CrimsonSnow!”
The officer, clearly losing patience, interrupted, “I’ve got my badge right here–where are your press credentials? Working without a permit? Isn’t that a crime? Do you really think I didn’t see the livestream earlier? A bunch of men harassing a woman at her door. How shameless can you get? Now, let’s go! Whether you’re reporters or not will be sorted out at the
Mation”
Seeing the officer was serious, the fake reporters began to panic even more.
In the café, Steven was in a panic too. “Mrs. Zamora, what do we do? Yanina actually called the cops!”
“Calm down. How much do you need to settle this? I’ll cover it. Right now, we have to get Chris out” Sherry’s tone was sharp.
Steven couldn’t help feeling a bit resentful towards this reckless woman who never thought ahead. On the outside, though, he forced a smile. “Mrs. Zamora, what’s the next step?”
With a cold scoff, Sherry replied, “I wasn’t planning on taking down that wench with a bunch of goons. If it works, great; if not, it doesn’t matter. We stick to the plan. I’m flying to Wavecret soun
18
ווח
0
12:36 Tue, Oct 22 D
Chapter 41
Steven nodded eagerly, saying. “You’re always so thorough, Mrs. Zamora. Should I go with you?”
“You?” Sherry’s voice dripped with skepticism, making Steven feel uneasy all over. “Who’s going to take care of Christina if you leave? She’s still in the detention center. I don’t know what kind of tricks Shawn pulled, but they won’t even let her post bail Yanina, you better not fall into my hands! If that happens, I’ll make you pay for everything Christina’s suffering through a thousand times over!”
Then let me drive you to the airport, Steven quickly offered, trying to win her favor.
Sherry looked at her sensible future son–in–law, nodding in satisfaction. But just as they were about to leave, her phone rang. It was Ethan. Sherry felt a mix of confusion and guilt as she answered.
“You fool” What have you done in Yvale?! Ethan erupted as soon as she picked up, his voice filled with fury.
Sherry anxiously glanced at Steven, wondering if Ethan found out about the situation in Yvale. Isn’t he in Oakenwood? How could news spread so fast?‘ she wondered.
“I didn’t do anything. Sherry started to argue, but Ethan cut her off.
“Nothing? Have you checked the property news? Junction Real Estate is making headlines! Our security is a mess, and paparazzi are camped out at someone’s home! You’ve turned a perfect district into a slum where privacy isn’t protected!”
“I didn’t mean for that to happen,” Sherry stammered, panic creeping in. She only wanted to teach Yanina a lesson; she never imagined it would blow up the way it did.
Ethan scoffed. “No matter what you intended, the losses from Junction Real Estate are on you. I had my assistant book you a fight to Oakenwood. You need to get over here tonight. If you meddle in the company’s affairs again, I’ll divorce you.”
Panic gripped Sherry. “What will happen to Chris if I leave? Is she really going to end up in prison?‘ she thought.
“No, I must go to Wavecrest first. Chris is in the police station right now, and if I don’t rescue her, she’ll be locked up!” Sherry pleaded, her emotions spiraling as tears streamed down her face,
“Chris is at the police station? What happened? Ethan demanded, now truly concerned.
“It’s all Yanina’s fault! She colluded with the Haney family to frame Chris. Sherry quickly recounted her version of events to Ethan.
Ethan fell silent for a long moment. “Get yourself back to Oakenwood. As for Chris, I will send someone to handle it”
With that, Ethan hung up. Sherry let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding; at least Ethan had promised to help Christina–that should be foolproof.
But Steven looked Doubled. With the Zamora family backing her, Christina would be out soon enough. But if his shady dealings with fake reporters got exposed, no one would take care of him.
His grandfather was still bedridden, surviving on expensive medications, and the will and inheritance distribution hadn’t even been announced yet. If he was in trouble, his family wouldn’t care about him at all.
“What am I supposed to do, Mrs. Zamora?” Steven asked, desperation creeping into his voice.
Sherry was too frazzled to offer him sympathy. She merely shot him a glance. “What’s the big deal? Let’s focus on getting Chris out first. Yanina isn’t that formidable.”
Steven’s anger boiled beneath a forced smile. “You’re right, Mrs. Zamora. It’s good to see you remain so composed.”
Without acknowledging him further, Sherry grabbed her bag and left the cafe. As Steven watched her walk away, he spat softly, cursing under his breath, “What a pair of idiots, mother and daughter!”
20
12:37 Tue, Oct 22 O
Chapter 41
Stepping out of the cafe, he headed straight to the police station.
The fake
25%
%1
handourorters were easily identified once at the station. They were all criminals with records, living off extortion and
handouts. Steven wasted a fortune to keep them quiet.
Glancing at his nearly empty bank account, he sighed, frustration swelling within him. He had to deal with Yanina soon. Otherwise, his marriage with Christina might be ruined.
Under the dimming night sky of Mandora in Utravia, the Juniper Hotel buzzed with life.
Cameron and Callie were sitting down for a late–night snack. The ambiance around them was warm and inviting.
“Cameron, you won’t believe it! Today has been the happiest day of my life! Even if I died tomorrow, I wouldn’t regret a single thing.” Callie’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
Cameron slowly chewed his steak, savoring each bite before delicately wiping his mouth. Such flawless grace made it hard for anyone to find a flaw in him. Callie couldn’t help but feel a little mesmerized by him.
“I won’t let you die, Cameron replied, his voice serious.
