After a long while, a voice of unparalleled authority echoed from the position of the head of the Evans family in the hall.
“This matter ends here. Immediately announce to the outside world that it was caused by a gas explosion. Contact all parties involved and close the case with gas leakage as the cause!”
“Now go and handle it!”
The heads of the nine major branches were puzzled, but no one dared to disobey their clan leader’s words, so they each went about their tasks.
After they left, an old man in the hall suddenly trembled and his eyes flickered with fear and dread.
“Sebastian, it’s not that grandpa doesn’t want to avenge you, but I really dare not!” The Evans family was aware that Sebastian had found the Punishment Ring. He suspected that this incident was related to what happened ten years ago. If it involved forces from that great battle or if it escalated into something bigger and let them know about it, even self-preservation for Evans family would be an issue – let alone avenging Sebastian!
They could only suppress this matter!
…
The Kaur family.
“What? Sebastian died at Radwich Mountain?” Matteo was looking at his phone when an explosive message appeared in his old friend group chat.
At the same time, Madeline’s and Scarlet’s phones kept ringing non-stop with messages about Sebastian’s demise spreading like wildfire on social media platforms.
Someone who had intentions also posted photos of the scene, showing thousands of acres of estate turned into ruins, with bloodstains on broken walls and debris.
Everyone was surprised and opened their mouths wide upon seeing these news.
They all heard with their own ears yesterday that Flynn said he would kill Sebastian, especially Madeline and Scarlet who heard it twice!
Could it be that Flynn did it?
But what happened at the scene? It was completely flattened.
Did Flynn throw a bomb?
Just as Matteo was about to call Flynn, Madeline’s voice rang out, “The news says it was caused by a gas leak leading to a pipeline explosion!”
Upon hearing this, Matteo relaxed his eyebrows, “I knew it. The wicked will get their comeuppance. God wants Sebastian dead and no one can stop him!”
“But it’s too coincidental…” Scarlet frowned.
She felt that something was off but couldn’t figure out why.
…
The next day, Orion called Flynn and invited him to his newly opened club for dinner.
Flynn agreed as he wanted to relax.
After hanging up the phone, Paulina called again.
When Flynn answered, she started yelling. “Flynn, you won’t stop until you’ve destroyed the Kaur family!”
“What happened at the party yesterday? Who let you hit Alexander?”
Flynn frowned. “He was bullying Madeline. Why can’t I hit him?”
“You’re crazy! Can’t you talk to him reasonably without resorting to violence?” Paulina shouted.
“Now it’s too late! Asco Entertainment is here! Estella Hickman, the top star for 30 years and has starred in over a dozen Hollywood movies!”
“I heard she’s Teddy’s mistress and has endorsement deals with Niarak’s top ten wealthy families including The Hussain family!”
“She sent a message asking you and Madeline to apologize or else the Hussain family will destroy the Kaur family!”
“Madeline has already gone to Lilylake Estate. Don’t even think about running away! If you have any conscience left, show some gratitude towards Matteo for taking care of you and go apologize!”
“Let me tell you something: if anything happens to Madeline…”
Flynn couldn’t stand listening to Paulina anymore so he hung up and drove straight to Lilylake Estate.
Meanwhile…
Chateau Hotel.
Outside the building…
“Mr. Richardson, it’s an honor to meet you!” The hotel owner shook hands with Travis and his group, looking embarrassed. “Unfortunately, Lilylake Estate has already been booked by Estella from Asco Entertainment.”
Travis furrowed his brow. “Mr. Pearce, can we stay at a different hotel?”
Katrina had hurt Callie twice now, and the relationship between the Richardson and Pearce families had hit rock bottom.
While shopping around town, Travis ran into Jasper and invited him to dinner in an attempt to smooth things over between their families.
Jasper nodded in agreement. “Mr. Richardson, let’s not be strangers anymore. Staying at Listen Pine Inn wouldn’t be too bad.”
“I’m actually a big fan of that actress who starred in those martial arts films,” Jasper continued. “I heard she’ll be at Lilylake Estate later today.”
…
At Lilylake Estate.
Two guards wearing sunglasses stood outside the door.
The 80-square-meter private room was luxuriously decorated with a noble style.
There were rest areas, dining rooms and bathrooms available for use.
On the round table sat five women and one man, each movement exuding elegance and sophistication.
At the head of the table sat a woman who appeared to be in her thirties, but was actually fifty. She held a spoon delicately in her hand as she stirred her bird’s nest porridge, her face devoid of any expression. Her regal presence dominated the room.
This was Estella, the queen bee of Asco Entertainment International. She had acted in over twenty TV dramas and hundreds of movies, winning countless awards and boasting fans all over the world. Her portrayal of Queen had left an indelible mark on audiences’ hearts.
In reality, Estella was also a queen in her personal life. Not only did she command respect within Asco Entertainment International, but she also had many friends in high places.
Having been at the top of showbiz for over thirty years now, Estella’s influence and connections far surpassed those of Alexander.
Sitting nervously on the sofa next to them was Madeline – fidgeting with her fingers like a frightened rabbit – waiting for Alexander’s verdict.
“Have you thought this through?” Alexander asked sternly while wrapping his right hand with gauze due to bruises all over his face that were still fresh from their fight earlier that day.
“Can’t we just compromise?” Madeline pleaded desperately. “I’ll ask Mr. Gallagher to drop his investigation if we can just pretend this never happened.”
“That way once you’ve recovered from your injuries, the heat around this incident will have died down.”
After the incident, there were reports online.
“Alexander Niarak’s trip, brutally slapped!”
This news spread like wildfire across the country, with various opinions and speculations.
Alexander’s fans rallied behind him and hired internet trolls to guide public opinion. The wind quickly shifted in Alexander’s favor.
However, many people still didn’t believe him.
They believed that Alexander had bullied Madeline.
Some even dug up Alexander’s past misdeeds before he became famous to prove his bad character.
The two sides engaged in a heated argument. With Alexander remaining silent until now, the situation became even more confusing and chaotic as tempers flared higher and higher.
This indirectly affected Asco Entertainment International as well.
Asco Entertainment International was undeniably dominated by Alexander as its top star who Estella had brought up herself.
To quell public outrage, Estella led six of her top-tier stars to Niarak.
She wanted to use the influence of local powerhouse family – the Hussain Family – to force Madeline into issuing a statement admitting that she had actively seduced Alexander.
Madeline was caught between a rock and a hard place: if she issued such a statement her reputation would be ruined forever; if she didn’t issue it then Kaur Family would face an unprecedented crisis.
“Like it never happened?” Alexander pointed to his bandaged hand and roared, “Do I look like nothing happened to me?”
The other celebrities sneered in agreement.
“Miss Kaur is acting like it’s no big deal! Do you know how much this will affect Alexander? It could end his career!”
“We didn’t bring you here to discuss what to do. We brought you here so that when we say something, you do it. It’s that simple.”
“You’re just a small company CEO. Who are you to make demands of us?”
Alexander sneered, “If only you had swallowed your pride, things wouldn’t have gotten this far! You only have yourself to blame for being such a fool!”
“I should consider myself lucky if I get the chance with him. Don’t act innocent and cry like an orphan when everyone knows what kind of person he is,” she said.
He had slept with hundreds of women and they all came crawling back for more.
But not Madeline; she cried before even touching him as if he was taking her virginity away from her!
One actress shook her head while holding a glass of wine and said, “Sleeping with Alexander means getting access to all his resources. This is an opportunity that others can only dream about – why would anyone pass on it?”
“What an idiot!” The other actresses chimed in agreement.
“Alexander is so handsome, and Asco Entertainment is promoting him heavily. With such an outstanding man, isn’t he worth sacrificing yourself for?”
“Sleeping with him is a fan’s privilege. Other fans can only dream of it. Aren’t you being cheap by refusing?”
“Don’t you like Alexander? What’s wrong with letting someone you like play around a bit?”
The stars of Asco Entertainment removed their idol disguises and insulted Madeline’s self-esteem with extremely disrespectful words.
“What are you guys even worth?”
“A bunch of jesters, lowly and daring to bark here.”
A voice filled with killing intent rang out.