Ignoring her protests, Michael closed the door, locked it, and got into the driver’s seat. The car started up swiftly and sped away.
Bianca finished up urgent work at the company and took the elevator to Josh’s office.
She intended to discuss Sophia’s contract with him.
Approaching Josh’s door, she noticed it was slightly open. As she was about to knock, she heard a familiar voice that stopped her.
“Mr. Harvey, what’s your plan? I may not care about being the director, but you’ll be missing out on a lot without me, right?”
It was clearly Zoey speaking.
Bianca was surprised. She didn’t expect Zoey to be so flirty.
Josh hugged Zoey, sitting her on his lap comfortably. He said casually, “Your bet with Bianca is getting a lot of attention online. Everyone’s watching. We can’t ignore them, so for now, you should step down as director. Just go along with it. Once things calm down, I’ll help you get back in charge. What do you say?”
“Don’t try to manipulate me,” Zoey warned, putting her arms around his neck and pouting.
Josh gave her a playful squeeze and replied, “Have I ever broken a promise to you? Besides, I need you to use that role to our advantage, right?”
In the business world, making money often mattered more than romance. Zoey understood this and trusted Josh’s words.
“You’re thinking of signing Sophia, right? If Bianca gets an actress like her, she’ll become a big rival.”
Josh tapped her nose gently and comforted her, “Once Sophia joins Phoenix Entertainment, we’ll decide if she takes a break or gets opportunities, okay?”
Zoey understood the plan. “Exactly. Even if Sophia signs, we can prevent her from getting any jobs. If she starts costing us money, it’ll be our chance to kick her and Bianca out. It’s all about money. The highest bidder gets the best choices, right?”
“Exactly. So, how about you reward me?” Josh teased.
“You always take care of me so well.” Zoey touched Josh’s face and kissed him gently.
Moans of pleasure filled the office moments later.
Bianca stood hidden behind the door, her hands clenched tightly into fists. Sweat made her palms damp, and the veins in her hands showed her stress.
She had imagined many possibilities but never knew that Zoey’s secret lover was Josh, the company’s vice general manager.
Instead of planning the company’s success, they conspired against their colleagues and artists. Even worse, they took bribes for personal gain.
Bianca felt a surge of disappointment. Her mother had inspired her to join Phoenix Entertainment, and she aimed to become an exceptional agent like her.
But she hadn’t expected so much dishonesty and corruption at Phoenix Entertainment.
What should she do next?
Should she trust Justin? And how could she be sure Justin wasn’t involved in this?
Employees often follow their bosses’ lead. Could Justin be unaware of Josh and Zoey’s secret activities?
If the company’s leaders were involved, it could mean big trouble. Maybe Justin was even behind it all.
Bianca felt a surge of despair mixed with bitterness and disappointment.
She went to the restroom, splashing cold water on her face to calm down.
Rumors were spreading that Phoenix Entertainment wasn’t as powerful as it used to be, overshadowed by Orion Entertainment’s success. People whispered about internal problems causing its downfall.
Bianca realized that if Sophia signed with Phoenix Entertainment, her career might be ruined.
At that moment, Bianca felt that the company didn’t deserve her loyalty or sacrifices anymore.
But she wondered if switching to another company would make any difference. Deception and corruption seemed widespread everywhere. Maybe the entire industry was tainted.
Looking down, Bianca, known for her sharp mind and resilience, felt the harsh reality sinking in.
Her fists clenched as she tried to lift her gaze, searching her own reflection for the determined person she knew herself to be.
Gently patting her cheeks, she whispered a reminder, “Bianca, you’ve overcome so many challenges to get here. Don’t let confusion and sadness take over now. You’ve always been someone who finds a way forward, no matter how tough it gets.”
A spark ignited in Bianca’s eyes. A thought struck her. What if she used her inheritance to start her own company?
Starting her own company seemed far better than working for someone else. It would be her way of honoring Sophia’s belief in her.
As the idea solidified, it blossomed in her mind like a determined flower.
Bianca stood confidently, smiling at the determined reflection in the mirror. No more doubts. She was prepared to unleash her full strength.
****
Michael drove Sophia to his home in Edenfield, a fancy area developed by the respected Hayes Group.
“Michael, let me go!” Sophia struggled against his strong grip, trying to break free.
Despite her efforts, Michael was too strong. He led Sophia through the door and into a large bedroom, where he pushed her onto the luxurious bed.
“What are you doing?” Sophia protested, getting up from the bed, only to find Michael looming over her by the window.
His large hand slipped under her silk dress, pulling it up and exposing much of her delicate skin to the open air in an instant.
“Since you won’t go to the hospital, I’ll do a check-up myself!” Michael said with a sinister grin, gripping Sophia’s wrists and holding them above her head with one hand while pulling at her clothes with the other. “I studied some medical skills at university, too.”
Initially, Michael had no interest in inheriting the Hayes family legacy. His true passion was medicine, a dream he pursued secretly by attending medical school without his mother’s knowledge.
When his mother found out about his desire to study medicine, she was furious. She changed his application and forced him to attend business school instead.
Michael resisted his mother’s plans during college and secretly attended medical school classes to follow his passion. When his mother discovered what he was doing, she sent him to a remote school abroad for further studies.
After his father passed away, Michael’s mother tightened her control over him. Only when he was with Sophia did he feel some relief. He liked how obedient she was and the sense of power he had over her. With her, he could feel like a real person, not just a puppet.
However, Sophia, who had always been compliant with him, was now refusing his demands and trying to break free from his control. All he saw in her eyes was hatred and rejection.
Michael felt a deep emptiness in his heart. He longed to regain what he had lost, but he knew deep down it might be impossible.