“Since we’re friends, caring about each other is normal. Why do you always refuse my kindness? Or maybe… you have feelings …..?”
“No,” Bianca said firmly, her eyes showing honesty. You’re overthinking this. I don’t want to cause any misunderstandings between us. Besides, I already have a boyfriend.”
“Bianc, does he really deserve your love?” Blake asked, his eyes fixed on her and filled with reluctance.
Bianca didn’t avoid his question. She smiled gently and said, “In a relationship, it’s not about worthiness. It’s about my willingness to commit.”
Blake’s lips quivered slightly after a pause. He hesitated before asking, “If you find out he’s lied to you one day, what will you do?”
“He won’t lie to me,” Bianca replied firmly.
Seeing Bianca’s strong confidence, Blake slumped his shoulders, feeling restless about the man she defended.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly.
Bianca pressed her lips together and soothed him, “It’s okay. I know you’re just looking out for me. If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave now. Please take care of Reese.”
After Bianca left, Blake sighed and sat in the chair by the bed, closing his eyes for a moment of rest.
Reese slowly opened her eyes and looked up, catching a glimpse of Blake’s handsome face.
Reese had overheard Blake’s conversation with Bianca.
Did Blake have feelings for Bianca, while she didn’t feel the same? The thought troubled her.
Curling her fingers helplessly, Reese couldn’t shake the feeling of inferiority. It made sense-everyone would be attracted to someone as amazing and charming as Bianca. Compared to her, Reese felt like an ugly duckling dreaming of winning the heart of a prince.
Frowning with distress, Reese felt a deep sadness building up inside her, and she could not escape it.
The next day, Stacey anxiously paced the living room, waiting for news from Rupert.
Even after a whole night, there was no good news. Ashley was still at the police station. Stacey tried to find more information but couldn’t get any updates on her daughter’s release or bail.
Unable to bear the suspense any longer, Stacey decided to call Rupert around noon.
As soon as she heard the beep, the call ended.
Stacey was shocked and quickly tried calling again. She just heard a voice message: “Sorry, the number you dialed is busy. Please try again later.”
‘What just happened?’
‘Why had Rupert suddenly stopped answering her calls?’
Stacey tried calling several more times but got no answer. Frustrated, she threw the phone onto the couch, feeling completely defeated.
‘Wasn’t he supposed to help Ashley? After all, Ashley was his daughter!’
Stacey knew she couldn’t just sit around. If he wasn’t answering the phone, she would face him in person.
She had never planned to interfere with Rupert’s work and personal life, but for his daughter’s sake, she was willing to risk it all. She took a cab to Rupert’s company.
The tall building’s glass windows reflected the bright sunlight, making Stacey feel small and insignificant.
Determined, she stepped inside.
At the reception desk, Stacey said, “Hello, I need to see your CEO, Rupert Evans.”
The receptionist looked up and asked, “Do you have an appointment?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Sorry, but you need an appointment to see the CEO.”
“I’m here to make an appointment. When can I see him?”
The receptionist checked the schedule and said, “You can see him in about a week.”
“What? A week?!” Stacey shouted. Waiting a week was not an option!
“I need to see him now. Please let him know,” Stacey insisted firmly.
The receptionist, used to dealing with demanding visitors, replied, “Sorry, but I can’t notify him without an appointment.”
Seeing the receptionist’s stubbornness, Stacey’s anger grew. She clenched her teeth, ready to make a scene.
“Rupert Evans, come out here! If you don’t show yourself, don’t blame me for taking extreme measures. I’ll do anything for my daughter!”
At the Vanguard Group, a well-known corporation, security was always alert. When they noticed the commotion in the lobby, the security team came over to try to persuade Stacey.
But Stacey refused to leave quietly, raising her voice and attracting more attention.
The security guards had no choice but to escort her out physically.
“Don’t cause any more trouble, or we won’t be so polite anymore!” one of the guards warned her firmly before walking away.
Standing outside, Stacey looked up at the towering building. The revolving door felt like a barrier, cutting her off from her last hope. She slumped to the ground, buried her face in her hands, and cried in despair.
She felt that men were heartless and ungrateful and could not be trusted.
After crying for a while, Stacey pulled herself together. She had always relied on men for success and wealth, but now she realized that relying on them was a mistake.
She stood up and tasted blood in her mouth.
Stacey was bent on not letting Madison and Bianca get away with what they had done to her daughter Ashley.
Stacey returned home, feeling dazed. Peter hadn’t been around for the last few days. After securing a large investment from Madison, he was busy with business and hadn’t even asked about Ashley.
Stacey’s emotions were a mix of frustration and sadness. It felt like all her hard work had been for nothing.
She refused to accept it!
Earlier, she had consulted a lawyer who told her that, given the situation, Ashley might face a maximum of one year in prison.
One year might seem short, but the real worry was Ashley’s future. A conviction would ruin her life, leaving her with a criminal record and facing constant judgment.
Stacey sat on the sofa, lost in thought for a long time. After calming herself, she called a cab to Emerald Artists Agency.
****
Bianca was in the lobby when she heard someone call her name from behind.
Turning around, she saw Stacey standing at the entrance with a sad smile on her face.
Bianca looked puzzled. She hesitated before walking over.
As she got closer, Stacey suddenly knelt down, tears streaming down her face. “Bianc, please, forgive Ashley. She’s your sister!”
Everyone at the company was shocked.
‘Ashley and Bianca were sisters?’
They realized that both shared the Scott surname.
Bianca looked at Stacey calmly, saying, “Don’t make a scene here. Ashley and I are not related by blood.”
“I’m married to your father. Whether by blood or not, you’re still sisters. How can you be okay with your sister being in prison?” Stacey’s distress made others sympathetic.
Bianca scoffed, “Am I responsible for her being in prison? She brought it on herself! She swapped Reese’s medication and put her life at risk!”