Paisley’s downfall went viral and became the top-searched news online. Netizens threw insults, demanding an explanation.
This incident only brought more attention to Tatiana. However, the media still remained curious about the child. Just then, a picture surfaced-a picture of Tatiana and Dylan at the park.
“Aww, you both look so cute,” Jolene commented. “I miss little lion so much. But, who sneaked up on you like this? Definitely someone with a death wish.”
Tatiana had always wanted to keep a low profile. It had been that way even back in the day.
Even when scandals surrounded her, she remained calm and used that opportunity to build her fame. She had learned the craft of making her enemies stepping stones-until she fell in love with Nathan. She fell deeply.
They were friends at first, with Nathan trying to make her fall in love until he succeeded. His dreams and hers were similar-to build a great empire in the entertainment industry, and to focus on this, she had to quit acting.
Tatiana helped Nathan, handling a lot of things for him for three years. And when his dream was achieved, Nathan became a complete stranger-a man who shattered her gruesomely on her wedding day.
Tatiana couldn’t help but see all powerful men as birds of the same feather.
Another man was occupying her mind. A powerful man in the same industry, not just anyone but the King himself. Everything about him was subtle, and she felt conflicted.
“We’re here,” Jolene broke Tatiana’s train of thought.
Tatiana looked out the car window. A wide building with grand architecture-the stripper club she was visiting tonight. To meet the man who knew something about Isabella’s death.
Just the thought made her eyes darken.
—
Hudson tried to focus on his work, but the thought of what he did with Indigo haunted him.
After she had slammed her lips on his, Hudson recalled how he couldn’t resist the urge to kiss her back with hunger like he had been craving it.
The way their lips burned against each other, their tongues entangled as he lost himself in pleasure. The sound of her moan rang over and over in his head, and his urge was beginning to drive him crazy.
He had managed to stop himself from going crazy that night and forced himself to leave. He hadn’t laid eyes on Indigo since then.
“Hudson!” A voice snapped him back to reality. He looked up to see Cassius staring down at him with curiosity.
“Hi… Good morning,” he stuttered, wondering when Cassius had entered the office.
“It’s afternoon. What’s troubling you? I’ve called you thrice, but you were so lost in thought,” Cassius said.
“I’m fine. I just drifted off with business thoughts for a minute…”
“Doesn’t look like business thoughts. It looks like woman thoughts,” Cassius smiled lightly. “Who’s she?”
“It’s not a woman!” Hudson cut in. His voice was louder than he intended.
“Definitely a woman,” Cassius declared, and Hudson sighed.
“Fine, it’s a woman. I helped her home one night when she was drunk, and she kissed me,” Hudson avoided Cassius’s teasing gaze. How would he feel if he found out the woman he kissed was Indigo?
“And you kissed her back?” Cassius asked, and he slowly nodded. “You definitely like her, so shoot your shot.”
Before Hudson could reply, the door opened, and Indigo walked in with her assistant.
Hudson immediately choked and grabbed some water to drink. Cassius’s eyes narrowed at his reaction.
“There are some files we would like you to sign, President King. Miss Indigo will be shooting *The Red Velvet* next week,” the assistant requested professionally, while Indigo remained quiet, not looking at Cassius.
However, Hudson was in a hot seat. He glanced at Indigo’s upset look meant for Cassius. Did this mean she didn’t remember the kiss?
Cassius simply took a pen and signed the papers before handing them over to Indigo’s assistant.
“Thank you, President King. We’ll take our leave,” the assistant said while Indigo turned silently and left.
Hudson let out the breath he was holding. She didn’t seem to remember. However, his gaze met with Cassius’s, and he swallowed.
The look on Cassius’s face seemed like he had just discovered something.
“Find out what Little Rebel is up to,” he ordered and went to his seat while Hudson swallowed.
—
It had been three hours since Paisley had woken up. Her face was pale as she hadn’t spoken a word.
She could hear the gossip of the nurses in the hospital. The woman being dragged online was here. If it wasn’t for the tight security of the hospital, there would be wild reporters yelling for an explanation behind the doors right now.
The sting on her body only occurred whenever she moved. The doctor had told her she was going to have scars. Her neck down to her waist was the part that was affected. It was a bit swollen.
The door opened, and her assistant walked in with her food.
“Get that out of my face,” Paisley demanded, her eyes staring into space like a lost kitten.
“You haven’t eaten since morning. You need strength. Besides, the doctor said-”
“I said get out!” she yelled insanely, her muscles moved, and the pain struck her skin.
“Ma’am, are you okay?” her assistant asked worriedly.
Before Paisley could yell again, the door opened, and Nathan stepped in. He was clad in his black expensive suit, his eyes devoid of emotion as they met hers.
Paisley scoffed, knowing why he was here.
“Leave us,” Nathan ordered, and Paisley’s assistant immediately left the ward. His gaze scrutinized her wounds, and he showed no pity. Instead, anger glimmered in those metallic eyes of his.
“You can still hold a pen-” he threw a file on the bed beside her. “Sign it.”
Paisley scoffed at his command. Did this motherfucker think he could just do as he pleased with her and throw her away like trash?
“No,” Paisley responded firmly. Nathan stepped forward, his icy gaze boring into her.
“Do it while I ask nicely,” he demanded in a low, threatening voice.
“I’m not a piece of shit you can dispose of the way you want, Nathan Redmond. You’re stuck with me. And I’m never going to use my fucking hand to sign that paper.”
A wide grin graced his lips. At that moment, he looked like a psychopath.
“I didn’t expect you to sign it immediately. I give you two days, Paisley. You know how badly I love my reputation and how far I’ll go just to secure it, yet you stained it with your senseless actions. I’ll take care of Landon; you don’t have to worry about him. But you-you’re leaving.”
“Hell fucking no. I don’t care if you’ll drag me to hell, Nathan Redmond. I won’t let you throw me away.”
“Two days,” he stated and turned to leave.
“I know your secret, Nathan,” she said, and he halted, his eyes darkened. “And I won’t hesitate to spill it out if you don’t stop your madness. You think I don’t know a day like this would come? A day when you’d decide to throw me away? Oh, darling, I’ve prepared for this day. Even if I die, I have someone who will spill your entire secret.”
Nathan’s laughter echoed in the ward. After his laughter, he glanced over his shoulder at her.
“What a nice threat, sweetheart. If I were you, I’d sign the goddamn papers.”
—
Gentle, slow music filled the large territory; the scent of alcohol and smoke lingered in the air.
On the stage were several women, their intimate parts barely covered, revealing their curves. Their faces were hidden behind masks as they swayed their bodies seductively, dancing to the tune of the slow music.
Some had their hands clutched to a pole as they ground their bodies against it. Each revealed their skills just to please the intense gazes of the powerful men seated below.
Among those powerful men sat an imposing figure with a regal bearing. His weathered face was enough to make anyone shrink in fear. Despite his face being overshadowed by the darkness, one could spot the scar on his left eye that ran down to his neck.
Zero.