“That incident was actually targeted at me,” Isabella said with a hint of sarcasm, continuing, “Charlotte and her daughters are quite cunning. First, they poisoned the soup I drank, then they planted this piece as evidence. Leveraging the opportunity of all artists under the company getting blood tests, they discovered drug traces in my system and used the scandal to kick me out of the entertainment industry.”
“This is a pretty cunning conspiracy, hard to guard against. If a scandal breaks out, not only would it be tough to stay in the entertainment industry, but even marriage prospects might be affected. Fortunately, you weren’t caught,” Olivia sighed.
Listening to this, Isabella gave a bitter smile. “I wasn’t that smart back then; it was mostly luck. Before the company-wide blood test, I was hospitalized and found drugs in my blood. Andrew even lied to me, saying the drug levels in my blood were low and wouldn’t show up in the tests. He really took me for a fool. He must have used a lot of connections to suppress the matter.”
“Oh,” Olivia nodded with a smile after hearing the story, “you really were a lucky fool.”
Blushing slightly, Isabella continued, “I didn’t know his true identity back then. He always talked about making my dreams come true, and I thought he was just talking nonsense. He said he wanted to be my wish-granting angel, and he did fulfill the roles I wanted and even got me the Best Newcomer Award.”
“A wish-granting angel?” Olivia looked envious. “Mr. Andrew, seems so aloof and arrogant, can actually say such romantic things. Remembering how he lost his temper yesterday, destroying the rehearsal stage, was simply breathtaking. I envy you so much.”
Covering her flushed cheeks with one hand, Isabella changed the subject shyly, “Let’s talk business. Olivia, I need your help.”
“Tell me your plan, and I’ll assist.”
“I’m thinking, since Victoria poisoned me, where did she get the poison? No matter how many intermediaries there are, they would have had contact with drug dealers. If we can find this weak link, even Victoria won’t be able to explain herself. Let alone winning an Oscar, her future in the entertainment industry will be in jeopardy,” Isabella said calmly.
“Finding a weak link?” Olivia mused and quickly grasped her plan.
“So, you mean targeting Victoria’s scapegoat?”
“Yeah,” Isabella nodded. “Previously, Victoria’s assistant Nerida took the blame for her, probably out of impulsiveness and for the money. She’s been in prison for quite some time now, and life inside isn’t easy. Her loyalty to Victoria must have waned. Now would be a good time to get her to talk.”
“I’ll handle this. Nerida, having been Victoria’s assistant for so many years, would have dealt with many confidential matters on Victoria’s behalf,” Olivia agreed promptly. She knew the assistants in the industry better than anyone else. “But I’ve met Nerida a few times; she’s no fool. We might need to use money to get her to talk.”
“Money is not an issue,” Isabella replied, handing over a check.
Looking at the amount on the check, Olivia found it quite appealing. She took the check and joked, “With Mr. Andrew’s wealth, you’re getting quite generous.”
“This is my hard-earned money,” Isabella retorted, “I never spent money of Andrew; in fact, I used to support him.”
“Wow, you’ve worked hard,” Olivia replied with a suppressed laugh, thinking: Clearly, the secondary card of Mr. Andrew in Isabella’s wallet was just for show.
Olivia pressed the accelerator, and the car shot out like an arrow, finally stopping in the underground parking lot of the TV station.
“You’ve made quite a scene with Mr. Andrew; there will surely be gossip. But as his woman, no one would dare to mess with you. Do whatever you want; we can leave after the show,” Olivia advised as the car came to a halt.
Isabella nodded after hearing this and asked, “What was the studio’s response to yesterday’s incident?”
“They haven’t responded yet,” Olivia answered.
“What?” Isabella was slightly surprised; silence at this time was equivalent to admitting the allegations. Although Andrew’s actions yesterday had implicated her, Olivia, having been in the industry for so long, surely knew this.
“The Turner family foundation has already made a public statement; their official stance is: seeing is believing. I think Andrew wants to publicize your relationship. In this situation, less talk is better than more,” Olivia explained.
Isabella remained silent. Even though being associated with Andrew would bring her troubles in the future, being able to stand by his side in public felt good.
Following Olivia into the recording studio, everyone from the actors to the crew was overly polite, bordering on sycophantic.
The recording went surprisingly smoothly. As soon as she arrived, the director informed the staff that Isabella’s segment would be recorded first. After hastily preparing, she performed two songs and left immediately.
Meanwhile, in the dressing room, Elysia angrily knocked over various cosmetics on her vanity.
“This bitch, just because she has some looks, she’s hooked up with Andrew. Acting like she’s already married to him! How could Andrew, such a high-standard man, possibly be interested in her? He’s just playing with her!”
Elysia’s hysterical rant shook the dressing room door. An assistant rushed in to stop her.
“Elysia, lower your voice. What if someone hears?” The assistant was visibly scared. Pushing Isabella off the stage behind her back, if Mr. Andrew found out, they’d be doomed.
“So what if they hear! What’s there to be afraid of? Andrew won’t lay a finger on me for that vixen!” Elysia angrily grabbed the last remaining skincare cream and slammed it against the door.
In the industry, everyone thought Elysia’s backing was Andrew. With Isabella suddenly emerging, headlines like “Andrew’s Wrath for His Beloved” filled the media. People looked at her as if she were a joke.
Elysia clutched her heart in anger.
The assistant stood nervously by the side, irritating Elysia even more, “What are you standing there for? Go find out when I can go on stage. Why can Isabella record early, and I can’t?”
“Okay, okay, I’ll go check right away.” The assistant hurried out and returned dejectedly soon after.
Elysia was touching up her makeup when the assistant, looking defeated, informed her, “Elysia, your recording has been canceled.”
“Canceled? Why?” Elysia asked in surprise.
The assistant hesitated, fearing Elysia’s reaction, but had to say, “The director said it was the sponsor’s decision.”
The Turner family foundation was one of the sponsors for this Christmas gala. Elysia understood what was happening.
It seemed Andrew had found out she had something to do with what happened to Isabella. Cancelling her performance was just a warning.
“Promotion for the Christmas gala have already been released. Suddenly removing me, how can the show explain?” Elysia persisted.
“The show will announce that you got injured during rehearsal and couldn’t participate,” the assistant whispered.
Elysia sneered upon hearing this, clenching her fist, “Isabella, Isabella!”