Eric had spent restless nights wondering where Khloe had disappeared to. He certainly hadn’t expected to see her here today.
If Khloe was really here as a background actor, did that mean Karl had left her behind?
In that case…
Eric suddenly hesitated, unable to continue his thought. He didn’t fully understand why he wanted Khloe back so badly.
Sloane couldn’t contain her glee. “Eric, don’t say that. Khloe might get hurt,” she said softly, pretending to care about Khloe. “Khloe, even though Eric’s words are harsh, he’s speaking the truth. You’ve just gotten out of prison. If word gets out, how can you stay in this industry? It would be better if you just went home.”
“Who’s that fake woman? She’s making me want to puke!” A woman’s voice suddenly interrupted, cutting through Sloane’s act.
Khloe glanced up to see Tess storming over, standing firmly in front of her like a mother protecting her child, which made Khloe laugh.
Tess glared at Sloane and said, “Sloane Evans, do you really think you’re so impressive? You’re nothing but a pretty face who used others to get ahead. Didn’t the ‘scandal video’ at the engagement party make you realize anything? Next to Khloe, you’re a joke. Stop spouting nonsense!”
Sloane was taken aback when Tess defended Khloe. Tess, after all, was the CEO of Starshine Entertainment. She wasn’t just a powerful figure in the industry; she had bankrolled multiple hit dramas, introduced the award-winning actor Rafael Carter, and had a hand in producing some of the most popular variety shows.
Sloane’s face turned bright red with fury. Normally, she would’ve fired back without hesitation, but she still hoped to work with Tess in the future. She quickly put on a hurt look and pouted. “Tess, how could you say such things about me? It really hurts. Everything I’ve achieved, I’ve earned with my own effort. We have projects together, so please don’t speak about me like that.”
“You’re calling me Tess? Are we that familiar?” Tess shot back, dismissing Sloane and continuing her sarcasm. “I’m not like you, someone with no real talent who just knows how to show off. Everyone’s heard about your scandals!”
Sloane bit her lip, tears starting to form in her eyes as she played the victim. “Miss Byrd, you must be mistaken. I’ve always looked up to you. Why are you speaking like this about me? Did Khloe say something?”
Sloane shot a pathetic glance at Eric, hoping he would intervene.
The way this two-faced woman spoke ill of Khloe pushed Tess over the edge, making her furious.
“You’ve earned everything through your ‘hard work’? Your version of hard work is just scheming your way up the social ladder, right? Don’t think we don’t know about your tricks. And you have the nerve to mock Khloe? After everything you’ve done to her, you still flaunt yourself? Pathetic! If I had a sister like you, I would’ve stopped her from growing up just to keep her from causing harm.”
Tess’ words left everyone speechless, and there was no way for Sloane to save her dignity.
Sloane’s face drained of color with rage as her victim act crumbled, and she shot a venomous glare at Khloe. What kind of hold had this wretched woman gained over Tess?
Eric, irritated by Tess’ attack on Sloane, frowned and spoke. “Miss Byrd, don’t overstep. Sloane is my fiancee, and it’s not for you to criticize her, especially given…” He shot a pointed glance at Khloe. “Khloe, didn’t you say you were done with me? Then why are you slandering Sloane behind my back and making trouble for her? Can’t you just move on? I’ve told you before, stop trying to tear me and Sloane apart. You have no shot.”
Tess laughed in disbelief at his audacity. Khloe was now Henrik’s fiancee. Eric could never match Henrik’s power.
Tess opened her mouth to respond, but Khloe stepped forward, her breathtaking face curling into a cold smile. “You’re overcomplicating things. I wish you both the best. After all, like attracts like.”
“Well said!” Tess clapped her hands and laughed. Khloe truly lived up to being Henrik’s fiancee. She was extraordinary.
Eric’s veins bulged with fury, but he kept his composure, courtesy of his family’s strict upbringing. He took a deep breath, fighting to keep his temper in check. Eric’s mood darkened, his eyes narrowing as he spoke. “Miss Byrd, if I’m not mistaken, you have backing from Evergreen Capital, correct? I hear they’re in direct competition with the Evans family in the arms industry. Now, you’re going all out for Khloe, defending her like this? Are you helping her or the Evans family? Sure, Khloe shares blood with them, but she’s been cut off from them for ages. She’s not someone you can use. Don’t waste your energy-it’s only going to backfire.”
His words were calculated, pretending to warn Tess not to use Khloe, but in reality, he was implying that Khloe held no value for the Evans family, subtly planting doubt between Tess and Khloe. He was subtly reminding Tess that no matter what Tess’ relationship with Khloe was, if any conflict of interest arose, Khloe could easily turn on her.
Khloe’s gaze was icy. Eric, the heir to the Watson family, was certainly more calculating than Sloane. What Eric didn’t know was that Evergreen Capital was actually Henrik’s company, which had recently been transferred to her. She was already the owner of Evergreen Capital, rendering Eric’s taunts meaningless. Yet Eric’s desperate attempts to create division only exposed his underlying fear to her.
Khloe asked, “Eric, what are you so afraid of?”
Eric’s confident posture faltered, his brow furrowing as he fell silent for a beat.
“Wait…” Khloe said, taking a step closer. Her eyes glinted with a hint of mischief, and a subtle smile curled at the corners of her lips. Her lips parted gently as her breath brushed against his ear. But when she spoke, her words hit Eric like a storm. “You still have feelings for me, don’t you?”
Eric’s expression changed instantly, torn between guilt and anger. He couldn’t meet Khloe’s eyes, feeling as though they were seeing straight through him. His lips quivered as he tried to find the right words to push back.
“Khloe, stop fooling yourself. You’re disgusting!” Eric attempted to keep his cool, but his voice wavered with an undercurrent of vulnerability.
Khloe let out a chilling laugh, one that felt like a direct insult to Eric. Sloane, watching closely, caught every moment. In her eyes, Khloe was always working her charm on Eric. Sloane had been with Eric for three years, and she could see how effortlessly Khloe had ensnared him.
Jealousy ate away at her, made worse by the scandal at the engagement party that had already started to plant doubts in Eric’s mind about her. She couldn’t allow Khloe to continue influencing Eric.
Sloane’s eyes scanned the room before she moved forward, gripping Eric’s arm to draw his attention away from Khloe. “Let it go, Eric. Don’t waste your breath. Khloe knows exactly what she’s doing. She’s Karl’s woman now, and he won’t let anything happen to her.”
Sloane reminded Eric that Khloe, once cast out by her own family, had used her wits and allure to rise up. Eric remembered how Karl had defended Khloe at the engagement party, and the memory doused any doubts he had like cold water. His face drained of color, and all desire to continue the conversation with Khloe evaporated.
“Sloane, you’re the lead actress. Go tell the director to have Khloe removed from this production.”
“Isn’t that a bit extreme? Maybe Khloe needs the money.” Sloane pretended to care about Khloe’s situation, while Eric’s face twisted with anger and contempt.
“Why bother with someone as dishonorable as Khloe? If she ends up on the streets, it’s her own fault.”
Sloane adopted a false apologetic expression, pretending to be concerned for Khloe. “Sorry, Khloe, but I can’t disregard Eric’s feelings. Brice, go tell the director to sort out Khloe’s payment and move her to another crew.”
Brice Green, Sloane’s assistant, hurried off to pass on the message.
Soon enough, the director arrived, with the producer in tow. People nearby couldn’t hide their sympathy and whispers, gossiping as they watched.
“What a shame. This beautiful woman won’t be staying.”
“Really? Doesn’t she have Miss Byrd’s backing? Sloane is just the lead actress. Can she really have that much sway?”
“You don’t understand. This production is here because of Sloane. If she speaks, the director has no choice but to listen.”
The director walked up with a respectful and diligent air, prepared to address them. “Miss Evans…”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
Leave a Reply