One could imagine how ugly Chris, Susan, and Ava’s expressions became after Presley’s words.
Ava felt quite uncomfortable; who would be happy to be called mentally deficient? Moreover, Presley had done so in front of so many people, and she was considered a public figure. What was worse, Presley had even mocked her for being unremarkable and showing off, which was something a star could never tolerate.
Susan also felt uneasy. Sam Noah had already put her in her place, after all; he was wealthier and more powerful than they were. But Presley… she had said they lacked pattern; how high was her own pattern?
Susan stepped forward to embrace her daughter, like a hen protecting her chicks, and coldly said, “Everyone makes mistakes. Ava should apologize for her wrongdoing, but Miss Presley, you…,” she gestured toward Phoenix, “shouldn’t you also apologize to this lady? Do you have any idea how you became the boss lady? Although the outside world may not know, how many people in the industry are unaware that this company was founded by Phoenix and Jonathan Foxcroft together?”
Hearing this, Thelma was astonished. She instinctively looked at Phoenix, who appeared calm, as if the matter being discussed had nothing to do with her.
Phoenix and Jonathan Foxcroft had actually been married? She had thought they were just ordinary business partners! What did Susan mean by that? Was she implying that Presley was the third party who disrupted Jonathan Foxcroft and Phoenix’s marriage?
Presley’s expression remained unchanged. “Mrs Chris, do you really think everyone is like you? Truly, like mother, like daughter; those who have been mistresses see everyone else as a mistress. Mrs. Sam is like this, and so am I? Mrs. Chris, to put it bluntly, we live in an information society; how many secrets can be kept hidden? You think that after all these years, no one knows how you got together with Mr. Chris and how you forced —Miss Thelma’s mother—to her death? Do you really think everyone is as morally corrupt as you? I’m sorry to disappoint you; I am upright and not the kind of person you describe.” With so many stars under her, how could she not know their backgrounds? She had her own share of scandals yet dared to throw dirt on her.
As soon as Presley finished speaking, whispers erupted around them. Susan’s face turned pale and then flushed, back and forth. She was all too familiar with these whispers; she had walked through them step by step, knowing how many tears she had shed in secret. But now, having become the respectable Mrs. Chris, she found herself once again in the midst of such gossip.
“What? Ava’s mother was actually a mistress who forced the original wife to her death?”
“That’s too ruthless!”
“Presley is right; what kind of pattern can such a person have? So low!”
Ava felt humiliated; this was the most embarrassing family matter she wished to avoid discussing. Everyone knew she had a wealthy stepfather, and even if she wasn’t particularly famous in the company, people still respected her a bit. Now, at this banquet, with so many colleagues around, this matter was brought up, making it impossible for her to face them in the future.
Ava thought her mother was incredibly foolish for wanting to save face at this moment. She felt awkward and humiliated, and the way others looked at her made her feel suffocated.
Faced with so much gossip, Susan was momentarily stunned before turning angrily to Presley, “What nonsense are you spouting?”
“Nonsense?” Presley shot a glance toward Thelma, “Should we ask Thelma to verify?”
“……”
Susan couldn’t say a word.
“Mr. Sam, Mrs. Sam, please rest assured that from now on, as long as it concerns MK’s film and advertising activities, you won’t see Ava’s shadow anymore.” This was said by Jonathan Foxcroft.
Everyone understood the implication of this statement; it meant the company intended to shelve Ava.
Hearing this, Ava was completely stunned, her face filled with disbelief. “Boss… Boss, you can’t do this…”
After finally signing with MK, even if she wasn’t particularly hot, she still had some popularity. Recently, she had even managed to land a major endorsement, thinking she could turn her fortunes around… Now the company said they would shelve her just like that. If she really was shelved, wouldn’t all her hard work be in vain?
Susan hadn’t expected things to develop this way either. She had just been trying to defend Ava, but Jonathan Foxcroft’s response was unexpectedly harsh.
