Chapter 152
The man who approached us outside the auction house looked nervous yet determined, his sharp suit doing little to hide the tension in his posture.
He extended his hand with a polite smile..
“My name is Jason Leville,” he began, his voice steady despite the visible strain on his face. “I’m a businessman–not particularly wealthy, and I hold little sway in powerful circles. But I do have enough resources to pursue justice when it’s needed.”
Lirian crossed his arms, his stance protective but curious. “What kind of justice are we talking about here?”
Jason hesitated, glancing around to ensure no one else was within earshot.
“A while back, my girlfriend Croatia–she’s an actress–was cast as the lead in a major film. It was supposed to be her big break. But then… a scandal erupted.”
“What kind of scandal?” I asked, already suspecting where this was going.
ason pulled out his phone and tapped on the screen before handing it to me. “This kind.”
The video he showed us was damning. It featured Linda, her face streaked with tears, her cheeks red and swollen as though she had been slapped.
She was trembling, her voice breaking as she accused another actress of bullying her backstage.
“She’s hurt me!” Linda sobbed in the video, pointing an accusatory finger off–screen. “She slapped me, humiliated me in front of everyone! I can’t believe someone like her could be in this industry!”
The camera panned briefly to a young woman standing nearby, pale and visibly distressed. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but the crowd surrounding her drowned her out with their accusations and judgmental stares.
Jason took the phone back, his expression grim.
That was the day my girlfriend, Croatia lost everything. Public opinion turned against her. The production team didn’t want the controversy, so they replaced her. She’s been struggling to rebuild her career ever since.”
Lexchanged a knowing glance with Lirian before saying, “And you believe Linda orchestrated the
entire thing?”
Jason’s lips tightened into a thin line. “I don’t just believe it–I know it. My girlfriend is innocent.
She’d never hurt anyone, let alone Linda. But Linda… she’s manipulative. Those injuries on her face? They had to be self–inflicted.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “That sounds exactly like something Linda would do. She’s perfected the art of
playing the victim while ruining others‘ lives.”
Jason nodded, his eyes desperate. “I need your help. I don’t have the means to take her down alone, but you… you might.”
Lirian’s expression hardened. “Why should we trust you?”
Jason didn’t flinch. “I don’t have anything to gain from lying to you. All I want is to clear my girlfriend’s name and expose Linda for what she really is.”
I mulled it over for a moment before responding. “Alright. I’ll help you collect the evidence. Not just
for your girlfriend, but because it’s time Linda faces the consequences of her actions.”
Jason’s shoulders sagged with relief. “Thank you. Truly. I’ll provide whatever resources or information you need.”
After that evening, Lirian and I returned home, the weight of the encounter still lingering in the air. As soon as the door closed behind us, Lirian sighed, running a hand through his hair.
“You’re really diving into this, aren’t you?” he asked, his tone half–admiring, half–concerned.
I turned to him, my expression firm. “Someone has to. Linda’s hurt too many people. It’s time she answers for it.”
He stepped closer, his gaze softening. “Just promise me you’ll be careful. She’s dangerous when cornered.”
I smiled, touched by his concern. “I’ve dealt with worse than Linda. Besides, I have you to watch my back, don’t I?”
Lirian chuckled, pulling me into a gentle embrace. “Always.”
The warmth of his arms around me was comforting, a rare moment of peace amid the chaos.
I looked up at him, my heart swelling with gratitude and something deeper.
You know,” I said softly, “I don’t say it often, but… I’m glad I have you.”
The Alphac’s Solistitute.
He tilted his head, a teasing glint in his eye. “Oh? That almost sounded like a confession.”
rolled my eyes, playfully shoving him away. “Don’t push your luck.”
