Chapter 550

Chapter 550

Something's not right.

While waiting for Bruce's further observations, Elsie and Aline returned to the company.

Some scores needed to be settled.

The Glover Group, CEO's office.

Elsie pulled up all the building's security footage.

Aline meticulously combed through every visitor log and communication trail left in the wake of Maggie’s hospitalization.
"Found it." Aline suddenly pointed at a corner of the screen.

It was tucked away near a blind spot in the depths of the company's parking garage, where a single camera had managed to snag only the ghost of a frame.
Maggie, the third daughter of the Glover family who was supposed to be "critically ill" in the ICU, was leaning against a car with an unfamiliar man, acting intimate, laughing cheerfully, showing no sign of being seriously injured.

The two were even kissing passionately in the car.

Elsie expressionlessly saved the video and made three copies.

At that moment, the sharp rap of a knock broke the silence, and Elsie’s assistant stepped inside, her face a stark map of brewing trouble.
"Ms. Glover, at the studio... Jacob is demanding to terminate his contract."

When Aline and Elsie rushed back to the studio, Jacob was arguing heatedly with the staff.

Seeing them, he immediately rushed over as if he'd found his support.

"Ms. Taylor! I want to terminate my contract!"

"What did you promise when you signed me? And now? I can't get any resources - I'm wasting my youth here!"

Aline was so angry she laughed.

"Jacob, put your hand on your heart and tell me - has the studio treated you badly? How many nights did Elsie stay up finding songs for you? How many connections did she use to pave the way for you?"

"Don't give me that!" Jacob's eyes darted away. "Someone's willing to give me better! Ms. Missy Forbes said if I terminate my contract, she'll get Aurora Crest Entertainment to sign me!"

Missy again.

The last trace of warmth disappeared from Aline's face.

"Fine, very good."

She spun around, snatching the contract and pen from the desk before slamming them onto the table with a sharp, defiant crack.
"Want to terminate? Sure. Not a penny less on the penalty fee. Also, the studio's official account will immediately release a termination statement. From this second on, you and us are done."

She looked at Jacob's shocked face and sneered.

"Get lost. I'd like to see how you make it big without us."

She'd seen too many opportunistic faces and knew that sometimes you can't change someone's fate - you can only respect their choice.

Jacob gritted his teeth, signed, and left without looking back.

He immediately called Missy excitedly.

"Ms. Forbes, I terminated my contract! When can we go to Aurora Crest Entertainment to sign?"

On the other end of the line, Missy’s voice drifted through, honeyed and laced with a deceptive, wide-eyed innocence.
"Mr. Miller? What are you talking about? I don't quite understand. Aurora Crest Entertainment? That kind of big company - I have no say there."

She hung up directly.

Jacob held his phone, listening to the busy tone, completely stunned.

"Ms. Taylor, 'Night of Elegance' called - they said... they're replacing our opening act."

The assistant held the receiver, hands trembling.

"And Skyjoy Plaza - Jacob's endorsement posters must come down immediately or they'll sue us for breach of contract and... demand compensation."

"That variety show we had lined up is gone too - they said they need to reconsider..."
Aline stood at the eye of the storm in the center of the office, absorbing the reports with a face that remained a chilling, unreadable mask.
"Why panic?" Her voice wasn't loud, but it instantly quieted the noisy office.

"The sky's not falling."

"If the performance is canceled, contact other artists to fill in."

"Compensation - legal department handles it, by the contract, not a penny more."

"As for those reconsidering," she pulled her lips into a cold smile, "tell them our studio's resources are too good for them now."

In a few words, she clearly delegated tasks and steadied everyone's nerves.

Once the room had finally emptied, she stood in the silence by the floor-to-ceiling window, her gaze lost in the rhythmic pulse of the traffic far below as a flicker of bone-deep exhaustion finally bled into her eyes.
Elsie had just left the police station, Bruce was attacked again, both the company and studio needed her attention - she must be stretched thin.

She had to hold on.

Her phone vibrated- a message from investor Luke Moss' secretary, reminding her of their afternoon tea appointment.
This was a film and TV project investment she'd been negotiating for a long time, crucial to the studio's future.

Aline took a deep breath, touched up her makeup, changed into a sharp suit, and walked out of the office in heels.

No matter what, battles had to be fought one at a time.

In the private room of an upscale club, incense wafted.

Aline arrived with fifteen minutes to spare, only to find the head of the table already occupied, the seat claimed by a figure who had clearly beaten her to the punch.
The last person she wanted to see.

Sandra's well-maintained face wore a perfunctory smile as she leisurely sipped tea.

"Ms. Taylor, long time no see."

Aline's heart sank, but her face remained polite and courteous.

"Mrs. Borgia. I didn't expect to see you here."

"Mr. Moss is my card partner. When I heard he was meeting a very capable young person today, I tagged along out of curiosity."

Sandra put down her cup, her shrewd eyes looking Aline up and down. "Didn't expect it to be you."

The implication was crystal clear.

A moment later, Luke waddled in, his belly preceding him like a prow, his features already dissolving into a fawning, oily grin the instant his eyes landed on Sandra.
"Mrs. Borgia, I'm so honored that you came in person!"

Aline sat to the side, watching coldly.

After the hollow formalities, Luke finally shifted toward business.
"Ms. Taylor, I read your project proposal - it's quite good, but..." He changed his tone, looking troubled. "Your studio seems to be having constant problems lately.

First your Ms. Glover... oh, should be Ms. Forbes now, got into legal trouble, and now your top artist terminated his contract. This..."

Sandra timely picked up the thread, her tone tinged with regret.

"Ms. Taylor, I told you before - someone of your status doesn't match our Larry. If you're willing to leave him voluntarily, maybe I can use my connections to help you."

She glanced at Aline dismissively.

"Girls should be smart and know how to read the situation - that's what makes them likable. I hope you understand that you'll soon have nothing left."

"I heard even that little singer Jacob Miller ran off? The moment trouble hits, everyone immediately scatters."

Each sentence was like a poisoned needle, sharp and fine, aimed precisely at the painful spots.

Luke laughed dryly on the side, rubbing his hands, not knowing who to look at.

Aline raised the tea that had grown cold, touched it to her lips, then set it back.
The cup knocked against the table with a light sound.

"Mrs. Borgia."

She spoke, her voice flat, yet it made the other two in the room instinctively straighten their backs.