Chapter 150: Rowan Is Expelled
Chapter 150: Rowan Is Expelled
On her way to see Seraphina, Rowan got a call from Brooke.
She answered, her voice unusually chipper. "Mom."
On the other end, Brooke sounded thrilled. "Rowan, I saw the trending topic—someone actually caught Claire bullying you on video! Even God is on our side."
Rowan let out a soft laugh. God? Hardly.
The photos and videos had come from two different numbers, but who else had that kind of grudge against Claire besides Daphne?
The moment she'd received those photos, she'd figured it out.
Daphne's whole 'I don't care' act that day had been fake.
She'd just wanted to use Rowan to do her dirty work.
Rowan knew full well Daphne was using her. And she'd gone along with it anyway.
Because it was exactly what she'd wanted to do.
"Mom, has Dad's investment launched yet?"
Henry had mentioned that if the project succeeded, the Blackwell family's reputation would skyrocket—and that would make her, a Blackwell daughter, worth even more.
Brooke's excitement kicked up another notch. "Yes, yes! The funds are already in. Nothing but good news these past few days—I'm feeling so relieved."
A smile spread across Rowan's face.
Yes. Everything was going right.
Henry had invested in a profitable project.
She'd gotten revenge on Claire and gained even more attention.
Once the movie came out, she could finally start her new life.
They chatted happily until Rowan reached the door to Seraphina's office.
She put her phone away, practically glowing like someone about to accept an award. After smoothing her appearance, she knocked.
When she heard a response from inside, she pushed the door open with a polished smile, her voice warm and sweet. "Seraphina, you wanted to see me?"
Rowan had expected to be greeted with a smile.
Instead, Seraphina wore the same stern expression as always—maybe even colder and more distant than usual.
Unease crept in.
As she walked from the doorway toward Seraphina, the atmosphere felt completely different from what she'd imagined.
Seraphina sat on the couch. When Rowan got close, she reached over and picked up a document.
"This is a termination contract. Sign it, and you're free to go."
Termination?
It was like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over Rowan's head. The chill ran from her scalp all the way to her toes.
The room went silent.
She stared hard at the contract in Seraphina's hand, but couldn't make out a single word.
A full minute passed before she finally seemed to come back to herself. "Seraphina… what do you mean?"
Seraphina lazily lifted her eyes. "You've been fired from the production."
Rowan's voice shot up in panic. "Why?"
Seraphina's tone was flat. "You'll find out in a couple of days. Just sign."
"I won't sign!" Rowan's face flushed red, her voice rising. "You owe me a reasonable explanation."
Her visibility was at an all-time high right now. Firing her at this moment? Was Seraphina's brain full of garbage?
Seraphina tossed the contract onto the couch beside her. "The investor doesn't want you anymore. Is that reason enough?"
The investor?
Something clicked in Rowan's memory.
She vaguely recalled hearing that the film's financial backer was Vincent.
"That's impossible!" Rowan stared hard at Seraphina.
"Investing in a film is about making money, isn't it? I'm getting tons of attention right now—I'm bringing attention to the production. That's free publicity. Why would he fire me?"
Besides, how much time and money had already gone into planning and shooting this film?
Vincent's girlfriend was Daphne. There was no way he'd tank his own investment just to protect Claire, whose reputation was already in the gutter.
She absolutely refused to believe Vincent would fire her at a time like this.
Seraphina let out a mocking laugh. "If you want to know so badly, go ask Mr. Thorne yourself."
She added, "If you've got the connections."
"Fine, I will!" Rowan snapped, then turned and stormed out.
Seraphina watched her go, her expression like she was looking at an idiot.
Rowan left intending to find Daphne.
She had no way of reaching Vincent.
But Daphne could.
On the way, though, she ran into her assistant, who came rushing up.
"Rowan, the production's shutting down."
Rowan's hurried steps froze, like someone had hit pause.
"What did you say?"
"The production's shutting down. Julian announced it himself. The crew's already packing up the props."
Rowan's heart sank.
So she really had been fired—and now the production had no choice but to shut down?
A wave of intense anxiety churned inside her.
She made a beeline for Daphne's dressing room. Selene was already packing up, getting ready to leave.
"Daphne, please help me," Rowan said, barely holding back tears.
Daphne already knew Rowan had been fired, but she pretended otherwise. "What's wrong?"
"Seraphina just told me Mr. Thorne wants to terminate my contract. Can you please ask him what the reason is?"
Daphne didn't answer. Instead, she asked, "So the production shut down because of this?"
When Daphne didn't agree to help, Rowan pressed on. "Daphne, please just ask for me. I'm begging you."
Daphne looked conflicted. "But I never get involved in Vincent's work."
"Didn't Seraphina tell you to wait a couple days? Just wait, then."
Daphne shot Selene a look. Selene immediately chimed in, "Ms. Montague, Mrs. Montague is still waiting for you at home."
"Sorry, Rowan. I really have to go." Daphne gave an apologetic look and hurried off.
---
Daphne drove herself back to The Montague Manor.
She was in a great mood the whole way.
Selene sat in the passenger seat scrolling through her phone.
She sounded worried. "Ms. Montague, people online are tearing Claire apart. What if Mrs. Montague decides to reveal her identity just to protect her reputation?"
Daphne let out a cold laugh. "I'd love it if they announced it now."
"Why?" Selene asked, confused.
Daphne's fingers drummed lightly on the steering wheel as she spoke leisurely.
"With that video out there, it's a fact that Claire bullied Rowan. The 'vicious' label is stuck to her now."
"If they announce she's the Montague family's daughter at this point, do you really think people will stop hating her just because her identity changed?"
Selene thought for a moment. "She returns to her rich, powerful birth parents, doesn't show any gratitude to her adoptive parents, and then bullies their biological daughter? That makes her look even worse. People will go even harder on her."
"Oh, I get it now." Selene suddenly slapped her forehead.
"Right now, Mrs. Montague won't want anyone knowing Claire's real identity. Which means Mr. Thorne won't go public with their relationship either—because once that's out, Claire's real identity won't stay hidden."
Selene grew more excited as she talked. "Not only that, but for the time being, the Montague family won't reveal Claire's identity or her relationship with Mr. Thorne. Claire's public image is too damaged right now—it would hurt both families' reputations, right?"
Daphne smiled lightly, her face full of confident satisfaction. She said calmly, "The longer this drags on, the more they'll realize who's really valuable."
On the way, Daphne stopped at a flower shop to pick out a bouquet Sarah loved, then bought some of Sarah's favorite desserts before heading back to The Montague Manor.
Just as they neared the estate, Selene suddenly gasped. "What kind of high school classmate does something like this? She's accusing Claire of having some old guy as a sugar daddy!"