Chapter 62 Tonight's Arrangement
Elizabeth knew Armando had sent someone to shadow her.
She kept driving toward the restaurant she had originally planned to visit. But on the way, she sent Jessa a short message.
Elizabeth: [Meet me in the ladies' restroom at the restaurant.]
When Jessa read it, she frowned. "The ladies' restroom? That's... odd."
Daisy, glancing at the message over Jessa's shoulder, hesitated. "Maybe it's safer there?"
Yvonne's reputation was more mysterious than most celebrities.
"You don't think this could be a scam, do you?" Daisy asked, her voice tinged with unease. "I'll go in with you, and we'll have the driver keep track of the time. If I don't text him within ten minutes, he calls the police."
Jessa nodded reluctantly.
Elizabeth had no idea her choice of meeting place had sparked suspicion in both Daisy and Jessa.
The restaurant's restroom was spotless, the kind of place where even the air smelled clean.
Jessa walked in with Della, only to spot Elizabeth—tall, poised, and impossibly perfect—waving them over.
They were the only three people inside.
"I'm Yvonne," Elizabeth said, her tone apologetic. "Something came up last minute... I'm afraid we'll have to do this here."
She stepped to one of the stalls she had checked earlier, opened the door, and gestured for Jessa to enter. Daisy stayed outside, acting as lookout.
"This is the contract. I've already signed it. The songs are on this disc." Elizabeth handed over a folder with the contract and a slim CD case.
Jessa didn't waste time. She skimmed the contract, checked the disc, and signed. They each kept a copy.
Jessa studied Elizabeth's face with sudden recognition. "I've seen you somewhere before... Wait, you're the ex-wife of the Johnson Group's chairman, aren't you?"
When Jessa had researched her rival Sherry, she'd come across news articles about Armando—and in those, Elizabeth's photo.
Elizabeth arched a brow, smiling faintly. "That's right. The songs are yours now. Your voice suits them perfectly."
Jessa's emotions tangled. "Thank you for choosing to sell them to me."
They shared a mutual enemy—Sherry.
"Mutual benefit," Elizabeth replied with a curve of her lips. She couldn't stay in the restroom too long. She washed her hands and stepped out.
Since she was already here, she decided to order a plate of pasta.
While eating, she scrolled through entertainment news. Sherry had gone to another city to promote her debut album. With good marketing, a decent look, and a voice that held its own, Sherry's album had taken off.
She was on her way to becoming even bigger.
Elizabeth swiped to the next headline.
Sherry, fresh off her last promotional event, was lounging on a hotel sofa with a face mask on. Tomorrow she would return to Silverlight City, and she intended to arrive looking flawless.
"Sherry, the album's doing great," Della said with a grin. "I've booked you for a show—'Let's Sing Together'." Then she remembered something. "Jessa bought a few songs privately. Didn't go through the Starlight Group. She's working on a new album."
Sherry's brows lifted. "Who'd she buy from?"
"Some unknown songwriter. No idea who exactly. Want me to find out?"
Sherry peeled off her mask, her voice smooth. "If they're unknown, it doesn't matter. Let her record. Without Starlight's promotion, she won't get any traction."
She remembered overhearing Jessa sing at Starlight once—and decided she couldn't let Jessa debut before her.
"Exactly," Della agreed. "No promotion, no audience."
Later, Elizabeth left the restaurant and passed a supermarket. Ten minutes later, she walked out carrying a bag. Inside was a pair of men's slippers.
She tossed the bag onto the passenger seat and rubbed her face.
Whatever. She'd already bought them.
Approaching Faith Residence, she called Mabel to join her for dinner.
"Elizabeth."
A knock on her car window. She turned, saw Tom, raised a brow, and opened the door. She quickly told Mabel to wait in the car.
Inside another vehicle, Armando was sipping coffee, a file resting on his knee. Elizabeth slid into the seat opposite him.
"Something you need?" she asked coolly.
Armando set down his coffee, his gaze sharp. "You went to Harmony City."
Elizabeth's smile was faint. "Your intel's impressive."
Timothy had told her Armando had her followed. She'd guessed her trip to Harmony City wouldn't escape him—but she hadn't expected him to confront her so soon. His concern for Sherry was... different.
"I was there as a fan, to cheer for Ms. Scott. Problem?" Her eyes narrowed, a hint of unintentional allure in her tone.
"I didn't do anything wrong. I'm a model citizen—unlike some people, who hide a rotten heart behind a pleasant facade."
Armando's eyes narrowed. "You really don't plan on leaving Silverlight City?"
"Of course not," Elizabeth said lightly. "It's a fun city... full of interesting people. I'd hate to leave."
He gave a cold smile, tapping the file with one finger. "Don't do anything unnecessary. Your mother's still with the Howard family."
"Is she? Too bad she called me recently to cut all ties."
Elizabeth's smile was razor-edged. "Anyway, I'm leaving. The longer I stay around you, the faster my heart beats… and not in a good way. It makes me sick."
Armando's expression shifted.
Elizabeth laughed under her breath, stepped out, and adjusted her white shirt. Mabel poked her head out the car window, eyeing Armando's vehicle.
"Who was that?"
"Armando."
Mabel hesitated. "Elizabeth, he's not worth it. Maybe you should reconsider?"
Elizabeth started the engine, smiling. "Noticed I haven't made porridge in the mornings lately?"
Mabel lit up. "You've finally come to your senses! I was worried you'd still be tangled up with him, especially since he's with Sherry now."
Elizabeth's smile was cool. "Yes. I've moved on."
The thought of him still made her stomach turn.
Mabel tapped her chin, snapped her fingers. "I'll introduce you to someone better. Tonight."
Elizabeth's laugh was low.
But someone had taken photos—Elizabeth getting into Armando's car. With Sherry's rising fame, Armando had drawn attention too. Paparazzi didn't dare target Armando directly, so they turned to Elizabeth.
One managed to track down her address, hoping to see if she was worth a headline. Instead, he caught her with Armando's car. The photo wasn't immediately published, but it found its way to Della.
Sherry's face darkened when she saw it.
"Don't be upset. You know Mr. Johnson. If they met, it was probably business," Della said seriously.
Sherry tapped her phone, thinking for a moment. "Della, get someone to leak the photo. Make sure it's clean."
Della blinked. "You're sure?"
"Yes. Leak it," Sherry said, her smile turning cold.