Chapter 20 GALA: CLASH OF THE FITTEST
THIRD PERSON POV
"Who’s that?"
"So pretty... that’s Emily!"
"Isn’t she that spoiled newbie actress?"
"She looks divine."
The crowd murmured among themselves. Emily could barely breathe, their eyes were sharp, judging. Her chest rose and fell quickly. Her reputation had already been tainted by EST Entertainment, and she felt their whispers like knives.
"It’s okay," Jolie murmured beside her, gently placing a steadying hand on Emily’s back. Emily blushed. Even through the tension, Jolie’s firm, masculine touch sent warmth up her spine.
Jolie stood tall at about 5'9", her hair cut in a short, wolfish style tied neatly into a small bun. Two small earrings glinted against her sharp jawline. Dressed in a tailored men’s suit, one hand casually in her pocket, Jolie didn’t look like a secretary, she looked like a bodyguard from heaven. Even standing beside Erica, she always radiated power.
"You look prettier than me," Emily whispered nervously. "Besides... my relationship with most agencies and celebrities is already ruined."
"No you are prettier" Jolie laughed softly, voice husky. "Pkus we’re here to fix that. So smile."
Emily’s cheeks flamed. If Jolie were a man, she would surely date her... she thought, embarrassed at her own wandering mind.
Jolie gave her a gentle push forward. Emily walked, ignoring the cold stares thrown her way—until Vivi appeared.
"You look healthy," Vivi said warmly, voice low. "How’s your recovery?"
Emily hesitated, unsure whether Vivi was an ally or not. She turned to Jolie, silently asking for permission. Jolie gave a subtle nod.
"I’m fine," Emily replied softly. Vivi smiled and took her hand, leading her through the crowd as Jolie stood back, in a corner watching like a guardian.
Erica was elsewhere, tailing Carter. She had been keeping quiet tabs on him, but tonight, she planned to turn her suspicions into proof. Just to tease him a bit.
Meanwhile—
"Did you smash her?" a man whispered as he and his friend passed by.
"Of course," Cyrus smirked. "Who can resist me?"
His gaze landed briefly on Jolie. He frowned, she was not his type. She was too strong, too poise, worse her boobs weren't a G-cup....probably a C-cup at best, he thought dismissively. He hadn't realized he had stepped on her foot ad he passed by her.
Jolie’s eyes darkened. She turned sharply. "Excuse me?"
Her hand landed on his shoulder, firm and warning. He froze, staring at her fingers on his suit, but Jolie didn't let go slowly, and he smirked.
"Hmm... what, offering yourself to me?" he mocked, arrogance dripping from his voice. His friends snickered.
"You stepped on me," Jolie said calmly, pointing at her heel.
Cyrus looked down, smirking wider. "I don’t see any stain." He stepped closer, two deliberate steps, towering in false confidence, her dark eyes ferried him, but had to put on an act of confidence.
The thought of her trembling beneath him flashed in his mind, her moans and legs spread apart on his shoulders, how nice! making his grin grow filthier.
"Here," he said, sliding a business card into her palm and leaning close enough for his breath to touch her ear hit and husky "Call me. I’ll make sure you’re... cleaned real well."
His voice was hot and low. Jolie’s lips twitched in disgust. He reminded her of Carter, except at least this pig showed his rot openly.
She met his gaze, stepping closer until their faces were just inches apart.
"She’s hot," one of his friends muttered, ogling.
CRUNCH!
"AAAHHH!" Cyrus’s muffled scream tore through the music. Jolie had stepped hard on his foot with her stiletto heel....twisting it just enough to make him yelp but not bleed.
His friends froze, wide-eyed.
"Pervs," Jolie muttered coldly, brushing her suit and walking off like nothing happened. The two men parted the way for her quickly, terrified she might target their groins next.
Cyrus hunched over, clutching his leg. "Who the hell was that!?"
"Erica’s personal assistant," one of his friends stammered.
He blinked, then laughed. "Who the hell is Erica?"
They stared at him like he’d lost his mind.
"Bro, she’s the queen of the entertainment industry," one said.
Cyrus licked his lips, interest sparking, their words faded. "She’s got a fine personal assistant though..." His grin turned wicked. "I want to see what’s between those thighs."
His friends exchanged looks of mockery "When he gets rejected, call me," the blonde one muttered.
But Cyrus wasn’t listening. He turned again to stare at Jolie from across the room, her arms folded, composed, effortlessly commanding attention. Even the woman she spoke with couldn’t stop blushing.
"Yeah," he whispered darkly. "You’ll beg for me soon enough."
Meanwhile, at the other side of the gala..
Emily sipped her wine carefully. She wasn’t much of a drinker, but she needed something to calm her nerves. Lady Gu had been introducing her to top actors and directors alongside Vivi, she was completely unaware of the sharp, venomous gaze burning into her from across the hall from Giselle.
Giselle’s nails dug into her palm. That little rat was supposed to be in the hospital. How was she here? and why was she with Erica’s assistant? The sight of Emily laughing politely with top-tier celebrities made her blood boil.
Finally, Giselle couldn’t stand it. She lifted the hem of her dress and walked over, a fake smile plastered on her face.
"You have such beautiful hair," one actress said kindly.
"Tha—"
"Of course she does," Giselle cut in sweetly. "EST always took good care of their spoiled little starlets."
Emily froze. Her hands trembled as she sighted Giselle, the glass slipped...crash!
The hall went silent, all gazes turning to Emily.
"I’m sorry," Emily stammered, immediately bending to pick up the shards with her bare hands.
"Hiss—!" a shard sliced her finger, blood trickling down. Vivi rushed over immediately.
"Let’s get this wrapped up," she said, leading Emily away. The top-tier celebrities exchanged knowing glances: everyone had seen what happened when Giselle appeared.
"Are you okay?" another actress asked, following them out.
Giselle clenched her jaw. That foolish girl couldn’t even pretend everything was fine. She was making her look bad, she scoffed gently brushing her hair behind her ear.
Then, a voice like silk cut through her thoughts.
"Finally, someone sees you for the devil you are," Shen Annie said, approaching with an angelic smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
Giselle turned to her, smiling sweetly. "If the devil were a person, it wod be you, Annie. Have you looked in a mirror lately?"
"You’re not as kind as you pretend to be," Annie shot back. "What will your fans say when they see through that facade?"
Giselle giggled softly, even throwing in a delicate cough. "You shouldn’t say such things to a fellow actress. I see you as a sister—a rival, though not much of one. Your acting and following can’t really compare."
Annie’s jaw tightened. This witch…
"Oh, by the way," Annie said, pretending innocence, "the casting for Love and Pleasure was been planned out. You didn’t get the role, right? Oops..." She smiled sweetly and stepped closer for a hug, whispering, "I did. And I’m playing the caring lead role. Funny how your talent seems to be dying."
Giselle’s eyes darkened, but she kept her smile perfectly in place. Annie turned and walked off triumphantly.
The moment she was gone, Giselle’s mask slipped. Her eyes burned with fury as she pulled out her phone.
Text to Freya:
\[Find out the full cast list of Love and Pleasure. NOW. I don’t care if you’re sick or in pain....do it.
....also how the hell is Emily at the gala?\]