Chapter 8 SAVED HER
THIRD PERSON POV
Jolie stared at Emily, who had settled down on the hospital bed. She reached for her phone, recording every single detail as Erica had intended her to do, sympathy and anger flashing in her eyes!
Few hours earlier Erica’s phone had buzzed.
“Help me.” That was all the message said. At first, Erica wanted to ignore it, but sympathy hit when she saw Emily had tagged her. Then came the picture: Emily’s swollen face, red marks everywhere. Rage replaced sympathy.
“Find Emily. Record everything—just enough.” That was what her boss had told her.
The annual Actors and Actresses Gala was only two days away. Everyone would be there. Erica wanted Emily to attend too, but the girl’s darkened eyes and broken spirit said otherwise.
Jolie and Erica had once sat together watching one of Emily’s films. Emily was talented, possibly even better than Giselle. If she kept taking on projects, success was inevitable. Erica ran one of the country’s top entertainment agencies, connecting stars to major deals. She had wanted Emily to shine in a big role—something perfect for her, but Emily started rejecting every project that came her way.
It wasn’t pride. Erica knew something was wrong. That’s why she’d assigned Jolie to quietly watch over her.
Now, Jolie sent a concealed message to Erica. As she did, Emily’s eyes flicked toward the door. She caught a glimpse of someone walking away.
Her heartbeat quickened. She wanted to know who it was.
“What’s wrong?” Freya asked, turning toward the see-through door. But no one was there.
“Sorry, I thought I saw someone,” Emily murmured.
Freya sighed softly and tucked a strand of Emily’s hair behind her ear. “Just hold on tight, Emily. You’ve been strong all this while.”
Emily forced a shaky breath. She didn’t want to be strong anymore. She wanted to run.
Someone, anyone—just buy her out, sign her to another agency before EST Entertainment did. That’s why she messaged Erica. She just hoped Erica wasn’t like Giselle. She couldn’t contact her company directly; if they found out, she was as good as dead.
“I want to rest,” Emily whispered, lowering her head onto the hospital pillow.
“Okay,” Freya said softly. “Rest well. Also… about the Gala.......you won’t be attending. The company will announce it as a car accident.”
Emily’s lips trembled. If she skipped events and rejected projects, they would label her as prideful—a difficult newbie. Her career would crumble. She had worked too hard, suffered too much for it to end like this.
Freya stood, tucked the duvet around Emily, and quietly left. Bandages still wrapped her own head. It had been three days since they’d both been admitted for treatment.
As soon as the door closed, Emily reached under her pillow and pulled out a small hidden phone. Her fingers trembled as she typed:
“Please help me… my contract with EST Entertainment expires soon. Please, help.”
Her eyes darted toward the door. When it creaked open, she froze. Fear gripped her chest—until she saw who it was.
Jolie. Erica’s right hand and secretary.
Tears welled in Emily’s eyes. “Am I… screwed or saved?” she whispered.
Jolie smiled. “The contract termination has been processed. You’re free now. But you have two choices.”
Emily’s breath hitched.
“One: You disappear completely, start a new life somewhere else. You forgive Giselle and EST Entertainment for everything.
Or two: Erica signs you into a bigger agency. You’ll star in a new romance series called Love and Pleasure. You’ll rise again and you’ll have the chance to expose Giselle and free others trapped under EST.”
Jolie glanced at the door. “You have three minutes. Freya will be back soon. Choose—rebirth or survival.”
Emily froze. Hope surged through her chest. She wouldn’t have to start from zero. She could have everything back. Erica......was she some kind of miracle worker? There was no way she would choose forgiveness. She wanted Giselle to pay.
“I accept the second option,” Emily said, her voice firm and steady. “So please… take me away.”
Jolie’s smile widened. The door opened, and two men walked in, carrying a travel bag. Jolie took it from them and approached Emily, who stared nervously.
“They won’t hurt you,” Jolie assured her softly. “Get changed.”
Freya entered the room moments later, clutching a folder. She had forgotten a script—one for an upcoming romance series titled Love and Pleasure.
It was based on a trending online novel, beloved by readers. Giselle had been desperate for the second lead role, the fierce Danielle. Readers adored Danielle and her fiery chemistry with her love interest, Yun, a rising Chinese actor. The character’s sharp wit and resilience made fans beg for a sequel.
For Giselle, playing Danielle was a perfect strategy: second lead now, first lead later. She had memorized every line of the novel, even before auditions began. The production deal with the author was still under wraps; hardly anyone knew about it.
But when Freya stepped into Emily’s hospital ward, she froze. The bed was empty, the sheets a mess.
“Emily!” she shouted, rushing to check the bathroom. Nothing. Emily was gone.
Panic hit her like a wave. The agency had warned her—never let Emily leave. If she talked about Giselle, everything would unravel. Giselle’s furious face flashed in Freya’s mind.
She snatched her phone and barked into it, “Find Emily! Don’t you dare let her leave!”
Freya bolted out of the room, scanning every hallway, every woman wearing a hoodie or mask.
Someone brushed past her. “Sorry,” the woman muttered.
Freya blinked. “Wait—”
But the woman was gone.
Her phone buzzed. “We couldn’t find her,” the security team said.
Freya’s shoulders slumped. “Wow, Emily… I’m so screwed.”