If there were any paparazzo nearby, the news would definitely make it to the headline within several hours.
I did, however, noticed the similarities between Rylee and Nancy when I heard Stacey’s remarks. Both of them seemed to enjoy putting on monochromous dresses. If I hadn’t run into her before, I would have mistaken Nancy for Rylee.
“What sort of nonsense are you spouting?” Enraged, Vanessa pounced on Stacey and pinned the latter to the ground. “Stacey, don’t you dare abuse your authority as Featherstone’s Corporation staff! I can file for defamation against you!”
I rushed over and helped Stacey up. She tapped on my hand and assured me, “It’s fine! It’s nothing big!”
After she brought herself up, she glared at Vanessa and smirked. “Are you infuriated because I touched on your nerves?”
“Y-You—”
Vanessa could barely keep her composure. She rushed over and pushed me aside before slapping Stacey in the face.
I didn’t expect the middle-aged woman would go berserk out of the blue. As a result, I staggered and fell, knocking my arms on the edge of the dressing table.
An intense fight broke out between Stacey and Vanessa. The onlookers dared not interfere and simply shouted in an attempt to stop them. “Stop it!”
Unfortunately, their yells were of little to no effect at all.
Nancy crossed her arms and stared at me with a deadpan expression all the while Stacey was being beaten to a pulp.
Stacey, who had long hair and a pair of heels on, was an easy target.
When I saw Vanessa started scratching at Stacey’s face, I sprinted over to stop the former’s brutality. Vanessa pushed Stacey aside, aiming at me the moment I reached her. She seemed to be anticipating me all along.
Because I was not prepared, I couldn’t defend myself against her slap when I reached her. Hence, I braced myself through the impactful slap.
For a few seconds, my ears were ringing and I could feel the racking sensation from my swollen cheek.
Yelling, Stacey threw everything she could get her hands on from the dressing table in Vanessa’s direction. “Have you lost your mind? How dare you slap her?”
Initially, the spot that I was standing at made sure I won’t get caught in the line of fire. However, someone pushed me over to take the blow on Vanessa’s behalf.
Stacey gaped in silence and looked at Nancy in disbelief. “You despicable woman! How could you push her?”
Nancy jeered and asked, “She’s merely a substitute of mine, isn’t it? Is it worth making a fuss because of her?”
Joseph rushed into the dressing room when Stacey was about to go berserk.
He brought everyone to a halt and gaped in silence when he saw my pathetic state. “W-What’s going on?”
Stacey stepped forward and complained, “Nancy and her manager are causing a ruckus! I asked Sienna to help me with the production of the promotional clip, but they started a fight because they were against it!”
She made it sound as though the other party was the one at fault.
Joseph was on pins and needles when he saw my pathetic state. He glared at Nancy and announced, “Ms. Goldstein, I don’t think it’s necessary to have you in the showbiz anymore since you can’t even get the job done.”
He was Anthony’s assistant. In other words, to a certain extent, his instructions could be Anthony’s instructions.
Nancy paled upon hearing that. She looked at Joseph and asked, “Mr. Campbell, don’t you think you should listen to the other party’s story as well?”
“That won’t be necessary!” Joseph wasn’t the one who answered the question. The voice belonged to Anthony who had just made his way in.
He approached me and had his eyes narrowed into a slit when he ran his fingers across my swollen cheek.
Shooting daggers at the rest in the room, his tone was icy when he asked, “Who’s the one behind this?”
“Anthony!” Nancy was thrilled by the man’s presence.
He ignored her and peered into my eyes. “Who did this to you?”
The crowd fell silent as they exchanged glances, speculating about the sort of relationship we had.
Stacey, whose hair was completely messed up, glared at Nancy and said, “It’s Ms. Goldstein’s manager, Vanessa! I believe Sienna is injured elsewhere as well!”
It was evident that Stacey was trying to get the better of the vicious duo. I pursed my lips in silence.
Anthony frowned and had his eyes glued to me. He uttered in a hoarse voice, “Are you hurt anywhere else?”
I shook my head and flashed him a faint smile. “I’m fine. Have you sorted out the emergency?”
By now, the room was so silent to the extent I could hear others breathing. Some were surprised, some were thrilled, but most were confused.
Anthony had no intention to let them off the hook just yet. He caressed my swollen cheek and glared at the rest.
“Who’s the fool that dares lay a finger on the woman I have been looking after with utmost care?” As he spoke, he emanated a strong murderous intent.
Nancy’s knees turned to jelly. She took a few steps back as all the colors drained from her already pale face.
Similarly, Vanessa also noticed something was wrong. Her face paled and she stared at Nancy with a confused look, wondering how Anthony was associated with me.
I knew Anthony was infuriated, but this was ultimately still his company. There was no need to make a ruckus here. Besides, knowing his personality, Nancy’s showbiz career was probably over.
“I’m fine, it’s just a small injury. Speaking of which, what shall we eat?”
He took a few moments to compose himself. While holding my hands, Anthony proclaimed reassuringly, “You’re my woman. You don’t need to give in to anyone.”
His obsidian eyes bored into Vanessa menacingly. “It’s basic courtesy to return one a favor.”
Upon hearing his words, she collapsed to the ground, begging repeatedly. Her voice quivered. “Mr. Featherstone, I know my mistake! I didn’t do it on purpose, I’ll apologize to her! I beg you, please let us off this time.”
Her words fell on deaf ears. With his unchanging look, he continued, “Can an apology resurrect the dead?”
Vanessa knew there was no getting through to him. She wiped off her tears and turned towards me. “Ms. Stanhope, I didn’t mean to hurt you! Hit me back all you want. But just this once! Please convince Mr. Featherstone to let Nancy off the hook.”
Anthony remained unresponsive. He turned towards me, his expression softened. “Will your palms be ok?”
He took my hands in his as he spoke, gesturing for me to open up my palms. Then he looked right at Vanessa.
Taking it as her queue to come in, she stood up and stopped right in front of me.
Slap! It happened in a flash. Before my brain could process anything, Vanessa was already bleeding from the corners of her lips. Although Anthony had led my hands, I had almost no part in this. The brute force came entirely from him.
It did nothing to reduce his rage. The air remained stale and grim.
He glared at Vanessa, voice cold, “Don’t let me see you ever again.”
Next, he stared at Nancy. Although he said nothing, it was enough to convey his hatred towards her.
With my hands still in his, Anthony reminded, “Next time, don’t show any mercy. There’s nothing to feel bad about.” Just then, he remembered the other two present in the studio. Stacey and Joseph’s failure to protect me had earned them a resentful stare.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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