Three months later, Dahlia lost her lawsuit
She not only had to pay substantial damages to LAW Group but was also found guilty of malicious defamation and reputation infringement
The settlement amounted to$20,000,000]
For a C–list actress, this sum was financially devastating. Worse still, after losing the case, people online began digging up dirt on Dahlia.[]
Allegations of sleeping her way
ay to the top, stories about her secret henefactors, pre plastic surgery photos–everything erupted at once.[]
Her carefully crafted “pure goddess” image completely collapsed.
Major brands terminated their contracts with her, and her agency dropped her as well
Dahlia left the entertainment industry for good.]
Thea’s situation wasn’t much better.[]
Her defamatory livestream videos were reported, and her account was permanently banned.]]
Her university put her on probation, nearly expelling her.
Even worse, when the Riviera family learned about the scandal, they removed her from the family group chat ||
Even her parents wouldn’t take her calls.]
That afternoon, I was handling paperwork in my office when Emily suddenly knocked and entered.]
“Ms. Lockhart, someone’s asking to see you downstairs.“||
“Who is it?”
“Thea Riviera.” Emily’s expression was complicated “She’s crying downstairs, saying the needs to see you one last time.”“]
“Send her up.“]
Ten minutes later, Thea walked into my office.]
Compared to the arrogant young woman from three months ago, she was nearly unrecognizable.
Her hair was a mess, her face bare of makeup, her eyes swollen from crying
She wore a faded T–shirt and looked utterly disheveled
She stood in the doorway, afraid to come further in
“Ms. Lockhart…” her voice was terribly loarse, “may
ay I come in?“]
1 gestured to the chair across from me.]
“sh down“]
Thea carefully sat down, her hands tightly clasped together:[]
“Ms. Lockhart, 1… I came to apologize.” Fresh tears began to fall ||
-1 was wrong before. I said terrible things. I shouldn’t have talked about you like that online, shouldn’t have helped Dahlia deceive everyone.“[]
“I was wrong, truly wrong.
I leaned back in my chair, saying nothing.]
Seeing this, Thea’s crying intensified
“Ms. Lockhart, I know you hate me, and I don’t expect forgiveness.”
“But my brother.. he’s really suffering now.”
I raised an eyebrow: “Suffering?”
“He can’t get any work. None of the investors will touch him. The court has seized his house–he doesn’t even have a place to live.”
Thea was crying so hard she could barely breathe.
“He’s surviving on small promotional gigs, sometimes eating just une meal a day.“]
“I visited him last week. He’s lost over forty pounds. He looks completely worn down.“]
Tastened to her words without the slightest emotional response
Thea suddenly dropped to her knees.
“Ms. Lockhart, please, give my brother one mu
more chance!
She knocked her forehead against the floor repeatedly, until it turned red.
“I know it’s all my fault. I’m the one who ruined everything. If you want revenge, take it out on me alone“]
“Please spare my brother. He truly knows he was wrong“]
Looking at Thea loveling on the floor, I remembered three mucnhs ago.
When she pointed at me, claiming my necklace was a Take
When she cried during her livestream, calling me a vitious home wrecker []
When she arrogantly demanded I give up my endorsement to Dahlia
“One chance?” My voice remained calm. I already gave him once.“[]
“It’s your brother who pushed it away himself and handed it to your precious Dahlia.“]]
Thea looked up, her eyes filled with tears
“But he’s really suffering now… He regrets it every day, thinks about you constantly…]
“That’s exactly what he deserves.”
My words cut through her pleas like a knife
Thea froze for a moment.
“Me Lockhart..”
“Thea, do you remember what you said during your livestream?“]
I stood up and walked to the floor–to–ceiling window.
“You called me a home–wrecker. You claimed I stole Dahlia’s necklace. You said I was abusing my power.”
“You even told me to get out of the entertainment industry forever.“[]
1 turned to face her.|||
“Now it’s your turn to leave, and you come begging to me?”
Thew’s face instantly went pale.]
“…I was young and stupid then…”
“Young and stupid?” 1 laughed.
“Thra, you’re twenty–three, not three,
“Actions have consequences. That’s the most basic lesson in life
Chapter 9
Two years later, L&W Group hold its annual product launch at the top floor of the International Convention Center
The announcer’s enthusiastic voice boomed through the speakers: “Let’s welcome, with a round of applause, the leader of L&W Group, Ms. Wren Lockhart!“]
I walked onto the stage in high heels as spotlights immediately illuminated me
Nearly a thousand people sat in the audience below–industry elites and A–list celebrities.
standing at the podium, I habitually scanned the crowd.[]
In the most inconspicuous corner of the very last row, I spotted a familiar figure–Knox Riviera
He wore an ill–fitting suit of obviously cheap material ||
His hair was cut short, and he had lost a considerable amount of weight, his facial features noticeably gaunt
Compared to the glamorous movie star of two years ago, he looked like an entirely different person.
Our eyes briefly met across the distance.
His gaze hold a complex emotion, something like a plea
I acknowledged him with a polite nod before shifting my attention away, as I would with any ordinary audience member
“Thank you all for coming today.”
“L&W has journeyed through sixty years, witnessing the birth of countless beautiful moments.”
“Today, our new ‘Starlight Tear collection tells a story of rebirth“]
Tgently touched the necklace at my throat.]
“Every piece of jewelry has its story, and the story of Starlight Tear is about renewal“]
“Sometimes we experience darkness, face betrayal, encounter deception.”
“But true stars never lose their brilliance, even when clouds try to obscure them
Enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience.
I continued: “This necklace was inspired by the brightest star in the night sky.“]
“It’s unique, impossible to duplicate, and irreplaceable.”
“Just like every truly valuable soul“]
As I said this, I couldn’t help glancing toward the back row again
Know was still sitting there, visibly trembling ||
I redirected my attention and resumed my speech!]
“Every creation from LAW carries our commitment to excellence.”
“We won’t change our principles because of anyone’s doubt.”
“We won’t pause our journey because of any interference.
“Because true value never needs to
prove
itself to anyone.”
| ance:
The audience erupted in applause once more.]]
After the launch event, a staff member approached me
“Ms. Lockhart, there’s a gentleman who wishes to see you. He says he’s your… friend“]]
I knew who it was
“Tell him I’m busy.
But he insists-
“No buts,” I cut off the staff member. “Tell him Ms. Lockhart isn’t seeing anyone.“[]
The staff member nodded and left.[]
Emily cautiously asked, “Was that Mr. Riviera?”
“Yes”
“His recent situation…“[
“I don’t care,” I said, arranging my purse. The past should remain in the past.“|
“Some people, some things–once you miss your chance, you never get another.
“This was his choice, and these are the consequences he has to live with.
