Chapter 234 Retribution
Chapter 234 Retribution
Scarlett's POV:
After my business trip, my new show officially went on the air.
And my first book was set to be sold on bookstores.
In today's book signing session, the place was teeming with people. After signing the very last book, my wrists felt so sore and numb that it felt like they didn't belong to me anymore.
"Scarlett! Congratulations on the huge success!" My colleagues gathered around me and hugged me with glee.
Affected by their enthusiasm, I also jumped for joy.
My first book had been published!
"Scarlett, you'll definitely be a huge success in your career!" Nina exclaimed.
She planted a long, lingering kiss on my cheek. The sound of her loud kiss attracted everyone's attention, and then they burst into laughter. They all began to make fun of me and wanted to kiss me as well.
When I saw that they were coming for me, I ran away with Nina. "Stop it!" I shouted.
"Calm down, everyone! Abner, help! Stop these crazy people," Nina exclaimed.
Moments later, the farce ended and everyone went to the restaurant we booked to attend the celebration banquet. Hand in hand, Nina and I walked towards Abner's car.
But before we got on the car, I heard William's voice from nearby. "Scarlett," he said.
William walked towards us, holding a large bouquet of flowers. He looked so debonair.
He then presented the flowers to me with sincerity in his eyes. "Congratulations! You've achieved something truly great in your career," he said.
"Thank you." I happily accepted the flowers from him.
In a polite manner, Abner suggested, "We're on our way to the celebration party. Would you like to come with us, William?"
William nodded in response and smiled. "It'll be my honor," he answered.
Upon our arrival at the private room of the restaurant, Nina and I went to the bathroom together.
On our way to the bathroom, the door of the next private room happened to open. Then, someone flew out of the door and fell to the floor heavily.
"Argh!" the person bellowed.
I took a closer look and saw that it was a young girl. She propped her body up, looking at the room, humbled and defeated.
I followed her gaze and saw a familiar face. It was Rita.
At this time, she was kneeling on the floor, lying before a man, seemingly trying to please him.
"Oh, my God! How did she end up like that?"
Nina said, holding my hand in shock.
I was also shocked, and I shook my head blankly.
"What's that look?" said the man. His voice displayed his arrogant and bluntness. As he spoke, he gently kicked Rita's chest with his leather shoe.
Meanwhile, Rita clenched her fists, trembling all over.
"Miss Lively, you're the one who's asking for my help. That attitude isn't what someone asking for help should have. If you don't cooperate, who'd be willing to help you out? I'm going to say this one last time. If you lick the wine off my shoes, I'll help you. Otherwise, there'll be no more need for us to talk about your problem." The man was casually sitting on the sofa; his leather shoe, rubbing against Rita's cleavage.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Karma is a bitch." Nina sighed as she pulled my arm. "Let's go. I have to go to the..." I said.
"Mrs. Moore." A trembling voice interrupted me.
I followed the voice and saw that it was the girl who had been thrown out of the room. She appeared to be young, and her eyes displayed how unnerved she was.
However, I didn't know this person.
Frowning, I pulled her up from the floor.
The girl winced in pain as she leaned against the wall. One of her legs were limping. It seemed that she had gotten injured. But she didn't seem to mind it at all. She just thanked me over and over.
I waved my hand, took Nina's hand, and intended to leave.
However, the man inside the room went outside and stared at me, seemingly trying to curry favor with me. "Mrs. Moore? Ah, what a coincidence! I never thought I'd run into you here of all places!" In silence, I looked back at him. Nina pulled me back.
The man chuckled awkwardly before he turned to the girl and began to scold her. "Why are you still here? Didn't you understand what I said? Get the fuck out of here!"
The girl looked down, limping away.
I creased my eyebrows, staring at the man unhappily. "Sorry, but you're in my way," I said. The man took a step back. His apologetic and panicked appearance was completely different from the ferocious, wicked face he had on just now. "Sorry, ma'am. It's my bad. I was just teaching these disobedient women a lesson. They were making too much noise and they ended up disturbing you and your friend, Mrs. Moore. As a token of my apology, I'd like to invite you two beautiful ladies for a meal. It's my treat!" "No, thanks," I refused resolutely. Then, I left with Nina.
Soon, I heard a scream from behind us.
Nina sneered. "Humph! That bitch deserves it." Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
The sound of a man cursing the woman begging for mercy resonated throughout the corridor. But this time, I didn't turn around.
By the time we came out of the bathroom, I saw a girl sitting by the door and sobbing. It was the same girl that had been thrown out of the room earlier.
Nina approached the girl, squatted in front of her, and said in a gentle voice, "Little girl, what are you still doing here?"
The girl was choked with sobs as she stammered, "I... I haven't earned enough money to pay for the medical fees. I can't go back yet."
Her words left me shocked. 'Medical fees?' I asked inwardly.
"What happened?" asked Nina.
"My... my name is Jasmine. My mom is receiving treatment at the hospital, and she needs a lot of money every day. Unfortunately, I'm still a student and I don't have any money at all." Jasmine's pitiful eyes wandered between me and Nina. "Miss Lively spoke to me and told me that I could get some money as long as I went to drink with men, but none of those bosses seem to like me. Can you help me? Or you can at least introduce me to a rich businessman."
"Nina, let's go back." I cut the girl off, and went straight to our private room.
As Nina caught up with me, she poked my arm and asked tentatively, "Don't you want to help her?"
I let out a long sigh. "I'd rather not meddle in her affairs. It's her choice, her life," I replied.
Even when we were already in the room, I was still wearing a long face.
"What happened?" asked Abner.
I shook my head and said nothing.
Nina let out a sigh before telling everyone else in the room the story about Jasmine. Upon hearing the story, everyone else fell silent.
Abner crossed his arms, lost in thought. "Recently, some paparazzi have been contacting me. They showed me photos of Rita bringing different girls to the club frequently. Most of the girls looked very young. It's highly possible that they're all students."
"Rita might be targeting girls who don't have any financial resources. After all, just a little bit of money can buy them off." William shook his head, smiling wryly. It looked like he disdained Rita's methods as well.
My colleagues began to speculate, condemning Rita for what she had done.
I concentrated on eating and just listened silently. I had no intention of interrupting their discussion.
After that brief episode, my colleagues shifted the topic to something else, and the heavy atmosphere gradually dissipated.
Once we were finished with the meal, we all walked to the entrance of the restaurant. Gently, William looked at me and offered, "Scarlett, let me drive you home."
But before I could respond, Janet went to my side and stood between me and William. "We appreciate your kindness, Mr. Stevens, but Tracy has already gone to the parking lot to get our car. She and I will drive Scarlett home. You don't need to go through that trouble."
At first, William fell silent. Then, he put on a smile. "I must say, your bodyguards are quite vigilant," he said.
I smiled and let out a helpless sigh.
At this time, a luxury car pulled over nearby. The driver's door opened, and a tall person came into view.
Charles made his way towards me. His handsome face and affectionate gaze caught my attention.
At this moment, there was only one person I could see, and everything else seemed to have been blurred out.
I could hear the sound of my heartbeat getting faster and faster.
By the time I regained my composure, Charles had already wrapped his arms around me.
"Scarlett, I'll be taking my leave then," said William.