Chapter 66

A surge of irritation ran through Zayne as the mockery sank in, his fist balling tight at his side.

With a swagger and a smug look, Travis made his exit soon after making his point clear.

Once Travis had departed, Zayne's secretary placed a cup of coffee on his desk.you shouldn't let his comments get under your skin. Northbay is a challenging market. No one knows if he'll actually manage a win out there."

After a long sip, Zayne asked, "Have you found Luna?"

The secretary shook his head. "Not yet."

Zayne refused to give up. "Don't stop searching. I need to find her, whatever it takes."

By the next morning, Jenkins Group's stock dropped just as many had feared.

Desperate to change the conversation, Evelyn dialed up her media contacts, feeding them salacious stories about well-known celebrities, hoping the public would shift their focus.

Things didn't turn out as she hoped, though.

The celebrity camps hit back hard. Their fans unleashed a tidal wave of accusations and rumors about Marilee, pushing her PR team to the brink.

Later that evening, Marilee sat nursing one drink after another at a bar.

Across from her, Dina looked immaculate in a sleek black designer dress, clearly annoyed by the scene. just a little gossip online. Why let it get to you? That's not like you at all."

"You have no idea." Lowering her glass, Marilee let her head sink into her palm, cheeks tinged with pink. "I can lose to anyone out there, but I refuse to lose to Alexia."

"Is it just because she was married to Roger?" Dina questioned, a crease between her brows. "Roger chose you in the end. Isn't that what matters?"

That answer didn't satisfy Marilee. "Having his heart isn't enough for me. Alexia's name is on everyone's lips, and people can't stop defending her. Meanwhile, all I get is criticism. The internet is against me, my parents nag, and my brothers keep calling me out. How am I supposed to accept all that?"

She honestly believed that her fame would be enough to steer the crowd against Alexia. Instead, everything blew up in her face, leaving her in an even worse position.

Dina thought it over for a moment. "You can't blame yourself for everything. Nobody expected Alexia to be so clever. At least your fans still stand by you. Give it a little time, and things will go back to normal. If you're desperate for help, my boyfriend could handle it. I believe you've heard of the Black Tiger Gang."

Marilee knew her so-called boyfriend was actually her sugar daddy. She lifted her glass and gave Dina a playful grin. "If you actually manage this, what kind of thank you would you like from me?"

With a dazzling smile, Dina replied, "You know, he's been hoping to meet you for ages. Why don't the three of us share a meal sometime soon?"

When Marilee's expression wavered, Dina reached out and squeezed her hand. "Relax. He's got a sterling reputation and is well-connected across the industry. I wouldn't have gotten this far if he hadn't treated me right. He's genuinely interested in meeting you, and maybe he'll want to back your next project. You've got a huge following now, so many investors would line up just for a meal with you. Please, say yes, for both our sakes."

Flattered by the praise, Marilee tapped her glass to Dina's. "Alright, you've convinced me. I'll doit."

Meanwhile, Alexia arrived home after a long day, spotted a fridge full of fresh ingredients, and felt a sudden urge to whip up a feast.

After slipping on her apron, she started to hum, moving easily from one task to the next in the kitchen. In the middle of her preparations, a soft, deliberate knock interrupted her rhythm.

Opening the door,Alexia found herself face-to-face with a woman exuding grace and sophistication.

Standing just beside the woman, Betsey offered a timid greeting. "You remember me, right? Mom and I came to pick up Ginger."

With a gentle smile, Alexia patted the top of Betsey's head. "How could I forget you, Betsey?" She gave the girl's hair a playful ruffle, then turned to the woman at her side. "You must be Ms. Adams."

Serena acknowledged her with a nod. "Yes, that's right. I've been meaning to thank you for what you did. 1really appreciate you stepping in for Betsey-coming here to thank you in person felt right."

Brushing it off with a light wave, Alexia stepped aside. "It was really nothing at all. Please, come inside and make yourselves comfortable. I'll fetch Ginger. He's been on the mend; you'll be glad to know."

With a kind smile, Serena replied, "Thank you so much, and sorry to trouble you."

They soon settled on the sofa, making polite conversation.

Not long after, the unmistakable scent of something burning drifted in from the kitchen.