The Regretful CEO's Comeback

Chapter 5

The next day, Elodie first visited a law firm to discuss compensation for the traffic incident. After entrusting the follow-up to her lawyer, she went to the hospital to pay for her grandmother's medication and tests.

She hadn't been there long when the company called, ordering her back immediately. It was urgent.

Around a dozen people, mostly senior staff at Novae Pictures, crowded into a conference room of a little over 200 square feet. Every face was grave, and an uneasy silence hung in the air.

Alistair Crowe was furious. When Elodie entered, he all but pointed in her face.

"Elodie, what the hell is going on? You were handling Halston Group's investment, weren't you? Tell me why they've suddenly pulled out!"

"Halston Group pulled out?" She was baffled. "I didn't know."

"You didn't know? Do you know how much this will cost us? The crew and cast contracts are practically signed. We're almost ready to start filming! Who do you think you're satisfying with 'I didn't know'?"

His voice was deafening. No one at the table dared breathe too loudly.

Their series was based on a currently popular property. They'd hired Milo Lennox, a young star with both looks and acting talent, along with a host of veteran actors.

Alistair was livid. "Do you realize how important this series is to the company? Just because Ms. Bellamy helped you get this job doesn't mean you can disregard the company's interests! If you don't do your work properly, I can fire you whenever I like!"

Elodie was being blamed for something she'd had nothing to do with.

When it rained, it poured. That certainly described her life.

She offered no explanation, merely pressing her lips together before saying, "I'll handle this. You can all rest assured."

He snorted. "You'll handle it? How?"

"I have my own ways." She frowned, her voice firm. "Whatever happens, it won't delay the scheduled start of filming."

"Since you're so confident, you have 3 days! If you haven't fixed it by then, you'll answer for it!" With that ultimatum, he waved a hand. "Meeting adjourned!"

The others filed out. Elodie left last.

She couldn't understand why Halston Group had suddenly withdrawn for no apparent reason.

Puzzled, she called its representative. Only after repeated calls did someone finally answer.

The voice on the other end was impatient. "Elodie, if you're calling about the withdrawal, don't bother. Don't you know who you've offended? Stop calling!"

The call ended before she could say a word, leaving her standing there in confusion.

Who had she offended?

She went through everyone she'd recently had any disagreement with and still drew a blank.

She generally got along with people and didn't make enemies lightly. If there had to be someone, there was only one possibility.

"Since even a million isn't good enough for you, let's see how long you can hold out."

His cold words echoed in her mind.

Logically, it all fit. With Damian's power, a single word could cut off every means of survival she had and force her to bow her head and sign the divorce papers.

Yet deep down, something felt faintly, inexplicably wrong.

Her fingertips grew cold.

They'd signed the prenuptial agreement three years ago, when she'd been forced into marriage. Its terms were harsh. If Damian initiated a divorce, he'd have to surrender half of his assets. Who had insisted on that clause back then? She'd always assumed it was a shackle he'd used to bind her, but looking back, certain details seemed suspiciously blurred.

If all he wanted was to make her agree to a divorce, he had countless ways of doing it. Yet he'd chosen to use his business connections to destroy her job, the livelihood she depended on.

This went beyond simply forcing a divorce.

Was he lashing out because she'd humiliated him? Or was he using this campaign against her to hide something else?

Was there something about Seraphina she didn't know?

Did Damian have some other consideration in mind?

Countless small questions tangled together, without a single clue she could use to verify anything.

She generally got along with people and didn't make enemies lightly. If one person had the power to do all of this, it could only be Damian.

Anger spread across her face.

Whatever vague doubts lingered, they couldn't ease the suffocating reality she faced.

The man was utterly despicable!

At night, the Black Orchid Club was widely recognized as one of the best places in Evermont City to burn through money. Its lavish excess and lively atmosphere were beyond anything an ordinary entertainment venue could offer.

Wearing a light-colored cocktail dress, her long hair falling naturally down her back, Elodie followed a server to a private room.

"Here you are, Ms. Mercer. Mr. Hollis is inside."

"Thank you."

She nodded, waited for the server to leave, then gathered her courage and pushed open the door.

Grant Hollis was enjoying himself inside. When the petite woman suddenly appeared beside him, he frowned in displeasure. "What are you doing here?"

Elodie put on a professional smile. "You mentioned before that you were interested in investing in our company's new series. We're looking for investors now, and I wondered whether you..."

"Are you joking?" He stared at her as though she were some strange creature. "You want me to invest in that show? Are you trying to ruin me?"

She froze. "I'm not sure I understand."

"Ask around. See how many companies still dare invest in your series." His face was cold. "Everyone knows your company has offended Damian Waverly, the president of Waverly Holdings."

So it was because of him after all.

"He's made it clear that anyone who invests in Novae Pictures' new series is taking him on. Of all the people I could offend, he's the one I can't afford to! Don't bring your trouble to me. Leave!"

His attitude was no different from that of the other companies she'd approached. He treated her like a disease he couldn't get far enough away from.

After an entire day of rejection, she was once again sent away in humiliation.

She'd known the Waverly family was powerful. But this was the first time she'd personally felt just how completely Damian could control everything around her.

For all her calculations, she'd never imagined he would cut off every possible escape, without a trace of mercy.

She still didn't have enough for her grandmother's surgery, and she couldn't secure an investment. The double blow left her feeling powerless, helpless, and utterly defeated.

"Isn't that Mr. Waverly?"

"And isn't that Seraphina Valez beside him? I hear he's the one who made her the big star she is today."

"But I've heard he's already married, and supposedly not to Seraphina. Is that true?"

"That would explain why he's kept her waiting all these years without going public or making things official."

"Maybe it's just an investment or business relationship."

"That's possible."

The servers' whispers reached Elodie. She stopped and looked at the man and woman approaching, unable to avoid a similar thought.

He was elegant and polished in his suit; she was dazzling in her flowing gown. Together, Damian and Seraphina complemented each other perfectly, a handsome man and a beautiful woman who could make anyone envious.

Marrying Elodie must have been such a hardship for him.

She stared straight at them. They ignored her and passed as though she were a complete stranger with no connection to either of them.

A full day of humiliation chilled her through. Anger darkened her eyes and filled her chest.

Her face cold, she abruptly turned toward the pair who'd just walked past.

She didn't know what she intended to do next. But after everything she'd endured that day, she finally had a chance to let some of it out, and she wasn't going to waste it.