Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

I picked up the invite and just stared at it for what felt like forever.

The news hit out of nowhere, but honestly, I felt like a huge weight was off my shoulders. True love was rare, and in marriage, if one person loved, that was good enough. At least Lacey loved Jason.

Lacey was a gem-beautiful, smart, strong, independent, yet sweet and lovely. She was cheerful and understanding, shining like a diamond. If Jason's eyes landed on her, he'd be hooked.

Some marriages didn't start with love, but feelings grew over time. Just like Ethan and me, Bella and Zachary, we all became inseparable.

I remembered the night Ethan picked me up from Broadway Alley. When we got home, we were all over each other, wishing we could just merge into one.

When he saw the fish tattoo on my chest, he was amazed and moved, gently tracing it with his fingers and lips. He said it was the most beautiful fish he'd ever seen.

Ethan always knew how to sweet-talk me, and I fell for it every time.

The Emoire Artistry Group had been a hit since it opened in Starlight City, with brand awareness skyrocketing.

We had a meeting to talk about getting celebrities to endorse the brand, using their influence to boost awareness and drive sales, pushing The Emoire Artistry Group to a higher market nationally and internationally. After talking to various agencies, the planning department picked out some artists' photos and sent them over.

Right then, all these photos were spread out on my desk. I picked up one and stared at it for a long time.

In the photo, Faye smiled innocently, but I knew that innocence was just an act. She was a great actress. I tossed her photo aside and picked a few other female celebrities who seemed to fit our brand image, asking the planning department to set up auditions.

On audition day, I went to the studio. The planning department manager led me to the central sofa.

My eyes swept over the group of female celebrities. To win this endorsement, each had dressed to the nines.

But my gaze suddenly locked onto one person.

Faye caught my eye and seemed a bit guilty, avoiding eye contact.

"Ms. Russell, here's your coffee."

The planning department manager handed me a freshly brewed cup of coffee.

"Ma'am, look at that Faye in the white lace dress; I think her image stands out, and her endorsement fee isn't too high."

The planning department manager was really pushing for Faye. I picked up the coffee cup, took a sip, and silently watched them present one by one.

The various agents kept glancing at my expression, but I kept a poker face the whole time.

When it was Faye's turn, I got up and left the studio.

"There are still a few more," the planning department manager chased after me.

Without stopping, I said, "I already have an idea."

After leaving the studio, Nora followed me out.

"Aren't you going to watch your idol?" I asked with a smile.

She pouted. "Who? Are you talking about Faye? She's no longer my idol."

"Why?" I looked at her, surprised.

She snorted. "Sometimes I blindly follow stars. But I actually have principles, okay? When I saw..."

She paused and gave me a hesitant look.

I raised my eyes lazily and smiled.

"Go ahead. Did you see the rumors about her and my husband?"

Nora Jones nodded quickly. "Yeah, after I saw that news, not only did I stop liking her, but I also found her disgusting, with totally messed up values and a scheming mind. Thinking back, I must have been blind." I smiled. "Who hasn't been blind before?"

Back in the office, I poured a large glass of water and drank it in one go.

Then I poured another, standing by the window and looking out at the towering buildings and bustling traffic.

It felt like a heavy stone was pressing on my chest, making it hard to breathe, and it was burning, filling me with anger.

There was a knock on the door.

I didn't respond. After a moment, the person outside hesitated before pushing the door open.

I didn't turn around because I had already seen who it was through the tinted window.

Faye stood at the door for a while, seeing no reaction from me. She cautiously walked in, stopping a short distance behind me.

I took a sip of water, leaving her with a cold back.

After about a minute, she finally couldn't help but say, "Emily."

I turned around abruptly, glaring at her coldly.

"Can you stop pretending? It's so damn fake."

I strode to the desk and slammed the cup down heavily, spilling water on the desk.

Sitting in the executive chair, I ignored her and focused on my computer.

Faye stood there for a while, then mustered the courage to approach my desk. "Please, just give me a chance."

I held back the anger bubbling up inside and looked at her like she was a stranger.

"Aren't you asking the wrong person? You should be asking your agency for more gigs."

Faye bit her lip and looked down, all sad and pitiful.

I couldn't believe why someone with such a bright future ended up like this.

But I had to give it to her. She used to be so cocky around me, and now she knew when to swallow her pride.

After a moment of silence, Faye let out a bitter smile.

"Maybe it's karma. Ever since those rumors started, the company has been sidelining me. The gigs are getting fewer and fewer. Now, I'm not even as good as a newbie."

I leaned back in my chair, crossed my arms, and said coolly, "Sorry, I can't hire you."

Faye suddenly looked up, her eyes sincere. "Emily, I was wrong before. I shouldn't have gone against you, tried to steal Ethan, and messed with your life. I'm really sorry. Please, give me a chance."

I could see she was being sincere, but I couldn't tell how much was real and how much was an act.

Still, seeing Faye so humbled did give me a bit of satisfaction.

"It has nothing to do with the past, Faye. When I pick a spokesperson, I want someone with a good reputation. I don't care about the cost. Hiring a celebrity is to boost the brand's image and influence. I don't want any negative impact on the Emoire Artistry Group."

Seeing I wasn't budging, Faye straightened up and walked out.

Later, I called the planning department manager to my office.

"Did you arrange for Faye to come?" I asked.

She looked guilty. "I..."

"How much did she pay you?"

She looked up, panicked. "Ms. Russell, I'm sorry, I was wrong."

"Is my salary too low for you?" I asked, still calm.

She shook her head. "No, you treat me very well. I was wrong. It's just that Faye said she knew you and asked me to give her a chance."

I nodded. "Did you ever think that giving her a chance might cost you yours?"

She looked up, panicked. "I was wrong. Please give me another chance. This won't happen again."

In the end, I softened. After a moment, I said, "If it happens again, you can resign."

She nodded. "Don't worry, it won't happen again."

After she left, I was alone in the office. I wanted to look at some reports from the main store, but I couldn't focus.

Would Faye go complain and seek sympathy?

It was almost time to leave work. I took a cab to Skyline International Corporation.

I walked straight in, and everyone I met nodded and called me "Ms. Russell."

I entered the elevator and went to the top floor. Before I even reached his office door, I heard crying inside.

"Ethan, please help me, okay? I have no opportunities left. In the company, I have no presence, even newcomers dare to bully me."

I peeked through the blinds and saw Ethan buried in his work at the desk, with Faye standing in front of him, crying. Ethan didn't look up.

I didn't go in. Instead, I turned around and went downstairs to the lobby's lounge area and sat on the sofa.

The receptionist immediately brought me a cup of coffee. "Please have some coffee."

"Thank you."

I took the coffee, had a sip, and took out my phone to make a call.

The phone rang twice before it was answered.

"I miss you. Do you have time to have lunch with me?" I asked calmly.

I could faintly hear crying in the background, and I couldn't ignore it.

"Who's crying?" I asked.

He hesitated for a moment and said, "It's Faye."

His honest answer made me feel relieved.

"Is it convenient for you to have lunch with me?"

"Of course, should I come to pick you up?" he asked.

"No, I'll wait for you in the lobby of your company."

He agreed.

After hanging up, I leaned back on the sofa, sipping my coffee, my eyes fixed on the elevator.

A few minutes later, Faye walked out alone, looking lost with tear stains on her face.

I remembered when she was at the peak of her career, wearing a mask and acting all high and mighty to avoid the paparazzi. Now, she probably hoped they'd take her picture to stir up some buzz.

She saw me and stopped. Her gaze had changed from remorseful and helpless in my office to one of deep hatred, like her current situation was all my fault.

After a moment, she headed towards the exit. I looked away and started browsing the news on my phone.

Suddenly, the coffee in front of me was grabbed and splashed all over my face.