Chapter 99
Chapter 99 Bruised Surprised, Maia nodded. “You're really up—to—date on news about our company, aren’t you?”
Tess laughed proudly. “Of course. With you being the CEO, how could | not be? Anyway, | heard it’s not just a talent show. It also has some variety elements, right?”
Maia nodded. “The show will focus on how the girls grow. The audience will see part of their daily lives through live broadcasts, and there will be team-building activities. The production team has put in a lot of effort from the promotional stage. For the sake of viewership, I'll also be part of the show.”
Surprised, Tess asked, “Really? Will you be one of the judges?”
Maia nodded. “More like a guest judge, really. | guess producers are expected to make appearances these days, aren’t they?” Nigel looked at Maia and asked, “When are you going to film the first episode?”
“Next Monday,” she said after taking a sip of soda.
Nigel asked again, “Where?”
“Stonebrook.”
“Theo is still on the run, and we don’t know where he is. Are you sure it’s safe for you to go?” Nigel was concerned about her safety.
Maia nodded. “I'll be going there with the production team, Nigel. There will be nearly 200 people including the participants, crew, and the lodge’s employees. | doubt Theo would dare come near me there. Besides, there will be security guards as well.”
Still worried, Nigel asked, “Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you? | can put my work aside and keep you company.” “Yeah, Maia, | feel it’s safer to go with someone you know well.” Tess clearly hoped that Maia could spend more time with Nigel. Maia quickly said, “Don’t worry, guys. I’m sure Theo isn’t foolish enough to show up with so many people around.”
After all, Theo chose to attack her in the underground parking lot late at night only because she would be alone.
“Maia is right,” Errol gestured. “I know you guys care about her, but she can’t live in fear forever. Besides, | doubt he will be able to sneak into the venue. I’m sure the security will be tight.”
Maia gave him a thumbs-up with a smile. +15 BONUS
“Errol sure thinks like a grown-up now.” Maia was relieved that Errol was on her side. Slightly upset, Tess said, “I wouldn’t be surprised. You know, after he started dating and all”
Errol froze slightly and blushed.
“Erroi, you’re seeing someone?” Nigel was surprised. “You never told me. Since when?” Nodding, Errol found Celia’s photo on his phone and showed it to Nigel.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
“This is my girlfriend,” Errol gestured, beaming.
“Celia Trivett? I've heard about her. Her entertainment company commissioned my law firm before.”
Nigel added, “If | recall correctly, she’s the brand ambassador for Pinot Nuage, right?” Errol nodded.
Nigel continued, “When | went to her entertainment company, | bumped into her. She was very polite and looked even cuter than in the photo. Errol, you have good taste.”
Errol blushed hearing this. “Of course he does! Right, Maia?” Tess looked at her. “| couldn’t agree more,” Maia said.
Tess continued, “Celia’s contract is ending, so | asked Errol to talk to Celia about joining Starlight. Her company is one of the top ten in the business, but they aren’t giving her enough support as they think she can only play youthful roles.
“She'd have a better chance of spreading her wings if she became an artist under Starlight.”
However, Maia wasn’t paying full attention to their conversation at that moment. It was because she kept receiving multiple messages, one after another, from Baz.
She was puzzled as to why Baz would send her so many messages. She checked them and realized they were all about Cedric. “Ms. Maia, Cedric instructed me not to tell you about this, but I just have to. We only came to the apartment complex because he saw you get into a strange car.”
“When we found out that it was Nigel’s car and prepared to leave, you came downstairs instead.”
“Cedric was worried seeing you all by yourself, so he followed you. He didn’t mean to take advantage of you or hurt anyone.” Reading this, Maia recalled what Cedric told her in the woods.
“I'll go now, but stop wandering around, okay? Go upstairs and stay there.
Cedric was later punched by Nigel, but even so, he didn’t stop her from going upstairs with th
man
Maia frowned, thinking that Cedric might have only come because he was worried about her safety.
Her phone vibrated again, as more messages came through
Ms. Maia, Nigel shouldn’t have done that. Cedric only got punched because he wanted to protect you, you know.”
“Not only that, the punch hurt Cedric’s shoulder wound, and his face is also bruised and he has a cut on his lip.”
“lm mainly concerned about his injury on his shoulder. Oh, did | mention the one on his back? It hasn’t recovered too.” Baz ended with an upset emoji.