Chapter 12 Fishing in Troubled Waters

• Shirley was stunned as she didn’t expect to run into Cynthia. Although they hadn’t met for more than a year, the fallen daughter of the White Family had announced that she was back.
• Maureen approached to hold Shirley’s arm when she noticed Shirley staring at a woman standing at the venue entrance.
• “Is she someone whom you know?” Maureen asked.
• “An old friend.” One corner of Shirley’s lips was raised as she gave a cold reply.
• “Oh!”
• You don’t talk like it’s an old friend, you know, Maureen thought.
• Both she and Shirley walked toward the entrance together.
• Cynthia was debating whether to call someone from Lewis Incorporated to pick her up when she heard someone calling her in a slightly surprised tone.
• “Cindy?”
• When she raised her head, she saw the last woman whom she wanted to meet. A frown immediately formed on her face and disgust was apparent in her expression.
• Shirley pretended not to notice the change in Cynthia’s countenance and continued talking, “What a coincidence! I thought I was hallucinating, but it really is you! It’s so good to see you again. Where have you been all this while? How are you now?”
• Her tone was full of feigned emotions, as if she were besties with Cynthia to the point where she even held Cynthia’s hand as a display of endearment.
• Cynthia subconsciously retracted her hand and responded coldly, “Thanks to you, I’m doing well these days. Also, don’t call me Cindy since we’re not that close.”
• When she heard Cynthia’s cold words, Shirley seemed to feel a little awkward. Even though she still hated Cynthia to her core, the smile on her face was still maintained.
• Shirley proceeded to examine Cynthia from head to toe. She couldn’t identify the brand of lovely dress that Cynthia wore. Also, Shirley thought that Cynthia was trying to enter to secure a chance to make it big, but failed in her quest since she was stopped at the entrance for not having an invitation card.
• Now when she thought about herself, she deemed herself better than Cynthia because of the invitation card she held. Hence, she spoke with the same smile, “Cindy, by the looks of it, you’re trying to get in, aren’t you? I can help.”
• Cynthia noticed the haughty look on Shirley’s face and only felt disgusted by it. Then, she sneered, “Shirley, don’t you ever feel gross at how fake you are?”
• With that, Cynthia turned away so that she wouldn’t have to look at Shirley’s wretched face.
• When Maureen overheard the conversation between those two women, she knew that there had to be something more than met the eye with them. However, she never expected such harsh words to come from a gentle woman and was just as surprised at Shirley’s tolerance.
• Although Maureen felt injustice for Shirley, Shirley hadn’t said anything. She merely stood there with the same smile. However, the woman had looked away to disregard Shirley—and it had angered Maureen.
• “Hey, watch your tongue! Shirley was being nice to you, but look at your attitude! I see what you are wearing and you’re merely trying to get in there to flirt around. Come back when you’ve really gotten some branded stuff!”
• Cynthia scoffed as she listened to Maureen’s words. Instead of saying anything in return, she merely snorted. Poor woman! Shirley must have deceived her like she did everyone else, she thought and didn’t even desire to respond to what Maureen said.
• Then, Cynthia seemed to have thought of something as she leaned over and whispered in Shirley’s ear, “Shall I tell this bestie of yours about the story between us? The story of how you turned from a country girl into who you are now? How do you suppose she’ll respond?”
• Shirley was shocked; she was an upcoming talent and a star who had been presented as someone from a respectable background by the agency. She immediately became wary of Cynthia, whom she felt was the lunatic who could ruin her life if pressured to the edge.
• “Since you don’t need my help, I’ll be on my way. After all, I have matters to attend to. We’ll catch up later.”
• She was worried that if she had stayed any longer, Cynthia would start spilling the beans. Hence, she found an excuse and stressed on the word ‘matters’ to mock Cynthia’s awkward situation of being denied entry. After her rushed farewell to Cynthia, Shirley pulled an angry Maureen along as they entered the venue.
• Cynthia watched as Shirley hurried off, a cold look in her eyes.
• After that episode, she still had to think of ways to get inside.
• A low-profile yet luxurious Rolls-Royce pulled up at the entrance, but Cynthia paid it no mind. However, when she saw the service personnel approaching the car in warm welcome, she couldn’t help but study the man who had emerged instead. Of all her time standing at the entrance, she had never seen any guest being welcomed in this manner before.
• James could feel a pair of eyes on him, so he looked around and was soon met with another gaze.
• “Why are you here?”
• Both voices spoke at the same time.
• Before both of them could respond, his assistant, Charles, faithfully carried out his job as he said, “Young Master James, it’s almost time. You’ll be late if you don’t head in now.”
• James nodded and turned his attention away from Cynthia before he proceeded to enter the venue with his slender legs.
• When the security guard at the entrance saw James, he quickly bowed in respect and allowed James entrance without even requesting for the invitation card.
• What a snob! Cynthia thought.
• Seeing that the security guard was trying his best to flatter James, Cynthia tried to sneakin when they weren’t looking.
• “Hey, what are you doing? Trying to fish in troubled waters?”
• The security guard’s tone was filled to the brim with disdain.
• She was so close to success, but the guard’s sharp eyes had caught her in the act and caused her expression to immediately turn awkward.
• Cynthia looked at James before she walked over and took the initiative to take his arm. Then, she whispered, “Sir, please be kind to me and let me enter with you as your date. I promise I’ll repay you in the future.”
• When he heard that, he grinned before he slowly exhaled and asked, “How do you intend to repay me?”
• She couldn’t catch the mischief in his voice and firmly insisted, “If you’re ever in trouble, I’ll do everything I can to help.”
• James dropped his mischief when he heard Cynthia’s words. As he didn’t have much time left, he simply informed the security guard to allow Cynthia to enter the venue together.
• Once she had entered, Cynthia hurriedly said her thanks and rushed off. James gazed at her disappearing figure with a meaningful look in his eyes, a smile blooming on his face.
• Now that she was inside the venue, she began to look for the lounge that was arranged for her.
• Meanwhile, Shirley was also walking around the area.
• She heard that the president of Lewis Incorporated would make an appearance today, so if she had the chance to meet the legendary president, she would work her hardest to appeal to him.
• If he was pleased with her, she could even land an opportunity for an endorsement deal and be even more famous in the entertainment field. Even if she couldn’t secure the endorsement, it would benefit her just as much to leave an impression.
• Unfortunately, while Cynthia was looking for the lounge, she had bumped into none other than Shirley.
• When Shirley saw Cynthia looking around the surroundings like a thief, she thought that the fallen woman must have attempted to attend the top-ranked exhibitions to attract an investor or two. When she thought of the president of Lewis Incorporated—the man whom all women fought to curry favor with, she remembered Cynthia’s beautiful face and grew ever more jealous. “I can’t let her have her way!”
• Moments after that, Shirley caught sight of a man who looked like a manager walking past before her lips formed into an evil smile.
• She walked up to Cynthia and took Cynthia’s hand while feigning surprise as she said, “Cindy, you didn’t get the invitation card, did you? Why are you here? You can’t do this, you know? If someone finds out, you’ll be chased out! Please sneak out before anyone realizes you’re here!”
• Cynthia was baffled as she pushed Shirley’s hand away. “You’re out of your mind, Shirley!”
• At this moment, a man walked up to them.
• It was the supposed manager who had passed by earlier.
• He had walked over when he heard Shirley’s words. The top-ranked exhibition was filled with various big names and socialites, so no one was allowed to enter without any prior permission. Thus, he was all ready to chase Cynthia out.