Chapter 4

• "...The implementation of access cards for entry at our branches in Milan, Bolivia, and Hawaii resulted in a threefold increase in guests over the past weekend," Parker continued. "Customer reviews pointed out the enhanced sense of security that the new system provides."
• "Thank you, Parker. Over to you Alise." Xavier said, he was having a small meeting with his two personal assistants.
• "Alise?" He repeated, but she seemed to be distracted by her phone.
• "Is there something else more important than this meeting at the moment, Miss Levine—"
• "Oh shoot!" She quickly put down her phone, "My apologies, Mr Chairman...The news about your nephew and his girlfriend is buzzing on the internet—"
• "I asked for your report on our subsidiary groups not the hottest gossip." He told her sternly,
• "The mall is doing well, and the art gallery is also thriving," Alise said, forcing a smile onto her lips.
• "Alise," Xavier called out, his voice hardening.
• "Yes, sir?" she replied.
• "You didn't prepare a report, did you?" His jaw was clenched tight, and he was clearly not happy.
• "I'm so sorry, sir," she said, her voice trembling. "I got caught up in the whole Hamilton-Astor situation and lost track of time."
• Letting out an exasperated sigh, he turned to Parker, "About that issue on Miss Hamilton, take it down. Find every website and take down that photo—"
• "But she's just a C-list actress, a nobody but she acts so high and mighty." Alise ranted as she picked up her phone again,
• Xavier shot her a glare but she was too distracted to notice,
• "And she hurt your nephew. A direct insult to the family." She continued as Xavier furiously tapped the table,
• "How long have you been working here, Miss Levine?" His brows furrowed,
• "A month, Sir." She flashed him a smile.
• "Do you enjoy the benefits?"
• "Yes Sir." She continued tapping furiously on her phone,
• "And do you want to keep them?"
• She didn't reply,
• "Miss Levine." He called again, his tone flat.
• "Yes Sir, I'm watching a live stream of Amber's anti fan club." She smiled excitedly,
• "Mm." He nodded, clearly furious until realization dawned on him,
• "What did you say?" He quickly asked her,
• "Well Amber is at her agency and the anti-fans are waiting for her outside. I can't wait to see what happens!"
• "Alise!" He snapped causing her to immediately drop her phone.
• He straighten his tie and told her,
• "You're excused. Drop your badge at the front desk and never return to this hotel. You're banned from the premises too, if caught you can kiss your freedom good bye." He said with a frown,
• "S-Sir—"
• "Parker?" he called, getting on his feet. "Get the car ready, right now."
• ---
• "...Mr Han, I beg of you, you can't let my career end like this."
• "You brought this on yourself, Miss Hamilton. Do you how much money we've lost in the last twenty four hours?!" The middle aged man thundered,
• "Why do you low class actors have to be so problematic?! Do you know what the other agencies are saying to my face? They say I'm running a brothel! First it was Kelly, then Fay and now you?! I didn't expect so low of you—"
• "And I know, I will take full responsibility for my actions, I'll tender a public apology too but please don't let me go, please Mr Han." Amber begged on her knees.
• "...I'm really sorry, Miss Hamilton, but my mind's been made up....Also this is beyond me now, you should have considered your actions to the Astor family and yours before you did what you did."
• Amber’s brows furrowed, "What are you talking about, Mr Han?" She sniffed.
• He was hesitant at first but Amber was adamant,"Your mother—"
• "Step mother!" She corrected in annoyance,
• "Ah yes, she wants you out of the spotlight for a while till all these cool down—"
• "She asked you to fire me?!" Amber snapped,
• "No, this is for your own good, she's doing this to protect you—"
• "No she's not!" Amber cut in, "She's doing this for herself! She never wanted me here and you're letting her win!" Her voice faltered at the end.
• "Please don't do this to me, Mr Han." She shook her head in tears.
• "I'm really sorry Miss Hamilton." He pushed the papers across the table. Too guilty to even look her in the eye.
• "I'm going to let this slide, and you won't have to pay for any damages," he said, his tone gentle. "But I need you to sign these documents, then you can be on your way."
• He handed her a pen, and she took it with shaking hands. Tears blurred her vision as she tried to read the papers, but she couldn't make out the words. It was all too much to take in. She had built a life, only to have it all torn away from her in an instant.
• Finally, she signed the documents, but she knew this wasn't over.
• "Here." She straightened up, cleaning her face before breaking it to Mr Han.
• "Just so you know, those photos were private photos of my husband and I, sir."
• The room was so silent you could have heard a pin drop. Mr. Han was visibly taken aback. He seemed to be struggling to process what Amber had just said.
• "I...I don't understand," he finally managed to say. "You're married? To who?"
• "That's not important," Amber said, her voice cold. "What's important is that those photos were private, and were never meant to be shared with the public." She told him.
• "This is a serious matter," She said, her voice firm. "And I won't rest until those responsible are held accountable. I intend to sue not only Han Entertainment, but also any individual or website that has posted those photos without my consent."
• Mr. Han's face was pale, and he looked like he was on the verge of a breakdown.
• Mr Han's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly regained his composure. "You can't do that," he said, a hint of panic in his voice.
• "My image and reputation have been damaged. And I intend to seek compensation." She told him,
• "B-But—"
• "I'll drop car keys and access keys at the front desk. And I'll see you in court, Mr Han." She said coldly as she turned on her heels and walked out of the office."
• She heard him call out her name but she ignored him, there was no going back now.
• She could hear whispers as she walked to the elevator but she could care to concern herself with whatever they were saying.
• She had ordered an Uber in the elevator so she made her way to the underground elevator, in an attempt to avoid the paparazzi.
• "There she is!" Someone yelled,
• As Amber turned in their direction, they charged at her and before she could even fathom her current reality, two raw eggs landed on her face.
• "Slut! Loser!" They recorded and yelled while throwing eggs and other items at her at the same time.
• They chased her as she tried to get away from them, hiding her face from them, but it was no use, they were closing in. Soon she felt powerless as tears rolled down her cheeks and soon fell to the ground.
• Just as the angry mob reached her, the tyres of a black Lincoln Continental squealed and came to a stop in front of her, creating a barrier between her and the mob.
• Suddenly, the door opened and Xavier stepped outside, looking more handsome than ever in his black suit. In a flash, he took her hand and pulled her into the car.
• "Get us out of here!" he said urgently to the driver.
• The car started to move before the door was even closed, and they sped away from the curious mob and reporters. The whole incident had lasted only a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity. Amber was trembling, her heart racing.
• Once they were safe and out of sight, Amber quietly turned in his direction, he had a scowl on his face,
• "How did you—"
• "The entire country knows where you are, goddamn it!" He snapped before she could finish her sentence.
• "What are you even doing in the public?!" He asked in annoyance,
• Amber took a deep breath to steady herself. "I tried to tell you last night that Han Entertainment broke off their contract with me," she said, her voice firm and clear. "But you didn't listen."
• Xavier's gaze snapped back to her, his expression unreadable. She felt a surge of anger, but she pushed it down.
• "...I need to get my stuff from the condo and hand the access card and car keys to the front desk." She sniffed,
• "That won't be necessary. Parker will get the address and handle the rest. From now on, a bodyguard and a driver will be assigned to you," he said, his words were crisp and to the point, devoid of any emotion. It was like he was speaking to her as a colleague, not a wife.
• Quietly he handed her a handkerchief and looked away,
• "Don't you know I need you alive, what use are you to me if you're dead!"