Chapter 2 Break The Contract

• "End the agreement?"
• Baxter Brother squinted at Emily in the break room, asking her in an enquiring tone, "Emily, tell me the truth; have you found a new backer?"
• "No, I just want to go home and retire from the industry because I'm tired and need a break from the spotlight," Emily explained, blinking her large, sincere eyes.
• For an instant, Baxter Brother was in disbelief. "Security? Is your income sufficient for you to retire?"
• Emily felt a sudden pang of pain in her chest.
• "Emily, are you attempting to flee as a result of the previous incident? Remember that negative publicity is still publicity. Not many people even have the opportunity to follow this path."
• It's not scary in this entertainment industry to be slandered; it's scary to not even be able to make an impression and to be unknown to anyone.
• You mentioned earlier that you wanted to become wealthy so that you could purchase a home. and enhance the living conditions of your siblings? Have you overlooked it?
• Inside, Emily laughed icily. Repeated lectures like this one from Baxter Brother had brainwashed her original self.
• "To tell the truth, I wed. My spouse finds it awkward that I'm in the spotlight." Emily even displayed a hint of shyness as she spoke.
• "Wed? When did this occur?" The brows of Baxter Brother furrowed in disapproval. "Why didn't you first talk to the company about such a big matter?"
• Emily felt a little queasy when she saw Baxter Brother staring at her like he was a disobedient junior.
• Emily inhaled deeply. "Recently, one of my brothers became ill and requires expensive surgery. You claimed to have no money when I asked to borrow it from you."
• This brother was a child from the orphanage where Emily grew up, not her biological sibling. This year, he was only eight years old, and he had somehow developed leukemia.
• To start, the orphanage didn't have a lot of money. Emily has gradually spent all of her savings on assistance over the years. She was essentially without money, save for the sum her contractual husband had just given her.
• Emily was torn between using her fame and wealth to help the orphanage children and fulfilling her own desires.
• Adoptable children could only be those without disabilities. Every person who was left behind had a disability of some kind.
• Emily's eyes immediately filled with tears, maybe influenced by the feelings of the original Emily, her heart aching.
• Baxter Brother shifted uneasily in his seat, showing signs of discomfort. "I recently purchased a house, and I also don't have any extra cash on hand."
• Emily gave herself a mental eye roll. He didn't have any money, he was just unwilling to lend any. He had picked up a lot of knowledge from her and similar people over the years.
• Well, she never intended to borrow money in the first place.
• "It's not your fault; my brother's condition is very serious," Emily sniffed. A wealthy man once expressed interest in me and promised to give me his money if we were to get married. Is it my fault that I didn't refuse?"
• Baxter Brother looked shocked. "Have you got a suitor?"
• Emily: "...
• "Is this the main point?"
• "Not at all. How do you mean?
• Acknowledging his error, Baxter Brother also grinned awkwardly. "I didn't mean anything else; don't overthink it. I understand, I've never heard you talk about anyone before," Baxter Brother clarified with a reassuring tone.
• We weren't acquainted for very long. He is a little older and has a strict, unyielding mannerism. I didn't talk about him because I don't really like him."
• She was only twenty-two now. At nearly thirty, John was. There were a full two generations between them, according to the proverb that states that a generation gap occurs every three years.
• To Baxter Brother, however, it seemed as though Emily had wed a wealthy quinquagenarian or quadragenarian for financial gain.
• It hurt him.
• Even though Emily didn't have a positive reputation, her curvaceous figure and ample frontal and posterior assets made her remarkably beautiful. She was also well-liked by a few executive members of the company. Baxter Brother would have given her the money back then if he had known she would get married over this!
• A nice hand had vanished in an instant.
• "At this time, keep the marriage a secret. You're still quite young. You have to understand that putting your career first is important. Ultimately, you can't trust men." Baxter's voice had significance.
• Emily dutifully nodded. She appeared to be very well-mannered.
• Of course, that was only the way she appeared at first glance.
• A surprised woman, who had been about to knock, covered her mouth before flashing a smile. Emily, I had no idea you would have such a day!
• Unnoticed by anyone, she turned and walked away in silence.
• Emily instantly changed her expression and pouted slightly while sitting on the sofa after Baxter Brother left.
• As one might expect from Smooth Talker, the infamous old lady of the entertainment industry.
• She grabbed the apple from the table, gave it a quick wipe, and then took a bite. 'Not as good as the ones back home, huh?'
• She still crunched up the entire thing in a few bites, not wanting to waste food.
• The core landed squarely in the trash can with a "biu."
• A moment later, there was a knock, and a baby-faced girl poked her head in. It was Ava, Emily's junior assistant, quite fittingly.
• "Sis Emily, I need to call you to the conference room, per Baxter Brother's request."
• "Oh." The choice had to be made.
• Emily experienced anxiety. She had read the book and knew what kind of person Baxter was. He was determined to get every ounce of utility possible out of people.
• Her plot was being sold to an elderly man in the book. In her struggles, she fell to her death from a hotel's high floors.
• Emily found the Baxter brother absent from the conference room. There was just one high-ranking executive sitting back with his legs crossed in the seat in the middle.
• Clad in an azure blue suit and rimless glasses, he appeared to be in his mid-thirties. Slightly greasy, but not ugly.
• "Mr. Marcus," Emily said with grace.
• Director Marcus arrogantly glanced at Emily. His bare eyes were almost palpable.
• "Did you ask me here for something?" Emily questioned, fighting the urge to punch him and the goosebumps that were rising up her arm.
• "I heard you tied the knot." And that too to an elderly man.
• His tone betrayed the regret that was evident.
• Emily pursed her lips but did not respond.
• It's obvious that the opposition didn't genuinely want to hear her reply either. "You've been with the company for a while and are always obedient," he said, pushing over a contract. This was a stupid time to marry so quickly. You ought to have spoken with the business about this beforehand."
• Then, as he went on, his voice changed, saying, "It seems that you wish to retire, according to your agent. If you were to terminate your contract early, you would be fined about $5 million. Are you sure you want to retire?"
• Emily's shocked eyes grew wider. "To what extent?!"
• "Eight million. It is a substantial amount. You can start saving money if you're determined to retire. I'll assist you in resolving issues with the business."
• Director Marcus gave an internal sneer. Emily had no support system or resources; her younger brother was a freeloader. She was an orphan. She could never have made that much money!
• Emily's expression did indeed darken upon hearing him.
• She would not just give the damn company $5 million. She could also hold out a little while longer because her contract was about to expire!
• Additionally, she had no intention of continuing to appear on the dating reality show.
• Emily laughed awkwardly. So I'm not going to retire just yet. However, I did get married, so it wouldn't be appropriate for me to take part in a dating show, right?
• "I've chosen an even better show for you, so don't worry. I continue to have faith in your abilities. Emily, please don't let me down."
• Director Marcus touched Emily's shoulder as he spoke. Then, without warning, his wrist twisted so violently that his entire body fell to the table. Then a sharp pain shot through.
• "Oh-"
• Emily released her grip without much delay. "I apologize, reflex."
• "Ow!" Director Marcus clutched his sore wrist and took two deep breaths.
• "What do they feed you to put you through so much stress?"
• Emily started to feel uneasy. I've done manual labor a lot since I was a young child, so I have some strength. Do you need me to call the doctor for you?
• She was sneering inside. I'll break your wrist if you touch me once more!
• "Not necessary. Simply sign the agreement first." Director Marcus walked out with a pained expression.
• Emily looked through the contract. It was for a reality show about survival on a deserted island, not a dating program.
• "13 Days on the Island" was the full name of the survival show. Everything would be broadcast live, with no scripts or behind-the-scenes meddling. There would be no help from the production team.
• This show seemed to blow up later in the book, as she vaguely remembered.
• Upon closer inspection, no unfair or hidden clauses could be found. She then signed her name.
• Emily noticed with some empathy that people's looks at her seemed a little strange as she made her way back to the break room.
• They either hid from her sight or pretended not to notice her when she looked over.
• When she got back to her office, Ava told her that there had been rumors circulating that she was being held captive by an elderly man.
• Ava felt a mix of anger and worry. "I'm not sure who started the rumors, Blabbermouth. Should we make this clear, Sis. Emily?"
• After giving it some thought, Emily said coldly, "Forget it; just let them talk." Regardless, it's essentially the same."
• Ava's mouth dropped open in shock.
• Emily shut her mouth. "Discard your irrational fantasies."
• "Oh," says Ava.
• Furthermore, they wouldn't believe it even if it were clarified.
• People choose to believe what aligns with their beliefs.