Possessed No More: The True Star Returns to Claim Her Throne-Chapter 45: Worry

The car finally stopped at the entrance of the Grand Feast Club. Melanie Chenning composed her expression, murmured her thanks, and got out.

The Rolls-Royce sped away like the wind, without a hint of hesitation.

Melanie Chenning watched the car disappear into the distance, her face now showing an expression of undisguised, resolute ambition.

She, Melanie Chenning, was going to marry the most powerful man in Dragonspire. Even if Cole Sinclair was truly cold-hearted and aloof, she had her ways to win him over.

After returning to the office, Cole Sinclair immediately threw himself into his work. His foul mood was palpable. Even Henry Hayes kept his distance, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire and suffering for it.

But no one expected that half an hour later, the hashtag #SinclairConglomeratePresidentRidesWithBeauty# would shoot to the top of the trending topics, pushing even Riley Perry’s trending topic down the list.

Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that someone had paid to get this trending. They might even suspect that the person who bought the topic was Melanie Chenning herself.

The head of the PR department came to the president’s office with a grim look on his face. After what happened last time, he didn’t dare be careless again. No matter how displeased the president might be, he had to report what needed reporting.

"President Sinclair, we’re thinking of taking this trending topic down directly and suing the gossip account that posted the baseless rumor. What do you think of this approach?"

Cole Sinclair stared at the photos from the trending topic, his eyes cold and dark. Clearly, the photographer had started snapping pictures from outside the private dining room. But the only people who knew he was dining there were his own mother and Melanie Chenning.

’Melanie Chenning isn’t that stupid. So this must have been arranged by my mother.’

"Just have someone take the topic down."

He was about to turn off his phone screen, but a familiar name appeared in another trending topic. His expression changed instantly. He quickly searched for news about Riley Perry, and when he saw that she had fallen from several meters in the air, he felt his own heart seize. He dialed the internal line and summoned Henry Hayes. "Book a flight, now!"

He tried to suppress his anger but couldn’t hold it back. "Something this major happened to her and you didn’t know?"

Facing the president’s dark expression, Henry Hayes stepped forward to explain. "I was busy with the Tiancheng project proposal this morning and worked through lunch. By the time I noticed the trending topic, Miss Perry had already posted on Weibo saying she was fine. Plus, you weren’t in the office at the time, so I didn’t want to disturb you."

He never dared to disturb President Sinclair when he was with Ms. Wyatt. It would only make the president’s mood even worse.

Cole Sinclair was already striding out the door. "Don’t let it happen again."

Henry Hayes knew the president was truly angry. This really was his fault. "I understand."

He quickly checked for flight information online. "The earliest flight is at 3:30. It takes off in an hour and a half, but there are only economy class seats left."

"Book it. And have the car ready."

...

「At the Sinclair Family residence.」

Veronica Wyatt was pleased as she looked at the trending photos of her son and her friend’s daughter. She knew her eldest son didn’t want her meddling in his marital affairs, but she refused to allow him to be with some woman who had appeared out of nowhere.

Especially not a woman who dared to let her son go to work with a lipstick mark on him. So improper, so utterly disgraceful.

Even if Cole Sinclair resisted, even if he might not end up with Melanie, it didn’t matter. She was just a woman. Sooner or later, he would give her up.

That woman was just a no-name little actress. She must have seen the trending topic by now. She would surely pick a fight with her son over it, and after enough fighting, they would eventually break up.

...

Everyone on the film set was questioned. Director Miles only returned after spending nearly three hours at the police station. The props master, Old Alden, had been arrested. Someone had given him two million to cut Riley Perry’s safety wire with the intent to kill her. But he didn’t know who that person was; they had contacted him using an untraceable number, and half the deposit had already been paid. The police were still trying to trace the source of the money.

The leadership at the police station was having a tough time. Between the time of the incident and two in the afternoon, they had already received calls from two different parties: the head of PR from Stardust Corporation and the president of The Sinclair Conglomerate. Both demanded that the culprit be found.

To be honest, the call from Stardust was purely a formality. One of their artists had been in an accident, so of course they had to show some concern. That was normal; otherwise, they’d seem heartless.

But the call from the Sinclair Group was different. The head of the country’s number one conglomerate... could someone please tell him how a low-tier, unknown actress had such powerful connections?

But the trail went cold with Old Alden. The investigation was going to be difficult from here on out.

...

Riley Perry did end up seeing the trending topic about Cole Sinclair sharing a car with a beautiful woman. Honestly, she didn’t feel much of anything about it; she saw it and forgot it. People from the film set came to visit her, including the two main leads, who had their assistants drop off fruit baskets. They would leave the items and go, afraid of disturbing her rest. After all, a concussion required recuperation.

Just before dusk, Justin Locke arrived, led in by Rocco. Of course, he had given Riley Perry a heads-up beforehand.

The last time she saw him, he’d been beaten so badly his whole face was swollen like a pig’s head, so Riley Perry hadn’t paid much attention to his looks. Seeing him today, she couldn’t help but be impressed.

The man before her looked to be twenty-three or twenty-four at most. The beard he’d had was now cleanly shaven, with no trace of his previous disheveled appearance. His skin was quite fair, and his smiling, fox-like eyes made it clear he was very cunning.

’He looks so different from the first time I met him!’

Rocco said, "Boss, have a seat. This is the first time I’ve ever seen you in a suit. I had no idea you were so handsome! You really can’t tell normally!"

Justin Locke’s heart skipped a beat. He instinctively looked over at Riley Perry and found her leaning back against the headboard, watching him with a gentle smile. His heart immediately started to POUND. "Of course, one must dress formally when visiting a patient. Miss Perry, don’t listen to his nonsense."

Riley Perry smiled. "You were much more casual on the phone. And stop with the ’Miss Perry.’ Just call me by my name."

’But today is our first time formally meeting. How could it be the same?’ Justin Locke thought.

"Alright, then I’ll call you by your name.

How are you feeling?"

Riley Perry: "Look at me. Do I look like there’s something wrong?"

Justin Locke’s tone relaxed. "Good. You still owe me a meal, you know. If something had really happened to you, I’d be at a loss."

Riley Perry knew he was joking and shot him an exasperated look. "I saved your life, you know. And now that I’m the one in trouble, all you can think about is that one meal?"

"Tsk. I would offer to repay your life-saving grace with my body, but I’m afraid you wouldn’t accept."

’Oh ho! The boss is shooting his shot! This is a once-in-a-millennium sight!’ Rocco thought.

"Ria, you should just take my boss! Seriously, with a handsome face like his, you definitely won’t be losing out!"

Justin Locke shot Rocco a covert glare. He had so many good qualities, but leave it to Rocco to reduce them all to just a handsome face!

"Don’t listen to his nonsense."

Rocco quickly made a zipper motion across his lips. ’Fine, I’ll shut up, okay?’ He then looked at Riley Perry with pleading eyes.