* * *
Flabbergasted by the sudden information, Remi Long immediately questioned Laotian wanting a reasonable explanation. Veronica, on the other hand, felt as if Mo Laotian's word replayed in her mind like a broken cassette tape.
Her mind instantly thought of her future with her fame falling down.
" Ms. Long, as the Chairman of this big company, I simply don't want to hire your artist anymore and waste my money. " Mo Laotian replied glaring at the woman who dared to question his decision.
If he was to find someone as the face of the Empire brand, Laotian wouldn't choose a face that had already been overly commercialized. Veronica might be famous but her face was too redundant. It wouldn't be good for the company, the brand would look just like the other brands, insincere. Laotian would rather use a face that was not too known to the public.
" Mr. Mo, please let me convince you. My artist had been a really great help to your company for the past years. If you suddenly drop her, her fans wouldn't like that and it might affect your company's reputation. " Remi Long convinced desperately. If Veronica can't have this job then she would be branded as outdated, Remi can't let that happen.
" My people helped the company, not your artist. My decision is final, there won't be a new contract. " Laotian repeated and this time directed his aura to Remi Long causing her to tremble in fear even though Remi was a Beta and can't feel pheromones. Laotian's glare was enough for her to understand that she overstepped her boundary.
Disappointment quickly swallowed Remi's mind, seeing that Mo Laotian was at the door already, she was to face Veronica when the actress suddenly stepped forward.
" I-I'm pregnant. " Veronica squeaked gripping on to her stomach. She was indeed pregnant. She first thought to use this method but lost her chance but now she had no choice. Veronica was never planning to keep the baby. She wanted to be famous, to be known to the world and a baby was never in the plan. But if she could use the baby to reach her goals then so be it.
Although she was desperate to be together with Hanlu, she didn't want to do it this way. She wasn't ready to take up the responsibility. The Mo Family had been desperate for a grandchild and Veronica knew that from Hanlu. She was never gonna accept a housewife's life. But if it's going to open her a new path then she would gladly accept it.
" Vicky? What are you talking about? "
" I'm Pregnant and it's Hanlu's. Mr. Mo, I know you don't like me but if you let me sign a new contract and help me win this year's best actress award then I won't make this matter public. " Veronica faced Mo Laotian with all her courage.
" . . . " After hearing the woman's words, Laotian didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He walked back to his chair again and sat there peering at the greedy woman. Mo Laotian only wanted the woman away from Mo Hanlu but seeing the situation now, he will need to put the woman back to her place.
" You're pregnant and it's Hanlu's? " Laotian started, a bone-chilling smile flashed on his lips as he talked. Did the actress really wanted to make him believe that? If he was indeed pregnant with Hanlu's, Laotian does not believe the woman would not come running towards Hanlu's doorsteps the second she knew that.
" Yes. " Veronica replied using all her years of acting experience. Earlier Veronica's eyes had a slight hesitation but now she stood facing Mo Laotian with all confidence. If she reveals to the media that she was pregnant, people would immediately believe it was Hanlu's. By that time, she would have enough time to figure the rest out but at this moment she really needs that contract signed.
" And you want me to believe that? " Mo Laotian asked amused. The woman in front of her was very stupid! Desperately Stupid! Does she actually believe he would be so credulous enough to believe her obvious lies?
" You can take me to have a DNA test. " Veronica spoke will confidence, she knew full well who Mo Laotian in the business industry and that how people were afraid to offend him but to her right now, her future was in the line. She never wants to go back to the slumps again.
" What do you take me for? " Having enough of the woman, Laotian finally used his Alpha tune, he was furious. He wasn't patient enough to tolerate the woman. Remi Long seeing how angered Mo Laotian looked like, she pulled Veronica's arm and whispered for her to stop. She may be a Beta but she could distinctly tell Veronica was in danger the longer she talks to the Alpha.
" I take you to consider my offer. "
" *laughs* Go and spread your lies to the public, I dare you! " Laotian spoke standing up, a dangerous warning evident in his voice. He had enough with the talk and despite the woman's desperate call, Mo Laotian left without looking back.
Why does he have to concern himself in things that he doesn't have to involve himself in? Had he become soft in the eyes of people when he got married that now they could easily threaten him? A small actress that couldn't make it anywhere without the Mo's influence, lied and threatened him? Has he become a joke?
" Starting from this day, I don't want those two women in my building. " Laotian ordered passing through his secretaries' work area. The second he was inside his office again, he went straight in front of the glass window and fished out his mobile phone looking at the wide view of the city.
Laotian scanned his contacts and after finding the right number, he pressed 'call'. After a few rings, the phone call finally connected.
" I want all information about Veronica Chime sent to me tomorrow morning. Background and who she was with, with no exception. " Laotian immediately said the moment the recipient said " Hello? "
" Huh? Why? " Tian Zi replied confused! Veronica Chime!? Wasn't that the woman who his older brother Hanlu dated? Why was his eldest brother Laotian wants information about her now? Tian Zi thought.
" Don't ask and just do what I ask. "
" But don't you think it would be more efficient if you tell me what you wanted to find out? It would save me time. " Tian Zi replied resuming from playing his game that he was playing before Laotian called.
" . . . "
" Oh come on! I'm 22 already, I can handle stuff. What do you want me to find out specifically?"
" *sighs* Find out who's offsprings she's carrying right now! " Laotian revealed surprising Tian Zi that he almost died on his game, he quickly used his special moves and killed his opponent's hero before immediately canceled speaker mode. The topic finally caught the young Alpha's full attention.
" You think it's Hanlu's? "
" No!"
" I don't think it's Hanlu's but I'll go and check it now, I'll get back to you tomorrow morning. " Tian Zi said already hype at what he might find out. After receiving a simple hum from Mo Laotian, Tian Zi ended the call smiling mischievously at the thought of Hanlu's reaction.
The Alpha had just started changing his way of life with Ian Andrews but it's as if the Gods above doesn't want to. Was his older brother actually born under an unlucky star?
" Well Princess, you can wait until tomorrow for a rematch. " Tian Zi mumbled then pressed X before he pressed some keys and a black box opened on the screen. It didn't take long when he started typing codes and later on moved to one site to the other.
Meanwhile, after being kicked out of the Empire building. Veronica stomps her feet and walks away with her manager following her.
" Vicky! Are you really pregnant? Why didn't you tell me? "
" Because I wasn't planning to keep it. " Veronica replied moving at a steady pace.
" What? But it's Mo Hanlu's. "
" And you believed me? It has been three months since the last time Hanlu and I broke up and even before that, he hasn't slept with me so how else am I going to get pregnant? " Veronica revealed rolling her eyes!
She is 2 months pregnant with her ex-boyfriend and when she learned she was pregnant, she first intends to lie that it was Hanlu's and tried to sleep with him but the Alpha wasn't interested. He was surprisingly serious about changing, so Veronica lost her chance and had no choice but to get rid of the baby.
" B-But you told Mr. Mo..." Remi stuttered suddenly felt terrified for her friend to lie at someone like Mo Laotian. A powerful man that could make someone's life a living hell and Veronica just lied to him, face to face.
" What I said doesn't matter anymore, the real issue is that when the Empire brand refusal to sign me again this year went to the public, my career will slowly deteriorate. I need Mo's influence to get me back at the top and if I can't do that then I need to find another way. When I get what I want I can get rid of this thing asap. " Veronica said without any sense of emotion towards the baby inside her.
Yes, there were people who would love to have a baby that wasn't able to but Veronica wasn't one of them. As soon as everything is back to the way it used to be, she will get rid of it in an instance.
" Vicky! Are you listening to yourself? That's a life you're talking about! Your baby for God's sake! And did you ever thought that Mr. Mo will not let you go if he ever finds out you're lying? Even though he doesn't seem to believe you now, there is a chance that he will ask someone to check you up? By then, your career will really never going to go back to its former glory or you ever stepping into the acting industry again. "
" Remi, you don't understand! We don't have a choice. We need to do this so we can survive in this industry! You know what I've been through, we've gone through it together. Are you willing to go back to the slumps because, for me, I don't want to? " Veronica halted her steps and face her long-time friend.
" But this is Mo Laotian we are talking about Vicky! It's the end for us if he finds out. " Remi argued still wasn't convinced. It's not that he wants to go back but the risk of having Mo Laotian as an enemy was too much. Remi was positive they will be caught right away!
" I know Mo Laotian is a difficult enemy but please trust me, this time I'm not acting on my own. I have a friend helping me. They are capable, Remi. I already experienced their power. " Veronica cooed and held Remi's arms. Of course, Veronica wasn't underestimating Mo Laotian but she knew exactly who can go on spar with the business tycoon. Veronica was also taking a risk but she had no choice but to play her cards well in order to keep her dreams.
" Remi, can I trust you to be with me? "
". . ."
" I-I... I'm sorry! I can't Vicky! Please just stop this! We have no chance against Mr. Mo. And this is your baby we're talking about. We can't take this lightly. " Remi convinced which caused Veronica to frown and then, later on, lets go of Remi's arms. She then turned back and made a step forward.
" If you're not going to be with me then don't bother talking to me anymore! Go back to the slumps if you want to, and even if you go back to me, you will not be my manager anymore. You're fired. " Veronica spoke as she started walking moving further and further away from Remi. If the woman won't help her then it's best for her to leave.
" Vicky! Please, it's not too late! We can stop this! " Remi yelled standing still at the spot where Veronica left her. She partly believes it was her lack of proper skills to gather strong connections that Veronica couldn't become famous without Mo Hanlu. Remi was considering resigning but she never expected it would end this way.
Remi Long was still watching Veronica's back when the actress entered a black limousine and drove away without looking back at her.