She looked at Lily.
"These years, I've been thriving in the entertainment industry. Hardly anyone dares to mess with me. Many people speculate that I have a powerful backer. I've never responded to these rumors. Actually, they're not wrong. There is indeed a man behind me."
Lily: "..."
Is this something she should be hearing? Lily wanted to remind her that as a public figure, she shouldn't casually reveal her secrets to others. But Selena seemed completely lost in her own thoughts, oblivious to anything Lily might say.
"We had an agreement. I would leave the industry at thirty, and he would wait for me until then. I came back this time specifically to celebrate his birthday. I thought I had finally waited long enough. But guess what surprise he gave me?"
Selena stared at Lily.
"He got married. He actually got married!"
... The appointment with Jingxiu was at three o'clock. Aria waited in the studio until two-thirty, but Lily still hadn't shown up. She called Lily, but there was no answer.
She knew that Lily's driver was provided by Edmond, and he doubled as a bodyguard, so she wasn't worried about Lily's safety. Figuring Lily was probably caught up with her idol, she decided to go to Jingxiu alone.
At the entrance, she ran into Octavian. Knowing Lily and Aria were supposed to come, he asked where Lily was.
Aria smiled, "She's having lunch with her idol, Selena, and hasn't returned yet."
Octavian couldn't muster a smile. Instead, he led Aria upstairs, then rushed to Edmond's office as soon as they were alone.
"Mr. Zhou, Mrs. Su and Miss Su have met."
"Mr. Zhou, Mrs. Su and Miss Su have met."
Octavian's words reached not only Edmond but also Leopold.
Leopold had come to Edmond for help regarding some troubles L&S Group was facing. He had been waiting for over an hour since Edmond was in a meeting. Just as they were about to get to the main topic, Octavian burst in with the news.
The instant change in Edmond's expression, as he stood up so quickly he hit his knee against the coffee table with a painful thud, and his rushed departure were all baffling to Leopold.
So, who is Miss Su? Seeing Edmond in such a state of panic, Leopold had a vague feeling that something was amiss.
Octavian, noticing Leopold standing up from the sofa, realized his mistake and slowed his steps.
Leopold took the opportunity to ask, "Who is Miss Su? What's going on with Lily?"
Octavian had been expecting this question. "Miss Su is Mr. Zhou's niece. There's a misunderstanding between her and Mrs. Su, and they might end up fighting."
Fighting? Lily did often get into fights. The Zhou family had many relatives with various surnames, so Leopold didn't suspect anything unusual. He was just exasperated that Lily seemed to get into conflicts wherever she went, even after getting married.
"I'll go and help mediate."
As he moved to follow, Octavian blocked him.
"This is a family matter. You shouldn't get involved. Perhaps you should head back for now? I'll call you when Mr. Zhou returns."
The issues with L&S Group were quite pressing, and Leopold needed to see Edmond today. Returning without meeting him wouldn't allow him to focus on his work.
"I'll wait in the conference room."
His father had advised that if Edmond wouldn't help, they should turn to Lily, as Edmond held her in high regard. His father had been right. A simple fight between women had Edmond in such a panic.
Octavian didn't argue further, calling someone to take Leopold to the conference room.
Edmond, already out of his office, kept trying to call Lily but received no response. When he called her driver, the phone was off. While waiting for the elevator, he thought of calling Selena, only to remember he had deleted her contact.
Octavian caught up just as the elevator doors were closing.
"I called Miss Su, but she didn't answer. I also called her manager, Zhang Zhen, but got no response either."
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Octavian had acted immediately after parting with Aria, but no one answered, which only added to his worry, making him momentarily forget Leopold.
Edmond yanked off his tie, then called Alistair.
It was the first workday after the long holiday, and Alistair was busy with a meeting at his company. He still owed Edmond a beating for the yacht incident. If the call had come in the evening, he wouldn't have dared answer. Assuming Edmond wouldn't want to fight during the day, he picked up.
"Hey Zhou, you..."
"Call Selena now. Ask where she is."
"Selena? Isn't she supposed to be on an afternoon flight? Why do you..."
"She invited Lily to lunch, and now I can't reach Lily."
Bang! In front of all his top executives, Alistair fell off his chair, then scrambled to his feet, running out without a thought for his image, leaving his team in stunned silence.
Edmond hung up and asked Octavian, "Did I make a mistake? Should I have told Lily about Selena earlier?"
Octavian knew Edmond wasn't thinking clearly and responded rationally, "I think you did nothing wrong."
Lily's character was rare. She was genuine with friends, willing to sacrifice anything for them. She'd endure any hardship for them. But when it came to herself, she'd rather face dire consequences than compromise. If she had been a bit softer, her relationship with her family wouldn't be so strained. Her only exception was Royce. Despite knowing about Royce's infidelity, she couldn't let go because of their long history and the genuine protection he provided her for eighteen years, longer than her family ever did. That's why she tolerated Royce's repeated betrayals until she finally couldn't.
But Edmond didn't have Royce's privilege. Their marriage was only ten months old, not even a year. Lily relied on Edmond more than she liked him, and perhaps there was a bit of affection, but not love. Once she realized their marriage was making her unhappy, she'd leave. Given her carefree nature, she'd escape overnight if necessary.
Octavian, after his rational analysis, saw the pale, distressed face of his boss and offered some sympathy.
"Don't worry too much. You've been arranging a one-time compensation for Miss Su. Once that's done, it will be easier to handle."
Edmond remained silent for a while, then instructed, "Oversee the procedures yourself and expedite them."
... Lily was unaware of Edmond and Alistair's frantic search. At that moment, she was in a hospital, watching a doctor treat the wound on Selena's face.
Why were they in a hospital? That story began an hour earlier.
Selena had been sharing her story, explaining how she had returned to celebrate a man's birthday, taking leave and risking offending Director Mei. She said that man was the one who had always supported her—not exactly a sugar daddy. Selena meant they had an agreement that she would leave the industry at thirty, and he would wait for her until then and marry her. They had known each other for many years, at least ten.
In other words, they were essentially a couple. But she came back, only to find out he had married someone else. And worse, she knew the wife.
Lily sympathized deeply, completely understanding her feelings.