"Wow~ is this why Britney helped promote the book?"
That afternoon, in a luxurious mansion in Tribeca, Manhattan, Bundchen was watching the news on TV, stunned for a while before reacting.
She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes with a cold smile. "What a good little brother. Sacrificing himself to help Kate promote her book."
"Yes, quite the sacrifice."
Her agent, Bella, chuckled softly. Suddenly, her eyes widened, and she exclaimed, "Wow!"
On FOX News, they were broadcasting a fashion show—specifically, the CK show. Luca's changing expressions and body movements were clearly visible on screen.
Bella and Bundchen were left dumbfounded. FOX News had no boundaries, broadcasting anything for ratings. And Luca? No wonder he was called Mr. Big.
Bundchen licked her lips and let out a cold laugh. "Very well. Since everyone knows about this, we don't need to bother finding clues anymore!"
"Bella, get someone to write an article saying that Kate had Luca seduce Britney to sell her book. What a cunning woman!"
"Got it. I bet we won't even need a PR push. By tomorrow, plenty of media outlets will be covering this."
Bella smiled softly and left the apartment.
Bundchen stared at Luca on the TV for a while, then laughed lightly and pulled out her phone to make a call.
"Hi~ Lima, how are you? Great. Wow~ you haven't heard yet? Turn on the TV. That scumbag Luca cheated on you."
"What? Luca cheated?"
In her downtown Manhattan apartment on 43rd Street, Lima was gaming with her legs crossed. Upon hearing that Luca cheated, she froze in shock.
"Okay, got it."
Lima hung up the phone, frowning. Bundchen calling to tell her that Luca cheated—it all seemed a bit off.
"Escape begins!!"
A game prompt blared from her computer.
Lima glanced at her screen, hesitated for a moment, then shrugged it off. She continued playing. The latest release of *Vice City* was quite fun—a survival game in an urban setting where you could fight, kill, rob, and race cars. It was exhilarating.
Lima had just gotten the game and wasn't done enjoying it. She picked up a glass of coconut water, took a sip, and resumed playing.
*Ring, ring~*
A while later, Bundchen called again.
"Lima, have you seen the news? Luca is unbelievable. How could he do this? I think you should speak out."
"Speak out about what? I haven't even seen the news yet."
Lima tilted her head, holding the phone between her shoulder and ear as she continued gaming.
"You haven't seen it? What are you doing? *Vice City*? What is that? A game?! Wow~ Lima, you're amazing. Your boyfriend cheated, and you're still gaming? Fine, fine, continue playing!"
*Beep, beep~*
The call was abruptly hung up.
"Why is she so mad?"
Lima shook her head, confused. She sat dazed for a moment, then put down her game controller and lazily walked over to the TV.
Perhaps this news was just too explosive. By that evening, every entertainment channel was covering it. Pop queen Britney, Mr. Big Luca, car sex, applause, intense drama—it was as if everyone had witnessed the scene firsthand.
Lima, with a serious expression, flipped to the FOX News entertainment channel. She saw Luca climbing into Britney's luxurious limo. Moments later, the massive vehicle began to gently shake.
"That bastard!"
Lima bit her lip, her blue-gray eyes filled with rage.
She and Luca had started as friends before becoming lovers. They gamed together and hung out, getting along great—just like buddies.
This relationship made her feel comfortable, and she wanted it to last.
But Luca had cheated.
His actions weren't just a betrayal of their love; they were a betrayal of their friendship.
This, she could not forgive!
"He needs to be taught a lesson!"
Lima angrily turned off the TV, glanced out the window as the sun set, casting a rosy glow on the windowsill.
"Forget it, it's too late. I'll deal with it tomorrow."
She returned to her computer and picked up the game controller.
*Ring, ring~*
The phone rang again.
Lima glanced at the caller ID—it was Luca.
"Hmph, in a hurry now? Where were you earlier?"
She ignored the call, skillfully maneuvering her character to knock over a businessman and steal a stretch limousine, barreling recklessly through the city.
*Woop, woop~*
Suddenly, cop cars came from all directions. She started a high-speed chase with the police.
*Screech~*
A tire got blown out by a police spike strip. Her car broke down, and she quickly jumped out to flee. Police cars closed in from every side—it was a tense situation.
*Ring, ring~*
But the phone kept ringing incessantly.
Distracted, Lima accidentally made her character jump off a bridge and die.
"Shit! Shit!!"
Frustrated, Lima threw down the game controller.
"That jerk is so annoying. I need to teach him a lesson!"
Biting her full lips, Lima made a cruel decision.
Moments later, a woman dressed in black leather emerged from her room.
The tight leather outfit hugged her sexy, curvy body, highlighting her ample chest, toned legs, and slim waist. A hint of honey-colored skin showed, making her look incredibly seductive.
She tied up her hair, her eyes cold and indifferent, gripping a baseball bat as she left the apartment—like an Amazonian warrior.
"Luca, you're going to pay!"
---
"My calls aren't going through. Lima must be mad."
In a high-rise apartment on 76th Street, Kate shrugged, holding her phone.
"Forget it, I'll go to Lima's place and explain everything in person."
"Explain?"
Kate crossed her long legs and pointed at the TV. "With all the evidence, how will you explain? By lying?"
"Oh, Kate, I'm telling the truth. Britney and I are innocent. We were just singing and dancing in the car."
"Keep going! Keep making things up!"
Kate pursed her lips in frustration. "I can understand you lying to others, but why lie to me, Luca? I'm really disappointed in you."
"I'm not lying, I—"
*Ding dong~ ding dong~*
The doorbell rang.
Luca opened the door to find Ednina and little Eve standing outside.
"Wow, Brother Luca, long time no see! Eve missed you so much!"
Little Eve rushed over, wanting to hug him.
"Stop right there!"
Nina tightly grabbed the little girl's arm. "Eve, stay away from him from now on!"
Luca awkwardly withdrew his hand and sighed. "Nina, the news is fake. Ask Ed. He was there waiting for me the whole time."
"Is that so?"
Nina turned to Ed. "You were there? Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
Ed froze for a second, his face changing. He stretched his neck and said, "Luca, how could you accuse me? I arrived late that afternoon. Britney's car had already left. Isn't that right, Luca?"
Luca covered his face, too frustrated to deal with this pushover.
"Luca, say something! What have I always taught you? I've urged you to be a good man, loyal to one person, just like me. Isn't that right, Luca?"
Ed spoke righteously, "Luca, what have I always told you?"
"Daddy, why do you keep winking?" Little Eve suddenly asked innocently.
"Uh..." Ed forced a smile. "Daddy got some dust in his eye."
"Enough!"
Nina shot him a glance, then led Eve into the living room.
Luca and Ed exchanged awkward looks before turning away from each other.
"Alright, let's all sit down and discuss a strategy," Nina said, as she and Kate took seats on the main sofa.
Little Eve's wide eyes curiously darted around the room. She wanted to run off and play, but her mom held her hand tightly, leaving her no choice but to sit obediently beside her, fidgeting.
Ed initially sat across from Luca but, sensing the tension, moved to the side and positioned himself as more of a "witness."
Luca, now facing Kate and Nina alone, felt the pressure.
He sighed. "First of all, let me clarify something: Britney and I didn't sleep together."
"That doesn't matter anymore," Nina replied, pointing to the TV screen, where the car was visibly shaking. "Whether you did or didn't, how many people do you think will believe you now?"
Luca rubbed his forehead and gave a helpless smile. The footage on TV was so suggestive that no explanation would clear his name.
"What we need to focus on now," Nina continued calmly, "is minimizing the damage."
"Exactly!" Ed nodded seriously. "No matter what, this cannot affect Kate."
Nina agreed. "The first thing we need to do is get in touch with two people immediately. One is Britney—so we can coordinate our stories and manage the PR. The second is Lima."
*Ding dong~ ding dong~*
The doorbell rang again.
Luca opened the door, and his eyes lit up. Lima stood there, dressed in leather, looking effortlessly cool.
"Lima, what are you doing here?" he asked excitedly.
"What do you think?" Lima replied with a cold smile as she suddenly pulled a baseball bat from behind her back.
Luca was taken aback. "Oh~ Lima, what are you doing?"
"Bringing you a cane. Catch!"
"Lima, wait! You promised me at the hospital that you wouldn't hit me!"
"But you interrupted my gaming."
"What?! Ah~ not the face!"
---
(End of Chapter)