When Alisa was brought back to the villa by a stranger, Sylvia was taken aback. She said she only went outside to get some fresh air. She stared at Alisa, who looked quite bloodied and a mess. How in the world did she end up bloodied? She was worried that she was hurt.
"Lissy, what happened to you? Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine. I accidentally knocked over a paint somewhere, you see..." She nervously laughed and ran straight towards her bedroom to clean up herself. Also, she felt so embarrassed to face the man who took her first time in most things.
The rest of the people were dumbfounded. They wondered if she viewed them as idiots who couldn't distinguish the differences between blood and paint. Nevertheless, they had no right prying into other people's matters so they just let it be. Instead, Sylvia was curious to the man who came with her. She thought he looked familiar but she didn't know where she saw him.
Raphkiel was feeling uncomfortable by their stares and he didn't have anything else to do here now that Alisa was safe. He turned around and said while his back was facing them, "Tell her I am going now. Goodbye."
Just like that, he was gone. The maid excused themselves to do their jobs, leaving only Sylvia alone in the living room. She sighed and went to Alisa's bedroom and knocked on the door.
"Lissy, can I come in?"
No one answered. She was still worried about her mental condition so she turned the knob and opened the door. Alisa was burying herself in the quilt after she had taken a bath and changed into a new set of clothes. She then heard her friend's voice calling out to her.
"Hey."
"I'm so embarrassed. I can't face him again..." Her pitiful but cute voice made Sylvia looked in surprise. She then grabbed the quilt and Alisa showed up with a messy hair and a pouting face. It was so adorable that she wanted to pinch her cheeks but she wanted the juicy details of the story behind the man first.
"What happened back there? Oh my god! Don't tell me all those bloodstains earlier were from your..." She gasped and left her sentence hanging, unable to bring up the word she wanted to say.
Alisa knew what she was talking about. She blushed furiously and threw light punches at her friend. "It's not that! Do you think I'm that cheap of a woman? I'm..."
The scene of what happened last night replayed in her mind like a movie. Was she really not cheap? If she wasn't, how did she act like a beast preying upon her target? She didn't know what to think anymore. "Is he still there?"
"Nope. He said that he had to go now because had something to take care of. What's happening between you and that man, really?"
"I... I can't tell you..." Alisa was really adamant on hiding things so Sylvia could only relent and stopped asking.
"Fine. Anyway, our company wouldn't start until the next two weeks since I'm busy with the preparation. Leave it all to me and take a good rest, okay? I'll be taking my leave for now."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, of course. I am the daughter of the Jiang family, after all." She puffed her chest out proudly as she declared her identity.
Alisa could only nod reluctantly. They bid each other goodbye and Sylvia left on her car. With nothing to do, Alisa suddenly felt so bored. She didn't know what normal people usually do. All she ever did was dedicate her life to the battlefield and the gruesome killing. Without those things, she was truly nothing. She felt so empty inside.
She didn't want to stay idle so she prepared some activities to do while staying at home. Now that the maids were hired by her, it was time to check on their progresses and maybe hear a bit about their stories as to why they really applied as a housekeeper but then she suddenly felt so tired and sleepy for the rest of the day.
Two weeks had passed and the two women's company was about to open. Sylvia was really efficient with her work. She managed to grab talented actors and actresses as well as skilled crew members in just a short period of time. The Jiang's family name probably helped too even if they didn't provide any financial support for their rebellious daughter. Since they were going to enter the world of entertainment, they would naturally clash against the giant companies like Stardust Entertainment and Redbox Films. It was surely going to be a tough journey.
An opening ceremony was held inside the newly purchased vacant building located near Marbella mall, which made it more accessible to visit. There were flowers and balloons everywhere and the tables were being decorated with white and red table cloths that made the theme radiated a sense of a vibrant atmosphere that would attract a prosperous future for them.
This was going to be their headquarters and the start of their careers as rising stars in the business world. They only invited a few big shots and the leaders of the other companies in the same industry as them to forge bonds of friendship as it was only normal for starting companies to do.
"Lissy, this is our long-awaited moment!" Sylvia said with an elated voice as she could barely contain her happiness and excitement. She would be able to prove to her family that she could stand on her own.
Alisa just chuckled and held the hand of the bright and cheerful woman. "Yes, this will be your moment to shine. Maybe you want to become an actress too?"
"Geez, I'm not even sure if I can do that. Don't tease me." She slightly pouted.
"I'm actually being serious. I noticed that your personality suits being an actress perfectly."
"Do you really think so?"
"Of course. When have I lied to you?" Alisa pretended to sound hurt.
The two were then engaged into a heartfelt laughter for a moment afterwards. Sylvia then went to greet the guests while she stayed followed behind her, trying to act like her subordinate despite being the chairman of the company since she barely knew anything about running a company. It was a good training for her in learning how to socialize under Sylvia's guidance.
"Hello, Mr. Wilkins. Fancy seeing you here. Thank you for taking your time to come into our little opening ceremony." Sylvia greeted a plump middle-aged man with a beer belly with a smile. The man was satisfied with the respectful tone she showed and smiled back. This person was none other than the owner of Redbox films.
"I wish you a successful business in the entertainment industry, Ms. Jiang. If only I knew that the esteemed daughter of the Jiangs would be starting her own company, I would have asked for a business partnership immediately."
"Oh, you flatter me too much, Mr. Wilkins. But thank you for your support."
The middle-aged man let out a hearty laugh and then turned to look at the other woman beside Sylvia. His eyes lit up upon seeing that beautiful, small face with an uncommon color of a hair. "By the way, Ms. Jiang, who is this pretty lady beside you?"
"This is Ms. Hayworth, the chairman of the company?"
"What? The chairman?!" His eyes nearly went out of their sockets as he was shocked by that fact. She thought it was Sylvia who was the owner of the company. His eyes darkened at the thought of a nameless and random woman trying to butter up to him. His eyes evidently showed disdain which hadn't escaped Alisa's observations. "I thought you are the one who owns the company. It seems that the rumors are true. Such a shame."
"What are you talking about?" Sylvia's expression sank and she suddenly had a bad feeling about it.
"Oh, didn't you hear? People are saying that the Jiangs disregarded you and even froze all your accounts. Were you thrown out Ms. Jiang? Should I still hold much respect for you?" John Wilkins sneered at her.
Sylvia was angered by the sudden news. It was true that her parents froze her accounts and didn't support her decisions due to the fact that she objected to the marriage they had arranged for her. But it didn't mean that she was disowned. Someone was purposely spreading those rumors to destroy her reputation.
"I didn't know Mr. Wilkins is such an ill-mannered person. It's not good to be spreading baseless rumors, you know."
"You're several decades way too younger to be picking a fight with me, brat. I can destroy your company if you dare cross us." His voice was laced with threats.
Alisa didn't like it one bit so she gave him a death glare and spoke in an icy tone. "Mr. Wilkins, was it? I don't mind fighting with you in the entertainment industry as long as it's fair and square. But if you think about doing some shady things behind the scenes, don't blame me for being rude. We're not pushovers you can bully anytime you want."
John was stunned. Such a woman was brimming with so much confidence and authority that it made him flinched and feel a slight fear. He was shamed by this nameless chairman in the entertainment industry.
"Let's wait and see what you can do." He huffed in anger as he turned away.
Soon, another big shot arrived, who was the owner of the Stardust entertainment. He was initially nice to them due to Sylvia's background but upon hearing that it was Alisa who was the owner of the company, he immediately made excuses and left.
Seeing that the two of them made such horrifying enemies out of the two big companies, they feared that they would get implicated if they associated themselves with them. They hurriedly stayed away and wanted nothing more than to leave the place immediately, but they also couldn't afford to mess with the Jiangs even if the rumors were true that Sylvia had been casted away. She still carried the blood of a Jiang as well as their surname, after all.
Sylvia started to panic at the moment. At this rate, the two mega companies would do everything in their power to suppress their growth and might even blacklist them. She couldn't bear to see the company she and Alisa painstakingly started end in just a matter of days or at worst, hours.
Alisa was also feeling restless. She had been feeling uncomfortable lately like she felt nauseous and dizzy. She rubbed her temples while closing her eyes. Sylvia saw her and immediately asked with concern.
"Are you okay, Lissy? I'm sorry I couldn't do anything right. The company might fall before it can even operate."
She was already close to bursting into tears, but Alisa gently took her hand and comforted her. "It's not your fault. It will be alright. I'm just feeling a little lightheaded."
"Do you want to take a short rest?"
"It's fine. I can manage for a while." She shook her head and answered.
More people distanced themselves against the two of them. When all hope seemed lost, a staff suddenly rushed towards them looking quite flustered. He immediately announced in a hurried tone, "Another bigshot is here. The chairman of Eclipse Technology and Co. is here to present his gifts."
The onlookers were stunned. What was a technology company doing in an event like this. The two women were also stunned. They hadn't invited people outside the entertainment industry to attend the opening ceremony. What is the chairman of a mega-conglomerate doing here?
A handsome young man with dark hair and a pale face paired with a cold and indifferent expression walked in large strides. His posture emitted a powerful aura of a ruler, befitting of his status as the chairman of the most powerful company in the city of Astralis. Alisa immediately recognized the man. Raphkiel looked strikingly handsome in a black suit, but at the same time, he looked quite terrifying. Her heart beat faster once again like the sound of the galloping horses. She wanted to hide from him, but she couldn't possibly leave the area or it would be rude to the guests.
Their eyes met and he was quickening his pace towards her. She gulped and her heart was filled with so much nervousness that she felt like collapsing.
A young rich woman suddenly stopped him in his tracks and smiled seductively as she greeted him. "Hello, Mr. Arnor. Would you like to have a drink with me and discuss a potential business partnership?"
"Get lost." His voice was so cold that it chilled the woman's heart instantly. She felt humiliated in front of the crowd but she dared not get angry at him since he was like a god descending from the heavens that could easily destroy her life whenever he wanted to.
Upon seeing that he was focused on Alisa, she felt a surge of envy in hear heart. She faked a smile again and walked towards Alisa while holding a glass of champagne. Alisa already saw her intentions but didn't take any action immediately since the woman hadn't done anything yet.
Once she was already close to her, her face contorted in disgust and anger. "A nameless person like you in the entertainment industry have no right to act like a bigshot. You've already made enemies with two of the biggest companies in the entertainment industry so don't hope that you'll be able to live a good life from now on, bitch!"
She spilled the contents of the glass towards Alisa. Sylvia didn't see it coming so she couldn't prevent it in time. The woman thought that she would be able to humiliate Alisa just because she was new here, but to her surprise, she evaded the wine gracefully and even stole the glass from her.
In the next couple of seconds, Alisa cupped back the spilled wine like it was nothing. She then let out a smirk that enraged the woman further. "If you want to try something funny, I don't mind letting you taste it first."
She then spilled back the wine into the woman and she was drenched with the very same champagne she planned on throwing towards Alisa. Silence brewed in the room as the onlookers were left speechless by what happened.