Chapter 311
“But Norman, this is about my future. I have to go,” Mara argued.
Getting signed by a massive agency in Aethelgard would bring her endless glory, finally giving her the leverage to crush Mira Mercer.
“Your future?” Norman scoffed. “Listen to me. Stick with the boss, and then you’ll actually have a future.
With your amateur singing skills, you really think you have a shot at some bright future p>
*You’re just a pawn, dreaming of stardom,* he thought bitterly. *Dream on p>
“Think about it. Even if you become a famous pop star, how much money would you really make? Not even a fraction of what the Mercer family pulls in.
Or what, you want to use your looks to hook a billionaire? Even if you did, you’d spend the rest of your life at his beck and call. It’s nothing compared to having the entire Mercer family in the palm of your hand p>
Norman’s tone suddenly shifted, becoming deeply earnest.
Since he was stuck babysitting this idiot, he couldn’t afford to let their relationship sour. He had to convince her to play along.
“Mr. Porter is about to submit the bid, and he needs you inside Ethan’s office as his inside connection. If you leave now, you’ll ruin everything.
Listen to me. Let’s turn the car around right now. Okay p>
“But I still want to go to Aethelgard,” she insisted.
His logic made sense, but she had her own schemes brewing.
If she could secure a dazzling career and take control of the Mercer family, wouldn’t that be the ultimate victory?
“If you’re dead set on going, I won’t stop you,” Norman sighed. “But if you ruin the boss’s plans, there will be no turning back p>
“I won’t ruin a thing. The bidding hasn’t even started yet, has it?
The concert is just a two-day event. I’ll be back as soon as it’s over.
Besides, if Mira can go, why can’t I?
Once I’m in Aethelgard, backed by the Lance family and with the Quinns in my corner, crushing her is a guaranteed win p>
Mara analyzed the situation with blinding confidence. She refused to miss out on such a golden opportunity.
Her barrage of twisted logic actually left Norman speechless.
*Boss, I tried my best,* he thought. *From here on out, it’s in God’s hands. If this all goes up in flames, you only have your own terrible taste in pawns to blame p>
Meanwhile, in Aethelgard, at The Grand Sovereign hotel.
Mira had just settled into bed when her phone buzzed with a call from Lenny Forbes. “Miss Mercer, Mara is heading to Aethelgard. She should be on her flight right now p>
“Mara? What the hell is she doing in Aethelgard p>
“We looked into it. It seems someone from the Lance family invited her up there, supposedly for some concert p>
“Who went with her p>
“Norman and two bodyguards.
We intercepted chatter that Lacey Mercer called her family in Aethelgard, begging them to look akter Marawhile stag’s in the city.
“Got it. Thanks for keeping an eye out, Lenny p>
Lenny never got tired of hearing her appreciation. It made all the late nights and grueling legwork feel entirely worth it.
“Just doing my job, Miss Mercer,” he replied smoothly.
Hanging up, Mira frowned into the darkness. Why on earth would the Lance family want Mara?
Was she actually going there to sing? With her abysmal vocal talent?
Mira didn’t waste time guessing. She dialed Owen.
“Owen, why would your brother invite Mara to Aethelgard?
His excuse is a concert, but considering her actual singing ability, what’s the point p>
“He likely dug into your history with her and invited her solely to get under your skin,” Owen replied, his tone grim.
“My so-called brother is petty, narrow-minded, and deeply paranoid. He’s clearly targeting Solflare Entertainment.
Don’t brush this off. Mara herself is a joke, but Lawrence is an absolute bastard. He’ll sink to any level.
Have the PR department prep for a fallout, just in case p>
“Got it p>
The next morning, a deeply bitter
Quinn Montgomery showed yet
The Grand Sovereign bright and early, determined to corner Owen.
But this time, the security guards at the entrance spotted her instantly. They rushed forward, physically blocking her car from pulling unto the driveway.
“We’re checking into the hotel! You have no right to block us. I’ll have you all fired for this!” she screeched.
“We aren’t letting you in, even to book a room,” a guard shot back coldly.
*Weren’t you the lunatic causing a scene yesterday? Do you really think we don’t recognize you p>