Chapter 367
Sebastian’s eyes turned dark as he sat beside them. He tapped his fingers against the tabletop, and the soft tapping sound held obvious impatience and a silent warning.
Riley was almost running out of patience before Brandon finally set down his water cup and began to speak slowly. “Sophia and Jeremy have been completely driven out by the Ashford family. Just yesterday, she came to my company in tears, begging me to sign her again. She wanted to get back into acting to support her family.
“Lucas froze all her bank accounts and sealed off every piece of real estate under her name. She has truly hit rock bottom now.
“I told her straight that she’s covered in scandals and holds no commercial value in the industry anymore. What’s more, every film crew cares about their reputation–no one would take the risk of hiring such a problematic celebrity.
“She broke down completely after hearing that. She buried her face in her hands and cried nonstop right inside my office. Anyone who saw her state would feel sorry for her p>
Brandon shifted his tone right away, putting himself in the role of a kind benefactor. “Still, I didn’t push her into a corner entirely. I told her one of my friends runs an insurance firm that’s hiring sales staff, and asked if she’d like to live an ordinary life for once p>
He let out a chuckle and raised his brows slightly. “Guess what? Without all her fame and glory, her motherty instincts finally kicked in. She actually agreed to take the job just to raise Jeremy, then left my place, looking utterly down and out p>
Then he suddenly recalled another detail and added casually, “Oh, right, I watched from my office window and saw that former driver Harvey come pick her up in his car p>
A brief silence fell over the restaurant.
Brandon leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed firmly on Riley with a sharp look. “Now that your rival has ended up like this, do you feel relieved p>
Sebastian’s expression turned icy cold, and he quietly clenched his hands resting under the table.
Yet Riley’s reaction took both men by surprise.
She wore a casual, indifferent smile on her face.
“Relieved?” Riley repeated the word gently and shook her head lightly. “Doesn’t she deserve everything she’s going through?
“That child was never Lucas‘ in the first place. Even if I hadn’t exposed the truth, it would have come out sooner or later. Given Lucas‘ personality, he would have dealt with her far more harshly than I did. I only brought that day a little earlier p>
She lifted her head and looked straight at Brandon with clear, bright eyes. “Besides, if you think I ought to be satisfied just because she can’t find work now and that she’s paid enough for her mistakes… then where were all the sympathetic people when I endured their betrayal and endless gossip from others p>
Riley never indulged in the joy of getting revenge. She had long stepped out of that narrow mindset, standing far above it all and watching the whole cycle of cause and effect unfold calmly.
The smile on Brandon’s face froze.
Meanwhile, all the tension drained out of Sebastian the moment he heard her words.
He quietly reached out under the table and wrapped his large hand tightly around her cold hand.
Brandon’s playful look faded for a second. Right after that, he whistled loudly and deliberately, and the clear, sharp sound felt rather out of place in the quiet restaurant.
He held up both hands in a gesture of surrender “Fine, I admit I was the narrow–minded one here p>
Brandon stared at Riley with a curious gaze, as if he were re–examining a priceless treasure.
Soon, he smoothly changed the subject and brought up another person. “Speaking of which, bucas has thrown himself fully into his work lately. He’s probably eager to achieve great things and clear up all the bad rumors surrounding him.
“The head of the Ashford family doesn’t have much time left. Lucas will most likely take over all the family businesses in the end. Still, his personal affairs have sent the group’s stock prices swinging wildly. He’s got his hands fult just calming down those restless shareholders p>
He glanced over at Riley with a teasing glint in his eyes. “He probably thinks you’re traveling around some remote, small country right now. So congratulations, Ms. Harper–you can enjoy quite a long stretch of peaceful days ahead p>
Most of the news Brandon brought was within Riley’s expectations. Even so, hearing the definite updates let her feel a huge weight lift off her heart.
All the grudges and troubles that had haunted her for years were finally fading away from her life.
Riley said politely, “Thank you for telling me all this p>
The meal had seemingly served its purpose, and Riley was already thinking of an excuse to end this awkward dinner.
But Brandon had no intention of stopping the conversation here.
He stared straight at her with his charming eyes. “Ms. Harper, let’s talk about our real deal. You once promised me future business cooperation in exchange for Sophia’s scandal evidence. I’ve held up my end of the bargain now. So about that cooperation you promised–will it be under the name of the Harper family in Nexopolis, or will it be in the name of him… and the Torres family p>