Chapter 51 In Deep Trouble
At the Floria Market, Chris was still blissfully unaware that his secret had already blown up. Alyssa tugged him along excitedly, dragging him from stall to stall as they admired all kinds of small animals. Nick trailed behind them, stealing glances at the paparazzi still shadowing them, while quietly checking his phone.
He glanced down at the trending topics and froze. Several missed video calls from Rachel flashed across the screen. “Holy crap!”
Chris suddenly let out a startled yell. He’d just been trying to snap a photo, but with his phone still on silent, he hadn’t noticed the barrage of notifications. The moment he unlocked it, nearly a hundred missed calls and messages lit up his screen.
Rachel, James, his manager, and his assistant were calling him.
Chris felt like his brain was about to explode. He was in serious trouble. Stuffing his phone back into his pocket, he scooped up both kids and made a beeline for the exit.
Alyssa wrapped her arms around his neck, confused. “Uncle Chris, what’s going on? We haven’t even bought my animals yet.”
Chris groaned. “We’re in deep trouble–and you’re still thinking about shopping?”
Chris could already picture James skinning him alive.
They piled into the car in a rush, and Chris immediately urged the driver, “Step on it–get us back to Wanda City, fast.”
As the car sped off, Nick raised an eyebrow, watching Chris stare at his phone in panic, scrolling through the flood of missed calls and messages. He looked like he was trying to decide which call would hurt less to return first.
“I think, Uncle Chris, you should call my mom back first.”
Chris glanced down, surprised by the innocent look on Nick’s face. A strange mix of emotions stirred in his chest.
Sensing his gaze, Nick calmly pulled out his own phone. “Mommy sent me a video almost an hour ago,” he said matter–of–factly. “I didn’t see it. She’s probably already called Mrs. Vena by
now.”
“Damn it!”
What else could Chris say? He hurriedly dialed Rachel’s number.
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Chapter 51 In Deep Trouble
At that moment, Rachel was already on her way to the Floria Market. The second she saw his name flash on the screen, she picked up without hesitation. “Chris!”
“Selena, I’m sorry, I really know I messed up. Alyssa and Nick are with me. We’re at Wanda City. Come over, let’s talk face to face, okay?”
Rachel took a deep breath and agreed, telling Harry to turn the car around and head to Wanda City.
Meanwhile, in a private room at the restaurant, Zane sat in brooding silence, a cigarette burning between his fingers.
He hadn’t said a word since he arrived, his expression dark, his mind stuck on the image of Rachel climbing onto another man’s motorcycle–again and again, like a loop he couldn’t
shut off.
Janice had called his name several times, but he didn’t respond. His silence made her uneasy.
“Zane?”
Only then did Zane snap out of his thoughts and turn to her. “What is it?”
Janice shook her head, concern in her voice. “I’m just worried about you. Have you been too busy lately? Is that why you’re in a bad mood?”
“Maybe.”
Just then, Freddy slid over with his phone and dropped into the seat beside him. “Zane, didn’t you just sign Chris as your new spokesperson?”
Zane picked up his own phone and saw it immediately–Chris had been trending for the past hour, now the top headline everywhere online.
“Freddy, take Janice home later.”
“Zane,” Janice called out, but Zane was already rushing out, phone pressed to his ear.
Shawn smiled brightly on the other side of the table and tried to comfort her. “Janice, you know how Zane is–a total workaholic. This new spokesperson is a big deal.”
Janice smiled and took a sip of her drink to conceal her feelings.
She’d planned to do something special tonight, but her plans were ruined with Zane gone.
She set her glass down, feeling disappointed. “Freddy, take me home, please.”
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