Chapter 4

4: 4

4

He froze, staring at me as if he hadn't understood a word.

I took the chance to step back, calm and unhurried.

"I never brought it up before. I figured I'd tell you after we got the marriage license. But I might as well say it now. All these years I've been putting money into projects and turning a profit, then I bought into the media company and became one of the shareholders. This show is funded by me."

His face drained white in an instant. The next second, red with humiliation and rage, he closed the distance in two strides, clamped both hands hard onto my shoulders, and roared.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner? You never treated me like family! All these years I scrimped and saved, terrified we wouldn't have enough between us, and you're only telling me this now?"

I let out a small sigh and rolled my eyes, my patience gone.

"Please. The whole time we lived together, did I ever let you spend a cent? Every shopping trip, every takeout order at home, that was all me. And that limited-edition motorcycle you wanted, who bought that? Rex Swanson, the biggest gift you ever sent me was ninety-nine dollars."

My words left his whole face burning red. He raised his arm, about to bring it down on me, when a man's voice came from the side.

"I didn't realize Mr. Swanson had such a temper. Hitting a woman, no less. Tsk, tsk."

Frank Gilbert came toward us slowly, a smile at the corner of his mouth.

Rex didn't recognize him. Hearing the words, he gave me a cold laugh.

"No wonder you were in such a hurry to break up. You already had someone new. Playing the poor little victim in front of the press, and behind the scenes you're more of a player than anyone."

I pressed a hand to my forehead and gave a bitter smile.

"Genius. This is Frank Gilbert, the president of the biggest media company. He's also Lucia Harding's boss."

He went blank, then instantly switched to a fawning grin, bowing to curry favor.

"Mr. Gilbert, so young and already so accomplished. I was out of line just now, truly sorry. I do hope you'll look after Lucia going forward. This was all just a family misunderstanding, we're all on the same side, really."

Frank ignored him and walked straight up to me, looking at my shoulder with concern.

"Should I take you to the hospital? If your arm's hurt, the show may have to be put on hold."

Rex forced an awkward laugh and quickly reached out to knead and pat my shoulder.

"Mr. Gilbert, don't worry. I didn't use much force just now."

"Oh? Then let's see if this hurts."

Frank laid a hand on Rex's shoulder and slowly tightened his grip, until the veins stood out on the back of his hand.

Rex was already sweating at the temples from the pain, his face flushed red, biting down on his lip and not daring to make a sound.

I sighed, out of patience, and snapped.

"If you two have something to say, say it. If not, get moving. Stop bothering my rest."

At that Rex spun around, tossed a "Goodbye" at Frank, and hurried off.

Frank arched a brow at me, half smiling.

"Not bad acting, right? So that's your ex-husband. He's really too—"

"Shut it. Don't make my last relationship sound like a criminal record. Just get to the point. I've got a studio session tomorrow."

Only then did the smile leave his face. He turned serious.

"I just got some inside word. Your program's been killed. I asked around for you. Looks like you stepped on someone's toes."

I went still. After a long moment I asked, low.

"And Lucia?"

"Her show's been slotted into prime time. Probably the highest ratings of the lot."

I gave a cold laugh, mocking.

"One guess and I know it's her. I didn't think she'd climbed that high already."

"Mr. Gilbert, I'm requesting that we record the dating reality show ahead of schedule, and do it as a live broadcast. Trust me. The ratings will go through the roof."