CHAPTER 75: HATE TRAIN

Alisha’s lips curved faintly as she looked at her manager. She often forgot how much Maxine thrived in situations like this, always one step ahead. It was exactly why, months ago, she had reached out to Maxine again and insisted on keeping her as her manager.

Still, a pinch of worry pulled at her chest. She was a manager, yes, but more than that, she had her own reputation to uphold. Alisha didn’t want her burning too many bridges or gathering too many enemies just because she was constantly shielding her.

Alisha made a mental note to have a serious talk with Maxine soon.

"So," Maxine continued, pulling Alisha out of her thoughts, "The thing is, BestKream has had all sorts of lawsuits in the past. Scandals they buried deep. The CEO has a very strong family background. Whenever there’s a threat, he basically just buys them off."

Alisha leaned back slightly, her brows knitting.

Of course. It wasn’t surprising in the least. In this industry, money was the fastest broom—it swept everything ugly under the rug. Victims didn’t get justice. They got silence, and silence was bought with money.

"Keep this information safe. We can use it at any time," she instructed and Maxine nodded in understanding.

**

The next few days blurred into a whirlwind. Brand deals, rehearsals, endless photoshoots. Alisha’s schedule was merciless, but she endured it. After all, it was part of the game.

Then the commercial with BestKream dropped. Within hours, the internet swarmed with reactions.

Alisha expected it. She had braced herself. But still, seeing the flood of hate comments scrolling endlessly under her name was like swallowing shards of glass.

"Katherine deserved better."

"Why is she getting opportunities while Katherine suffers?"

"Keep protecting your favorite model—look where it got you. She’s just like the rest, fake and manipulative."

Alisha didn’t flinch. She read them, absorbed them, and carried on. They were Katherine’s fans, clinging blindly to their idol.

On the other side of the city, however, Katherine’s reality was far less glamorous.

Ever since Mason had been dumped in front of her penthouse door, broken, bleeding, and barely able to stand—her world had shifted into a tighter cage. She spent her days weaving excuses just to visit him, sneaking around to help him recover.

Thanks to Celeste’s strings, Katherine had been given a few brand deals to save face, but they weren’t nearly enough. Still, she clung to them like a lifeline.

Now, sitting in Celeste’s sleek office, she scrolled through the comments under Alisha’s new commercial. Her painted nails tapped lazily against the screen as her lips twisted into a smile.

Finally, Alisha was getting hate.

"Isn’t this the same model you all worshipped and forced Veila to kick Katherine out for? Guess she’s not as pure as you thought."

"Maturing is realizing Alisha is the villain. Who knows, maybe she staged everything—paid men to beat her up and blamed Katherine."

The replies under that last comment were chaotic, some agreeing, some reminding others that Alisha had never once blamed Katherine publicly. But the seed of doubt had been planted, and that was enough to make Katherine’s chest tighten with satisfaction.

"Enjoying yourself?"

Celeste’s cold voice cut through the silence. She walked into her office with her usual composure, her expression stone-like. Even now, she still resented having Katherine under her wing.

But Nathan had left her no choice. He threatened to withdraw his investments. She hated owing anyone, let alone being cornered into a deal she hadn’t wanted.

Katherine, however, looked utterly unbothered. "I decided to entertain myself a little," she replied, not even glancing up.

Her legs were propped shamelessly on Celeste’s polished desk as though she owned it. Celeste’s scowl deepened.

"Sit properly. Take your legs off my table," Celeste snapped.

Katherine met her eyes, unflinching. She held her gaze for a beat too long, as though daring her to press further. Finally, with an exaggerated sigh, she rolled her eyes and lowered her legs.

Celeste pinched the bridge of her nose. She had no patience for Katherine’s games today.

"I called you here to tell you about an upcoming event," Celeste said flatly. "It’s a fashion show. You won’t be on the runway—you’ll be attending as a guest. Several models from Veila will be there. Which means," she paused, watching Katherine closely, "there’s a high chance Alisha De Rossi will be attending too."

Katherine’s eyebrow arched in amusement.

It had been too long since she last saw Alisha face-to-face. Just the thought of it stirred a dangerous thrill in her chest. She could already picture it—yanking that perfect hair from its roots, shoving it down her throat until the cameras caught every second of Alisha’s humiliation.

"Perfect," Katherine murmured, her lips curling into a smile. Images of how she would embarrass Alisha began playing vividly in her head. The thought alone filled her with a sick kind of excitement.

Mason still lay in a hospital bed, slowly healing. The memory of him stumbling into her arms, half-conscious, only fueled her need for revenge.

Celeste must have read her thoughts because she slammed her hand against the desk, snapping Katherine out of her reverie.

"I don’t want you pulling any stunts at that event," Celeste warned, her tone sharp, almost desperate. "This is important, Katherine. This is the first time a model from Celestique has been invited to a fashion show as prestigious as Whispers of Silk."

Katherine smirked. "Doesn’t that mean you should be thanking me? If it wasn’t for my name, your little company wouldn’t even be on the list."

Celeste clenched her jaw but said nothing. She hated to admit it, but Katherine was right. Even with her tarnished reputation, Katherine still had a fanbase massive enough to pull attention. Her name still rang loud in the industry.

"Katherine," Celeste said again, softer this time, as though trying to reach her, "don’t do anything stupid. Don’t provoke Alisha. Don’t say something you’ll regret."

The smirk on Katherine’s lips widened. Celeste might as well have begged a wolf not to bite.

Suddenly, Katherine rose from her chair, smoothing the front of her dress with deliberate elegance. "If that’s all, I’ll be leaving now."

"Katherine..." Celeste’s voice carried a warning edge.

Katherine tilted her head, her tone sharpening with mockery. "Relax. I’m not stupid. I wouldn’t do anything to ruin my reputation."

She winked, pivoted on her heel, and sauntered out, leaving Celeste staring after her with a sinking feeling.