CHAPTER 13: CHAPTER 13: GIVE HIM THE CHECK

Ah!

Lillian Sterling let out a sharp scream, quickly kicking and punching Cox on her, "Mr. Cox, let me go, take a good look at who I am! I’m not Serena Sterling, you’ve got the wrong person!"

Cox seemed to have lost his mind, continuously tugging at Lillian’s clothes, "Little beauty, don’t struggle, the more you struggle, the more excited I get, hahaha."

"Let go of me! Help, help!" Lillian screamed.

Just then, with a "bang," the room door was kicked open. A group of uniformed police officers burst in, "We received a tip-off that you’re engaged in illicit activity here, and we need to take you in for investigation!"

The police restrained Cox.

Terrified, Lillian quickly adjusted her clothes, "What do you mean illicit activity? We didn’t do anything, we don’t want to go to the station!"

"Please cooperate with the investigation. Take them away!"

...

Lillian had no idea what was happening as the police forcibly handcuffed her and took her away. As they passed through the bar hall, everyone gathered around.

Lillian had once been a leading actress in her youth, and after marrying Gregory Sterling, she gradually withdrew from the entertainment industry. However, she was still recognized as a revered veteran actress.

Someone quickly recognized her,

Look quickly, that woman is the actress Lillian Sterling!

Oh my God, what happened to Lillian? How is she being taken away?

Haven’t you realized? Word is she was caught with a top businessman in a hotel. That fat guy in front is her lover.

Quick, get your phones out and take pictures, this news is explosive!

Over the years, Lillian had spent a fortune on PR to maintain her reputation, but now she was caught in a scandal, surrounded by rubberneckers already snapping pictures with their phones up close. Completely breaking down, she screamed, "Stop taking pictures! Everyone stop!"

...

At that moment, Gregory Sterling was dining with several company executives at a six-star hotel. The executives laughed and said, "President Sterling, why hasn’t your wife joined us today?"

In her youth, Lillian had many connections in the entertainment industry, and she was very savvy. After marrying Gregory, she became his right-hand woman, frequently attending business functions and securing a lot of sponsorships for The Sterling Group, thriving in the process.

Gregory smiled, "My wife has something to handle today, so she won’t be joining us."

The crowd immediately praised him, "President Sterling, over the years, this leading actress willingly became your supportive wife. You’re truly masterful in managing your spouse, we deeply admire you!"

Gregory, ever fond of vanity and reputation, beamed with proud delight at such praise.

Just then, a melodious ringtone rang out: a call came in.

President Sterling, is it your wife checking up on you? Don’t leave, let us all hear, so you can prove your innocence.

Being showered by everyone’s attention, Gregory was in high spirits; he answered the call and even put it on speaker, "Hello?"

The voice on the other end quickly transmitted through, echoing clearly in everyone’s ears via the speaker, "Hello, is this Gregory Sterling? Your wife Lillian Sterling has been arrested in a hotel room on suspicions of illicit activity. Please bring a lawyer to handle the formalities."

Suspected... illicit activity?

Gregory froze entirely.

By now, the executives had all taken out their phones. The news about Lillian being taken away for illicit activity had already gone viral online, topping the trending list on Weibo.

In the photos, Lillian appeared disheveled, sobbing hysterically, while Cox in the foreground wasn’t even wearing a shirt.

Online comments streamed in,

Who would’ve thought, veteran actress Lillian in her old age secretly checked into a hotel with a man for fun.

Lillian did mix in the entertainment circle; how clean could she be? Dig into her past, and you’ll find she was a notorious mistress back in the day.

Isn’t Lillian married? Suddenly feel so sorry for her husband.

The executives exchanged glances, stifling laughter but containing it quickly upon seeing Gregory’s ashen expression, "President Sterling, you should go quickly and bring back your wife."

...

Lillian and Cox were taken in, and soon Gregory arrived with a lawyer.

The lawyer handled the formalities, and Gregory approached Lillian, speaking in a deep voice, "Let’s go."

Lillian followed Gregory out of the hall, clutching his sleeve with bitterness, "Gregory, I’ve figured it out; this is all Serena’s plot. She pretended to agree to the meeting, but in reality, she set this trap for me!"

Gregory coldly gazed at Lillian, "You’re saying the incident with Cox in bed was Serena’s doing?"

"Yes."

"That your scandal is trending online, with hundreds of millions discussing it—Serena did that too?"

Lillian already had a bad feeling about the online buzz, but she hadn’t expected the extent of it.

Despite her years in the entertainment industry, this scandal had escalated her to the peak of public attention.

Lillian was so infuriated that she dug her nails into her palms, "Yes, it’s all Serena’s doing, it’s her..."

Gregory raised his hand and slapped Lillian hard across the face.

With a "smack," Lillian was knocked to the ground, Gregory struck her with such force that her mouth bled.

Lillian was stunned; after years of being favored in the marriage, this was the first time Gregory had hit her.

"Gregory, why did you... hit me?"

Gregory gritted his teeth, his expression fierce, "Lillian, Serena just came back from the countryside. How could she possibly orchestrate all this? I’ve supported you for so many years, and this is how you repay me? You’ve ruined my lifelong reputation and dignity!"

Only then did Lillian realize she’d touched Gregory’s sore spot. Gregory was overly concerned with his image, and now that he’d become a laughingstock, he naturally took it out on her.

"I’ll have the online news suppressed, and from now on, don’t mention Cox’s matter again. And you—stay in line!"

Having said that, Gregory left, leaving Lillian there alone.

Lillian bit her lip until it bled, venomously calling out a name, Serena Sterling!

...

Seth Hawthorne watched the show unfold, almost clapping with delight, "Second brother, your substitute sister-in-law is quite the skillful one, isn’t she? With such drama, that stepmother of hers won’t have easy days ahead."

Hayden Crawford stood with his hands in his pockets, showing no surprise. His Mrs. Crawford never ceased to amaze him.

She’s like a mystery, drawing him in slowly.

"I’m leaving."

Hayden was about to leave when another silhouette appeared in front of him, ...it was Bella Sterling.

Bella had a wicked mind, yet unfortunately hadn’t inherited Lillian’s cunning; she was spoiled, petty, and intensely jealous, quite unlikable.

She was unaware of what happened to her parents, as her heart was set on Hayden, this... pretty boy.

Bella took out a check, "Pretty boy, this money is for you. Don’t be with Serena anymore!"