BIT

Chapter 31

Rebecca jumped out of the cab. She only had thirty minutes to meet Lucy before heading to the catalog photoshoot. Morton Williams didn’t look too busy from the outside. She strode inside, her eyes scanning every aisle in search of Lucy and there she was, bending over to choose some meat. She took a deep breath, removed her sunglasses, and walked towards her.

“Lucy, long time no see,” Rebecca whispered, bending over beside Lucy, pretending to pick meat.

Lucy turned to her, startled so much that she dropped the tenderloin pack in her hand. Her body trembled as she looked down and squeezed her suddenly clammy fingers.

“Lucy, are you okay?” Rebecca asked, reflexively touching Lucy’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have given false testimony and caused you and Mr. Specter to divorce.”

Rebecca sighed deeply, “That’s in the past, and I know you did it because you were forced to. Listen, Lucy, I need any evidence that can legally implicate Alicia. Do you know anything?” she asked, staring intently at Lucy.

Lucy swallowed hard, “I’ve heard many things, but I have no evidence, Ma’am,” she replied, slowly daring to meet Rebecca’s gaze.

Rebecca was taken aback; she had hoped for more from that meeting. “Alright, tell me anything you know, anything. I don’t have much time,” she said quickly.

“Um, your suspicion about Dr. Theodore is valid. He and Alicia have had a connection. for a long time. They often talk on the phone and there’s one more thing, Ma’am,” Lucy began to speak more normally.

“Yeah?”

“There’s someone she often talks to about you. I don’t know who, but she’s not alone, Ma’am. There is someone else with the same agenda, to separate you from Mr. Specter.”

Rebecca felt nauseous. “And about the accident she had yesterday-”

Lucy waved her hand dismissively, “Of course, it was part of an act. I don’t know how, but Alicia has connections with corrupt paramedics willing to do anything for money.

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I’m sorry I couldn’t get proof, but I truly hope you can put her in jail, Ma’am. I…I don’t care if I have to go to jail too for my false testimony,” she said, her voice choked with

emotion.

Rebecca was stunned. She shook her head. “Don’t worry about that; you’ve done the right thing. Alright, I have to go now. Thank you for letting me know everything, Lucy, it’s very helpful,” she said sincerely.

Lucy couldn’t hold back her tears, her guilt mounting in her chest.

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over. Bye.” “It’s okay, Lucy. I’m fine now. I hope we can meet again after all this drama Rebecca gently patted Lucy’s shoulder, put her sunglasses back on, and quickly walked out of Morton Williams.

On her way to the studio, Rebecca’s mind was filled with questions about who else shared Alicia’s agenda. Suddenly, her phone vibrated–a message from Nicholas.

“Hi, Gorgeous, are you at the studio yet?”

“The only person close to me all this time is Nicholas. What if he’s the one working with Alicia? But doesn’t Nicholas love me? How could he plan something to hurt me?‘

Instead of replying to Nicholas, Rebecca got lost in her assumptions, staring blankly at her phone, she grabbed her hair in frustration at the uncertainty. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

“Ma’am, we’re here,” the cab driver called, peeking through the rearview mirror.

Rebecca nodded and muttered, “Thanks, keep the change,” before giving the cab driver her money and storming out of the lobby.

Suddenly her phone buzzed again. “Nic, you don’t have to keep calling me. I just-”

“Becky, it’s Harvey.”

Surprised, Rebecca froze in place. She had the option to end the call immediately, but she chose not to. She was confused about what to say as she stood close to the elevator, anxiously gripping her phone.

Harvey replied in a strong voice, “Becky, I want to apologize for last night.”

“Apologies are not necessary. I gotta go,” she retorted coldly.

“Wait!”

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“Harvey, I’m not the same Rebecca you married before. I’m not going to worship you and ask for your affection anymore. I’ve returned to sanity. Should I thank Alicia? I might never have realized it if she hadn’t pushed me and made me hit my head hard that morning,” Rebecca snapped angrily.

“Becky, you know I never meant to-”

“It is too late.” What you stated last night clarified your position. If we meet on the street, pretend we don’t know each other. It’s better that way. Bye, Harvey. Rebecca hung up the phone with shaky hands, unable to believe she had just stood up to her ex- husband, whom she still loved.

Minutes later.

“Becky! “Over here!” yelled Cathy, an advertising agency employee. Rebecca took a long breath, attempting to calm her emotions. She walked over to the shooting crew with a big smile, as if nothing was wrong.

“By the

way, Congratulations! I believe it is time for you to hire a manager or join an agency. You’ll be very popular soon!” Cathy spoke pleasantly.

Becky scowled, “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

“Really? You haven’t checked Arnault Saverio’s social media accounts? You have over a million likes despite the fact that you are not a well–known celebrity! Sorry, I didn’t want to insult you, but as a rookie, Becky, you have everyone’s attention! Do you understand what that means? Many people will approach you soon with outrageous deals, so you best be prepared! You know what? I wouldn’t mind being your manager,” Cathy said, then giggled.

“What?”

Rebecca swiftly took out her phone from her bag and opened Arnault Saverio’s social media pages. What Cathy stated was true and the number of likes had actually increased. She covered her mouth in amazement, unable to comprehend what she was seeing.

Cathy smiled broadly, “I wasn’t lying, was I? Congratulations! You have surpassed Alicia

up there Fox. As a fellow woman, I’m delighted to see that and I’m confident you’ll be with the big names soon,” she said, nodding her head firmly.

Rebecca looked at Cathy for a long time, making Cathy feel guilty. “Sorry, I didn’t mean

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to interfere with your personal affairs or anything, I just-”

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“No, I am not insulted at all. I am truly moved by your words. It’s the support I’ve been waiting for,” Rebecca said, her voice choking. She had always been alone, with just Nicholas by her side, but she sensed he was doing it in the hopes that she would return his love. Sincerity was extremely difficult for her to find.

Cathy was touched as well, she softly caressed Rebecca’s back. “I have been in your shoes. I mean, even my husband cheated on me. Oh my God, I feel like throwing up just thinking about it! Do you know what? He cheated on me with my sister! Disgusting, isn’t it?” she said, chuckling as if she had long forgotten the pain.

Rebecca was taken aback, feeling as if her worries were trivial. “I’m sorry, Cathy,” she said sincerely.

Cathy waved her hand, “That is all in the past! What I mean is, you also need to let go of everything. I know you’re on the right side, even though the public initially condemned you for your relationship with Mr. Bennett. But for some reason, my female intuition tells me you’re the one who’s been getting hurt all this time. Hang in there, Becky, that sorrow will be compensated for with other joys. Trust me.”

“Yeah, I hope so,” Rebecca said, wiping the corners of her teary eyes.

That day, the photo session went without a hitch. Rebecca’s beautiful aura made the stylist and photographer believe she had a natural ability to be a celebrity.

“I heard Alicia had an accident,” Cathy murmured as they were enjoying coffee after the photoshoot. Rebecca shrugged, not wanting to discuss it further.

“She always sells drama to stay in the spotlight,” Cathy remarked, looking at her phone.

Rebecca frowned, “What do you mean?”

“She requested a television program to film and interview her at the hospital. I suppose she has NPD or something; she is extremely narcissistic!” Cathy answered, holding out her phone to Rebecca to show her the news.

The story included a photo of Alicia in her hospital room, but it wasn’t Alicia’s pale makeup that drew Rebecca’s attention; it was Dr. Theodore, the man in the white coat standing by the IV stand.

“Cathy, you know a lot of journalist friends, don’t you?”

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Cathy shrugged, “Well, I was a journalist before I became a PR at this agency. Why?”

Rebecca agreed, “That is even better. You should have solid investigative instincts. Can you help me figure out the relationship between Alicia Fox and the doctor in this photo? In exchange, I’ll hire you as my manager,” Rebecca stated firmly.

Cathy’s eyes widened in disbelief, “Are you serious?”

“Yeah, what do you think?”

“DEAL!” Cathy smiled broadly as she extended her hand and shook Rebecca’s. Rebecca sighed, she felt better after discussing her burden with someone.

“Becky, someone is looking for you!” called one of the lighting staff members.

Rebecca frowned, gazing at Cathy, who looked equally surprised. “It must be Nicholas,” she said, rising up and leaving the studio. She searched around but couldn’t find Nicholas anywhere. Suddenly, someone caressed her hip from behind.

She turned to see Harvey standing there with a bunch of roses. Rebecca held her breath, not because Harvey was present, but because Nicholas emerged behind him, carrying a bag from their favorite Japanese restaurant.

“Oh, shit…”