Twisted Ties of Love

"So, you're just gonna let Rachel off the hook?" Casey Dempsey asked after emerging from the storeroom.

"Damn straight, she'll get what's coming to her."

Just because she didn't press further didn't mean she had forgiven Rachel. She knew what was coming, and Rachel's problems were far from simple.

Kristin never made a bad deal. From the start, she simply wanted to get back at Izabella. To have someone she trusted betray her and destroy her valuables, it was a double whammy. Niki was important to Izabella but just a cat to others.

Trading a cat for a hundred grand? It was not worth it for Kristin, especially since this whole fiasco didn't hit Izabella, but landed her in hot water instead.

So, there was no way in hell she would give Rachel that hundred grand.

One wrong move and it would have been all downhill from there. Rachel would get what she deserved.

People should be kind, but too much kindness makes you a saint. Izabella didn't want to be a saint. After Rachel betrayed her and indirectly caused Niki's death, there was no way she'd forgive her just because of an apology.

It simply was not a stroll in the park.

She wasn't forgiving. She was a big fan of karma. The hardship she'd been through, the tears she'd shed, the pain she'd endured, the midnight meltdowns, she wanted the others to feel it all.

She wouldn't overlook anyone-Kristin, Brett Windham, or the tormentor Nathaniel Krueger.

Rachel's fate would be their fate.

But when it came to torment, she could never outdo Brett and Nathaniel.

Nathaniel tormented her physically, while Brett attacked her mentally and physically.

Brett's specialty was finding one's deepest fears, like knowing Kristin was scared shitless of dogs.

Also, he loved to ruin all of one's good qualities. Family background, self-esteem, pride - if you had it, he'd take it.NôvelDrama.Org (C) content.

A Global Group's acquisition of X Entertainment had caught the business world's attention. Many tried to investigate the real owner of the company but found no clues.

That only proved that A Global Group was no small fish. Some were wary, some tried to get close, and some stayed on the sidelines, doing nothing.

Izabella left the group's affairs to others. Rachel's betrayal caused her to distrust everyone, but she could not sit idly by.

So, the task of selecting personnel was on Casey.

Izabella looked up at the sky and said, "Weather's about to turn."

Casey looked up too. Clear blue sky, no clouds. He was puzzled. It didn't seem like the weather was going to change.

"The forecast didn't say anything about weather changes," he said.

Izabella laughed. Once R City entered autumn, winter wasn't far behind. Let the cold weather cool Kristin down.

Looking at her phone, Izabella had many missed calls and messages, most of them concerned about her.

She replied to a few messages, then called Brad York.

Izabella, who had taken leave due to personal reasons, caused a delay in the filming schedule. Izabella felt sorry, but Brad York understood her situation.

In the crew, everyone claimed to care for each other. But most of it was lip service, behind the back it was all mockery and cold words.

A lot had changed in just two days. From Izabella's cat dying, to Ariana being accused of animal cruelty, and even Kristin getting involved.

Izabella and Kristin worked for the same company. She once claimed to be close to Izabella at a party, but later slandered her behind her back. Nobody dared to get close to Kristin, fearing that they'd be the next to fall into trouble because of her. Must admit, the woman could act. Besides the "animal abuse incident", people were also buzzing about the bankruptcy and change of ownership at X Entertainment.

The futures of Kristin and Izabella were uncertain. The company's major reform could either make them soar or lead them to a dead end. For their competitors, this was undoubtedly good news. Kristin's situation was unclear, but Izabella should be fine. Nathaniel and Brett had just fought for her not long ago. With either one of these sponsors, she wouldn't lack resources.

After some analysis, it seemed like Kristin and Izabella had switched places in a short time.

Brad York wasn't surprised when Izabella called. He comforted her, "Don't be too upset. Ariana might be sent to a mental hospital due to her disfigurement and blindness, and unstable mental state." Some might think Izabella just lost a pet and could easily replace it. But Brad York didn't think so.

He had a dog at home and totally got how she felt when she found out her cat was killed.

For humans, pets may be a small part of their lives, but for pets, their owners are their entire world.

Izabella's affection for her cat was not simple. If it were a regular pet, would she always keep it by her side or even have someone care for it?

Everyone has a soft spot for beauty, animals included. But her cat was not the most beautiful in the litter. Izabella never discarded it, despite the fact that it lacked fur in spots, had physical flaws, and was not quite attractive.

You could tell the cat was very special to Izabella. And some mean-spirited folks decided to take revenge on her using that special connection as an advantage.

Brad York said to Izabella, "How about you take a month off? Chill at home and regroup. Don't worry about the show, I'll get the other actors sorted."

Izabella replied, "Thanks, Mr. York, but you don't have to give me a whole month off. I'll be back on set the day after tomorrow."

Izabella had been shooting for 45 days. She didn't have much left, just a few outdoor scenes and her scenes with Kristin. Thank goodness they hadn't started filming with Kristin yet, or it would've been a total waste of time.

Izabella said to Brad York, "Mr. York, let's recast the lead actress."

Brad York was taken aback. What surprised him was Izabella's tone. It didn't sound like she was asking for his opinion.

Their relationship was complicated, like they couldn't coexist. But he knew Izabella wasn't the type to ignore the big picture.

Kristin had already finished a quarter

of her scenes. If they switched her out now, alk that footage would be for nothing. First, all the scenes with the supporting actors and the male lead would have to be reshot. That would cost extra. It was not just a waste of money, it was a waste of time and energy, which could screw up the schedule.

Then there was also the matter of Kristin's contract. Brad York had thought about replacing Kristin because she wasn't cutting it. There had to be a body double for even. straightforward scenes like washing her feet. But the penalty for breaking the contract was too high. Besides, Kristin had a large fan base. It wouldn't be right to just fire her.

"Izabella, I know you have issues with Kristin, but we have a contract with her."

"Don't worry about the contract. I can cover the losses," she assured.

Did Izabella know how high the penalty was? Even if she worked for a year, she wouldn't make enough to cover it, let alone the production losses.

"Mr. York, if you do not replace Kristin immediately, her problems may prevent the show's release

when it is completed. This is the true

loss. Let me tell you, her image is

already in ruins, and it could get worse. Are you sure you want to stick with someone so unreliable?"

Brad York wasn't a fool, and he was quick on the uptake. He sensed something ominous in Izabella's words.

"Izabella, what are you planning? Do you have something on Kristin?"

"Mr. York, do you trust me? Replacing Kristin now will only cost some time and energy. We can find a lead actress who's better than Kristin. I'm sure you have other options."

To be honest, he did have another option. He had chosen Kristin because of a scheduling conflict with the other actress. But that actress had wrapped up her previous production, so she was free to join the

shoot.

Izabella gave him time to think, keeping the line open. After five minutes, he finally heard a deep sigh on the other end of the line.

"What should I do?"

Izabella smiled faintly and outlined her plan for Brad York.

They talked for a full forty minutes. Brad York was very cautious, asking about every little detail to make sure nothing could go wrong before agreeing.

After hanging up, Casey made Izabella a cup of lemon honey water with a straw in it.

"You've been talking for a while. Thirsty?"

Izabella took a sip from the straw. The drink was sour and sweet, very refreshing.

"Aren't you curious about how I know so much?" Izabella put down the cup. Others might have noticed that she was different from the old "Izabella". Brett even recognized her at a glance. Casey being so perceptive, she could not believe that he had no suspicions.

Casey answered in a serious tone, "Of course I'm curious. But if you don't tell, I won't ask. If you want to talk, I'm always ready to listen. Either way, I'll always be by your side, trusting you unconditionally." Everyone's curious. Casey hadn't done any snooping himself, but his agent kept telling him that Izabella had changed. She used to dress dreadfully, but then she looked fantastic. How she used to be timid and was bullied at work, but was then able to stand up for herself.

But what made Casey curious wasn't any of that. It was how Brett knew Izabella. They seemed very familiar, even though Izabella had never met Brett before.

Their first meeting was there. Brett mentioned Niki, then Izabella went out with him, and a few days later, she came back with a cat named Niki.

It was one thing for Brett to know her, but then Nathaniel knew her too. And their relationship was not simple.

The day Casey went to pick up Izabella from the set, he could feel the hostility from both men.

Unbeknownst to him, he had two more competitors, and they obviously knew Izabella longer than he did.

In terms of family background, all three of them were loaded. What they lacked was time, patience, and the right attitude towards the one they loved. Casey believed his love for Izabella was no less than theirs Especially looking at Izabella's attitude towards Brett and Nathaniel, it was clear she despised them.

But it was different with Casey. She would go home with him, text him, and even look for him first when she was in trouble.

He read online that when a girl likes a guy, she would stare at him dreamily and smile.

If a girl who gets lost in thought and wants to laugh when she sees you isn't in love, then what is?

And recently, he found another clue.

Izabella named her company "Affity White".

"Affity" could mean a close relationship, kinship, attraction, or attracting the opposite sex.

And "White", no doubt about it, represented purity.

Putting the two words together, it basically meant that Izabella wanted to marry him.

Casey felt like their relationship was pretty much as the fans have described in their fanfiction stories.

Izabella didn't expect Casey to have thought so much in such a short time.

She was still stuck on that thing Casey said.

He said he would always be there for her, trusting her unconditionally.

What she lacked most in her world was companionship, love, and trust.

"Last time you said you could beat Brett and Nathaniel on your own?"

"Want me to prove it to you?"

Izabella wouldn't bring them up for no reason. If she's mentioning them now, it's probably because they pissed her off or reminded her of some past hurt.

Casey made a silent vow: he will deal with anything or anyone that Izabella disliked or feared.