Chapter 243
Chapter 243 Are You Going to Keep Lying?
Barney called out to her, “Is it true that my father’s company is collaborating with your company, Ms. Mala? He talks about you all the time. I’m sure we'll run into each other again at The Heazon Awards next month. Please say a good word or two about me to my father.”
Maia glanced at the man before her. She thought he was tough at first. Little did she know that he was just another boy desperate for his father’s validation.
“I'll pretend | didn’t see anything tonight as long as you treat the ladies nicely, Barney. | was never here and we never met.”
He nodded and thanked her. “Splendid, Ms. Maia. | like how you cut to the chase.”
Then, Maia went further in to look for Penelope.
He stared at her as she left. The smile on his face had all but vanished.
“| would’ve taught you a lesson in the private room if it weren't for the collaboration.” He wiped the wine from his face. “How dare you pour wine on me,
bitch?” Buck followed Maia and asked, “Do you truly believe he'll treat ladies nicely, Ms. Maia? He doesn’t seem the type.
“He’s a playboy. He’s the same type as the bunch of guys | ran into at La Rouquette. What makes you think I'd believe the words of a miscreant?”C0pyright © 2024 Nôv)(elDrama.Org.
“Are you not going to make good use of the opportunity when you meet the Young Globaltainment Co.’s CEO?”
“| promised him | won’t say anything to his father and | intend to keep my word. However, | didn’t say anything about his father finding it out from someone else.”
Buck chuckled, “Guys like Barney deserve to be taught a lesson. You go, Ms. Maia!” Alady exited one of the private rooms with a cart, crying. “That’s her, Ms. Maia! That's Penelope!”
Maia approached her quickly. Penelope had her head lowered and asked respectfully, “Do you want something to drink? I’ve got some of the best stuff...”
“Can | have a word with you?”
Penelope raised her head when she heard a lady’s voice. She was lost for words when she saw Maia.
“A-Aren't you the CEO of Starlight Entertainment?”
“How many orders do you need to close every night?” Mala peered at her cart full of bottles. It seemed she had not been very successful tonight.
Penelort answered at once, “I can close dozens of orders if | am lucky, but tonight wasn’t my night. | made one of my old customers mad.
“| closed only six orders tonight. My boss is going to give me a hard time if | can’t meet my targets. Sigh...” “Does this mean you'll get the commission and peace of mind if you can close ten orders?” Maia asked. Penelope nodded, “That's about it. My daughter, Jasmine, is waiting for me to buy a bagel
too.”
“I'll pay for the remaining four orders.”
Penelope was shocked to hear what she said. “Is that really okay? Are you sure you want to do it, Ms. Maia?”
“I'll take your orders, but I'll need to talk to you about something. Deal?”
Penelope looked at Maia and felt that she had no ill intentions, so she agreed. “Deal.”
Buck made the payment. Maia looked at the rackety place and said, “This isn’t the place to talk.”
“My place is right behind here. My daughter and | are the only ones there. If you don’t mind, we could go a serious talk. there.” Penelope suggested. She sensed that it was ”
“Aren't you worried that | might do something to both of you?”
Penelope shook her head, “You're such an eminent figure, Ms. Maia. Why would you target us?” Maia laughed at that. Then, she followed Penelope and headed to the apartment.
Technically, it was just a flat. Rundown and shoddy, it would have looked like an abandoned. building if the lights had not been on. The metal stairs creaked as they climbed up.
Maia was taken aback. Penelope had been a popular singer who did a lot of performances for television. Everyone had wanted her. Why would she live in such squalor?
Allittle girl dashed right into Penelope’s arms as she opened a battered door.
“You're back, mom!”
“Why aren’t you asleep? It’s already so late.” She carried the little girl and asked sternly. “| want a bagel, mom. You promised...”
“How about we eat the bagel tomorrow? I'll also buy pizza for you. | need to talk about something serious with this lady now. Can you go back to sleep?”
Jasmine had been looking forward to her bagel. Naturally, she was a little disappointed when she heard Penelope had not gotten her one. She hung her head in silence.
“Puy them some bagels and pizzas, Buck,” Mala ordered.
“Sure thing, Ms. Maia,” he answered immediately and left the place.
“That’s too kind of you, Ms. Maia! Here. I'll pay you back...” Penelope was embarrassed.
Maia shook her head, “Consider it my gift for your daughter. | shouldn’t have come to your place empty-handed.”
“This squalor is barely worth living in...” Penelope let out a sigh as she looked at the damp, moldy walls.
“Thank you, miss. My name’s Jasmine. I’m five years old.” She raised all five of her fingers in her hand. Maia gave her the sweetest smile.
Penelope set her daughter on the floor and patted her head. “Go back to your room, Jasmine. | need some private moments with this lady. I'll call for you when the bagels are here.”
“Okay.” Jasmine nodded obediently and went back to her room. Penelope poured Maia a glass of water after that.
“There’s nothing much here, Ms. Maia. All | have to offer is a glass of water...”
“It's fine. | came here because | need to ask you something.”
Penelope nodded, “Tell me how | can help, Ms. Maia.”
“It's about Victor Terrence from Mykonos Studio.”
Penelope's face went stiff when she heard what Maia said.
“W-Why would you ask about him, Ms. Maia?”
Maia answered, “The Victorious Secret was incredibly famous back then. However, it was disbanded with no warning. You guys completely went off the radar as well. You're the leader of the troupe. Can you tell me what caused this?”
Penelope's eyes shifted uneasily, “We didn’t want to continue our career in the industry anymore. T—There’s no other reason.”
“Are you telling me it’s better to sell alcohol in nightclubs than being part of a renowned girl group? Are you going to help Mykonos Studio hide their unspoken rules and mismanagement? I’m willing to bet the other members of your group aren't living a good life, either.”