Chapter 239
“Why should I give her the money?” Brian shot back the question. He hadn’t said anything about
lending Madelyn a hand from the get–go.
He walked Natalie through the situation in detail, not out of charity but as a heads–up to keep her on
her toes lest her tough approach tipped someone off that she was off–kilter.
He paused, then added, “Grandpa will have his say on this. I won’t meddle with it.”
Natalie pondered his words silently, not making a sound.
She suspected Brian had pieced together that she was Annika.
The online buzz about Madelyn’s giarism scandal had cooled down a notch the following day.
Natalie had a friend quietly remove the incriminating post at the top of her feed.
Two hundred million dorsnded in her ount not long after the deletion. She quickly checked the
transfer. As expected, it came from Davis‘ ount. Brian hadn’t touched this mess with a ten–foot pole.
Only a fool leaves money on the table.
Natalie eyed the hefty sum that had padded her bnce, her eyebrows lifting slightly.
Three hundred million hade easy, and she saw no reason to turn it down. Besides, the fiasco had
two days in the limelight, withizens doing their audioparisons. Whether her friend scrubbed the
evidence, the scandal was brewing on its own steam.
Madelyn’s career was on the ascent, but this debacle must rattle her standing in the music
biz.
“Did you see thetest from the International Music Scene?” Rosie sidled up, whispering to Natalie.
While speaking, she handed over her phone, disying a list of local singers invited to an uing
international music festival.
There were ten invites, and Madelyn’s name was conspicuously absent.
Madelyn was supposed to be the grand finale.
Rosie had a hunch about Natalie’s connection to Annika. Otherwise, why would she send her to deliver
a SIM card to Gavin and consult awyer?
Rosie gave Natalie a knowing look before continuing, “I heard Victoria’s Secret had Madelyn on the
shortlist to perform, but that’s up in smoke now. They have crossed her
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name off the backup list.”
“Several deals Madelyn had in the bag are falling through. I bet ad agencies won’t touch her with a ten–
foot pole for endorsements now. She’s taking a hit.*
Natalie gave Rosie a sly smile, staying quiet until she finished, then asked, “What’s on the menu for
today? Once we wrap the shoot, let’s grab a bite.”
She was determined to stick with Rosie through thick and thin.
Rosie was a keeper for a friend. First, she was Gavin’s sister and Natalie’s agent. Second, Rosie was
different from the rest. She wasn’t calcting, and her sincerity made her a friend worth keeping.
They were wrapping up the final scenes at Hearnd College, with the next couple of days being less
hectic.
“The ice cream parlor by the supermarket has a Friday deal. Buy one and get the second half off.
Wanna grab some?” Rosie tempted her after they finished a scene.
Midday, Natalie was indeed feeling the heat under the heavy costume.
“Count me in,” Natalie replied, having promised Rosie a treat. She got up and made her way to join her.
Thrilled, Rosie linked arms with Natalie, and off they went.
The campus was quieter on Fridays, with fewer sses and some students skipping home early. The
ice cream shop was nearly empty.
Natalie wasn’t a big–shot actress and wasn’t bothered by the possibility of being snapped in her
costume. She stood with Rosie at the counter, mulling over the ice cream vors.
“The chocte one is real good, or you could mix it up with the chocte and vani swirl. Our
chocte is straight from Belgium – super smooth and creamy,” the server introduced to them
enthusiastically.
Natalie weighed her options. If she went all–in on the chocte, she could kiss dinner goodbye and
starve by midnight,
“Make it a swirl for her,” a familiar voice sounded behind the counter.