Selena and Austin had just left the mall, still chatting about the box office numbers.


    "Penny, the real-time box office prediction hit a billion dors. My value''s gonna skyrocket," Austin said, looking a bit flushed. "I''ll bring in big bucks for S.M Corporation." Selena patted his car door. "Go get some rest. I''ll line up more gigs for you soon."


    S.M Corporation was struggling and pretty much relying on Austin''s fame to stay afloat.


    Selena''s only hope was the few scripts Carol had given her.


    With scripts and a director in ce, the next step was filming. If these scripts became hits, S.M Corporation would survive.


    She had a bold n: Austin as the male lead and a new signee as the female lead. This way, Austin''s fame could boost the neer''s profile.


    She felt a bit bad for Austin, but as president of S.M Corporation, she had to use every trick in the book.


    She''d make it up to himter.


    After Austin drove off, Selena turned to get into her own car.


    Before she could, two people grabbed her from behind.


    This was still at the mall entrance, with people everywhere.


    Just as she was about to scream, someone struck the back of her neck, and she cked out.


    Forty minutester.


    A bucket of water was dumped over her head.


    Selena slowly opened her eyes.


    Rachel was sitting on a chair, looking down at her. "Penny, long time no see."


    Selena thought Rachel was here because of Amanda. Amanda was on the brink and likely fleeing abroad.


    Rachel held a whip, clearly ready to use it.


    Selena''s hands and feet were tied, like a fish on a chopping board.


    "Penny, you used to rely on Raymond to mess up my ns. Now that he''s ditched you, no one''sing to save you," Rachel said.


    Rachel swung the whip, hitting Selena''s thick jacket, causing feathers to float out.


    Rachel nodded to her bodyguard. "Strip her. I want her naked and whipped fifty times."


    Fiftyshes would leave Selena''s body in shreds, with scars that might never heal.


    Rachel was eager to start.


    Selena watched the two men approach, not panicking.


    "Ms. Dorie, you got it wrong. Raymond was never my backer. My backer is someone even Raymond fears. Think carefully before you harm me," Selena said. Rachel, a veteran in the entertainment industry, knew better than to mess with someone with powerful connections.


    ''But isn''t Selena just a designer?'' Rachel thought.


    Selena stayed calm. "Amanda''s probably fleeing abroad, right? Didn''t she call you for help? I orchestrated her downfall. The Fair familypany is mine. You know me as Penny, but my real name is Selena Fair. I was married to Raymond. Even if he hates me, he wouldn''t dare touch me. I was in the Montague family for three years. Raymond had a first love, but I still thrived because my backer is William Montague, not Raymond."


    Rachel''s eyes narrowed, gripping the whip tighter.


    "You think I''ll believe you?"