Chapter 69

Bianca wanted to get in touch with Pearl, so she gave her a ring. But all she got was a message saying Pearl's phone was off.

"Damn it, Pearl, are you avoiding me too?" Bianca muttered, realizing this was the final nail in her reputation's coffin. She angrily tossed her phone to the ground.

"Fine, Pearl, if you're giving up on me, don't blame me for what happens next." Bianca squinted, looking seriously pissed. She decided to wait for the lawyer and then pin everything on Pearl.

Meanwhile, Pearl had no clue Bianca was plotting against her because her phone was off. Actually, She turned off her phone because Tom had been blowing it up non-stop.

After Tom got hauled to the police station that morning, they didn't take his phone and let him make calls.

Tom first tried Michael, but Michael didn't pick up. He called a bunch of other company bigwigs, hoping someone would help him out, but no one answered.

Starting to freak out, Tom finally called Pearl, hoping her family's influence could bail him out.

"Ms. Brown, I only did this because you told me to. You have to help me," Tom pleaded over the phone.

Seeing the online buzz, Pearl was already panicking. She knew she couldn't admit anything now; otherwise, the Williams Family and Michael would never let her off the hook.

"Mr. Harris, I have no idea what you're talking about. If you keep accusing me, I'll have to get a lawyer," Pearl warned sternly.

Tom was stunned. He shouted into the phone, "Ms. Brown, you can't deny we were at the hotel talking about this last night."

"Are you nuts? I was home all night yesterday, didn't go anywhere! How could I be at the hotel with a creep like you? Looks like I need a lawyer to stop you from defaming me!" Pearl snapped and hung up.

When Tom tried calling back, he couldn't get through. It seemed Pearl had blocked him.

"Pearl, you damn bitch, you won't get away with this!" Tom cursed. In a fit of rage, he immediately spilled everything to the police, knowing they'd inform Michael.

Pearl also got a summons from the police and calls from the organizers, making her both panicked and annoyed, so she turned off her phone.

"What mess have you gotten into now?" Paxton stormed in, furious.

Pearl was freaking out. She thought it was just a small issue, but she didn't expect such a strong reaction from Michael's side.

"Dad, you have to help me. I just wanted to target that bitch Isabella, but why is Michael helping her? Is that bitch Isabella seducing Michael?" Pearl speculated angrily.

Paxton looked disappointed. "I can only help you get a lawyer, but you have to stick to your story that you never met Tom. I'll work on public opinion to make everyone believe Tom is slandering you and just trying to please John by helping Bianca."

Pearl could only nod, but inside, she was seething with hatred for Isabella and Michael.

After Paxton left, Pearl muttered angrily to herself, "It must be that bitch Isabella seducing Michael. Otherwise, Mason couldn't have found out the truth so quickly! Damn you, Isabella, I won't let you off the hook!"

But Pearl and Paxton had no idea things were about to get way more complicated.

Out of nowhere, an "informed source" popped up online, posting an article that exposed Pearl from the Brown Family for using her beef with Isabella to stir up drama around the competition. The post even had a photo of Pearl and Tom having dinner together.

Suddenly, all those people who were trashing Bianca online turned their attention to Pearl's social media.

Meanwhile, John had his team start targeting the Brown Family to help Bianca shift the heat. Soon enough, the Brown Family's company stock started tanking.

Paxton was scrambling to handle the mess. He kept trying to clear Pearl's name online, insisting that she and Tom were just discussing business and were being falsely accused, hoping the Williams Family would get to the bottom of it.

Isabella had no clue about the drama between the two families, and even if she did, she wouldn't care. She had no love for John, Bianca, or Pearl.

Unlike Isabella, Michael knew exactly what was going on and was even pulling the strings behind the scenes. His goal was to make sure these people paid the price.

When Michael got home that night, he found a cheerful Isabella waiting for him with a table full of food.

"I got promoted to a senior executive! I'm gonna be making bank. My salary's gonna be higher than yours as a middle manager, so let me take care of you from now on!" Isabella said, propping her chin on her hand, grinning.

Michael, who was mid-drink, almost choked. He wiped his mouth and smiled at her. "You want to take care of me? That's awesome. What do I need to give in return?"

Isabella opened her mouth but didn't know what to say, her face turning bright red. Michael saw her blushing and stood up with a grin, walking over to her.

"As the woman who's gonna take care of me, I think I need to serve you well." Michael suddenly scooped her up from the chair and headed for the bedroom.

"Wait, I'm not ready! Hold on, I changed my mind!" Isabella, blushing, playfully slapped Michael's chest.

With a smile, Michael kicked open the bedroom door and carried her to the bed.

A woman who really wanted to refuse wouldn't be so gentle; she'd fight back with everything she had.

"Sorry, I don't accept your refusal. Life's pretty sweet right now. Why should I work hard when I've got you to take care of me?" Michael's lips curled into a mischievous smile as he pressed his body against hers and kissed her.

From the bedroom came the sounds of kissing and shoes hitting the floor.