CHAPTER 937: CHAPTER 937: SLAPPED LEAH THORNE ACROSS THE FACE

Justin Xavier was taken away.

Leah Thorne returned to her room in the filming set, took out her phone, and immediately dialed the number given by President Stone. However, the "dududu" tone rang over and over again, and no one ever picked up.

No one answered the phone.

Leah’s life went on as usual, as if Justin being taken away had no impact on her at all. She never left the presidential suite that day, nor did she later ask about Justin Xavier’s whereabouts.

The filming of "Floating Life" continued. As Leah was holding the script and memorizing lines, she overheard a few actresses nearby excitedly gossiping,

"Did you hear? The president of Xavier Corp, Justin Xavier, has been taken away!"

"I heard about it early on. A magazine got first-hand news yesterday and even ran it as the entertainment headline. But unfortunately, before it even went on sale, a powerful capital force erased all the sensitive mentions about President Xavier."

"Although public opinion has been completely suppressed, the news has still spread. Xavier Corp’s stock has hit the limit down several times over these days, and it’s said that fifty billion has evaporated from its market cap just like that."

The actresses were all shocked at such a number and deliberately lowered their voices, fearing that their words might cause trouble.

"What do you think happened that Justin was taken away?"

"I don’t know either."

"I heard Old Master Xavier has made a move, and he’s very angry. The Xavier board is in turmoil. President Xavier really set off a chain reaction."

"Leah! Leah!" a voice called out beside her, and Leah looked up.

Madame Goldie had arrived, looking at her with concern. "Leah, what are you thinking about? I called you several times just now, and you seemed so distracted."

Leah remained expressionless. She put down her script and stood up. "Madame Goldie, I’m going to the restroom."

"Leah, let me go with you."

The two walked out together, and Madame Goldie whispered, "Leah, about President Xavier..."

"Madame Goldie," Leah interrupted, her voice cold. "I’m not interested in his matters. No need to tell me."

Madame Goldie immediately shut her mouth.

As they turned a corner, suddenly a figure appeared ahead. That person raised a hand and slapped Leah across the face.

Smack.

A crisp sound echoed, and Leah’s face turned from the slap.

Oh my God.

Madame Goldie gasped. The person acted so fast she hadn’t reacted. Who would dare slap Leah?

"Leah, are you alright?" Madame Goldie quickly checked Leah’s reddened cheek. Leah’s skin was so delicate, but the person used great force; her cheek was already swollen, and a glaring slap mark was vividly visible.

Madame Goldie angrily looked at that woman. "Madam, who are you? How can you hit someone just like that? Do you want me to call the police?"

The person was Mrs. Xavier, Laura Xavier.

Laura had just slapped Leah hard.

Laura’s makeup was exquisite, her hair neatly done, her appearance well-maintained and dignified. Behind her, a servant pushed a wheelchair, and two bodyguards helped her on either side so she could slap Leah.

Now Laura looked at Leah icily and condescendingly, then glanced at Madame Goldie. "Who do you think you are? When your master hasn’t spoken, why are you yapping here?"

Madame Goldie was livid. "You!"

That’s when Leah calmly said, "Madame Goldie, stand down. This is President Xavier’s mother, Mrs. Xavier."

What?

Madame Goldie stared at Laura in shock. How could President Xavier have such a vicious and sharp-tongued mother?

Madame Goldie stepped back.

Leah stepped forward, raising her lazy yet indifferent eyes to Laura. "Mrs. Xavier, is there something you need from me?"

"Leah Thorne, I’m here to slap you. I’d tear apart that vixen face of yours if I could!" Laura’s gritted expression showed a bit of menace.

Leah slowly curled her red lips into a smile. "Mrs. Xavier, you need bodyguards to hold you just to slap me. How do you plan to tear me apart? Living like this, don’t you find it pathetic?"

Laura froze. Her legs had long been crippled; she couldn’t stand. She specially called two bodyguards today just to hit Leah.

A once prestigious lady from the Winslow family had become this hysterical. Leah’s few words exposed all her embarrassment and shame.

In these years, who hasn’t been bruised?

Laura took a deep breath and ordered, "Put me back."

The two bodyguards placed her back in the wheelchair, the maid covering her lap with a blanket. Laura looked up at Leah. "Leah Thorne, we both know why my son was taken. He’s suffering inside, but here you are, eating, sleeping, still in the mood for your work. Let me ask you, have you visited my son?"

Leah tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Would visiting him help? I’m not a lawyer."

Laura laughed bitterly, "Leah, President Stone is still in the hospital, just out of critical condition. He’s truly finished. Even with Old Master Xavier visiting in person, he’s unyielding, insisting on pressing charges to keep Justin inside."

"With Justin in, chaos reigns outside—complete turmoil, and Xavier Corp is a mess. Old Master Xavier is furious, and all of this is because of you!"

Laura looked Leah over with utter disdain. "You, an actress, with a vixen’s face, skilled in seduction. You’re born to sleep with men. Sleeping with President Stone is nothing. Why drag my Justin into this?"

Madame Goldie wrinkled her brow upon hearing these harsh words. This Mrs. Xavier had such an unpleasant tongue, yet Leah had grown up under such insults.

Leah was used to it. She looked at Laura and lazily smiled, "Mrs. Xavier, you keep calling me a vixen. Have you ever thought that your son Justin Xavier actually likes this type?"

Laura’s expression changed dramatically. "You!"

Leah adjusted her dress. "Mrs. Xavier, if there’s nothing more, I’ll be leaving. I have filming to do."

With that, Leah turned and walked away.

Laura watched Leah’s retreating figure with hatred, shouting, "Leah Thorne, you’re so cold-blooded. You have no heart!"

Leah didn’t stop, quickly disappearing down the hallway.

...

Leah returned to the dressing room. With that slap mark, she couldn’t film. Madame Goldie pressed ice to her swollen cheek. "Leah, does it hurt? That Mrs. Xavier is as fierce as a shrew."

"Madame Goldie," Leah softly said, "do you also think I’m cold-blooded, heartless?"