CHAPTER 399: THE UNLUCKY ROLE

"How did you convince the chairman to get admitted?" Justin asked the moment he arrived at the hospital and spotted Derek sitting in the hallway’s waiting area. "Last night, he wouldn’t even budge, no matter how much everyone begged him."

Derek shot him a side-eye and huffed. "Not me."

"Not you?" Justin frowned. "If you didn’t convince him, then who did?"

"Just take a look inside." Derek jerked his chin toward the ward across the hallway. "You’ll know."

Curious, Justin walked to the door and peeked through the small window. What he saw made his jaw drop. The room was full of medical equipment, and two little buns in full horror costumes perched on the chairman’s bed, idling around him like tiny nurses.

"Aren’t those..." Justin trailed off, pointing toward the door. "...the ones who beat you up?"

Derek deadpanned. "Shut up."

"Heh." Justin cleared his throat and glanced back at the window. Looking around, he frowned when he didn’t see Lola anywhere. "Where is she? Lola, I mean. I don’t see her inside."

"She’s not in there."

"Huh?" Justin jumped to Derek’s side. "What do you mean? Did you two fight?"

"No."

"No? Then what?"

"It’s a long story. Stop asking questions." Derek straightened his suit and stood up. "Take my spot for a while. Travis and Aunt Celes will be here soon."

Justin blinked as Derek walked off. "Where are you going?"

"Office."

"Office? But—" Justin stopped mid-sentence, wrinkling his nose. "He’s on leave, isn’t he?"

He sighed and shook his head, deciding not to question it further. All he could do was wait for Celestine’s arrival. His eyes drifted back to the door, and he let out a small exhale.

"Well," he murmured, shrugging. "At least the chairman finally agreed to stay in the hospital until he’s stable."

*****

Days passed, and the NL Group slowly began to recover. Rumors circulated about NL Group and Summit Partners, especially since the latter hadn’t pursued any hostile action. Instead, they reconciled and even moved forward with their joint project.

As for Lola, things were looking up. Her company was steadily gaining more projects and establishing its name in Novera. Invitations for new bids started coming in, and on top of that, she was managing the small entertainment agency she’d built—just for Cedrick.

Why?

Apparently, the agency was starting to make a name for itself after reviving Cedrick’s career. Now, investors were trying to buy it out, and artists were lining up to sign under it.

"This is not what I was expecting when I opened this agency," Lola groaned, sitting in the small, old office inside the gym where the agency operated. "What the hell..."

"If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re in love with Cedrick," Haji teased from the couch, feet propped on the table. "I mean, who starts a company planning to hire just one person?"

Lola glared up at him. "Haji, the fees I paid for the legal papers already came back tenfold. I’ve profited off him alone by at least ten times."

Even though she had only signed Cedrick for Angel’s Revenge and a few endorsements, including MEG Fashion, his talent fee had skyrocketed. Other brands were offering to double his rate just to get him, but Lola was playing the long game.

"Really?" Haji raised a brow, then pointed to himself. "Then what about my raise?"

"Next time."

"You mean next lifetime?"

"You still owe me a lot of money, Haji. Do you think freedom is free?"

Haji frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"Vito signed you up to fight in the cage again, didn’t he?" She gave him a cool look. "Did you really think I wouldn’t find out you were back underground?"

"..."

"He might not kill you himself, but he’d happily watch you die in that cage."

Haji opened his mouth, then bit his tongue and shut it again. He simply stared at Lola, who was flipping through documents on her desk.

No wonder Vito hasn’t come after me yet, he thought with a slow exhale.

Still, deep down, he knew Vito wouldn’t just let things go. Haji might’ve managed to stay alive after turning his back on him, but he never felt safe—always waiting for the day Vito’s men would show up again.

"Thanks," he said quietly.

"Don’t thank me," Lola replied without looking up. "It’s my future hubby who took that leash off your neck."

She kept scanning through the papers, then finally looked up at him.

"Atlas made him accept the money I offered," she explained. "So, he’s not our problem—for now."

After all, no amount of money could truly buy off a man like Vito. He wasn’t greedy—he was prideful. The kind of man who’d take the cash but still come for you later, just to make a point.

"So before you ask for a raise," Lola said firmly, "you’re working for another year until you pay back every cent I gave that man."

"My freedom costs that much?" Haji asked with mock disbelief. "Wow. Didn’t know you cared enough to pay such a high price."

"..." Lola ignored him, though her throat tightened at his words. The truth was, she’d only paid Vito with the spare coins in her purse. He’d accepted because Atlas was the one who told him to.

Moments later, Cedrick arrived at the office—his face bright, hair still damp as if he’d rushed straight from the shower.

"Taz, let’s go?"

"Mhm. Give me a minute." Lola waved him off, signaling Haji to start the car. Haji, now officially Cedrick’s bodyguard, groaned but obeyed.

Just as the two were about to leave, they noticed the strange look on Lola’s face.

"What is it?" Haji asked warily. "Someone sent you a death threat?"

"No." Lola blinked, then looked up at them. "Just some interesting people sending portfolios to sign with us."

She flipped through the pages and froze when she saw Pixie and Megan’s photos. Before she could react, her phone rang. She answered absentmindedly, only to hear Ida’s voice.

"Lola, we’ve got another problem."

Lola arched a brow. "What is it this time?"

"The actress replacing Melissa got into an accident on her way to the set," Ida sighed. "Today was her first day of filming, but she can’t make it anymore."

"..." Lola’s face twitched. "Is she alive?"

"Thankfully, but she’s injured."

"This role is really cursed. Damn!"

Haji and Cedrick exchanged glances. Then, in perfect sync, they turned toward her—both tilting their heads—until Cedrick blurted,

"Taz, why don’t you just play the role?"