Chapter 1
With the curtains drawn, the bedroom was shrouded in darkness as if it were at night.
Suddenly, the silence was broken by the phone ringing.
Yolanda Walter frowned, turned over, but was still disturbed by the noise. She fumbled on the bed and grabbed the phone to hang up. But unfortunately, she answered it by accident.
"Hello, is this Miss Walter?"
"Miss Walter, this is Amy from Alaimo's. Your custom-made black onyx cuff-links have arrived, so you can come to get them whenever you're available."
In the quiet room, her voice seemed especially loud, which somewhat annoyed Yolanda since she was still trying to sleep off the jet lag. But at the same time, it was good news that the cuff links were finally ready after she had waited for more than half a year. This news somewhat offset her anger at being woken up by this sudden phone call.
Yolanda held the phone against her ear again, saying, "I see." After hanging up the phone, she was already wide awake. Then she lifted the quilt and looked at the time.
It was five p.m., and there was only half an hour before the time she set the alarm clock for.
Since she had an appointment tonight, Yolanda got up so that she could have enough time to put up make-up.
At half past six p.m., she pulled back the curtains to reveal the colorful lights shining through the floor-to-ceiling windows as the luxurious nightlife in this city started.
Then she put on her favourite perfume before going out with the car key.
Luxurious cars weren't rare sights in Darlington, but Yolanda's car was always distinctive in this city. It was a Laferrari, a classic red car unique to her in this city. Such a cool car always caught a lot of attention every time it appeared in the street.
Half an hour later, Yolanda arrived at Woder Plaza, the landmark of this city. Tonight, a famous domestic symphony orchestra was going to hold an unusual soundtrack concert at the parking apron on the terrace of the building.
With the roar of the engine approaching, Yolanda controlled the steering wheel with one hand to rotate the car through 180 degrees before parking it in front of the building.
After getting out of the car, she threw the car key to the valet. "Thanks."
The valet knew Yolanda since she was a frequent visitor here. So he said respectfully, "It's my pleasure, Miss Walter."
As a tall and curvy girl wearing luxury clothes, Yolanda always attracted others' attention easily in the crowd.
After Yolanda left elegantly with her bag, the onlookers all gathered, taking photos of her and gossiping.
"Is she Miss Walter of Thenoma Group?"
"Yes, she is. Look at her car number, w0214. It's one of the Walter family's cars."
"She seems arrogant, but I like it."
"What a rich beauty! Such a girl who was born with a silver spoon is just the envy of all of us!"
Yolanda wasn't disposed to attend tonight's concert and was just here to help her best friend, Phoebe Bernard, get an invitation to it. This was an easy job since she happened to know one of the organizers.
Phoebe had arrived early and had been waiting in front of the elevator. She waved at Yolanda upon seeing her. "I'm here, Yolanda."
A waiter immediately pressed the elevator button and said respectfully as Yolanda approached, "Miss Walter, this way please."
Yolanda nodded in response and asked Phoebe after entering the elevator, "You didn't even make sense on the phone. So who are you here to see?"
Phoebe replied, "A director whose surname is Cullen."
Yolanda asked, "Why?"
Phoebe sighed and told Yolanda how she lost a hard-won female supporting role to another girl.
As one of Yolanda's classmates in high school, Phoebe came from an average family. Her family had a hard time enabling her to study in a posh high school so that she could join the upper class. But unexpectedly, Phoebe only buried herself in studies and got admitted into Capital Film Academy three years later. But without a strong background, she had no access to good chances and was still a nobody in the acting industry even after graduation.
"It's said that Mr. Cullen is very nice and willing to offer newcomers chances, so I want to recommend myself to him," Phoebe said in a daze.
Yolanda opened her mouth and was about to tell Phoebe to be realistic. After all, it was rather hard for Phoebe to get close to such a famous director at this concert full of celebrities, let alone recommend herself to him.
But Yolanda didn't have the heart to do so as she turned to look at Phoebe's expectant face.
Soon, they arrived at the top floor where a waiter led them to the parking apron on the terrace.
At the venue, the air was fragrant with scents from the flowers under the romantic light. Guests were holding glasses and chatting, overlooking the magnificent night view of the city in the breeze.
Tonight's concert was held to promote communication between the film and music circles, so most guests present were from the entertainment industry.
After taking a seat, Phoebe leaned over to sniff Yolanda and asked, "What perfume are you wearing? It smells so good."
Yolanda took off her coat to reveal the dress inside. "I just bought it at a random craft store during this trip to Patra."
Phoebe leaned back in her chair, pretended to look at her up and down, and narrowed her eyes, saying, "Baby, what a pity that you aren't an actress."
Yolanda looked greatly curvy and charming in a black velvet off-the-shoulder dress under the light. The gloss of the dress gave her fair skin shine, which made her rather attractive in the crowd and formed a low-key but imposing aura about her.
Just at this point, a man arrived and instantly attracted all the flashes at the entrance. Surrounded by so many journalists and guests, the man walked forward slowly.
With several spotlights which happened to be shone on the center of the crowd, Yolanda spotted the man's strong and cold profile lit by the light at a glance as she looked over out of curiosity.
As his face soon merged into darkness, Yolanda also looked away, took out hand cream from her bag, and applied some to her hands before replying to Phoebe's question, "Being an actress is such a tiring job and requires so much exposure in public. So I have no interest in it."
Phoebe also stretched out her hands for hand cream. "Well, you're right. As a rich lady, you don't have to make a living by yourself, especially when you have an actor as your boyfriend."
Phoebe was applying the hand cream when she saw someone. She stood up and said, "It's Mr. Cullen's assistant. I am going to ask him something."
Then she left and sent a message to Yolanda soon. [I've learned that Mr. Cullen is resting in the restaurant downstairs. I am going to have a try.]
Although Yolanda thought Phoebe had a slim chance of success, she still wasn't absolutely certain about the result. After all, everything was possible in the entertainment industry. So she just waited for Phoebe's good news.
But after four songs had been played, Phoebe was still nowhere to be seen and didn't even return Yolanda's call or message.
Below the terrace was a revolving restaurant on the top floor of Woder Plaza. To provide better service for the concert, the restaurant was exclusively open to the guests of the concert.
Worried about Phoebe's safety, Yolanda went downstairs to look around for her and finally stopped in front of a half-closed door.
Yolanda knocked on the door. "Pheeb?"
After getting no response, she pushed the door open and walked in, only to see no one inside. She continued to walk inside and only found two empty sofas in the inner room.
It seemed that Phoebe wasn't here. Yolanda turned around and was about to leave when she heard the sound of someone hurrying inside in high heels. Subsequently, the door was slammed and locked from inside.
Yolanda was stunned and subconsciously flashed behind the tank air-conditioner in the inner room.
She heard the sound of someone looking around the room to ensure no one else was inside before starting the conversation.
"Sally, are you sure you won't regret doing so? It'll put you at risk!"
"I don't care. That bastard whose surname is Jensen deserves it! I'm just taking back my role. After I've earned so much money for him, how can he make me lose such a great role to that newcomer?"
Hearing their words, Yolanda wondered, "Sally? Is it that actress called Sally Moore who is present at tonight's concert?" Thinking of this, Yolanda slightly popped out her head for confirmation.
It turned out she was right.
"What if you fail?"
Sally sneered, "Fail? The worst outcome will be nothing but falling out with him. At that time, he will also get into trouble if I accuse him of premeditated rape."
Yolanda was so shocked at such a scheme.
After a moment of silence, Sally seemed to try to comfort the other one by saying, "Don't worry. The medicine was brought from abroad, and it won't take long to be metabolized. So he won't even find it out afterwards."
Out of curiosity, Yolanda popped out her head once again and saw Sally hand a pill to the boy and say, "Later, I'll go propose a toast to him. Then you can..."
After talking quietly for several minutes, the two of them left.
Afraid of being seen as their accomplice, Yolanda didn't stay longer and left the room immediately after their departure.
Yolanda guessed that Sally must be scheming against the man whose surname was Jensen by poisoning and sleeping with him tonight. If the man promised her what she wanted after waking up tomorrow, then he would be fine. But if not, Sally wouldn't let go of him.
Yolanda never expected to encounter such a shocking scheme at the concert. She thought, 'Dramas and surprises are everywhere in the entertainment industry.'
When Yolanda returned to the terrace, Phoebe had been back in her seat.
Letting out a sigh of relief, Yolanda walked up. "I've been looking for you. How's your self-recommendation going?"
Phoebe was so discouraged. "Forget it!"
Yolanda had expected her failure and rubbed Phoebe's head. "It's no big deal. Why not give up acting and let me support you?"
Phoebe looked up and wanted to say something, but then she lowered her head in frustration.
Knowing that Phoebe was in a bad mood, Yolanda thought for a while before pointing at Sally not far away and saying with a mysterious smile, "Cheer up! I'll tell you something exciting. Do you know the actress over there, Sally Moore?"
Phoebe glanced at Sally and said indignantly, "Of course. She's the one who stole my role for someone else."
Hearing that, Yolanda was stunned and turned to look at Phoebe. "Really?"
"As the leading actress in that film, Sally can change any actor easily."
Yolanda never expected that it was Sally who caused Phoebe so many troubles. Yolanda thought Sally must be difficult to deal with, or she wouldn't dare to play such a dirty trick on a formal occasion.
Originally, Yolanda wasn't disposed to get involved in the trouble although she overheard Sally's scheme. But now Yolanda wouldn't let Sally get her way since she stole Phoebe's role.
Yolanda observed the men around Sally and asked Phoebe, "Is there any man present whose surname is Jensen?"
Phoebe frowned and said, "Jensen?"
She looked around and pointed in a direction, saying, "Do you mean Mr. Jensen, Aaron Jensen? He's over there."
Yolanda instantly looked over at the man who was ten yards away from Sally. He was about six feet tall with a strong build, a broad shoulder, a thin waist, and long legs. Now he was talking about something with several foreigners in front of the stage.
Yolanda found his profile familiar and suddenly remembered he was the man who showed up surrounded by many journalists.
Looking at the man, she asked Phoebe, "Is he powerful?"
Phoebe's spirits suddenly rose despite her previous frustration. "Of course. He's the president of Azel Group and has a great voice in the entertainment industry. Those famous top actors and stars are all from his company. Besides, most films with record box-office receipts were all invested by him. So he's a tycoon in this industry, in control of numerous actors' careers."
Hearing that, Yolanda was sure it was him. She couldn't help but think that Sally's scheme was much more effective than Phoebe's self-recommendation.
After all, despite running the great risk, Sally would get endless good chances and fortune once she succeeded. But unfortunately, Sally never expected Yolanda's involvement in her perfect plan.
Yolanda quickly took out paper and a pen from her bag. As soon as she finished writing something, she found Sally approaching Aaron holding two glasses of wine.
Sally stopped in front of Aaron with a usual smile, said something to him, and handed a glass to him.
Yolanda didn't expect Sally to make her move so soon.
"What are you writing?" Phoebe asked curiously.
There was no time for an explanation. Yolanda hushed Phoebe and walked towards Aaron after folding the paper.
As Yolanda approached them, Aaron's face became clearer and clearer. In a smart black suit and shirt, he looked rather distant with his strong and delicate profile. As he smiled casually, he had an imposing aura about him, typical for a powerful man.
Leaving aside what Sally did to Phoebe, she found that it would be a pity if such a handsome man slept with Sally, who was so scheming.
The night breeze kissed Yolanda's face as she brushed her long curly hair and walked in her luxurious high-heeled shoes in a fascinating way. She took a glass of wine from a waiter passing by and pretended to bump into Aaron as she walked past him.
In chaos, Yolanda stuffed the paper into his pocket quickly and secretly.
"I'm sorry," she apologized with a faint smile and then walked away as if nothing had happened.
In the process, she acted so naturally that Sally paid no attention to Yolanda and still smiled, asking, "Mr. Jensen, would you mind drinking a toast?"
Aaron didn't reply immediately. Instead, he turned around after being stunned for seconds, only to see the attractive figure in a black velvet dress blurring in the light. Only the faint but special fragrance of her perfume lingered in the air. It smelled of rosewood, hot and sweet.
Dropping his gaze, Aaron took out the thing Yolanda left with effort from his pocket and found it was a note, which said, "Poisoned drink. Clear?"
Aaron was left stunned.