“You’re the brand owner?” Leroy’s brows knitted as his eyes searched for his manager. “What’s going on?”
Standing in the corner, Emmett, the man he was looking for, avoided eye contact.
Obviously, the manager knew it all the time, but chose not to tell him, which meant the manager had betrayed him.
As soon as he started the relationship with Jolly, Leroy rectified the works received by his management team by terminating all the deals that were related to Sutton Corporation and declaring he wouldn’t cooperate with them in the future.
“I went through a lot of trouble to invite an A-lister like you for the shooting.” Ryan rose to his feet behind the cameras. His stance was around 190 centimeters, which was taller than Leroy by a few inches and it gave him a strong aura.
Even though Leroy was a famous star, he was nothing compared to a capitalist like Ryan. After all, he was just a pawn on someone else’s chessboard.
The atmosphere went tense at their exchange. Even the prop masters stopped their work as they kept stealing glances at the two and whispered, “What happened?”
“Are you blind? Leroy offended President Sutton.”
“Then, why did President Sutton ask him to become the spokesperson?”
“You’re too naive! President Sutton needs to stay in touch with Leroy to intimidate and manipulate him!”
Their discussion turned inaudible.
It was clear that Ryan was trying to intimidate him. Leroy wasn’t a newbie to the work environment, so he had guessed Ryan’s intention. “President Sutton, you should be frank. You don’t need to drag the others into our business. For them, time is money.”
“I see. You’re always trying to be the nice guy.” Ryan sneered. “That’s what I hate the most about you. You always try to be considerate, but you’re sugar-coating your wicked lies.”
“I don’t care about your opinion. You can keep them to yourself. I guess you aren’t here only to be sarcastic today after you set me up, am I right?”
“I won’t ask the obvious if I was you.” Ryan glared at Leroy with a cold look in his eyes as he spoke his mind. “As long as you’re in a relationship with Jolly, what happened today will repeat again. What do you think?”
Leroy clenched his fists at his side. No matter what he did, Ryan only finds me for one reason, which is Jolly.
Taking Burton Group and Hudson Pharmaceuticals as examples, many enterprises were caught in turmoil in the past year. Among them, Sutton Corporation seized the opportunity to expand fast and ended up having the highest market value.
It can be said that Ryan could decide whether Leroy could continue his career in the entertainment industry or get banned from it for good. In only a night, Leroy would fall from the top into the pit, along with in debt of the liquidated damages.
Leroy laughed bitterly as he began with the resignation, “In order to keep my career, I must leave Riverdale as you like, don’t I?”
Before Ryan could answer, another voice from the entrance interrupted them. “Don’t you dare!”
“Jolly.” He addressed her before his surprised look turned into a smile as he watched her walking toward him with anger.
“It isn’t the time to laugh!” Jolly sent him daggers. “You want to leave Riverdale to keep your career? What about me?”
“I didn’t plan to. I’m just asking.”
“You can’t even try to ask! Watch out, I’ll get even with you later!” As she finished her words, she dragged him to stand behind her domineeringly before she turned to Ryan.
“Jolly!” At first, he was happy to see her, but his face fell immediately when he saw the intimacy between the two.
In contrast to him. Jolly was unhappy. “Ryan, you’re a well-known man in Riverdale, after all. Aren’t you worried about retribution with all your dirty tricks?”
In a split second, the happiness he experienced was gone. Ryan’s expression sank as he said, “I’m giving him the options. It’s up to him. As for you, you should already wake up from your dream to see that your true love is unsustainable without money!”
“I had enough of your malicious speculation! Do you think everybody is the same?”
“Is that so? You believe him?”
“Who else should I trust? Probably not you!” Jolly retorted in folded arms. “You’re still having doubts? Well, I’d love to tell you the consequences of your wicked games.”
She turned to Leroy and signaled him to speak. Unspoken words were exchanged between them as they watched each other.
Leroy spoke as told, “I guess I’ll be deprived of work opportunities if I don’t follow President Sutton’s request to leave you. However, my earnings all these years are merely enough to pay the liquidated damages. Thus, President Sutton suggested that I shouldn’t dream of marrying into the Carter Family and should focus on my career instead.”
At that, he raised his brows as if he found it funny. “You know what, it’s a rare opportunity for a man to marry into a wealthy family. As for me, a single man without any dependents, marrying into her family is not a bad resolution.”
“You!” Ryan was taken aback by the statement as he always thought that no man with dignity should become a live-in son-in-law and depend on his wife’s family.
Leroy continued where he was interrupted with a calm and gentle tone, “President Sutton, if you don’t mind marrying into the Carter Family, I think Jolly’s parents would love to accept you. How about changing your strategy then?”
Ryan scrunched up his face in disgust.
Jolly glared at Leroy when she heard his suggestion. Wait until we’re home. I’ll definitely deal with you.
“If you’re willing to depend on her by marrying into her family, she and even her family one day will finally despise you. Are you still able to stay that time?”
“Isn’t it what you are hoping for?” Even though he was speaking calmly, his statements were oddly pertinent as they had always aimed straight at someone’s weak spot.
After that, he even tried to educate the other side. “I’m never a hindrance to the relationship between you and Jolly. You’re the one who failed to achieve them yourself. You had it before, but you let the chance slip. I believe that you’d still do the same even if you’re given a second chance.”
“I won’t!” Ryan never wanted to recall what happened between him and Jolly. “Jolly, he’s trying to drive a wedge between us!”
Jolly’s response was opposite to him as she replied calmly, “There’s no such idea between me and you.”
After that, she held Leroy’s hand before everyone. “Besides, Leroy and I are married.”
Her announcement caused a fuss among the onlookers as Leroy was a celebrity. Nobody knew he was married until today. If any press had dropped the bombshell on the internet, it would indeed stir up a wave.
“What did you say?” Ryan couldn’t believe what he heard.
“The two of us are legally married.”
“That’s impossible!”
Jolly didn’t bother to explain further. “Let’s go, Leroy.”
When she thought of something, she stopped and turned to Ryan. “I forgot to tell you something. Sutton Corporation isn’t dominating Riverdale. Even though I’m far from motivated, I’m still the only heir of the Carter Enterprise. What makes you think you are capable of banning my husband from the entertainment industry?”
