Chapter 70
Xanthea, typically so aloof and arrogant, now wore a look of defeat and hatred. Perhaps Matthew and Miranda were her Achilles heel. If that was the case…
“Not only did I know about it, but I saw them myself, Matthew and Miranda, getting intimate behind the old oak tree at school. I still have those photos in my Dropbox!”
“What?” Xanthea’s eyes widened with pleasant surprise.
She couldn’t believe it. Photos of Matthew and Miranda in such a compromising position, and in the sacred yet thrilling backdrop of the school woods. If those got out, it would create a bigger scandal than any hotel rendezvous!
She could never expect to find it so easily.
“Can I have a copy?”
Isabella couldn’t help but inwardly laugh at how easily she’d taken the bait.
“Why should I give you?”
Xanthea knew full well it wouldn’t be so easy, “Name your price. Money or connections? Just say it.”
There she went again with her condescending attitude, which Isabella loathed the most, as if she was doing charity for a beggar.
Isabella was infuriated, “Xanthea, cut the sanctimonious act. I’m currently the most sought–after actress in the industry, with blockbuster roles and endorsements coming my way. Do I look like I need your charity?”
Xanthea had only asked out of reflex and was taken aback by Isabella’s sensitivity.
“So, what do you want?”
“I want to beat you!” Isabella clenched her fist, her eyes burning with determination.
“I want you to start from scratch, and become more famous than me in six months! Beat me in fan count, critical acclaim, and market value, every aspects. If you do, III hand over the photos. If not, you’ll admit defeat publicly, on a giant screen for the whole world to see that you, Xanthea, are no match for me!”
Xanthea was momentarily stunned by her fierce words, and then nonchalantly pulled out her phone. “No need for all that trouble. I just register an account and admit it right now.”
“Xanthea, are you mocking me?” Isabella’s voice pierced the air, causing Xanthea physical discomfort. She massaged her ears, gazing at her in utter confusion.
Had she lost her marbles gradually through mimicking her day by day? It seemed in Isabella’s life, surpassing Xanthea was her biggest obsession; that was why she’d make such a ludicrous demand.
Although Xanthea wasn’t typically engrossed in showbiz, she knew from the constant media buzz that Isabella was on fire. Having started her career in TV and ads from a young age and graduated from a top theatre academy, she had built a significant reputation. To think she could surpass that in just six months was indeed a tall order.
“Well, do you accept?” Isabella pressed, “If not, I’m destroying those photos right now!”
“I-I accept!” Xanthea blurted out hastily.
Now that Matthew and Miranda were wary of her, capturing such photos again would be near impossible. Even if there was a one–in–a–thousand chance to get those pictures from Isabella, she couldn’t let it slide..
“Ha.”
Isabella sneered upon hearing her quick agreement. Xanthea really hadn’t taken her seriously, agreeing even to such an impossible task. “Just you wait” Isabella thought, “I will not lose in the field I excel at and take pride in. This time, I will beat you and crush you completely