Chapter 7 A Betâs a Bet Listening to the crowd say that it was Melanie who had been the sole pillar to support Bryanâs media firm, his parents did not seem to be happy with it. However, they still had to put a smile on their faces.
The directors of Jones Enterprise quickly took this opportunity to close the deals with the partners as they hung big smiles on their faces.
Melanie quietly looked at the peopleâs faces and cheekily smiled at them.
âA betâs a bet. Now letâs enjoy Lenaâs performance.â
Melanieâs sudden, sharp voice pierced through the clamor of the crowd. It was only when she pointed it out that they remembered Lenaâs unfulfilled promise. She was an influencer, so the crowd playfully teased her, eagerly anticipating her singing.
âMy throat doesnât feel good today.â Lena waved her hands as she gave an excuse.
âYouâre an influencer who has released several singles. Is it that hard to sing in front of everyone?â
âQuit giving excuses. You still can sing even if your throat isnât at its best. Whereâs your professionalism? I even wondered if youâre the one behind your songs.â
Hearing this, Lena had no choice but to go up the stage and stand in front of the microphone.
Once the music began, Lena started to hum along. As she sang softly, the backstage sound engineer played the music even softer. As a result, the crowd could clearly hear that Lenaâs singing was completely off-key, and a commotion erupted among the crowd below the stage...
âWhat the hell?â
âYouâll kill someone with this voice!â
âI remembered that Lenaâs singles were pretty decent. Donât tell me itâs all fake...â
Bryan got back to his senses and quickly asked the staff, âWhat are you doing? Shut it off!â
âMr. West, Iâm not sure what happened, but it seems like the sound system is having some issues. I canât turn it off.â
âCut off the power!â Bryan shouted.
After the power was cut off, the ballroom fell into darkness. The crowd started discussing if Bryan did all these just to protect Lena. Why did it feel like Bryan loved Lena more than Melanie, his fiancée? When Melanie was framed a few moments ago, he did not even stand up for her...
Two minutes later, the staff came to Bryan, panting. âMr. West, Iâm not sure who started the emergency generator. Itâs useless even if I cut off the power.â
âThatâs enough.â Bryan was exhausted.
Although Lenaâs performance lasted only for a few moments, the crowd felt awfully sick after listening to her sing. It would be funny to say that her singing was out of tune because Lena hummed along like she was mourning at a funeral. The crowd felt like they were forced to listen to her terrible singing, and it was utterly disgusting.
Lena held her tears as she clenched her teeth. She could not help but feel embarrassed.
Melanie stood in the crowd, staring coldly at what was happening. This was only the beginning of what she had prepared for Lena and Bryan as a bigger surprise awaited them.
She went out of the ballroom with Annie and asked, âHave you arranged your men?â
âConsider it done.â
Annie patted her chest to assure Melanie. âThe entire ballroom is installed with CCTV with no dead angle. The bug that you planted in Bryanâs breast pocket...someoneâs listening to him as well.
âIâll make them pay for what theyâve done to you!â Annie was mad at them on behalf of Melanie as she cursed.
Hearing this, Melanie asked her to stay low since she had already moved past her most intense anger. She then added, âNow itâs time for us to attack!â
âYes, attack!â
Annie calmed down a little and said, âOh, yeah. Lena had placed a gigolo in your guest room. Donât worry, my men have sorted everything out. You wonât have any unexpected encounters in your room tonight.â
Melanie nodded. It appeared that Lena and Bryan planned to completely ruin her reputation by making her lose her virginity before their engagement ceremony. However, everything was under her control.
âBut I find it rather odd that they put a gigolo in your room without tampering with your drink. Did you drink anything just now?
You must be extra careful,â Annie cautioned.
âYeah.â
Melanie did not touch anything at the party just now, but she was concerned. âThereâs a chance that they might have tampered with my drink. However, to be safe, I think I should check my room.â
Bryan had invited all the elites from around the world to this Gala.
The party was expected to last until late at night. Starlight Lounge was located near the seaside, so Bryan had prepared guest rooms for his guests to spend the night and attend his engagement ceremony the following day.
Once she opened the door, Melanie was stunned.
Annie told her that her men had dealt with the gigolo, did she not? So, why was there another man in her room?
Besides, it was no ordinary man.