Chapter 197

Chapter 197:

Sadie maintained her composure. “I’ll handle things as they unfold. The rumors will cease once people see they have no impact on me. Ultimately, the truth will prevail.”

Tina admired Sadie’s calm demeanor, though it also stirred a touch of sadness within her.

At that moment, Sadie’s phone buzzed.

She looked at the caller ID to see it was Pierre, her assistant.

“Hello,” Sadie answered.

“Miss Hudson, I located the paparazzo. He’s willing to meet this evening at Azure Mist Cafe.”

“Okay, understood. I’ll meet him at seven. You’ll come with me.”

“Will do, Miss Hudson.”

After ending the call, Sadie set her phone down on the desk.

Tina glanced at her, uncertainty clear in her expression.

“Sadie…” she said tentatively.

Looking up, Sadie offered a slight smile. “I’m okay. Just some matters to address.”

As dusk settled, the city’s lights flickered to life.

The ambiance inside Azure Mist Cafe was cozy, illuminated by gentle, warm lighting.

Seated by the window, Sadie and Pierre awaited the arrival of the paparazzo.

Pierre looked around nervously, while Sadie perused the files she had brought with a calm demeanor.

Soon, a man clad in a black jacket and a baseball cap approached and took the seat opposite them.

He took off his cap, revealing a rather untrustworthy face. “Hi, I’m Jarrod Bates.”

The magic happens on gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs․ç𝗈𝗺

Sadie looked up. “You’re the one who took those photos?”

Jarrod’s expression carried a hint of arrogance. “Yes, I took them.”

“Who put you up to it?” Sadie inquired, her gaze piercing as she fixed her eyes on him.

Caught off guard by her directness, Jarrod hesitated.

“I decided to take them on my own…”

Sadie scoffed. “Really? Mr. Bates, do you expect me to believe that?” She leaned in a bit closer.

Jarrod shifted uncomfortably, recoiling slightly from her intense scrutiny.

“The technique was sophisticated, the angles carefully chosen. You’re clearly professional; such precision isn’t typical of random paparazzi, who prefer clear, simple shots. You focused on blurring my face and capturing the exact moment Beccy handed me the gift, evidently aiming to sway public opinion against me.”

Sadie paused to let her words sink in. “So, who paid you? Five hundred thousand dollars? A million? More?”

Sweat formed on Jarrod’s brow as he squirmed, his eyes flickering with unease.

He had imagined a straightforward job: snap some photos, collect the cash, and vanish.

Yet, here he was, caught in what seemed like an inescapable snare.

Pierre remained quiet, attentively watching the interaction unfold.

He found himself impressed by Sadie’s composed manner.

Sadie allowed the moment to breathe, patiently awaiting Jarrod’s reply.

“You know how it goes in this business, right, Miss Hudson?” Jarrod attempted a calm demeanor, but his voice betrayed his nervousness.

He rubbed his hands, concealing his inner turmoil.

Nonchalantly, Sadie pulled out a bank card from her purse and slid it across the table toward him.

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