Chapter 558

Sophie slipped her phone out of her pocket and dialed Nathalie’s number, but there was no answer.

She mumbled, slightly embarrassed, “Just wait a bit longer. The tip can’t be wrong.”

She couldn’t be certain if Nathalie was leading her on a wild goose chase. And now, Nathalie was suddenly out of reach. Sophie was starting to panic.

Just at that moment…

One of the reporters piped up, “Look over there, isn’t that the same middle-aged woman from this morning? She’s back again.”

Everyone shifted their gaze. “She looks pretty plain, seems like she’s got an average family life.”

“She’s been here since this morning. I was the first to arrive, and she was already waiting. Even after lunch, she came back and continued to wait. Doesn’t look like any media folk to me.”

“Could she be Allison’s mother?” someone speculated.

“No way?!” another voiced in disbelief.

“That can’t be right. Why would Allison’s mother dress like that? She looks like… she’s far too modestly dressed.”

“Yeah, if she were Allison’s mother, why would she be waiting out here instead of going inside?”

The crowd started buzzing with all sorts of comments.

Sophie had no clue, as she had never met Allison’s mom.

“Why not just go ask her?” someone suggested.

Sophie approached the woman. “Ma’am, are you thirsty? I’ve got an extra bottle of water.”

Grace turned around. “No, I’m fine.”

But she had been waiting there all morning; she had to be parched. Grace was used to being frugal, not the type to spend a few bucks on a bottle of water. She licked her lips, and Sophie insisted, “I happen to have a spare bottle. Take it if you’re thirsty.”

Grace didn’t refuse again. “Thank you, dear.” After a few sips, she seemed much more comfortable.

Cautiously, Sophie asked, “Ma’am, what brings you here? Are you waiting for Allison?”

Sophie had purposefully framed the question. She didn’t know if the middle-aged woman was Allison’s mother, but as a reporter, she asked out of instinct, ready to backtrack if the woman didn’t recognize the name.

Grace faltered, “How do you know my daughter?”

Sophie’s face lit up. “So, you’re Allison’s mom?”

Her voice wasn’t low, so the surrounding reporters overheard and immediately swarmed around Grace.

Sophie was thrilled; this was the scoop of the month. “Ma’am, why aren’t you inside?”

Grace sighed. “I can’t go in. I’ll just wait for her here. Who are you all? Please, don’t bother me…”

Grace felt uneasy amongst these strangers and stood up, ready to leave.

But the media wouldn’t let a hot story slip through their fingers that easily.

“Ma’am, you must have heard about your daughter Allison’s scandal. What’s your opinion on it?”

“Are the pictures really of Allison? Is there some sort of misunderstanding?”

You seem modestly dressed and can’t even enter Epic Entertainment. Is it possible that your daughter Allison is mistreating you?”

The media descended upon her with a barrage of questions. Grace felt overwhelmed, barely able to catch her breath under the weight of their inquiries. Her head buzzed, and facing the crowd, she realized these were the vultures waiting outside Epic Entertainment. In that moment, they swarmed like bees to honey.

Grace froze.

“I… I don’t know. Allison isn’t like that… She’s always been good, ever since she was a kid. Please, don’t trouble her, and leave me alone.”