Endless sundays 7 papara.., p.14
Endless Sundays 7: Paparazzi Attack, page 14
Celeste, who hadn't yet graduated from Uni, wasn't really suited for such "formal" social occasions. She couldn't remain as composed as Charlotte.
However, if it was her mistake, she would apologize—that was just her nature.
Jasmine looked at Celeste holding her glass and smiled slightly, raising her own glass in acknowledgment.
The apology was accepted.
Jasmine had no interest in holding a grudge against the likes of Celeste. A CEO vs. a College student... the difference was too much.
She also wouldn't hold anything against Celeste just because she was Seraphine's daughter—she wouldn't "take her anger out on her." In Jasmine's eyes, Celeste posed no threat at all!
After Jasmine and Celeste drank, the atmosphere in the room eased considerably.
Charlotte watched Jasmine set down her glass, but didn't feel she owed an apology.
Usually, she should have apologized.
But Jasmine had said such harsh things to her! She had her pride, too!
"Miss Charlotte, aren't you going to answer me?" Jasmine set down her wine glass and turned her gaze back to Charlotte. "Since you think so highly of my Alexander, when are you two fucki..."
"Miss Doran!" Charlotte interrupted Jasmine, then slightly furrowed her brows. "Don't you find this utterly absurd? Mr. Ciotta and I just met today. What exactly are you suspecting between us?"
"You're the one who came to New York to find him, aren't you?" Jasmine countered.
"Yes!" Charlotte admitted, then added, "But I came to discuss signing him for his debut, not to pursue anything romantic with him. As you said earlier, I don't even know him well. You can't just assume something would happen between us just because I... praised him."
"Since you don't know him well, then why do you assume that I'm the one preventing him from debuting? Do you think I'm controlling him? Rather than it being his own choice not to debut? Miss Charlotte, could you tell me what you think of me, Jasmine Doran? That I'm domineering? That I'm unreasonable?" Jasmine looked directly into Charlotte's eyes, firing off a series of questions.
Charlotte found herself momentarily speechless.
It wasn't that she didn't have answers - they were just difficult to voice aloud! She did indeed hold prejudices against Jasmine, or rather, "stereotypes" formed based on rumors!
"You think I'm obstructing Alexander's entry into the entertainment industry, and you're hostile toward me because of that, aren't you?" Jasmine pressed further.
Charlotte remained silent again, because that was precisely what she thought!
The private room fell into silence once more!
Jasmine's presence was quite intimidating, and Charlotte's eloquence couldn't match hers.
It could be said that Jasmine completely "overpowered" both Charlotte and Celeste.
"My Alexander... is quite popular with women." Jasmine rested her hand on her wine glass, unconsciously picking it up and giving it a light swirl. After speaking, she instinctively glanced at Celeste.
She wouldn't mention Seraphine to Celeste - that would be too despicable, something she wouldn't stoop to.
Charlotte, however, sensed an underlying meaning in Jasmine's words, though she couldn't quite grasp what exactly Jasmine was implying.
"Miss Charlotte." Jasmine paused briefly before speaking again while looking at Charlotte. "Why don't we be frank with each other? Just tell me - when! Are you going to climb into bed with Alexander..."
"This is utterly ridiculous!" Charlotte interrupted again, laughing in frustration. "Miss Doran, let me reiterate! I came to find Mr. Ciotta to sign him to my company for his official debut as a musician. I greatly admire his talent, but that's all there is to it. What you're suggesting will never happen!"
"Never?" Jasmine questioned.
"Never!" Charlotte stated with particular certainty.
"Are you sure?" Jasmine pressed again.
"I'm sure, absolutely sure!" Charlotte emphasized.
Jasmine paused for a moment, then, looking directly into Charlotte's eyes, said: "I don't believe you!"
At that moment, Charlotte felt like she was about to lose her mind. She even wondered if Jasmine might be mentally unstable?!
Charlotte wanted to lash out, but she restrained herself.
Because when you traced this matter back to its origin, she was somewhat in the wrong! She was the one who had initially created this unfriendly atmosphere!
More importantly, if this matter were to spread, it would be very damaging to her reputation. Being in the entertainment industry, Charlotte understood all too well the power of rumors!
"Miss Doran, whether you believe it or not, Alexander and I have a completely platonic relationship." Charlotte spoke again, "I admire Alexander's talent. His decision not to debut is a loss for the entire music industry. Since you're not in the music business, Miss Doran, you might not fully understand what kind of miracle Alexander has created..."
Even now, Charlotte hadn't given up on persuading Alexander to debut. She had nothing to feel guilty about - innocence would prove itself. The real issue was Jasmine's suspicion!
She still wanted to convince Jasmine!
"Let's make a bet." Jasmine, who had been listening, suddenly interrupted.
Charlotte was momentarily stunned before asking, "What bet? About what?"
"A bet on whether you'll fall in love....and in bed with Alexander." Jasmine said, while looking directly into Charlotte's eyes, her expression was subtle.
She had "learned to be bad"!
From Alexander!
People change, and Jasmine had, too. Having been tricked by Alexander many times before, she had naturally picked up some tricks herself!
…….
Meanwhile.
Out in the hallway, there was a junction in the middle of the corridor. On either side of the smaller branching hallway were the men's and women's restrooms.
Alexander had already emerged from the men's room but hadn't left the hallway. Instead, he stood at the end of the smaller corridor, one hand in his pocket, gazing out the window.
As if waiting for someone.
Naturally, he was waiting for someone!
Ding! The elevator doors opened at the far end of the long corridor.
"Boss!"
"Boss!"
The bodyguards in the hallway greeted the newcomer.
Seraphine had arrived!
Hearing the commotion, Alexander turned and walked out.
"How's the situation?" In the long corridor, Seraphine asked hurriedly as she walked.
"Nothing serious for now, they're having dinner inside," a bodyguard replied.
The sound of footsteps grew closer to the junction. Soon, Seraphine was about to pass by the intersection when Alexander emerged from the smaller corridor. They came face to face.
Seeing Alexander, Seraphine was momentarily surprised, then immediately stepped forward, took his arm, and walked with him back into the smaller corridor. As they walked, Seraphine asked in a low voice.
"What's going on? Why is Jasmine having... conflicts with my daughter?" The moment Seraphine spoke, her tone unconsciously became much softer and sweeter.
When Seraphine asked, Alexander turned to look at her.
It was evident that Seraphine had come in a hurry, as she wasn't wearing any makeup—completely bare-faced.
Seraphine was a woman who pursued perfection and refinement in her life; she rarely appeared without makeup, at the very least wearing a light layer. She only allowed others to see her at her best!
Today, however, was an exception!
Naturally, it was for her daughter, Celeste Lark. Alexander could even imagine how the bodyguard had reported the situation to her…
He had precisely calculated that the bodyguard would inform Seraphine, and that she would come, so he timed his exit to wait for her!
That said, even without makeup, Seraphine still possessed a beauty that could topple cities! Her skin was as flawless as a young girl's!
"It's not a conflict, just a misunderstanding," Alexander explained.
"A misunderstanding? What kind of misunderstanding?" Seraphine took Alexander's arm and led him to the window at the end of the small corridor before stopping. "It's not because of you, is it?"
Seraphine gave Alexander a playful, teasing look.
"Why else?" Alexander smiled. "If it weren't for me, how would she have even met Jasmine?"
Hearing this, Seraphine felt a wave of relief. She had previously suspected that Jasmine might be causing trouble for her daughter because of her.
But now, from Alexander's words, it seemed that wasn't the case!
"So, what is the misunderstanding?" Seraphine asked again, her voice soft and sweet.
"Your daughter suspects I'm being kept by a wealthy woman," Alexander said with a laugh.
Seraphine's expression shifted dramatically. Her first instinct was to think her daughter had suspected her, but she quickly realized it couldn't be her—it must be Jasmine!
"She knows my family runs a small shop, an ordinary background. So, the car I drive and the watch I wear made her think…"
"Then, she had a phone call with Jasmine. Your daughter called me, but I was in the shower, so Jasmine answered. You know how Jasmine usually talks…"
"As for debuting, I'm not going to debut. I told her so, and she suspected I was being controlled by an 'old hag'…"
In just a minute or two, Alexander briefly outlined the situation and finally mentioned what was happening inside the private room.
"Now the misunderstanding is cleared up, but Charlotte Langford still thinks that, given Jasmine's strong personality, it must be Jasmine who's stopping me from debuting…"
The more Seraphine listened, the more relieved she felt. She was no longer worried about her daughter. According to Alexander, from the moment Jasmine entered the room, her daughter's misunderstanding of Jasmine had been resolved.
That meant her daughter wouldn't go looking for trouble anymore!
However…
While feeling relieved, Seraphine's expression grew increasingly playful. By the time Alexander finished speaking, the corners of her lips were slightly upturned, her demeanor very subtle.
"So?" Seraphine asked Alexander.
"So what?" Alexander smiled.
"So what kind of trick are you playing?" Seraphine leaned closer to Alexander, placing a hand on his shoulder and lowering her voice even further.
As she did this, she pressed her soft bust against his chest, rubbing her breasts against him. Her flowery scent flooded his senses: "You could have explained this clearly much earlier, couldn't you?"
Seraphine had directly pinpointed the "key issue"! Today's incident didn't have to happen! Alexander wasn't the type to let a situation spiral out of control! So… he had done it on purpose!
"I did deny it," Alexander said with a smile.
"Just a denial? Why not explain? Are you doing this on purpose?" Seraphine gently poked Alexander's chest with her finger, whispering softly with a smile, "Do you have your eyes on Charlotte Langford? Want something to happen with her?"
After speaking, Seraphine slightly raised an eyebrow at Alexander.
"Don't say things carelessly. Miss Langford and I only met today," Alexander responded, neither admitting nor denying anything.
"Hmph." Seraphine let out a delicate snort, giving Alexander a "keep pretending" look before chiding him with a coquettish tone, "You bad boy!"
Seraphine saw right through everything!
In this regard, her judgment aligned perfectly with Jasmine Doran's—both suspected Alexander might have something going on with Charlotte Langford!
The difference was that Seraphine didn't mind Alexander having other women. After all, she herself could be considered "the other woman." Their positions differed, and so did their mindsets. Seraphine even had the mood to tease Alexander about it!
Seraphine suddenly took Alexander's hand and looked at his wrist.
A new watch, but not the one she had bought for him!
"Did Jasmine buy it?" Seraphine asked softly.
"Yes." Alexander smiled and nodded.
Seraphine said nothing, her expression shifting slightly before she gestured and said, "I'm going to touch up my makeup. I'll join you all shortly."
"Alright." Alexander smiled.
Seraphine glanced toward the corridor intersection—only the female bodyguard Saryn stood there. None of the other bodyguards or restaurant staff were in that area.
Turning back to Alexander, Seraphine stretched out her arms, hooked them around his neck, stood on her toes, and gave him a quick kiss.
Or so she intended. But as their lips locked together, she leaned more into it, their tongues meeting out in the open. Lewdly intertwining around one another.
Pulling back, cheeks beautifully flushed, she pursed her lips and said sweetly, "I'm off."
"Then I'll head back first," Alexander replied.
Seraphine nodded, then entered the women's restroom nearby with her purse.
Alexander left.
Returning to the private room.
The moment Alexander stepped inside, he sensed the atmosphere had shifted. Compared to the harmony when he had left, the room now felt noticeably colder. Though not exactly tense, everyone seemed somewhat off.
Celeste Lark appeared uneasy.
Charlotte Langford's gaze toward Alexander had become somewhat unnatural.
"What were you all discussing?" Alexander asked casually as he sat down beside Jasmine, smiling.
"About you," Jasmine replied, swirling her red wine glass and glancing at him. "Miss Langford particularly admires you and hopes you'll debut."
"As I've said before, that's not where my ambitions lie," Alexander responded with a smile, then turned to Charlotte. "Miss Langford, some things can't be forced."
"I understand," Charlotte said, looking at Alexander before glancing at Jasmine. After a pause, she smiled toward Alexander again, "However... Mr. Ciotta, even if you have no intention of debuting as a singer, we could still find opportunities to collaborate, right?"
"Such as?" Alexander asked in return.
"For example..." Charlotte continued, "Mr. Ciotta could sign with my company as a songwriter—I'd welcome that very much! Or we could collaborate with you as a freelance songwriter! I wonder if you'd consider..."
"That might be worth considering. Shouldn't be a problem," Alexander smiled.
"Then let's collaborate happily in the future!" Charlotte raised her red wine glass toward Alexander while casting another glance at Jasmine.
Alexander actually sensed a hint of provocation in Charlotte's expression!
"Pleasure working together!" Alexander raised his glass as well, simultaneously keeping an eye on Jasmine nearby.
Alexander knew Jasmine was planning to stir up trouble today!
And now, during his brief absence, she had already made her move!
He just didn't know the specifics.
Alexander was deeply intrigued!
What could possibly make the usually composed Charlotte Langford feel provoked by Jasmine? How much had Jasmine managed to agitate her?
"Let's all drink together," Alexander suggested again.
Jasmine raised her glass, and Celeste followed suit.
They clinked glasses and drank up!
After setting down his glass, Alexander tilted his head and quietly asked Jasmine, "What did you just do?"
Jasmine leaned closer to Alexander, assuming a conspiratorial posture.
"I made a bet with Charlotte," Jasmine murmured with a sidelong glance, the corners of her lips curling slightly.
"A bet?" Alexander's eyebrows rose.
He immediately understood - Jasmine was mimicking his tactics! Though he wondered how well she'd mastered them.
"What was the bet about?" Alexander pressed softly.
"Guess," Jasmine whispered before suddenly laughing.
She wasn't going to tell him!
Truly "giving someone a taste of their own medicine"!
Alexander had always told Jasmine to "guess" before - and now she'd learned to use it against him!
"Are you sure you won't tell me?" Alexander asked with a smile.
"Not telling. Nope! What are you going to do about it?" Jasmine laughed back, clearly trying to provoke him.
"In that case..." Alexander abruptly raised his head and asked Charlotte in a normal volume with a smile, "Miss Langford, you just made a bet with Jasmine, didn't you? What was it about?"
After asking, he glanced at Celeste, too.
All three women in the private room simultaneously changed expressions, momentarily stunned.
How dare Alexander ask directly like this! Wasn't he afraid of causing a scene?!
Jasmine felt... so infuriated again!
The room fell silent. For a moment, no one spoke. Charlotte didn't know how to respond to Alexander - she truly couldn't bring herself to say it.
"No one wants to tell me?" Alexander asked with a smile again, then turned to Celeste. "Miss Lark, perhaps you could tell me?"
"Um, this..." Celeste appeared deeply uncomfortable, truly embarrassed—she couldn't bring herself to say it!
"Miss Doran bet with me..." Charlotte began, figuring Alexander would find out eventually anyway. Now was as good a time as any to speak up—they couldn't let the atmosphere remain this tense.
"What?" Alexander smiled as he turned to Charlotte.
"Miss Doran claimed I would fall in love with you, Mr. Ciotta, and even asked when I'd sleep with you," Charlotte replied with a magnetic smile.
She had calmed down since! The more Jasmine doubted her, the more composed she became—her conscience was clear! Given her status and life experience, there was nothing she dared not say.
The private room fell silent once more.
"Is that so..." Alexander paused briefly before smiling again. "And what did you wager?"
"We bet on whether I'd fall in love with you! I said no, while Miss Doran insisted yes!" Charlotte explained calmly. "If I lose, I'll kneel and apologize to Miss Doran!"
Alexander's eyebrows lifted slightly.
Jasmine was copying his methods! Knowing Charlotte's temperament, Alexander had to admit Jasmine was shrewd—she'd actually managed to provoke Charlotte into accepting such a bet!
