Chapter 117

Lucy White recounted everything about the Powell family and the blood mage to Ethan Smith.

For some reason, she felt an inexplicable trust in him.

Besides, this matter involved the Special Operations Division, and providing intel was part of her duty.

Ethan wasn’t originally assigned to this case—it had been delegated to Agent Hanks by the deputy director. But since Lucy was involved, he decided to take charge personally.

"I’ll relay the intel on the Powells and the witch to Hanks so they can proceed with caution," he said, pausing briefly. "You’ll be notified as soon as we have results."

Lucy nodded. "Let me know if you need any help."

"Will do." A faint smile flickered in Ethan’s eyes.

Over the next two days, Lucy and Ethan coached the trainees in the rehearsal studio.

With the live performance approaching, tension ran high among the contestants.

Lucy’s team had the smoothest rehearsals, and everyone was confident.

Michael Johnson and Olivia Davis’s group, along with Robert Lee and William Jones’s team, were also progressing well.

Only Lily Green and Vanessa Knight’s team kept running into issues.

Though Vanessa disliked Lily, she kept her snide remarks minimal for the sake of the performance, reserving her real retaliation for the next livestream.

The problem was Lily herself—she insisted on taking both the vocal and dance center positions.

Vanessa refused, and the two argued endlessly.

After Lily’s public persona collapsed in the previous episodes, the other trainees had little patience for her.

When Vanessa suggested letting another contestant take the center spot, everyone voted in favor.

Furious, Lily half-heartedly went through the motions during rehearsals, resulting in a lackluster performance.

She secretly called Oliver Knight to vent.

Though she’d entered Morning Star Entertainment through Liam Parker’s connections, it was Oliver who secured her the best opportunities.

Liam remained oblivious to their secret affair.

After hearing Lily’s tearful complaints, Oliver’s resentment toward Vanessa deepened.

Any lingering guilt he’d felt about breaking off their engagement vanished—now, Vanessa was just being unreasonable.

"Don’t worry, I’ll handle it," he soothed.

Soon after, Morning Star Entertainment pressured the director to replace Vanessa.

In the past, the director wouldn’t have dared to defy Oliver.

But with Ethan backing him now, he stood his ground.

"Sorry, the guest lineup is finalized. No changes," he flatly refused.

When Oliver learned Ethan was involved, he had no choice but to back down—for now.

He arranged to meet Vanessa at an upscale restaurant.

Vanessa was already waiting in the private room when he arrived, elegantly pouring a glass of red wine.

"Try this. It’s your favorite vintage."

Oliver forced a smile and picked at his food.

"Vanessa, there’s something I need to discuss."

She set down her fork, dabbing her lips with a napkin. "Go ahead."

"Could you drop out of the show?" he asked bluntly.

Vanessa scoffed. "Or should I say—stop bothering your little mistress?"

Her gaze sharpened. "Don’t tell me you’re actually serious about that white lotus?"

They’d been engaged since childhood, and she’d always seen Oliver as her future husband.

She’d even fallen in love with him.

Until she discovered his affair with Lily.

"I’m sorry. I have feelings for her," Oliver admitted frankly.

Vanessa froze as if struck by lightning. "What did you just say?"

"Let’s call off the engagement," he said firmly. "Our joint project is wrapping up. It’s the perfect time."

Her face paled. "You’d throw me away for her?"

"Twenty years together, and you choose some two-bit actress?" Her voice trembled.

Oliver’s expression darkened. "Lily is a good person. Show some respect."

"And stop harassing her. I pursued her."

From the moment he’d first seen Lily, he’d felt an inexplicable pull—a sense of destiny Vanessa had never inspired.

Not to mention the unparalleled passion Lily brought to their intimate moments.

Vanessa clenched her napkin so tightly her nails dug into her palms.

Suddenly, she snatched her wineglass and hurled its contents into Oliver’s face.

"Fine, Oliver Knight! Break the engagement if you want!" Her voice shook with fury. "Don’t you dare regret it!"

Red wine dripped down Oliver’s face as he wiped himself off, glaring. "You’ve lost your mind!"

"I won’t regret a thing," he spat. "Lily is a thousand times the woman you are."

Vanessa fought back tears as she stormed out of the room.

She wouldn’t let anyone see her vulnerability.

Least of all the man who’d betrayed her.