Chapter 158
“You want me to help you break into showbiz?” Freddy was still reeling. Just moments ago, Jamila, who had been trashing him as a pathetic loser, suddenly changed her tune and started begging him for help.
Gone was Jamila’s haughty demeanor. Now, as she gazed at Freddy, her face was all shy sweetness, putting on an exaggeratedly coquettish act.
Freddy’s heart skipped a beat. It was as if he was reliving those sweet days with Jamila. She looked just like she did when they were together. He felt his cheeks flush.
Jake, standing nearby, his face darkening menacingly, grabbed Jamila’s arm in a vice–like grip. “What the hell, Jamila? Now that Freddy’s got connections in showbiz, you’re just going to dump me?”
Jamila’s eyes flashed with fear, but she quickly mustered her courage and shook off Jake’s hand. “Jake, you keep saying you know people in showbiz. Aren’t you just stringing me along?
“It’s been ages, and I haven’t even caught a glimpse of any celebrity.”
With that, Jamila sidled up to Freddy, linked her arm through his, and gazed up at him with exaggerated admiration.
She cooed, “How could you ever compare to our Freddy? He even knows Zander. Can you compete with that?”
For the first time in years, Freddy felt like a huge weight had finally been lifted off his shoulders. He shifted his gaze to Sylvia.
He knew all of this was really thanks to Sylvia. He didn’t actually know Zander at all. It was Sylvia who knew him, and Zander only pretended to know
him as a favor to her.
Sylvia said impassively, “Freddy, don’t look at me. Just do what you think is right. If you want to bring Jamila into showbiz, I won’t object.”
She left the decision to Freddy, while also testing his character.
Freddy nodded, then, in one swift motion, yanked his arm out of Jamila’s grasp, leaving her utterly stunned.
He said, “Honestly, Jamila, the only thing I regret is not seeing through your two–faced act sooner. When you thought I was a nobody, you jumped right
into Jake’s arms.
“Now that you see I’ve got showbiz connections, you’re throwing yourself at me. With someone as fake as you, I want nothing more to do with you.”
At his words, Jamila’s face instantly drained of color.
Standing nearby, Sylvia gave a subtle nod. At last, Freddy hadn’t let her down.
Jamila thought for a while as she fixed Freddy with a sultry gaze. “Darling, please let me explain. I was only with Jake because he forced me. You’ve always had my heart.”
She was confident Freddy still had feelings for her. Back in school, Freddy was basically her doormat. He’d grovel at her feet just to get her attention.
‘Even though Freddy made something of himself now, he’d still come running at my beck and call just like before, Jamila the
nugly.
Freddy shot her a look of utter contempt. “Jamila, stop calling me Darling anymore. What the hell do you think? Drop the act, you gold–digging bitch. Get the hell out of my sight.”
Her betrayal back then had left Freddy hurting for ages. He’d once yanked Jamila right out of Jake’s bed. Now that he’d finally gotten his payback, a wave of relief washed over him.
Sylvia nodded at Freddy and said, “Stay away from trash like her. She’ll only corrupt you. Let’s go. They’re not worth our time.”
Freddy saw Sylvia in a completely new light. He was stubborn as a mule. He’d only ever listen to his mom. For once, Freddy didn’t hesitate. He just
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Chapter 158
agreed right away.
Before long, Freddy and Sylvia returned to the village together.
Freddy parked his motorcycle in front of his house. After Sylvia got off the motorcycle, he hesitated for a moment, a little awkwardly, then walk and said, “Thanks for earlier.”
Sylvia said indifferently, “It’s no big deal. So, have you decided to come back to Silverton with me? You like Zander, right? if you come back, youth got to meet him.”
Freddy shook his head. “Come on, I know those video calls with Zander were fake, With Al these days, you can make anyone talk or move with just single photo–even have a whole conversation with them.”
Sylvia was momentarily taken aback. Clearly, Freddy had been burned too many times. After everything he had been through, he just didn’t buy any of this anymore.
But Sylvia didn’t bother explaining further. Changing someone’s mind was never easy, especially when someorie was as stubborn as Freddy.
“As long as you come back to Silverton with me, I promise you’ll get to meet Zander in person,” she said.
Freddy hesitated. “I still can’t go to Silverton. What about my mom? Her leg condition hasn’t fully recovered.”
“We can arrange for someone to look after her. Don’t worry about the cost. I’ll handle everything.” Sylvia was trying her best to persuade Freddy.
She hoped to soften his heart and get him to reveal Joanna as the mastermind behind it all.
Without another word, Freddy pushed open the door and went inside. Sylvia followed close behind him.
Night had fallen. Sylvia decided to say goodbye to Freddy’s mother, Casey, before returning to Silverton.
Freddy took a couple of steps, then hesitated and glanced back at Sylvia. After a long pause, he finally managed to say, “About what happened before, I just wanted to say I’m sorry.”
Sylvia knew exactly what he meant, the motorcycle incident when he ran into her. Upon seeing him finally admit it, her tone turned urgent. “Who put you up to it? Could you tell me?”
Freddy shook his head and said, “I’m sorry, but I owe that person too much to say anything. If you want to call the police, I’ll take full responsibility.” Sylvia frowned. ‘So Joanna actually did Freddy a favor,‘ she thought. ‘Getting him to expose her as the mastermind is going to be an uphill battle.
“Besides hitting me with your bike, have you been involved in any other illegal activities?” Sylvia couldn’t help but ask.
Freddy flushed with shame and hung his head. “That was the first time I’d ever done something like this.
“Before that, I used to work as a motorcycle stunt performer, but my last company terminated my contract and made me pay a penalty. I was desperate for money, so I took the job.”
He lied about being an experienced hand just to land the job, but when he actually hit Sylvia, he was pale with terror, L
Byron
So when the motorbike missed Sylvia but hit Byron instead, Freddy panicked and fled the scene without a second thought.
errified.
Sylvia felt somewhat relieved at his words. “I hope you’re telling me the truth. If there’s anything else illegal in your past, tell me now. Maybe it’s still not too late to come clean.”
Freddy stood firm. “Absolutely not. I swear. I wouldn’t have resorted to such extremes ift hadn’t been driven into a corner. Besides, that person reached out to me first and promised me a fortune.”
Sylvia gave an imperceptible nod, but she wasn’t about to just take his word for it.
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Chapter 158
Sylvia planned to use her own connections to check Freddy’s background and see if he had any prior criminal record.
‘If he’s really clean, maybe I could give him a spot in my entertainment company. After all, he used to be a stunt performer, Sylvia wonders
With that, Freddy turned and headed home. As soon as he pushed open the small wooden gate, he was shocked to see his mother by the slow en while leaning on her crutch.
“Mom, you’re up already? Doesn’t your leg hurt?” he hurried over to steady her.
Casey’s leg was still in a cast. When she first came home, even the slightest touch would cause excruciating pain, yet to his astonishment, she was now able to cook.
Casey’s face lit up with a smile as she looked at Sylvia, who had just come in. “That medicine Ms. Sullivan gave me worked wonders. My leg doesn’t hurt at all now. If it weren’t for this cast, I’d be up and about already.”
AD
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