"Make way, everyone disperse", a young officer's voice came through, pushing through the crowd followed by a handsome man clad in an officers uniform strolling in indifferently. His eyes scanned the "crime scene", and then the man being held by a little woman.
"Take them both in."
"What?!" the man shrieked. "Why me? I'm the victim, I was assaulted! That bottle isn't mine, it isn't"...
Before he could say another word, the younger officer stepped behind him, twisted his arm smoothly and snapped the handcuffs on with practiced ease.
The man howled.
Madeline simply adjusted her sleeve and gave the officer a smile.
"Let's go."
At the police station, the man immediately began wailing his innocence.
"She attacked me! She almost killed me! I have witnesses!"
Madeline sat across from him, legs crossed, posture relaxed.
The officer looked at both of them before jotting something down and leaving the room.
The moment the door shut, the man's expression changed.
His fear melted into venom.
"You're finished," he hissed. "Do you know who's backing me? You're just a small-time celebrity. You can't afford to offend someone like him, so if you know what's good for you, better don't say any wrong words".
Madeline looked at him slyly, and raised her hand, the man immediately screamed and ducked, covering his head.
She calmly brushed her eyebrow with her fingers a soft laugh escaping her lips.
"You're amusing."
His face flushed red.
She leaned forward slightly, her playful expression disappearing.
"Then you better pray your backer is powerful enough," she said quietly. "Because I plan on destroying you. Piece by piece."
Her eyes were no longer had that smile. They were cold and detached.
The man flinched and lowered his head, suddenly too afraid to speak.
The door opened again.
"Miss Madeline," the officer said, clearing his throat. "Someone is here to bail you out."
She raised her eyebrow in suprise before standing up. She stepped out of the room and immediately saw him.
Jake Myers. Madeline's brother also the CEO of RVT Entertainment, where she was currently signed under.
He stood with his arms folded, looking both irritated and relieved.
He sighed the moment he saw her.
"I leave for four days," he said dryly, "Four days, and you turn your life into a circus. What is wrong with you?"
Madeline dug her finger into her ear casually and walked past him.
"Good to see you too."
Jake pursed his lips and followed behind her.
Outside the station
Reporters were already swarming like flies.
The moment she appeared, cameras surged forward.
Microphones nearly hit her face.
"Madeline! What gives you the right to inflict intentional injury on someone?"
"Did you go to the hospital to confirm your pregnancy?"
"Are you actually pregnant?"
"Did you sleep your way through your career?"
Madeline's eyes blazed.
Jake's expression darkened instantly.
"If you have questions," he said sharply, "they will be addressed by the company."
"Mr. Myers!" another reporter shouted. "Is your company still planning to cover up for her even after what she's done? Is she your mistress? Don't you know she's a murderer?"
That did it.
Madeline suddenly stepped forward.
She snatched the reporter's camera and dropped it onto the pavement.
It shattered.
Gasps erupted.
She turned slowly to face the cameras.
"You better speak with evidence from now on," she said calmly. "Or I will sue every single one of you for defamation."
Her gaze swept the crowd.
"If Mrs. Lee or anyone else claims I caused a miscarriage, then provide proof. Or call the police."
A reporter shouted back, emboldened.
"You want proof? Mr. Lee is holding a press conference tomorrow. He'll provide plenty. You'd better prepare to announce your retirement."
Madeline didn't hesitate.
"Fine," she replied.
Her lips curved slightly.
"Let's settle everything tomorrow."
Across the street.
Inside a black car parked opposite the station,
A man watched the entire scene through tinted windows.
He leaned back slowly, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
"Oh?"
His eyes darkened with interest.
"She finally grew a spine."
He tapped his fingers against the steering wheel.
"Interesting."
Sir should we… a voice came through.
"Let's go back to the office"
Madeline walked towards the black car opposite the station and slid inside.
The first thing she saw was a man staring at her like she had personally betrayed him.
"Oh Madeline," he gasped dramatically. "Why didn't you call me the moment this started? Oh no… I should fire Selena immediately."
Madeline blinked.
It took her a second to remember who he was.
Roco.
Her agent.
She stared at his pink hair, heavily contoured face, and clashing neon outfit and felt an inexplicable wave of irritation.
He leaned closer.
"Maddy, I was so worried."
"Stay away from me," she said flatly, pushing away with her index finger.
Roco froze mid-lean.
"Oh Maddy, I'm just making sure those bloodsuckers didn't hurt you."
The car door on the other side opened.
Jake got in.
The moment he saw them, his jaw tightened.
"Roco," he said dangerously calm. "What instructions did I give you before I left?"
Roco straightened immediately.
"Sir, I…"
"Do you not want your job anymore?" Jake snapped, slamming his palm against the steering wheel. "Why can no one do a single thing right?"
Roco flinched but said nothing. Instead, he turned to Madeline again, giving her that wounded expression.
Madeline spoke calmly.
"I'll take care of it."
That only made Jake angrier.
"Bullshit! All you know how to do is create problems. You don't take care of anything".
"Do you have a laptop?" she interrupted.
Jake froze.
"And lower your voice," she added coolly. "I can hear you even if you whisper. I'm right here, remember?"
The air inside the car shifted.
No one dared to speak to Jake during any of his infamous "anger fits"
Ever.
Jake slowly turned to look at her, her expression was relaxed, no guilt,no remorse just indifference.
"What's wrong with you?" he asked quietly.
"Laptop," she repeated.
After a moment, Jake reached into his side compartment and handed one to her.
"The guy at the station is handled," he said as she opened it. "Let's focus on the scandal."
He turned slightly.
"Roco, get me Lee's new number."
Roco nodded immediately, pulling out his phone to make calls.
Madeline opened the laptop and got to work. Her fingers moving like a blur.
Lines of code flashed across the screen. Green text scrolling rapidly.
Jake's eyes narrowed.
"…What are you doing?"
She didn't answer.
Within minutes, she was in Lee's phone. She went through his call logs and messages, most of it already deleted. She recovered some, not enough for evidence in court as it will be ruled out because it was obtained illegally but more than enough to stir public opinion.
She jotted down an address and closed the laptop.
"Drop me off in the suburbs."
Jake's head snapped toward her.
"What for?"
"I need to handle something."
"We're going home," Jake said firmly. "I'm not letting you out of my sight. And where the hell is Zachary?"
Madeline shrugged, turning her face toward the window.
Streetlights streaked past, cars slowly passing.
Only now did it truly hit her.
She has a new life now, new family and friends and enemies respectively. She chuckled.
She inhaled deeply.
For the first time since waking up
She wasn't so overwhelmed.
She felt…
Alive.