Chapter 148
148 New Scandalous Rumor
148 New Scandalous Rumor
Sandy nearly cracked a tooth from clenching her jaw.
“She’s my sister–in–law.”
“What?”
Rachel gasped and quickly covered her mouth.
But then she remembered seeing Alice’s face online, and it all clicked.
She hurriedly pulled out her phone to compare.
“It really is her! Sandy, what do we do? Should we tell your brother?”
Sandy held up her phone and snapped photos from every angle.
“No rush. And don’t breathe a word of this, you got
it? ”
Rachel nodded eagerly.
She knew how powerful Nolan Group was.c
All she wanted now was to stay on Sandy’s good side and land a job at Nolan Group after graduation.
Everything else? Not her business.
“You can count on me,” she promised, zipping her lips dramatically.
“Mouth shut, sealed with a lock.”
Sandy glanced back across the way.
Alice had just finished speaking with Byron and was about to leave when he stopped her.
“Just remembered something,” he said, jogging to her car and lowering his voice.
Alice checked her phone–Daniel had already texted, reminding her to hurry back. He’d also sent an update: Eric had been invited to a chess tournament.
That changed things. It meant the event needed to be bumped up on her calendar.
“Make it quick,” she said. “I’ve got other things to take care of.”
She figured Eric would want to ask if she’d be participating.
It’d be easier to talk face–to–face.
Byron pulled an envelope from his coat.
“Here. This is for you.”
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11:58 Mon , 14 JU OVIN
148 New Scandalous Rumor
Alice frowned as she took it.
It was an invitation to the chess tournament.
It was a high–profile event. If it weren’t, Irene wouldn’t have gone to such great lengths to score a spot .
But Alice found this annoying.
To her, it was just a waste of time.
The person she was looking for wouldn’t be at some chess event.
Then, Byron added in a low voice, “I found out someone from Ouroboros will be there.”
Alice’s gaze darkened in an instant.)
The person who’d hurt her mentor had mentioned Ouroboros before disappearing.
She would never let go of a lead like that.
“Okay. Got it.”
She took the invitation and skimmed it.
It was addressed to the Oracle of Chess–Ghostwing.
They called her Ghostwing because of how ruthless her plays were–like a ghostly predator soaring through the sky, never giving her opponents a chance to breathe.
Many who had played against her ended up walking away in despair.
“I’m heading out,” she said.
Byron called after her, “So, are you going?”
After all, the invitation had come from Gary–Alice’s brother.
It was only polite to show up.
Otherwise, Byron wouldn’t have bothered delivering it himself.
Alice was already in the car.
“Depends on my mood,” she replied, then drove off without another word.
Byron stood there, watching her car disappear down the road with a soft sigh.
A person like her–so much talent, yet so much of it wasted chasing down a criminal.
She should be out there, breaking ground on new teeh, not running after ghosts.
Still, if he could help her track down the man responsible, it’d all be worth it.
2/3
VIDH, 14
148 New Scandalous Rumor
+5 Free Coins
Alice went to the office.
People whispered the moment she walked in.
Chloe looked conflicted but eventually made her way over.
“Ms. Spencer, something feels off.”
Alice tilted her head. “Go on.”
Chloe used to resent her, but Alice’s professionalism had earned her respect over time.
Now, she spoke to her with real deference.
“It’s not about the IT department. It’s the stuff being said online.”
She held out her phone.
It was, once again, about Emma.
After that whole scandal, someone had posted something new–an anonymous exposé about Byron’s private life.
It claimed he had numerous lovers and that Emma only got special treatment because she knew his secret . Along with it was a blurry photo. While the image wasn’t clear, Chloe had seen Alice often enough to be certain that the person in the car looked a lot like her.
The anonymous poster even added a note: “If you want to know who she is, I’ve got high–res versions.” Alice only glanced at it for a few seconds before figuring out the angle the photo had been taken from.
She smiled faintly. “It’s nothing.”
Chloe let out a sigh of relief. If it wasn’t Alice, then great. She still had someone solid to work with.
“Oh, and another thing,” Chloe added. “Levi’s fans just got our new product samples. Feedback’s been great.
“Next, we’ve got that tech forum to prep for. Should I go over the schedule with Janice and confirm it with you?”
Alice paused. She’d almost forgotten about that.
“What’s the date again?” she asked.
Chloe checked her calendar.
“September third.”
Alice mentally calculated. That was the same day she’d promised to help Risa cast for her new film.