138 At Jasper City 3 (1/2)

The death of a girl mutilated by bullets caused a bit of wave in the country. Those who knew her raised a fuss. Aggrieved, they pressured the authorities to search for whoever did this to her. Among these people, her family was naturally the most aggressive. Her friends and fans from the same school also joined the cause and began to plan how they'd petition for justice for their deceased campus beauty. Each of them badly wanted to know which heartless devil caused her to die like this and for what reason. Of course, even if there happens to be a reason, they would still badly want to make that devil rot in jail, if not in hell.

Unfortunately, no matter how well-known she was in HCA as a campus goddess or in the city as a musician, the wave caused by her death was still small. Aside from those who really knew her, the rest chose to move on in their lives and think of what would happen to their tomorrow. In other words, everyone not related to her only sighed and lit some imaginary candles in their brains which mysteriously only burnt for a few seconds and then threw the news out of their mind. They supposed that their sympathy was already the best they could give to someone they don't really know.

To be honest, there were many who also just didn't care. Death was commonplace in the world so the majority who were already desensitized by the numerous similar news and cases from before only thought that her matter was just another report, another tragic drama, something the newscasters dramatized to fill up their time slots.

That was it.

This was why inside a luxuriously decorated three bedroom apartment located near the heart of Jasper City, Aura's Second Young Miss only stared at the half wall-sized TV screen for a while and did not place any more attention to the news. In fact, she even made Aura shut it down because it was already time to read and study her scripts, and she didn't want any distraction. With the day of the filming gradually coming closer, she couldn't afford to slack off or else, she wouldn't be able to assure that she had given her all in her very first movie.

Some times later, after rehearsing six scenarios, the woman stopped and took a break. She stood up and walked towards the ref to get herself a glass of water. Her throat needed some moisture as it had become a bit dry due to all the vocal reading she just did.

After closing the refrigerator, she went back to the living room and took her seat in front of the coffee table again. While staring at the papers messily scattered here and there, she shook her head and sighed. Her free left hand moved to clear a space on the table-top so her glass of water could be placed down.

”Miss. Diaz has just sent me a file. I already printed it out for you.”

It was her assistant, Aura, who arrived at her side and spoke, a stack of papers was in her hands. Aura did this because her boss preferred printed documents than soft copies.

”It's about that boy, right?”

”Yes.”

”Ah, just left it on that couch. I'll read it later. I'll rest first because all the reading I did just now tired my eyes.”

The assistant nodded and followed her instructions. After that, she began reporting some important events that took place in the country, specifically, within the business and the elite's world.

The girl casually reclined her body on the couch, her eyes closed. From time to time, she could be seen nodding or smiling. It depends on what kind of story Aura was telling her. She even had a good laugh when it got to the part where Marc Goldwin, heir to the gigantic Goldwin Corporation, was reported to be gay, one with a heavy taste in sexual activities at that.

Laughingly, she asked, ”Miss Aura, is that really true? Why does it sound so funny and unbelievable to me? I mean, it's just so crazy! Why would a playboy young magnate like him suddenly involve himself in such a shameful and unspeakable matter?”

Aura replied, ”It's a rumor, Miss. But many from Alina City claimed it as the truth and since it is about him, it traveled so fast and reached many ears.”

The girl opened her eyes then shook her head, amusement was obviously dancing in her beautiful hazel eyes. A few seconds later, she waved at the other woman to continue.

Aura gladly obliged.

”Second Miss, the Abenson family can no longer hide the fact that Alina's City Mayor is in a coma. The higher-ups are most likely considering whether to have Vice Mayor Fred replace him.”

”Victory Foods is delisted from the stock exchange.”

”The Dawsons and the Abensons are still being ganged up by the other big families hence the stocks of any business related to them hit the lower floor limit these past few days. Five affiliates of the Abensons are even forced to declare termination of partnerships with them because they can no longer tolerate the attacks.”

”The Madam of the Zhengs, a big shot from C Empire, is as crazy as ever, still stealing many clients, employees and even shareholders from the Hermosos. If my source is correct, just yesterday, she sabotaged an auction hosted by their family so she can damage them a little.”

”The Albarez' Business Empire ended their ties with the Millers.”

”And lastly... The First Miss is sighted this afternoon within Ever Victorious. There's a rumor that she is currently engaged in a discussion with Gio Albarez. It's about the acquisition of an entertainment and modeling agency.”

Aura stopped for a moment, aware that her boss would surely comment something about this. Her boss was alert to anything remotely related to her half-sister. This was why the assistant gave the girl some time to digest this information.

The girl's reaction came out fast. Wide-eyed, she asked, ”My sister wants to acquire the company previously owned by the Cruzes?”

”Our sources said yes,” the assistant replied.

The girl sucked in a cold breath. She tried to conceal it, but worry flooded her eyes as she thought of why her sister wanted to acquire Starlight Entertainment. That woman was already very rich and accomplished so getting this company would not really matter much to her. At most, it would just be another trophy listed under her name, something lesser than the ones she already owned and had brought to the peak.

”... She doesn't want to give me any room for survival? Is that it?”