Chapter 4 Taking Down Sloane ! " I remember the contract your company signed with us clearly states . During the collaboration , you must keep your personal life ' clean ' - no boyfriends allowed . " Nova's voice was sharp . " You lied to us . We have every right to sue you for breach of contract . " ] As the words fell , Sloane's face drained of color , turning ashen . Her shoulders trembled slightly . [ ] Nova let out a cold laugh and nodded to Lila , who stepped forward immediately . " Ms. Reed , per the breach clause , you owe us five times the contract fee - that's $ 4.5 million . Plus , you'll have to issue a public clarification on behalf of the company . " Each word hit Sloane like a hammer . She stood frozen , panic setting in . [ ] $ 4.5 mullion ? She couldn't afford that even if she emptied her entire savings . [] Snickers broke out around them , followed by murmurs . Sloane's face flushed , then paled - her expression shifting so fast it was almost comical . [] Nova's gaze stayed cold . As she walked past Sloane , she whispered , " Ms. Reed , you're way out of your league trying to mess with me . Start figuring out how to pay that fee . " 0 Sloane's face turned bright red with anger , but she didn't dare fight back . She couldn't afford to - especially not with that $ 4.5 million hanging over her head . ] ] What was she going to do ? ] ] Just then , a commotion broke out at the door . [ ] Kael had arrived . Sloane's eyes lit up . She'd been waiting for this . Nova frowned - she'd seen him too . " Ms. Hale , you think Kael will choose you over me ? " Sloane whispered , her tone dripping with confidence . " I can't wait to watch him leave you behind . It'll be hilarious . " Last time , Kael had ditched Nova for her just because of a text . [] This time , he'd definitely take her side . [] Sloane's eyes welled up with fake tears . She grabbed Nova's hand , her voice shaky . " Ms. Hale , I'm so sorry for what I said earlier . Please forgive me . My mom's sick , and I need this job to pay her medical bills ... please . " [ ] Nova almost laughed . Now Sloane was trying to guilt - trip her ? Making her out to be the villain ? [ ] " What's going on here ? Kael's voice cut through the tension as he walked over . Before Nova could speak , Sloane turned to him , her eyes red and teary . " It's my fault , Mr. Voss . I said something stupid and made Ms. Hale angry . I'm so sorry . " [] She apologized , and her tears kept falling - making her look even more pitiful . []} Nova glanced at Kael , already resigned to his usual wishy washy act . [ ] But to her surprise , Kael stood beside her . He looked at Sloane , his voice cold . " Ms. Reed , I'll be asking Skyline Media for an explanation for your behavior . And since you just disrespected my wife - aren't you going to apologize properly ? " } Nova's eyes widened For a second , she was transported back to high school - when she'd been bullied , and Kael had stood in front of her , using the exact same tone to defend her . [] Sloane's eyes stung Kael had always been so gentle with her ... why was he being so harsh now ? [ ] She hit her lip and mumbled , " I'm sorry . " Kael's expression softened a little . He put a hand on Nova's shoulder . " Baby , she apologized . Let's not waste time on this . Let's go . " ] S Chapter 4 Taking Down Sloanel Nova's heart dropped . [ ] So that's why he'd defended her - just to get her to drop the issue with Sloane . ] Typical But Nova wasn't one to let people walk all over her . She was going to make Sloane pay for provoking her . She pushed Kael's hand away and turned to Sloane , who was still sniffling . ] " If you're going to apologize , do it sincerely . Your little stunt today will definitely end up online . Someone might twist it to make it look like I bullied you . So post a clarification on Twitter - right now . " [] " Someone might twist it " ? Sloane knew Nova was mocking her . [ ] And posting a clarification ? For a celebrity , that was a death sentence for her reputation . [ ] Nova was ruthless . But Sloane had no choice . [ ] She nodded stiffly . " Fine . I'll do it , Ms. Hale . " Nova smiled . " Oh , and don't forget about that $ 4.5 million fee . I'll be checking in . " ] ] She turned and walked away , not sparing Sloane a second glance . [ ] Kael hesitated for a moment , then hurried after her . ] ] Sloane stood frozen , watching Kael choose Nova over her . Rage boiled inside her . [ ] Her assistant walked over and patted her shoulder . " It's okay , Sloane . We'll get back at her next time . " [ ] She leaned in and whispered a plan in Sloane's ear . Sloane's eyes lit up . " You mean ... that ? " ]] - 0 Nova didn't feel like going back to the dinner . She didn't want to ruin the employees ' fun , so she stayed in a quiet corner alone . [ ] Kael stayed with her . He went to the buffet , picked out her favorite grapes , and started peeling them one by one . Nova's eyes burned . ] She'd always loved grapes but hated peeling them . Kael had started peeling them for her years ago , just to make sure she got enough vitamin C. ] She remembered once , his friends had teased him for being " too soft . " Kael had laughed and said , " Who cares about being tough ? As long as my girl's happy . " 1 Now , his actions felt like a knife to her heart . " I'm sorry you had to deal with that , baby . " Kael brushed her hair back , his voice gentle . " I'll make sure Sloane gets what she deserves . " His eyes looked so sincere . He'd defended her earlier - for real , this time . So why had he cheated on her ? ] How could he be so good at pretending ? Nova pulled away , her throat tight , she didn't say anything . ] Just then , Kael's secretary walked over . " Mr. Voss , we need you for an urgent call about the project , " Kael sighed and hugged Nova tightly . " Wait for me here . I'll be right back . " [ ] " Okay . " Nova forced a small smile . As soon as he left , her expression turned cold again . 0 Half an hour passed . [ ] Chapter 4 Taking Down Sloane ! Nova had eaten too many grapes , so she went to the restroom . ] As she rounded a corner , she heard loud , drunken voices at the end of the hallway . [] " Quit playing hard to get ! You think you're better than us ? " [ ] " Nah , you're not even half as good as Nova . You're just a cheap copy . " [] " C'mon , let's see what you've got - " [ ] Sloane was on the floor , her eyes filled with tears . ] She was huddled in a corner , trying to push away three drunk men who were grabbing at her . [] " Im sorry ! I won't mess with Nova anymore ! Please let me go ! " she sobbed . [ ] Nova frowned . She didn't like Sloane - but she couldn't stand by and watch three men bully a woman . ] She pulled out her phone to call security . ] ] But before she could dial , a figure rushed around the corner . Who the hell do you think you are ? " Kael's voice boomed . He tackled one of the men , throwing a punch . " You want to get blacklisted in New York ? Touch her again and see what happens ! " ]] Nova froze . That voice - she'd recognize it anywhere . ]] She looked up and saw Kael fighting off the men , his face furious . The drunks scrambled away , yelling apologies . ] ] Kael knelt down and pulled Sloane into his arms . " Are you okay ? Did they hurt you ? " Sloane clung to him , sobbing , " I was so scared , Kael ... I thought you'd never come . " " I Kael stroked her hair , his voice soft . " I'd never leave you . [ ] Im sorry I couldn't defend you in front of Nova earlier . " Forgive me , okay ? " [ ] Nova's phone slipped from her hand , crashing to the floor . Tears streamed down her face - hot , angry , and broken . [ ]