Chapter 6 Scandal Exposed , Someone Loses It ! At her question , Kael's expression shifted . He hesitated for a moment , then took her hand , his voice soft . " Nova , Sloane's manager came to me . Her family's in a tough spot - she can't afford the breach fee . What if we let her do the endorsement this quarter ? We'll replace her next quarter , okay ? " ] Nova's heart turned cold , piece by piece . In the end , he still couldn't bear to let Sloane go . She bit the inside of her lip , forcing a bitter laugh . " Do whatever you want . " [ ] She pushed him away and lay back on the bed . ] " I'm tired . I want to sleep . " ]] Kael didn't press further . But he knew he'd hurt her today , and guilt tugged at him . ] He climbed into bed behind her and wrapped his arms around her . [ ] He'd make it up to her later , he thought . The next day , Kael cleared his entire schedule to take care of her . He attended to every little detail - nothing was too small . ] But Nova felt nothing . She went to work as usual - today was the day of the photoshoot . [] As soon as she walked into the studio , a loud , se hit her ears - heavy metal music blared from the speakers . Kael pulled her close , frowning as he called out , " Turn it down . My wife doesn't like loud noises . " ] The windows were wide open , and willow catkins drifted in . He knew she had allergies , so he told someone , " Close the windows . " ] , People around them sighed , talking in low voices about how much Kael doted on Nova . ] Once , it had been true - all it took was a frown from Nova , and Kael would know exactly what she needed . [ ] But now , Nova felt nothing . No warmth , no joy - just emptiness . [ ] She didn't have the energy to play along with his act . " The shoot's starting soon . I'll go inside . Kael squeezed her hand gently " Go on . I'll wait out here for you . " ] ] Nova forced a small smile . The second she turned around , the smile vanished . ] Her assistant Lila walked beside her , updating her on the schedule as she pushed open the door to the shooting room . Then , a soft , doting voice filled the room - unmistakably Kael's , though it was quiet enough to almost blend in . [ ] " Good girl , don't cry . I'll come see you when I'm done , okay ? I'll make it up to you . " 1. " 0 " I'm sorry you got hurt last time . That was my fault . I promise it'll never happen again . " ] Nova's face darkened . She clenched her hands at her sides . ] Not even 12 hours ago , Kael had promised her the same thing- " it'll never happen again . " Now , he was saying it to his mistress , right under her nose . [ ] She stopped walking and glanced across the room . Sloane was sitting on a sofa , playing with a cat in her lap . " Lova , doesn't Daddy's voice sound nice ? " Sloane cooed at the cat . " Ite'll come see us tonight ! Are you happy ? " Love ? Ja had a short temper - especially when it came to protecting Nova . She stormed over , anger in her voice . [ ] Chapter 6 Scandal Exposed , Someone Loses It ! " Ms. Reed , this is work time . What do you mean by bringing a cat here ? ] " And what did you just call that cat ? " [ ] Sloane pouted , scratching the ragdoll cat's chin . She shot a sly look at Nova . " Ms. Hale , Lova's so good . She'll let anyone hold her - she won't get in the way of work . Don't worry . " ] " You- ! " Lila's eyebrows furrowed . Nova stepped in front of Lila , her gaze calm as she looked at Sloane . [ ] Sloane smiled , standing up with the cat in her arms . " Lova was a gift from my boyfriend . He was worried I'd be lonely , so he got her for me . I was scared something would happen to her at home , so I brought her along . You're such a generous person , Ms. Hale - you won't mind , right ? " ] ] Boyfriend ... She meant Kael . Nova could hear the pride in her voice - Sloane deliberately struck where it hurt . ] Nova had always loved cats . But Kael was a neat freak . He'd refused to let her keep a pet at home . Even though she'd wanted one so badly , she'd never pushed it . ] ] So thoughtful " for putting his feelings first . When Kael found out , he'd held her , saying she was Now , Kael had bought a cat for Sloane . Nova's breath shook . Sloane didn't let up . She held the cat out to Nova . " I heard Ms. Hale likes cats . Mr. Voss never got you one , did he ? Want to hold Lova ? " Nova narrowed her eyes , staring at the cat . Her voice was cold , steady . " Ms. Reed , you have a good eye for names . ' Lova ' is a nice name , and the cat is beautiful - very well - behaved . ] " But her owner doesn't deserve her . After all , some people are too arrogant for their own good . I don't care how other companies work , but you signed with mine - so you follow my rules . " Get the cat out of here . Focus on your job first . " [ ] Sloane's face turned red , then pale . She'd expected Nova to lose her temper - not stay calm and put her in her place . [ ] " Yes ! Did you see Sloane's face ? " someone whispered . " Tve had enough of her stuck - up act . Who does she think she is , trying to boss Ms. Hale around ? " Sloane's face turned dark. ] Nova gave her a cold glance , a faint laugh escaping her . " Ms. Reed , if you're not happy , you can break the contract . I'm still waiting for that $ 4.5 million fee . " [ ] At those words , Sloane's face got even worse . She had no choice but to hand the cat to her assistant and send it away . Laughter broke out around them . ... 0 The photoshoot finished without a hitch . Nova was talking to the photographer about adjustments when someone ran over . " Ms. Hale , it's bad- ! " ] Nova hurried to the restroom . Inside , Sloane and Lila were arguing . Sloane raised her hand , ready to slap Lila . ] " Stop ! " Nova shouted . But Sloane didn't listen . She slapped Lila hard - payback for Lila's earlier mockery . ] Lila cursed , then slapped Sloane back without hesitation . Ah Sloane's cheek turned red instantly . She stumbled backward , falling to the floor , and hit her head on the marble wall . [ ] IN Chapter 6 Scandal Exposed , Someone Loses It ! Nova and Lila froze . " What's going on here ! " Kael's voice boomed from the doorway , anger in every word . When he saw Sloane lying on the floor like a fragile doll , his heart jumped . [ ] Sloane's eyes filled with tears . She looked at Kael , and big drops rolled down her cheeks . [ ] " Im sorry . I shouldn't have argued with Lila . I won't do it again ... " [ ] It was always the same act - cry a little , shed a few tears , and make everyone else look like the villain . ] Nova frowned , her fingers clenched tight ] Kael looked at Sloane's wet eyes , his heart softening . He wanted to help her up , but he hesitated - remembering Nova was there . Instead , he told his secretary , " Help Ms. Reed up . " ] Then , he turned to Lila . his eyes cold . [ ] " You slapped her . Aren't you going to apologize ? She's the company's spokesperson , whether you like it or not . What kind of example does this set ? If you don't apologize , I'll have to let you go - per company rules . " Kael could be gentle , but when he got angry , his aura was intimidating - enough to make anyone nervous . [ ] Lia's face turned white . Apologizing to Sloane ? It felt like eating dirt . ] ] Nova couldn't stand by . She touched Kael's arm , saying , " Kael- " ] Sloane wiped her tears , her voice trembling . " It's okay , Mr. Voss . I'm just a nobody , a small - time actress . Being looked down on , getting slapped ... It's normal for me . Don't fight with Ms. Hale because of me . " e . " ] Her words only made Kael more sympathetic . [ ] He took Nova's hand , his tone softening . " Nova , don't defend Lila this time . If we don't fix this , it'll hurt the company's reputation . Just listen to me , Now's throat tightened . The words she'd been about to say died on her lips . She stared at him , her chest aching like it had been stabbed . [ ] For the company's reputation " -that's what he said . [ ] But really , he just didn't want his precious mistress to be upset . Karl Karl , can't you see how ugly you look when you're this biased ? [ ] Nova took a deep breath , forcing back the pain . She pulled her hand away from his and stepped in front of the trembling Lila , shielding her . [ ] She pulled out her phone from her pocket . [ ] Her gaze was cold as she looked at Sloane , who was still sobbing . " Oh , what a coincidence . I just took a photo . If I post it online , it'll definitely cause a huge stir . " ] ] At her words , Sloane's face turned pale . She stared at Nova's phone , panic in her eyes . [ ] Had Nova taken a photo of her slapping , Lila ? Kael frowned . " What photo ? Let me see . D Nova leaned against the wall , a calm smile on her face as she looked at the panicked Sloane . [ ] 14 )