Chapter 325 - 323: The Good Show Begins

Elmswood Precinct.

"It’s really just a misunderstanding. It’s not illegal to spice things up with my girlfriend, is it?"

Inside the interrogation room, Eugene Jacobs was frantic. He couldn’t afford to be stuck at the police station.

He had a family, kids, and a respectable job. More importantly, he had to sign a crucial contract with Miss Sterling today. He had to get out of here, and fast!

As for why Daniels hadn’t come back all night, he’d figure that out himself once he was out. He definitely didn’t want the police investigating it.

If this blew up, it would do him no good whatsoever!

But the police weren’t about to let him leave that easily.

One of the officers said coldly, "We’ll determine whether it was a misunderstanding or not. For now, you just need to cooperate. Answer our questions. If everything checks out, we’ll let you go."

Eugene said anxiously, "But I really have something extremely important today. Can I come back tomorrow instead?"

"What do you think this place is?" the officer barked. "Sit down!"

Another officer, who seemed more good-natured, said gently, "If you’re in a hurry, you should be cooperating fully. This is all standard procedure. The faster we get through it, the sooner you’ll have your answer."

Though frantic, he knew he couldn’t just force his way out. He had no choice but to sit back down obediently and urge them, "Fine, fine, fine. Just ask your questions quickly."

"Why were you handcuffed to the hotel bed?"

"Role-playing with my girlfriend."

"And where is your girlfriend?"

"..."

Meanwhile, Cecilia Sterling was in her dorm, putting on makeup. She had just received word that Eugene Jacobs had been "rescued" from the hotel by the fire department and the police. The message came with a video of them cutting off his handcuffs.

In the video, Eugene looked pathetic and ridiculous, with an undeniable air of sleaziness.

Cecilia told Fabian Griffin to make the video go viral across the entire internet. She would foot the bill for every influencer account they needed.

She also had Fabian hack into the hotel’s security system and delete all surveillance footage of Daniels.

"Honey, want to get our nails done this afternoon? I just found this hidden gem of a salon. Their technicians are amazing!"

Estelle leaned in, looking at Cecilia’s reflection in the mirror as she made the invitation.

Cecilia took out a tube of classic red lipstick. The bold, glamorous color instantly made her already fair complexion look even more radiant.

Estelle’s eyes widened. "Whoa, it’s rare to see you wear such a classic red, babe."

Cecilia smirked. "There’s a good show to watch today. Of course, I have to wear a celebratory color."

"What show?" Estelle’s interest was instantly piqued.

"The day of Eugene Jacobs’s utter ruin!" Cecilia turned her head to Estelle. "What do you think? Does it look good?"

Estelle nodded excitedly. "It looks great, and the show is bound to be great, too! I want to come!"

"Count me in!"

Blair was awake now too, peeking her head down from the top bunk. "I’m dedicating my first-ever offline meeting with a ’top supporter’ to him!"

The three of them exchanged glances and broke into knowing smiles.

Eugene Jacobs was kept in a small room at the station. It contained only a single chair and a disposable paper cup. He wasn’t even sure if he still had his watch on him from the hotel.

With no way to tell the time, it felt like he’d been locked up for an eternity. The thought that he still had to sign the contract with Miss Sterling today made him as anxious as a cat on a hot tin roof.

Little did he know, the video of him being "rescued" by firefighters from the hotel that morning had already gone viral. Even uncensored photos were starting to circulate everywhere.

His colleagues, friends, and family—basically everyone knew about it.

That included the two women who had once genuinely loved him, Yvette Sawyer and Sienna Bowman.

At two in the afternoon, the door to the small room finally opened. An officer walked in, and Eugene immediately lunged forward. "Officer, can I go now?"

"We’ve investigated the situation. Although we still haven’t been able to contact this so-called girlfriend of yours, after..."

"Just tell me if I can go or not!" Eugene, his eyes bloodshot with anxiety, couldn’t contain himself and roared.

The officer was taken aback for a moment. In the end, he simply nodded, not wanting to give him a harder time. "Yes, you can. Go to the front desk to collect your personal belongings."

Hearing this, Eugene shot out of the room, nearly slipping and falling.

The first thing he did when he got his phone was check his missed calls.

From his wife.

From his parents.

From his friends.

From the chairman.

From Miss Sterling...

In total, there were over 200 of them. His WhatsApp messages were a solid, unread block.

He didn’t have time to read the messages. The very first person he called back was Cecilia Sterling.

"Mr. Jacobs, why weren’t you answering your phone?"

The moment the call connected, Cecilia’s displeased voice came through. After all, if you’re going to put on a show, you have to go all the way.

"I’m so sorry, Miss Sterling. I was having some trouble with my phone, just got it fixed. I called you back the second I could. Please don’t be upset!"

"I’m not upset, really. I just figured you wouldn’t stand me up on such an important day for no reason. I was worried you’d been in an accident or something. I was even debating whether I should call the police for you."

"No, no, nothing like that! Where are you, Miss Sterling? I’ll head over right now."

On the way to meet Cecilia, Eugene finally had a moment to look at his other messages. The sight nearly made his eyes pop out of his head.

Almost everyone had sent him the video, asking if that was him in it.

He didn’t have the courage to even click play.

But he didn’t need to. People who knew him were already using anonymous accounts to point him out.

Eugene Jacobs, one of the top executives at the Lane Group, General Manager of the External Affairs Department!

His fingers trembled with rage, his whole body shaking. He became so paranoid that every time the driver glanced at the rearview mirror to check the road, he felt like he was being watched.

When he arrived, Eugene quickly got out of the car, but he instinctively kept his head down. He was on edge, feeling like every shadow was an enemy and that everyone he passed might recognize him.

He entered the coffee shop. Thankfully, Cecilia had chosen a table in a corner. He walked over quickly, sat down, and forced a natural smile. "Miss Sterling, I’m so sorry to have kept you waiting."

Cecilia was dressed especially strikingly today. A black coat outlined her stunning figure, her long hair was loosely gathered, and her lips were fiery red. Every detail was perfectly tailored to Eugene’s tastes.

Eugene couldn’t help but stare.

Cecilia didn’t seem to mind, just offered a slight smile. "It’s all right. I imagine you have a lot to deal with today, Mr. Jacobs. I understand!"

Eugene froze. ’She knows?’

’After it’s blown up this much, it’d be stranger if she didn’t know!’

He gave an awkward laugh, about to offer an explanation, but Cecilia cut him off with a nonchalant tone. "No need to be embarrassed, Mr. Jacobs. It’s just a personal preference. I completely understand and respect it."

Even with her reassurance, all Eugene could do was manage another awkward smile.

"As long as it doesn’t get in the way of your cooperation with us, Miss Sterling. I’ve brought the contract."

Eugene said this as he took out the contract and slid it in front of Cecilia. "There are no changes from the last version, except that the amount has been increased by 3,000, just as you requested, Miss Sterling."