Damage Control

The sleek black sedan rolled to a smooth stop beneath the covered entrance of the Imperial Regent Hotel.

The moment the chauffeur stepped out to open the rear door, several employees instinctively straightened their posture.

A pair of ivory heels appeared first.

Then, with effortless grace, Selene Laurent stepped onto the polished pavement.

She wore a tailored cream pantsuit that hugged her slender frame perfectly, paired with understated pearl earrings and a silver watch. There was nothing extravagant about her appearance, she didn’t wear makeup or jewelry that screamed luxury, yet she possessed the kind of elegance that naturally commanded attention.

Her long raven hair rested neatly over one shoulder as she adjusted the cuff of her blazer.

Near the entrance, a constipated Adrian Brooks, personal assistant to Lucien Voss was waiting for her. His usually immaculate composure had completely fallen apart with the issue at hand.

“Mrs. Voss—”

Selene continued walking toward the revolving doors without slowing down.

“I know you’re anxious, Adrian. Speak.” She muttered gently.

He swallowed.

“Mr. Voss is on the sixteenth floor.”

She gave a small nod.

“Continue.”

“He… isn’t alone.”

“I assumed as much.”

Adrian blinked.

“The woman with him is Vivienne Hart.”

Selene’s steps remained steady.

“The actress?”

“Yes.”

“The one who has already been linked to three married actors this year?”

“Uhh… Yes.”

“And the media?”

Adrian rubbed the back of his neck. “They’re surrounding the hotel right now.”

“How many?”

“At least fifty reporters.”

She hummed thoughtfully. “More will probably arrive soon.” She glanced toward the hotel entrance before smiling faintly. “Let’s clean this up quickly.”

“…” Adrian stared at her in utter bewilderment.  

How is she so calm in a situation like this?

“Also… Mrs. Voss, my intel says Mr. Voss spent the night with Miss Hart.” He added apprehensively, afraid that she might get angry at him. 

“I know.”

“You… know?”

“I received fourteen missed calls before lunch.” She entered the lobby. 

“My meeting lasted another hour.” She sighed softly. “The calls were distracting.” 

Not the affair. The calls. 

Adrian didn’t know what unsettled him more.

The issue at hand or the fact that his boss’s wife doesn’t care at all.

“Good afternoon, Miss Laurent.”

Every employee greeted her respectfully.

She simply nodded in acknowledgment.

The greeting made Adrian pause.

Not Mrs. Voss?

Almost no one knew she’d married Lucien a month ago. The ceremony had been private, no cameras, no guests beyond immediate family. Their marriage was clearly not born from love, but from an agreement between two powerful families.

Selene had accepted it because it had been her grandmother’s final wish. 

She had never expected Lucien to love her in the first place.

She had only expected him not to make her life more difficult.

The ride to the sixteenth floor was painfully silent.

Adrian stole another glance at her. No matter how he thought about it. He couldn’t understand.

Didn’t wives throw things when they find their husband cheating? Or at the very least… cry?

[DING!] 

The elevator chimed as they reached the sixteenth floor.

Selene quickly got out while Adrian hurried after her.

She walked down the quiet hallway before stopping outside the presidential suite. She knocked three times and patiently waited for the door to open.

Seconds later… The door opened.

Vivienne Hart stood there wrapped in a white hotel robe. Her makeup was smudged. 

Selene’s eyes examined her. She saw the dark red marks decorated all over her neck and collarbone without the slightest attempt to hide them.

For a brief second… Selene simply looked at her.

She had long since given up expecting Lucien to act like a husband.

At this point… She merely wanted to resolve the crisis and return to work.

“Get out of my way.” She said, her voice dipping low in a dangerous tone, her phoenix eyes sweeping through her husband’s mistress like a wolf eyeing its prey.

Adrian seeing her expression has finally sighed in relief.

So she does feel something? 

Sigh. With that expression he can only pity this actress’ fate after this.