Chapter 1435:
“No, please!” Evie blurted. “Mr. Green, Kylee’s already lost Mr. Riley’s support. Your company’s endorsement is her last lifeline. If you pull it, she’ll have nothing left!”
Her voice trembled, practically begging Gorman to show mercy.
Gorman raised an eyebrow. So, Kylee and Collin had truly fallen out? He had only kept Kylee on to leverage her against Collin.
Now that their ties were severed, she was useless to him. Why would Green Group cling to a disfigured star when the industry was brimming with fresh faces?
Kylee, who moments ago had defiantly claimed her innocence, crumbled the instant her endorsement was threatened. “I’m sorry, Mr. Green, I lost it. Please forgive me.”
“You think a single apology erases bullying Linsey and dousing me with boiling water?” Gorman’s sneer was sharp, and before she could respond, he laid out an ultimatum. “Here’s my offer: two personal apologies from you, plus I’ll throw in an endorsement deal. In exchange, you let Linsey return the favor—two slaps. Fair enough?”
His words made his stance clear—he was unequivocally backing Linsey.
Kylee bit her lip, her fists clenching at her sides. Let Linsey slap her twice? How could she agree to that? But refusing meant losing her last endorsement. Without it, the money would stop flowing.
Money was her lifeline, as vital as her own heartbeat.
Years ago, when Collin and the Riley family faced a financial crisis, she was unwilling to dip into her precious savings. That was why she went abroad. When the Rileys recovered, she scurried back, scheming tirelessly to worm her way into Collin’s life again.
Gorman read the conflict in Kylee’s silence, her hesitation palpable. But his patience had worn thin. Without a word, he pulled out his phone, dialed his assistant’s number in front of everyone, and put him on speaker.
The phone was answered almost instantly, a respectful voice carrying through the line. “Mr. Green, what can I do for you?”
Gorman’s tone was clipped, decisive. “Remove Kylee from North’s endorsement deal and replace her with another top artist. Until further notice, neither the firm nor our subsidiaries are to collaborate with her again.”
“Yes, sir.”
The reply had barely left the assistant’s lips when Kylee, suddenly sobered by fear, stumbled forward in panic. “No! Please—I’ll apologize! I’ll apologize to Linsey right now!”
But it was already too late.
Gorman hung up, his gaze turning to ice. “I gave you two chances. You were the one who squandered them.”
“Mr. Green.” Kylee’s voice broke as she stepped closer, clutching at his hand desperately, her eyes wide with pleading hurt. “You forgave me twice—why not a third? I swear I’ve learned my lesson. I truly know I was wrong.”
“Don’t touch me.” His voice cut through the air like a blade. He shook her hand off, unmistakable disgust flashing in his eyes.
