Filed to story: A Second Chance with My Billionaire Love
They were loyal to Shirley, so they always obeyed her.
“It’s fine, just come in since he asked you to.
I guess the company has come up with a new plan for my development, so we should all hear about it together,’ Shirley said finally, a strained smile on her face.
They all walked into the president’s office and closed the door behind them.
Xavier put his elbows on the table, his fingers crossed under his chin.
He appeared relaxed, but exuded the power and confidence typical of a successful man.
His calculative gaze seemed like it could see through any hidden intentions.
“I won’t beat around the bush.
The current market likes tough women, so Shirley’s image isn’t compatible with it.
The board of directors suggested withdrawing some of Shirley’s resources, so we’ve decided to send Shirley to Korshach to study for a year.
We won’t accept any new jobs for her,” Xavier said bluntly, revealing the company’s plan.
“What?!” The agent was shocked.
After a while, she asked hesitantly, “Is the company going to suspend Shirley?” “No, she’s going to study abroad.” “But Shirley is a star who gains her fame through exposure, so it’s practically suspension if she doesn’t have jobs for a year! Please reconsider … It was hard for her to get this far after so many years.
If she goes off the grid, it’ll be a gigantic loss for both Shirley and the company,” the agent begged shamelessly.
They thought that the company might cut down on her resources, but unexpectedly, the company had decided to suspend Shirley.
It was unacceptable! “Just stop.
This isn’t a discussion, I’m merely informing you of what will happen next.” Xavier’s blank expression told them that everything had already been decided.
“Xavier, why are you being so cruel?” Shirley finally broke her silence, clenching her fists as she asked shakily.
“Cruel?” Xavier sneered and glared at Shirley. “Letting you live after everything you’ve done is already generous!”
Shirley’s eyes instantly turned watery, and she grabbed his arm and sobbed. “I know that you’re still mad at me because of the affair, and that’s why you’re behaving like this, but don’t you still love me? Give me another chance, we can start over!”
“No way.” Xavier brushed her hand off in disgust. “My intentions back then were sincere, and I really did want to spend the rest of my life with you, but you disappointed me. You’re devious and greedy, and I hate that kind of person the most. The only thing I feel for you now is disdain, and if you leave now, maybe I won’t think so badly of you.”
Shirley collapsed on the floor in despair and helplessness. “I didn’t do that because I was greedy… I just hoped I could be the perfect match for you. I didn’t know things would turn out that way. Your father and I…’
“Shut up!” Xavier interrupted her and clenched his fists. “Don’t bring him up in front of me. You both are disgusting!”
“I’m really sorry, Xavier. I never wanted to hurt you. I’ve always loved you, you know that. Please give me not suspend me. I can take up secondary female roles or join variety shows. I can start over, I…”
“Even until now, the only thing you’re worried about is yourself. Now I know for sure that I made the right decision,” Xavier scoffed with disappointment. ‘Universal Entertainment isn’t doing charity and has no interest in making losses. The board of directors has made a decision, and it’s non-negotiable.”
“Fine, but don’t forget that it was you who asked for this!” Shirley realized that he had made up his mind, so there was no point in her pretending to be weak or pitiful. The only thing she could do right now was ask for help from a person more powerful than Xavier…
And she most certainly could do that.
“You’re not the sole owner of Universal Entertainment, you know. If you want to suspend me and promote someone else, you have to ask for his permission.’ Shirley slowly stood up, the tears in her eyes now replaced with a cunning gleam.
Meanwhile, Leia was hunched over and leaning against the door of Xavier’s office, trying her best to eavesdrop on their conversation. “Damn it! What are they talking about? What happened that made Xavier fall out with his first love?”
She could only hear their conversation vaguely from this distance. It seemed that the company Shirley and promoted another celebrity because she had done something to disappoint Xavier…
‘Hah! I knew there was something fishy going on. This is going to shock the whole entertainment circle!’ Leia thought triumphantly, her fangirl past resurfacing as she smelled gossip. Although she had entered the elevator, she did not go downstairs. She casually went to another floor and then secretly returned to this floor.
She was still Xavier’s girlfriend. Even if she wanted to ignore him, she couldn’t pretend to not care if another woman was trying to snatch him away. However, she still had pride, so she didn’t want Xavier to find out. If not, he would always bring it up in the future.
At first, Leia planned to leave after getting sufficient info, but her curiosity made her linger on. As a result…
Clang! The door opened suddenly, and Leia went tumbling into Xavier’s office.
Shirley was about to leave in a fit of anger with her agent and assistant, but froze when Leia crashed to the ground in front of them. Everyone was dumbstruck as they stared at her.
“Ugh, how embarrassing…’ Leia mumbled, keeping her head low. She wished the ground would just open up and swallow her… Maybe she could migrate to another country tomorrow.
Knowing she couldn’t hide from them any longer, Leia looked up and smiled at them widely. “Umm… hi. What a coincidence, I just happened to be passing by!”
Shirley sized Leia up condescendingly, then scoffed, “Yeah, what a coincidence! Miss Osborne, weren’t you eavesdropping on us?”
“Of course not! Why would I do something like that? I told you I was just passing by.” Leia stood up and dusted off her clothes, stubbornly refusing to admit it.
“I thought you were a virtuous person given your noble background, but it looks like the two clearly aren’t connected. Although I grew up in an ordinary family, I never did such an immoral thing,” Shirley sneered. Xavier didn’t want anything to do with her anymore, so she wasn’t afraid of showing her true colours.
“What?! How could you say something like that? I… I wasn’t immoral. I…” Leia stammered, trying to think of something.
“Was I wrong? Can you swear you didn’t eavesdrop on us just now?”
“I, I…” Leia pursed her lips guiltily.
Xavier had been watching everything indifferently, but instinctively stepped forward when he saw Leia’s dilemma. He stated coldly, “So what if she did? I’m her boyfriend, so she has the right to know what her boyfriend talks about with another woman. In fact, any other woman would have barged in and insisted on being included.”
“Boy… Boyfriend?” Shirley’s expression became nasty, and she glared at Xavier icily. “Are you seriously in love with her? You once said that all these other women are just playthings, and that you’ll find someone new the second you get bored. How can you call yourself her boyfriend? Isn’t it ridiculous?”
“She’s different.” Xavier’s sharp gaze was dangerous. “And you have no right to judge me.”
“Of course I do! I’m the only woman you ever loved. Just admit it- everyone could see how much you sacrificed for me, which is so different from the way you treat her,” Shirley boasted arrogantly.
Leia’s cheeks burned in humiliation, and she scoffed, “Hmph, you make it sound like he’s the most popular man around. He said he can get another woman if he’s bored? Well, I should be the one saying that.’
Leia walked up to Xavier and pinched his cheeks. “Look at him. You don’t have to worry, I’m already bored of him. If you want, I can give him back to you.”
Leia’s words infuriated Xavier, and he growled at her, “Really? Is that what you think?” “As if you didn’t say the same about me!” Leia protested.
“We’ve been a couple for a while now, so don’t you know how I feel about you? Are you just going to believe whatever people say when they try to sow discord between us?” Xavier’s words were sharp. He felt that his relationship with Leia was different from what he had with Shirley. He and Leia were soul mates who loved each other; their love was simple and fervent, and couldn’t be shaken by others… But now, Shirley had so easily created a rift between them.
Maybe the relationship wasn’t as deep as he thought… Maybe he was just a nobody to Leia. Though he was hoping for reassurance, Leia’s next words disappointed him even more.
“Yeah, I think Shirley is more rational than me. She was right, you know- you did sacrifice everything for her. She was your first love that you adored greatly, and I… Well, I’m just another one of your flings. This is only temporary. I can accept it, so I hope you can do the same.’ Leia refused to admit defeat, especially when it came to love. The reason she had dived into her work after she started dating Xavier was because of her insecurity. After all, he was a famous playboy who had dated all kinds of women. If she wanted to keep him around, she had to make herself irreplaceable.
At first, she thought she could have the upper hand in the relationship as long as she worked hard enough, but now, she felt she was just deceiving herself. He was nice to whoever he loved, even if that person was useless. Shirley was the perfect example of that.
“I can’t say anything since you’re so stubborn.” Xavier’s gaze was aloof, and his tone was emotionless. “Yeah… I’m a heartless playboy. I only dated you because I wanted to kill time and retrieve the dignity I lost with Shirley.
You’re just the same as all those other women. I’ll dump you after I’m done with you!”
“Xavier, you scumbag! You’ll never get the love you want!” Leia angrily slapped him and stormed out of the office.
Xavier tilted his head, and an unruly lock of hair fell over his handsome face. His gaze was cold, and nobody could tell what he was thinking.