Ch. 3171..3180

Never Late, Never Away Chapter 3171

Breaking News

“There doesn’t seem to be any breaking news today,” Donna announced as she read the first few trending topics which were all jokes. “Wait a minute. Scroll up.”

Megan paused before scrolling up obediently. A relatively interesting topic appeared before their eyes—Sandra Holm’s Bisexual Fiancé Uses Her Money To Cheat On Her.

At last, Rocky had exposed the scandal!

Megan was excited for the day had finally come. She clicked on the hashtag and saw Rocky’s account posting nine HD photos and a detailed explanation of the scandal.

“Wow, is this for real? Sandra Holm keeps showing off her boyfriend in public. Who knows, he’s such a scum?” To say Donna was shocked would be an understatement. After all, this wasn’t the only piece of news Megan had revealed back then.

Since Rocky had verified the news, the others would most probably be true as well.

After reading Rocky’s tweet, Megan immediately called him. The call connected very quickly.

“Good job, Rocky,” teased Megan. Sandra must be dying to kill him now!

Rocky seemed thrilled as he spoke excitedly. “I followed him for one month. The man was too cunning and good at hiding. Still, I managed to catch him in the act.”

“Congratulations. But that’s not the reason for my call.” Megan chuckled and went straight to the topic.

Rocky immediately knew what she meant. He composed himself and answered, “Don’t worry. I tail them every day. Recently, Mia seems to be pestering Jake.”

Megan wasn’t interested at all in this piece of information as she wanted to know something new.

She answered gravely, “I am aware of that. What about Jake? You’ve tailed him for a month, right? You should be clear about his daily schedule.”

“Yep. If you need it, I’ll send the details to you later. I think they are acting strangely lately,” Rocky remarked. He recalled the photos he snapped of them and the updates he received as doubt spread across his heart.

“Hmm? How so?” Megan’s interest was piqued.

“Half a month ago, when I tailed Mia, Jake obviously wanted nothing to do with her. Recently, he was much more enthusiastic to see her.”

Hearing his words, Megan’s brows furrowed together as her heart sank to the bottom of her stomach.

If Mia managed to gain Jake’s support, it would be practically impossible for her to defeat Mia. As she wanted to take revenge, she didn’t want to be enemies with a big shot like Jake this early.

After all, she was no match for him as of now.

“Are you sure?” Megan urged as the image of Jake rejecting Mia’s advances ruthlessly at the hotel surfaced in her mind.

Did he eventually fall for Mia’s looks?

“I’m sure! I can send you the photos of them enjoying a meal in the restaurant,” Rocky raised his voice in an effort to prove himself.

Rocky wouldn’t lie to her, that Megan was sure of. However, she couldn’t help but doubt him as the piece of news made her extremely uncomfortable.

“Oh, I see,” came her calm reply.

Megan couldn’t stop jealousy and hatred from overwhelming her heart.

Initially, she thought she could try seducing Jake, but now Mia had gotten ahead of her. Though she was displeased, her feelings didn’t show. Instead, there was an icy air about her.

Even Rocky could sense her changing mood. He deftly changed the topic.

“There’s something else that I have discovered,” he paused before revealing slowly, “I’ve been investigating about Jake and found out about his complicated background.”

Never Late, Never Away Chapter 3172

Illegitimate Child

Megan’s grip on her phone tightened. Her gut told her she was going to find out something special about the man who tried to kill her in her past life.

Frowning, she prompted, “Just tell me.”

Rocky cut to the chase and announced, “Rocky is an illegitimate child of the Wilson family.”

Megan’s heart skipped a beat at the unexpected piece of news. Why would the head of the Wilson family allow Jake to take over the family business?

He might be extremely capable, but it doesn’t change the fact that he went through a lot to achieve his current success. Megan couldn’t help but think highly of Jake.

Sensing her distraction, Rocky coughed lightly before continuing, “I heard he got involved in a car accident when he was eighteen. He was barely alive after the accident and even lost his memories. Luckily, the head of the Wilson family, Bertram, found him. After going through physiotherapy treatment, he started learning everything all over again and got to where he is today.”

Megan raised a brow in surprise as she exchanged glances with Donna. “He lost all the memories of the first eighteen years of his life?”

“Yep,” came Rocky’s firm reply. “Jake’s a genius. He might’ve lost all his memories, but he swiftly graduated with an MBA from a prestigious college and published several innovative journals.”

Rocky’s words caused Megan to fall into deep thought. He’s like an enigma full of secrets. Mia has found herself an incredible partner.

Feeling curious, she inquired, “If he’s that capable, why didn’t he try to find out about his past?”

“Of course he did, but here’s the interesting part,” Rocky replied and chuckled. “He wants to find out his past, but even after exhausting every resource provided by the Wilson family, he couldn’t find the slightest trace of his background. That was because he used to be an orphan, and the orphanage he was in had already closed down. As he didn’t have any friends and relatives, it was a dead end.”

Megan sighed at the strange twist of fate. She was about to say something when Rocky added, “Besides, I also found out something about Jake when he was in the hospital. The nurse who took care of him said he kept mumbling a name when he was unconscious.”

Rocky was usually blunt, but he was deliberately keeping her guessing. Instantly, Megan grew increasingly anxious.

“Stop holding me in suspense. Tell me now!” she urged impatiently as though something was tickling her.

“Alright. The woman’s name, which Jake kept mumbling, was—Megan Rockford,” Rocky announced before letting out a long sigh.

Megan was shocked into silence. However, she instantly realized the reason Rocky shared this information with her and fell into deep thought.

Obviously, she didn’t know who Jake was and had never lost her memory. However, this same name gave her the chance to pretend to be someone else.

At that thought, Megan broke into a radiant smile. Still, there were some questions she needed to clarify.

“Rocky, I have a question. Where is the orphanage Jake grew up in located?” she asked.

Rocky had expected her question, so he calmly answered, “Before I started the investigation, I certainly never expected such a coincidence to happen. The orphanage was located in the village next to yours—Queenston Village.”

Upon hearing Rocky’s answer, Megan’s lips parted in surprise. She blinked twice before bursting out in laughter.

Don’t tell me God is helping me for He has had enough of the cheating couple, Mia and Herman?

Now that everything seemed to be in her favor, Megan just had to make a decision.

Never Late, Never Away Chapter 3173

Exposing Mia

“Thank you, Rocky. This information is important to me. I’ll reveal a few shocking tips to you later.”

Upon hearing Megan’s promise, Rocky felt a sudden flare of joy. He spoke happily, “I am just doing my job. To be honest, I’m wondering if I should expose the news of Mia getting herself a sugar daddy first or Jimmy abusing his wife?”

There were too many scandals, so he didn’t know which one he should release first. Hearing his question, Megan recalled his ploy seven years later and immediately pointed it out to him.

Letting out a relaxed chuckle, she explained, “You can release it one by one. First, give them a preview of the scandals. You can expose Mia’s scandal and then Jimmy’s. The netizens will be stationed at your Twitter account every day. Besides exposing gossip material, you also gain attention and popularity.”

Rocky blinked several times as realization dawned on him. He thanked Megan hastily. “Megan, this is brilliant! I’ll do that right away!”

With that, he cut the line abruptly. Megan wasn’t bothered by his hasty action. She just stood up and stretched lazily. Clearly, she was pleased. As she fell on the couch, dizzy with excitement. However, Donna was frowning worriedly.

“Are you going after Jake now?”

Megan could sense the anxiousness and repulsion in Donna’s voice. She sat up and patted Donna’s shoulder in assurance. “Yes, I’m going to him. Don’t you worry. You used to work in a talent agency, so you might not be able to accept this, but I don’t have other choices.”

Donna turned at her shoulder guiltily. “It’s all my fault for not getting good advertisers for you. You wouldn’t have to—”

“Stop blaming yourself,” Megan cut in and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ears gently. “If you can’t do it, I will. I’m forever grateful to you as you have helped me out when I was at the lowest point of my life.”

“Megan…” Donna suddenly had the urge to cry. She volunteered to be Megan’s manager, but she was now a burden to the latter. Feeling guilty, she grew increasingly determined to do her best to be of help to Megan.

As the days went by, it was soon the day of exposé which Rocky stated in his preview. The netizens were all looking forward to it. Even Megan and Donna, who were in the know, joined in the fun.

“Oh, here it comes. Let me see what Rocky posted,” Donna exclaimed as she refreshed the Twitter webpage again to view the post. Slowly, she read the headlines out loud. “Rookie Starlet Pesters Rich Tycoon. Her Innocent Image Is Just An Act.”

Wow, what an eye-catching headline, Megan mused silently as she chuckled lightly. Happiness danced through her thoughts as she imagined how upset Mia would be right now.

“Rocky is a great writer, huh?” Megan joked and quickly skimmed through the article Rocky wrote before clicking on the replies.

“Oh, my. Mia looks so innocent. I can’t believe she’s pestering a wealthy man?” ”Are women all money-diggers?” ”Can’t she love herself more?”

“She’s trying to get herself a sugar daddy before making herself known in showbiz. Pfft, Mia is nothing but a foolish eye candy!”

“Oh, no wonder Mia gets the best resources. Turns out she has connections with Wilson Group!”

The netizens burst into an uproar. As they gossiped, both Mia and Jake became the talk of the town. Megan was glad to see that happen, but she knew when to stop.

Rocky told her how Jake asked Mia out a few times. The expose was just an appetizer for the trouble she had laid out for them. There was no way she’d allow them to end up together!

It was also a bad idea to offend Wilson Group, so when Rocky came to her to get her opinion, she reminded him not to focus on the man. Instead, the crucial point was to expose Mia’s innocent act and destroy her reputation.

Never Late, Never Away Chapter 3174

Trending Topic

“It’s going up the trending list swiftly!” Donna stared at the number one trending topic in shock.

Mia was just a rookie starlet. She was nowhere as famous as Sandra Holm. The reason she could become the number one search topic was that Rocky posted a juicy preview a few days back that piqued everyone’s interest.

“That’s perfectly normal.” Megan was unfazed. She stood up and glanced at the calendar before telling Donna. “This afternoon, we shall head to the studio at Sky Entertainment.”

After three whole months, Megan is finally stepping out of her house? Donna stood up in shock as she uttered curiously, “Why are we heading there?”

Megan flashed a satisfied smirk. She told Donna honestly, “To shoot a commercial, of course. According to Jake’s schedule, which Rocky provided to me, I found out they are hiring extras today.”

“Extras?” Donna’s face fell. She furrowed her brows and wailed, “Seriously? You used to act in a TV drama. Why would you want to be an extra now?”

Seeing how dramatic Donna’s reaction was, Megan immediately realized the former had no idea what her plan was. The corners of her lips lifted in a confident grin as she announced, “You’ll know why when we get there. Getting the role isn’t my goal.”

Around ten minutes later, they arrived at a studio under Wilson Group. There was a long queue in front of the entrance, showing how important this commercial was to them.

“Hey, isn’t that Mia?” Donna tugged on Megan’s sleeves and pointed at the gap between the curtains. Mia’s pure and gorgeous side profile was glowing under the studio lights.

“Oh?” Megan glanced at her disinterestedly as her focus returned to the queue she was in.

“Doesn’t that bother you, Megan?”

Donna couldn’t help but shudder in fear at the thought of what happened that day when they moved houses. She couldn’t understand why Megan was this calm.

Right now, Megan’s attention was focused on Jake. His schedule stated he would be here, but after peeking at the interior of the studio a few times, she still couldn’t spot him anywhere.

“Why would I be bothered?”

Finally, it was her turn. Megan easily got through the preliminary as she was rather decent-looking. She took her number and entered the studio with a staff while Donna waited for her outside.

If she had remembered correctly, this commercial shoot was the turning point of Mia’s career. As it was the first commercial in the industry to include a storyline introducing the product, it was considered a classic.

Mia played the role of a blind girl who was mocked mercilessly by others. She dreamed of performing on stage, but the judges drenched her with water and hurled insults at her.

Megan was here today as an extra playing either the role of the audience or the judge.

Jake wasn’t here yet, so Megan couldn’t help but notice Mia, who was currently under the spotlight. The latter was still preparing herself before the shooting began.

“This way. The four of you will be the judges. The rest will be the audience.”

As the studio was bustling with people, the director raised his loud hailer and gathered the extras. He picked a few of them who looked more mature to be the judges. Coincidentally, one of them was the very distracted Megan.

“Hurry, take your seats. We’re about to start!” Megan was still waiting for Jake and wasn’t interested in the commercial at all. She kept glancing around anxiously.

The minute Mia stepped onto the stage, she spotted Megan in the judges’ panel. As the spotlight illuminated her entire being, her lips parted in surprise. She swiftly regained her composure and stormed off the stage to grab a preoccupied Megan’s hand.

“Why are you here?” Mia demanded furiously.

As the pain jolted up her arm, Megan snapped back to reality and saw Mia standing in front of her. Despite knowing a confrontation with Mia would happen anytime, she was still stunned to see Mia confronting her in public without hesitation.

Never Late, Never Away Chapter 3175

Filming Set Drama

She remembered that the director of this commercial was notorious for his bad temper.

“I’m just trying to make a living. Surely that’s not a problem to you, right?”

All eyes were on the two as they faced off. Gossip abounded, though no one stepped forward to defuse the tension. Some of the staff wanted to seek out the director, who was unfortunately indisposed at the washroom at that very moment.

“This is my commercial! Get out of my sight!”

Mia’s head was in a mess since the news about her having a meal with Jake had been reported by the tabloids. Osmond had already refused to assign any work to her for the next month as a punishment.

She was, however, more worried that Jake would stay away from her as a result.

Jake was supposed to be on-site, supervising her very first shoot after she signed an exclusive contract with Sky Entertainment. His absence only served to fuel Mia’s anxiousness.

Instead, Megan had shown up at such a crucial moment.

“I thought this was a commercial under the Wilson Group,” Megan commented as she surveyed her surroundings. She did not meet Mia’s gaze.

Her intention was to provoke Mia. No matter what happens, this stupid woman is the one who has to bear the consequences.

In the middle of their stand-off, Mia’s gaze suddenly drifted past Megan’s shoulder, landing on a figure behind her. With that, Megan turned around and her chest felt heavy at the sight of Jake.

Jake had not noticed their stand-off as he entered the filming set. When the staff turned to look at Jake, Megan suddenly fell to the floor, knocking over a chair beside her.

The noise surprised the staff, who had all been busy greeting their boss. Instantly, all eyes turned to Megan.

“I don’t want to leave! Mia, why must you force me like this? Will you only be happy when I’m married off to some stranger in Queenston Village?”

Megan’s shrill screams caused goosebumps to break out over everyone’s skin. They then turned to stare suspiciously at Mia.

The commotion caught Jake’s attention. He looked at Mia in displeasure from across the filming set, striding steadily toward her.

“Mia, what are you doing?”

Frowning slightly, Jake awaited an explanation from a pale-faced Mia.

Mia shuddered in the face of Jake’s hostile demeanor. Feeling helpless, she lowered her head and said timidly, “I-I, I didn’t do anything.”

The crowd broke out into hushed whispers at her words of defense. Jake took in everything that they said.

Crossing his arms, he recalled the scandal that had been reported in the tabloids earlier. Disgust rose within him as he appraised the woman before him. “You should be saying that to your manager.”

Others know better than me about how to strike Mia’s weak point. He had no interest in getting involved in such matters.

He was more interested in the woman who lay sprawled on the ground, who had uttered the name of a place he had almost forgotten.

“You know about Queenston Village?” Jake questioned Megan calmly.

His calm response had not escaped Megan’s notice. Lowering her head, she tried to calm her pounding heartbeat. She forced herself to remember the lines she had prepared.

“Yes, I do. I used to live in its neighboring village. I passed by Queenston Village all the time.”

Mia noticed Jake’s interest in the village as well. In an attempt to gain his favor, she piqued up, “I know about it too. It’s a neighboring village near my hometown.”

“Shut it.” Jake did not want to listen to Mia’s voice. He glared at her for a moment before returning his attention to Megan. “Since you know about Queenston Village, are you aware of any special buildings in that area?”

Never Late, Never Away Chapter 3176

The Orphanage

His pupils’ narrowed as he scrutinized Megan’s expression.

“Of course. I know about the beautiful orphanage in Queenston Village. I wanted to live there; it was gorgeous.” Megan stood up and patted the dust off her trousers. She put on the most innocent expression she could muster as she recalled that exceptionally lovely orphanage in that small village.

A hint of shock appeared on Jake’s calm features. He stared intently at Megan and asked, “What’s your name?”

He had not remembered who she was after that brief acquaintance on Transcendent. Megan was not disappointed at all; instead, she answered sincerely, “I’m Megan.”

Megan. Megan?

Jake knitted his brows tightly as he stared at the normal-looking woman before him. There was a faint pounding pain in his head.

“Mr. Wilson, are you okay?” his secretary asked in concern at the sight of Jake rubbing his forehead. Jake, however, pushed the secretary away.

He lifted his eyes and stared at Megan for a long time. His gaze cooled as he threatened, “If I find out that you’re playing me, I won’t let you off easily.”

Megan was stunned at his threat. A second later, she had schooled her features into one of incomprehension. She stared at him in confusion as she said, “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“That would be best. I’ll look for you again, Megan.” Jake left the set after one final glance at Megan.

The staff busied themselves in their tasks at Jake’s departure.

“Megan, why do you know Mr. Wilson?” Mia’s fists were clenched so tightly that her nails had dug into her skin. She reached out and grabbed Megan’s elbow fiercely as she interrogated her.

“Exactly as what you’ve seen,” Megan scoffed and stomped on Mia’s foot with her stiletto. Mia yelped in pain and let go of Megan’s elbow.

“You b*tch! Don’t think for a second that you’re on Jake’s radar! You’re nothing but an ugly frog compared to me!”

Mia raged as the stresses of the day overwhelmed all rational thoughts in her head. She barely noticed all the odd glances she was attracting from the crowd.

I wonder what Osmond was thinking. This bit*h alone has more than what it takes to offend the entire showbiz.

“Huh, you look more like a b*tch to me,” Megan shot back as she attempted to leave. Mia blocked her path.

“You’re the one who wants to shoot a commercial with me. You think you can leave as you please?”

Mia suddenly seemed immune to Megan’s barbs. She tilted her jaw at Megan, looking like she had no intentions to let Megan go.

Megan fumed at Mia’s tactic. Narrowing her eyes, she challenged Mia. “Why? Are you going to trip me when we shoot the commercial? I’m sorry, but you don’t have the right to keep me here.”

Megan stretched her hand out to push Mia away, but Mia had blocked her. “You came here for Jake, right? You just wanted to sabotage me!”

Megan was surprised at the outburst. Looks like her IQ’s improved a little in the past couple of months. I’m not going to tell her that, though.

Megan sneered and shook off Mia’s hand. She took in Mia’s features, which were distorted by anger and jealousy. I didn’t know I had the power to make her look like this.

“I’m sorry I can’t stay.”

Megan waved at her in faux courtesy as she left. Mia, on the other hand, fumed at her smugness. The humiliation she felt at that moment would be imprinted on her mind forever.

Megan left the filming set of Sky Entertainment in a great mood. She met up with Donna, whose mood worsened as she followed behind Megan.

Donna had already found out the commotion in the filming set.

Never Late, Never Away Chapter 3177

Wardrobe Malfunction

“Megan, what if he finds out you’re just pretending? I know it’s a big ‘what if’, but aren’t you digging your own grave?”

Donna’s concern was not unfounded. Megan’s happy mood dissipated in an instant as she contemplated Donna’s words. “If he discovers the truth, there’s nothing I can do. I still have to try before that.”

Knowing nothing she said could dissuade Megan, Donna sighed and let her be.

The next morning, Megan woke up to a call from the promotional team at Transcendent. Donna, who had been sleeping nearby, made out the conversation topic and jolted awake as well.

Bolting upright, she asked in surprise, “Did the production crew reach out to you?”

“Yep.” Megan smiled as she put away her phone. Pulling the covers away, she got up from bed.

Megan felt fortunate at the string of good news over the past few days.

“Alright, time to get up. Let’s meet the production crew.”

“Got it!”

After some hasty preparations, they made their way to the hotel chosen for the launch event of Transcendent.

Megan bumped into a casually dressed Francesca as she entered the hotel.

She suddenly thought of the time Francesca had sent her to the train station when they were still filming. Back then, she had hoped for an opportunity to meet Francesca again.

“Francesca, you are here too?” Megan ran toward her with a smile.

At the sound of her name, Francesca frowned and turned around in confusion.

“Megan.”

They had not been in touch for two months, though she was aware of the incidents surrounding Megan.

“I heard that you are going through a rough time.”

Francesca did not seem enthusiastic as she greeted Megan. Her expression seemed cold as she fell into step beside Megan.

Used to her mannerisms, Megan merely laughed and shook her head. “If you’re referring to the termination of my contract, it doesn’t bother me.”

Megan’s answer surprised Francesca. Turning to appraise her, Francesca could not detect even a hint of indignance or regret on her face.

She seems okay with it; I guess she’s not a bimbo after all. Francesca smiled.

The area designated for the launch event was teeming with reporters when the two of them arrived.

Francesca arrived alone for the event, unlike the other actors whose assistants crowded the backstage area. The sight was oddly suffocating.

“I was just wondering who this shabbily dressed person was.”

Melissa’s attention had been glued to her phone until she noticed a plainly-dressed Megan standing near her.

She thought Megan had come to provoke her like last time. She decided to make the first move and confront Megan.

In truth, Megan was merely looking for an empty spot to stand and had not noticed Melissa at all.

“Do you think so? I thought it looked pretty okay. At least, it’s classier than that crass low-cut blouse you’ve got on,” Megan returned her jibe mercilessly.

“Y-you! What do you know about fashion? You’re just jealous of my curves!” Melissa pointed angrily at her nose. She raised her hand to slap Megan.

Megan was not going to stand there and take her abuse. Just as Melissa’s hand came flying at her, she dodged to the side and tripped Melissa.

Melissa screamed as she fell clumsily to the floor. She covered her chest hastily as her low-cut outfit slipped out of place.

Never Late, Never Away Chapter 3178

The Ex

“Ah!” Heads turned at Melissa’s piercing scream. Gossip broke out through the crowd.

“Help me up!” Melissa raged at her dumbfounded manager, keeping her hands tightly across her exposed chest.

Megan was secretly pleased with the turn of events. She slipped out of the place unnoticed with Donna in tow.

“She’s really something, huh,” Megan commented as she powdered her face in the corridor.

Donna smiled awkwardly and said, “They’re all like Jacinta. They love creating drama wherever they go, thinking it’s going to shoot them to fame.”

Megan shook her head and leaned on the wall. “At least Jacinta has what it takes to do that. Melissa’s just suffering from princess syndrome.”

A laugh burst out of Donna at Megan’s snarky comment. She’s hit the nail right on the head.

“Megan?”

A man’s gentle voice reached Megan’s ears just as Megan and Donna were killing time in the corridor before the start of the launch event.

Megan turned around, recognizing Herman’s voice.

“I didn’t expect to bump into you here.” Herman was wearing his usual pair of gold-rimmed glasses and a sharp black suit. Megan merely glanced at him before turning her head away in annoyance.

“Is it? What a coincidence. I’m not happy about it, thought.”

Megan did not want to entertain him, but Herman had already planted his annoying self before her.

Herman was not blind to the hostility that was radiating from Megan. Arching a brow lightly, he asked thoughtfully, “I’ve been wanting to ask you something. Do you hate me that much?”

“It’s much more than hate.”

Megan’s unforgiving reply caused Herman’s features to stiffen up.

“Well, Ms. Rockford, what grudge do you have against me?”

Grudge?

Megan scoffed as if Herman had just told her a horrible joke. Coldly, she gritted out, “It’s not a simple grudge. It’s pure hatred, betrayal, and humiliation.”

Glaring at a confused Herman, she suddenly felt disgusted by his presence.

“Ms. Rockford, you’re joking, right?” Herman mocked as he pursed his lips slightly. “When have I ever been close enough to you for such things to happen?”

Megan’s anger boiled over at his words. “You know what? You’re right. You don’t seem too familiar to me after all. I wonder who’s the one trying to approach me after knowing I’d be at today’s launch event.”

Herman’s expression darkened at her sarcastic comments. Megan pulled Donna with her as they squeezed their way through the crowded backstage.

“Megan, that wasn’t too nice, was it?” Donna had always thought Herman seemed rather courteous and classy.

“There’s nothing bad about it.”

Megan hid in a corner to avoid stirring up another trouble. She threw all thoughts of Herman out of her mind.

“Maybe Herman likes you. Your words were too harsh.” Donna made a small heart with her hands. She looked like she was hoping for a romance to blossom between Megan and Herman.

“That’s enough. Don’t try to matchmake us.” Megan tilted her head away, gazing coldly at another spot in the room. She had never raged like this in front of Donna before.

Donna knew she had ruffled Megan’s feathers. Grabbing onto her elbow, Donna apologized, “I’m sorry; I just want what’s best for you. It can’t be worse than hanging your hopes on someone as dangerous as Jake.”

Never Late, Never Away Chapter 3179

A Special Guest

Despite knowing that Donna meant no harm, there was no way Megan would pin her hopes on Herman again.

The woman meant it from the bottom of her heart when she talked about vengeance and betrayal, as it was a real-life story which she had experienced before. No one could ever put themselves in her shoes or imagine the anguish that she had been through.

Without a word, she dropped her gaze, taking a deep and steadying breath. Refusing to talk about Herman, she changed the subject. “Alright, just ignore him. The event is going to start soon.”

Right after Megan said that, the host came in and reminded everyone that the launch event would start soon. As one of the actors who was supposed to promote the TV series, she followed the host and went on stage.

The moment they showed up on the stage, Megan was dazzled by the reporters’ camera flashlights that flickered unceasingly.

“Welcome to the launch event of Transcendent!” The host’s contagious voice echoed in the palatial venue.

Having forgotten the unpleasant encounter earlier, Megan was slightly jittery while responding to the host’s questions regarding the TV series

Half an hour flew by, and the launch event was about to come to an end. Unexpectedly, an enigmatic grin broke across the host’s face. The man then asked the reporters to stay back for a little longer.

“Please don’t leave just yet. We’ve invited a special guest today to give her blessings to Transcendent.”

Everyone present was astonished by the news. Even the Transcendent crew, who was the event organizer, didn’t know about this arrangement.

What’s going on?

Uneasiness washed over Megan. The indescribable feeling sent chills down her spine.

“Let’s just wait and see.” Francesca shrugged and held out her hands nonchalantly.

“Please settle down, everyone.” Holding the microphone, the host raised his voice slightly, and the clamor ceased. “Now let’s welcome Ms. Jacinta Twinkle!”

Jacinta?

Everyone’s jaw dropped at the revelation. The launch event has nothing to do with her. Why does she turn up out of the blue?

Seeing Jacinta sauntering gracefully toward him, the host gradually explained to the puzzled reporters. “Ms. Twinkle is here to cheer for her junior, Megan.”

Though Megan was the protagonist, she was utterly perplexed. Tilting her head to glance at the side of Jacinta’s gorgeous face, she squinted her eyes at the woman suspiciously. She’s definitely up to no good.

“Hello, everyone. Stay tuned for the new TV series, Transcendent. I would also like to wish Megan success and good viewership in the years to come.”

Jacinta’s expression seemed completely sincere, but Megan couldn’t care less about her. I’ve been kicked out of Starling Media. How is she still my senior then? What a joke!

Standing on the stage with an indifferent look, Megan didn’t show a twinge of joy in Jacinta’s presence. Her aloofness made the host feel pressured. With the microphone in his hand, he was in a dilemma, not knowing whether he should extend it to Megan.

After a moment of hesitation, knowing that he couldn’t afford to have an awkward pause, the host steeled himself and said tactfully, “Ms. Twinkle is such a great senior. Ms. Rockford, are you surprised by her sudden appearance?”

His question seemed to have snapped Megan out of her reverie. She plastered on a bewildered face and pointed at herself. “Huh? Me?” Glancing impassively at Jacinta, she added in a calm voice, “I’ve terminated my contract with Starling Media, so Ms. Twinkle isn’t my senior.”

Her denial was a real slap in the Jacinta’s face.

Hearing her words, the crowd went into an uproar, staring suspiciously at the two women. Nevertheless, the commotion died down gradually when they saw Jacinta’s surly expression.

Frozen on the stage with embarrassment, Jacinta never expected Megan to humiliate her at the launch event. The second those words left Megan’s lips, she was overwhelmed with resentment, and her malicious gaze was riveted on the former.

Never Late, Never Away Chapter 3180

Falling Off The Stage

Trying to sweep away the embarrassment, she forced a smile and clarified, “Though you’re no longer under Starling Media, I still regard you as my junior and will never forget our friendship.”

“Oh, is that so?” she asked nonchalantly. Giving the woman the side-eye, Megan fell silent, she didn’t feel like entertaining her. “I can do nothing if you insist on deceiving yourself.”

A ruckus broke out among the crowd at her blunt words.

This time, Jacinta could no longer hold in her shame and indignation, tilting her head to glare at the woman’s face. Her fingers quivered with rage as she whispered in Megan’s ear, “If you ever refute me again, you’ll be as good as dead once you get off the stage.”

Listening to the woman’s threatening ultimatum, Megan’s lashes fluttered slightly, but her expression remained composed and unflinching.

Jacinta is here with an ulterior motive. She’ll never relent unless her goal is achieved. All I can do now is to go with the flow.

In front of the stage, the reporters caught their subtle interaction clearly. Some audacious ones snapped a few photos of it. Other than the clicking sound of the camera, the entire venue was in an awkward silence.

The situation put the host in a tight spot, as he was supposed to lighten the atmosphere. The man shot pleading glances at the director and Kelly, but they didn’t give him any response.

There’s nothing else I can do now.

Exasperated, the host stepped forward and squared his shoulders. “Ahem! Anyway, Transcendent is one of the most anticipated TV series. Today’s launch event is coming to an end….”

“Ah!”

Before he finished speaking, a shriek suddenly sounded on the stage. Startled, everyone turned to look in its direction and saw Jacinta fall off the stage. Her long, white dress could hardly cover her body.

“Hurry! Help Jacinta up now!” someone shouted.

The situation turned chaotic as everyone rushed to swarm around her. Some reporters tried to pick her up and screamed for help, while some took photos of it eagerly for the headline, pushing against one another. The launch event turned as rowdy as a wet market.

Other than Francesca and Megan, everybody on stage dashed over to give them a hand. In the meantime, Megan stood rooted to her spot in silence.

How did Jacinta fall off the stage so suddenly? She was totally fine just now, standing right here… Could it be…

With her eyes fixed on Jacinta, she seemed to have wrapped her head around something, and her expression hardened.

“Jacinta, how did you fall all of a sudden? You’ve gotten me into trouble!” Steven had been taciturn throughout the launch event. Irritation spiked within his heart as he stared at her aggrieved face.

“Mr. Hayes, I…”

Later, Jacinta was being carried to backstage, looking all weak and fragile. In order to avoid being interviewed, all the actors and the crew of Transcendent trailed behind her.

Everyone cramped into the small backstage, each sunk in thoughts.

“I swear I didn’t mean to ruin the event.” Sitting on a chair, Jacinta appeared mournful. Her narrow shoulders trembled uncontrollably. “Mr. Hayes, I came only to support you. I believe you know I’m truly grateful for you, so I came up with this reason… But I didn’t expect Megan to humiliate me publicly. She even…”

Her voice trailed off. Biting her lower lips, she stared intently at Megan, obviously implying something.

Everyone present was no fool, and they could no doubt read between the lines. Steven’s countenance fell, and the man turned his head around to glance at the quiet and calm woman.

“Megan, did you push Jacinta?”

In an instant, all eyes landed on her. Holding their breath, they waited for her answer.

In a split second, she swiftly denied, “I didn’t.”

Megan cast an impassive glance at Jacinta, whose gaze was full of smugness. No matter how I explain myself, I can never get everyone to believe in me, just like the incident between me and Mia the other day.