Chapter 124: A Friend’s Stab in the Back

Chapter 124: Chapter 124: A Friend’s Stab in the Back

"Not only did you find them, you even asked them to perform a striptease for you. It’s a good thing no one else was there, otherwise you’d definitely be on the headlines today!"

Irene recalled the scene from last night and couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

"Ah? I actually made them perform a striptease? Did they really do it?" Britney’s face turned even redder, and she scratched her hair in annoyance.

"Yeah, several of them were surrounding you. Now you know regret, but it’s too late."

"Regret what? I’m just regretting that I drank too much! I forgot everything!"

Upon hearing this, Irene stumbled as she got out of bed. This person, really.

She got up, grabbed a bottle of mineral water from the bedside table, and handed it to her. "All right, next year for your 20th birthday, I’ll give you another chance. Remember to drink less next time."

Afterwards, she suddenly remembered the "small matter" Bella mentioned during the concert last night and seized the opportunity to ask, "By the way, that friend from the same company you mentioned earlier, why didn’t she come to sing as a guest last night?"

Britney, who had still been smiling, saw her expression sink instantly, and the action of taking a sip of water also stopped.

She was silent for a few seconds, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing against the mineral water bottle, her tone carrying undisguisable anger. "Don’t mention it. I don’t want to hear her name right now."

Irene noticed her mood was off and quickly asked, "What happened? Did you two fight?"

Britney took a deep breath and spoke slowly, her voice full of disappointment. "It wasn’t a fight. It’s that I see her for who she really is."

She turned to look at Irene, her eyes filled with grievance and anger. "On the surface, she always flattered me, calling me ’Bu Bu, you’re the best’ at every turn, but behind my back, she was badmouthing me everywhere.

She said that I only achieved what I have today because I rode on your coattails, and she also said that I climbed into the bed of Jive Music Director Jerry Nelson, and that even those two newcomer awards were exchanged for sleeping with him."

Irene’s brows instantly furrowed, and a wave of anger rose in her heart. "How dare she say that? These are all baseless rumors!"

Britney’s voice trembled slightly. "I didn’t expect her to be so vicious either. That day, I went to find Jerry to discuss the new album, and just as I reached the door, I heard her gossiping with her agent, saying I was worthless. I exploded right then and there, pushed the door open, and dragged her to confront Jerry face-to-face."

"What did Jerry say?" Irene asked.

Britney snorted, her tone filled with a bit of satisfaction. "Jerry was so angry he laughed. He said right in front of the whole office that he had never seen such a person who distorted the truth, and that the company would never allow such gossiping behavior.

Although she wasn’t kicked out of the company, now the whole company knows she stabs people in the back. No one dares to work with her, producers avoid her, and even the trainees don’t want to deal with her. She’s a transparent person now, and her chance of debuting is completely gone."

Irene breathed a sigh of relief and patted her shoulder. "She brought this on herself. With such a loose tongue, something was bound to happen sooner or later."

Britney’s tone softened a bit. "But it can be considered a blessing in disguise. It was only then that I learned Jerry Nelson is Edward’s distant cousin. That day, Edward came to the company to wait for me, and Jerry happened to pass by. When they saw the familiar surname, they chatted for a bit and realized they were distant relatives. Jerry even said that if he had known I was Edward’s person, he should have given me more resources when signing the contract."

Irene raised her eyebrows in surprise, thinking of Edward’s low-key family, and couldn’t help but laugh. "The Nelson family’s network is too dense. It seems you have someone to rely on in the company from now on."

Britney smiled, leaned closer to Irene, and rested on her shoulder again. "You and Edward are still the best. If it weren’t for you always accompanying me and encouraging me, I wouldn’t have such confidence. And Edward, always staying by my side. Although he didn’t come this time, it’s because his parents were sick and he couldn’t help it. Even if he’s not here, having you is the same. With you both here, I really feel very at ease."

Irene gently patted her back. Sunlight shone through the gaps in the curtains, falling on the two of them, feeling warm.

The laughter in the room hadn’t yet dissipated when the doorbell suddenly rang urgently.

Irene told Britney to hurry up and change her clothes before getting up to open the door. Standing outside was none other than Edward. He was wearing a well-tailored dark suit, with faint dark circles under his eyes, and his hair, which was usually meticulously groomed, was a bit messy. It was clear he had hurried over all the way.

Edward’s voice carried a hint of imperceptible fatigue. His gaze crossed over Irene and landed on Britney, who was still fixing her hair on the bed. Guilt instantly welled up in his eyes.

"Good morning, Boss. Sorry, Bu Bu, I’m late. Happy birthday. I’m sorry I couldn’t spend yesterday with you."

When Britney saw him, a smile lit up her face. She got up, walked up to him, and said very understandingly, "It’s okay, it’s good that you’re here. Irene kept me company last night, and I had a great time."

But internally she thought: Good thing you weren’t here, otherwise how would I have called for male models? I hope you’re not here next year either.

She naturally hooked her arm into Edward’s, completely unaware of the distress between his brows. "Come on in, where’s my gift?"

Edward obediently walked into the room and took a pink diamond pendant out of his pocket.

"This is something my mom specifically asked me to bring and give to you after she found out it was your birthday. It’s a piece from her collection when she was young." As he spoke, he gently placed the necklace around Britney’s neck.

Britney looked at the pendant and smiled, giving him a kiss. "Thank you, I like it very much."

Edward’s gaze swept over the messy bed sheets and the traces of a hangover still visible on both of them, and a helpless smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "It seems you two had a wild night."

"Of course," Irene said, bringing over a glass of water and handing it to him. Her gaze inadvertently swept over his tense jawline and the deep fatigue hidden in his eyes, and her heart skipped a beat.

Edward had always been like a little sun. Even if he had missed Britney’s birthday, he would have thought about making her happy, not looking so dejected. His state today was clearly not right.

But watching Britney excitedly sharing interesting stories from last night’s celebration party with him, she swallowed the question that had reached her lips and didn’t dare to ask more.

After everyone was ready, Edward suggested going out for brunch.

In the car, Britney leaned on Edward’s shoulder to catch up on sleep. Irene sat in the passenger seat, occasionally glancing at Edward in the rearview mirror.

His fingers were clenched into fists, his eyes were not as gentle as before, and his whole body exuded an indescribable gloom.

When they arrived at the restaurant, while Britney went to the restroom to touch up her makeup, Irene finally found an opportunity to pull Edward out to the terrace outside the restaurant.

Irene lowered her voice and asked, "What’s wrong with you today?"

Edward leaned against the terrace railing, silent for a moment, and took a cigarette case out of his pocket, but then remembered Britney didn’t like him smoking, so he stuffed the cigarette case back in.

He sighed, his tone heavy. "My parents found out about my relationship with Bu Bu, and they don’t really support it."