Chapter 248: Nothing in This World Was Beyond Lucas Harrington's Reach

Nothing in this world was beyond Lucas Harrington's reach. Sienna Bennett only needed to speak the words. As the memory of the incident replayed in her mind, Sienna leaned back into the plush seat, a wave of exhaustion washing over her. "It's a trivial issue," she stated flatly. "I'll handle it myself." She closed her eyes immediately after, a clear dismissal. She wanted no further discussion on the matter.

Lucas's gaze darkened, a flicker of concern shadowing his features. He hadn't seen her this visibly perturbed in a long while. Yet, if she chose not to confide in him, he would wait. He had infinite patience for her.

Meanwhile…

Vanessa Bennett was locked in a bathroom stall, her voice a tense half-whisper into her phone. "What do you mean they all ran? They refused the money?"

"Yes," confirmed Penelope Sinclair on the other end. "They claimed Boss Harrington intervened to save Caleb."

Vanessa's fist slammed against the cold marble sink. Damn it! While Derek Prescott was making a grand, public spectacle of proposing to Sienna, Lucas was quietly solving her problems in the shadows. What had that woman done to earn such unwavering devotion from two of the most powerful men? The sheer injustice of it was enough to make her blood boil. To make it worse, Derek wasn't even answering her calls anymore. The distance he was putting between them was painfully obvious.

She forced her voice to steady. "Did you acquire the perfume as I instructed?"

"Yes, but the final bid at auction escalated to ninety million. Are you absolutely certain you wish to proceed?" Penelope's tone was cautious.

Ninety million for a bottle of perfume! It felt like daylight robbery. With Sienna having seized the majority of her assets, Vanessa's financial reserves were critically low. This perfume, however, could be the key to turning everything around…

"Purchase it. At any cost!" she commanded, her voice sharp. "I'll arrange the transfer. Just secure it."

"Understood."

The moment the call ended, Vanessa's heart ached with the financial blow. She was forced to liquidate a significant portion of her remaining luxury—a collection of over ten limited-edition handbags and several jewelry sets—selling them at a steep discount to a wealthy socialite acquaintance just to scrape together the exorbitant sum.

Once the transaction was confirmed, a vicious, calculating smile twisted her lips. The sting of the cost was real, a physical pain. But she would make this perfume earn its weight in gold, and then some. She picked up her phone again, her fingers swiftly searching for Lucas Harrington's private contact details.

That evening, the aftermath of the Starlight Gala ignited fierce debates across social media. Celeste Duval's conspicuous absence. Aurora Bellamy's shocking ascent to claim the title of No.1 Supermodel and the Award for Most Commercial Value. And, most explosively, the swirling rumors concerning Sienna Bennett and Derek Prescott.

#DerekPrescott-Proposed

#Siennas-3-Demands

#Was-Derek-Sincere

#The-Incident-5-Years-Ago

These hashtags dominated the trending lists. Of course, topics like #Siennas-Gown, #Phoenix, and #D.K also fought for attention high on the charts. Even though Sienna had only received a relatively minor award, her presence and the scandals surrounding her completely overshadowed nearly every other attendee. In a sterile hospital room, Celeste Duval seethed, scrolling through the online frenzy from her sickbed.

"That conniving little opportunist, Aurora! She capitalized on my absence! That top model title would never have been hers if I were there!

"And that gown! Someone paid a fortune for it. How did that wretch Sienna get her hands on it? What did she have to do to wear it?

"That bitch! Demanding ninety-nine percent of his company shares? It's nothing but a cheap publicity stunt!"

Fury contorted Celeste's features as she viciously pummeled her pillow.

"Ms. Duval, the doctor stressed the importance of rest and calm for your recovery," her assistant ventured cautiously, trying to soothe her. "This anger isn't helping. The company's current crisis is the more pressing matter. Numerous artists are threatening to terminate their contracts. Aurora, in particular, has become insufferably arrogant since winning that award tonight. She's publicly slandering our company, calling us fraudulent and manipulative, claiming we forced her into unethical situations."

"Hmph! She owes her entire career to this company. Dreaming of leaving? She can rot first!" Celeste snarled, her teeth gritted.

After a moment of fuming silence, she looked up, a malicious glint in her eyes. "Wait. Weren't there persistent rumors about Aurora and Director Hue?"

"Yes, they were substantiated. I personally witnessed them together on one occasion…" the assistant confirmed.

A slow, cruel smile spread across Celeste's face. "Let her terminate her contract. She can leave only after she pays the full termination penalty in blood! And then… let her scurry off to Sienna's new little venture."

"To Crownlight Entertainment? Ms. Duval, are you sure? That seems…" her assistant trailed off, bewildered.

"You're the one who's lost your mind! Didn't Sienna want to challenge a giant with a pebble? Didn't she boast about poaching my artists? Fine. Let her have them. This time, I will ensure her precious Crownlight Entertainment is buried for good."

Pure, unadulterated malice shone in Celeste's eyes, mixed with a cold, calculated evil.