Chapter 263
The next day, Phoche and the others left the hotel to retrieve their emeralds from the auction house. The security guards watching over the safes reported that something bizarre had happened the night before. They had repeatedly heard strange noises, but every time they took turns going out to check, they found nothing. However, upon returning, they noticed faint traces of movement around the safes containing the emeralds. Even more unsettling, the talismans stuck onto the safes had spontaneously combusted one by one, startling them. But after the talismans burned away, everything seemed to return to normal.
Hearing this, Emmett let out a sigh of relief. Then, still a little shaken, he turned to Phoebe. “Good thing you thought ahead and placed those talismans on the safes. Otherwise, who knows if our emeralds would still be here?”
He suspected that Una had once again hired a horoscope master to pull some tricks.
Phoebe smiled. “Better safe than sorry. I’ll draw a few more talismans and stick them on. Then we should get these emeralds to the airport as soon as possible.” She had already anticipated that the people behind Una wouldn’t be willing to let go of such a large batch of emeralds and would likely attempt a theft. And sure enough, she had been right. But this only confirmed how important the Woodward Group, Una, and the three emeralds were to the forces in the shadows. If they could sever this connection completely, it would deal a major blow to the people pulling the strings.
Emmett now had complete trust in Phoebe. “Yes, yes, put more talismans on!” The Vaughan Group was relying on this batch of emeralds to suppress the Woodward Group and launch their new line—there couldn’t be any mishaps.
After Phoebe placed fresh talismans on the safes, the group transported the emeralds to the airport. Upon arriving at Solara City Airport and retrieving the safes from cargo, they discovered that the talismans had once again been scorched. Eminett felt even more grateful for bringing Phoebe along this time. Otherwise, Una would have likely taken all their emeralds for herself again.
He offered to drive Phoebe home, but Maddox beat him to it. He had deliberately parked his car at the airport earlier, planning all along to drive Phoebe back. Emmell was well aware of Maddox’s intentions but didn’t call him out on it. Instead, he simply smiled and gave his support.
Henny looked at Phoebe and asked, “Phoebe, you didn’t ask for payment at the auction. Do you want cash now, or would you…?”
Phoebe replied, “Let’s go with entertainment royalties.” She had brought enough money to bid on rough stones, so she hadn’t needed to take payment from Remy and the others at the auction.
Remy nodded with a smile. “No problem. I’ll have my team compile a resource list for your studio’s artists.”
Engmeit suddenly remembered something and said, “Our company’s jewelry ambassador contract expires next month. We’re launching a new collection, but the current spokesperson doesn’t quite match the image we want, so we’re replacing them. We won’t be renewing their contract.” The current ambassador’s performance had been mediocre, and they had recently been caught up in some negative scandals. On top of that, they had tried to demand higher pay and better terms, thinking they could strong-arm the company. That just gave them the perfect excuse to terminate the contract and bring in someone new. The company had already noted Phoebe as the ideal choice for their new high-end emerald jewelry campaign.
Emmett turned to Phoebe with an invitation. “I think you’d be a great fit, so I’d like to invite you to be our brand ambassador. Hope you’ll consider.” Of course, aside from wanting to build a stronger relationship with Phoche, Emmett genuinely believed she was the ideal choice for their new high-end emerald jewelry campaign. Since skyrocketing to fame on that live-streamed reality show, Phoebe’s popularity had only continued to soar.
He was confident that the other executives wouldn’t oppose the idea. This was an opportunity Phoebe certainly wouldn’t turn down. The Vaughan Group’s emerald line was a luxury brand. Their past ambassadors were always A-list celebrities or top-tier influencers. Securing such an endorsement meant breaking into an elite circle, where even award-winning actors and actresses fought for a spot. Landing this deal would significantly elevate Phoebe’s standing in the entertainment industry.
After agreeing to discuss the details later, Maddox drove Phoebe home. Not long after she arrived, she received a call from Brian. “Ms. Jenkins, you were photographed leaving the airport with a top celebrity. The pictures have already been leaked online. People are spreading rumors that you two are dating and that this trip was actually a private getaway.”
Brian continued, “I expect this gossip to hit the trending topics soon. Do you want me to issue a clarification or manage the narrative?” Phoebe and Maddox had been wearing masks and hats when they left the airport, but that hadn’t stopped people from recognizing them and snapping photos. She hadn’t expected this to spark dating rumors. It was obvious that whoever leaked the photos had intentionally cropped out Remy and the others. But that was typical of paparazzi—they would do anything for engagement.
Phoebe wasn’t particularly bothered by the rumors, but she worried they might affect Maddox. After a moment of thought, she said, “Let me check with Maddox and see how his team wants to handle it.”
Brian agreed. “Good idea. His side might care more about controlling the narrative.”
Phoebe then called Maddox. By now, his manager had already informed him about the news. But instead of being annoyed, Maddox was secretly pleased. He casually said, “I don’t mind. It’s all just baseless speculation anyway. Do you mind? If you do, I’ll have my team clear it up.”
Phoebe replied indifferently, “I don’t mind either. I was just worried it might affect you?”
Maddox chuckled. “It doesn’t affect me at all. If anything, it just boosts both our visibility and increases engagement. If we try to deny it, people might think we’re trying too hard to cover it up.” He hesitated before testing the waters. “So we just let it be?”
Phoebe agreed. “Yeah, no need to bother with…”
Maddox seized the opportunity. “Besides, you did a huge favor for Clauge before. He wants to take you out for dinner in a few days. Would that be okay?”
Phoebe laughed. “Sure, no problem.”
The two chatted a bit longer before finally hanging up.
Meanwhile, at a bar, Frank, Leon, and Reece were drinking. Frank, scrolling through his phone, suddenly blurted out, “Reece, looks like your girl just got stolen.”
Reece frowned. “What?”
Frank handed over his phone. “Look—Phoebe and Maddox. Dating rumors.”
Reece took one look, and his face instantly darkened. “What ‘dating’? This is just paparazzi nonsense.”
Leon leaned over to check. “Well, not necessarily. Look at this—they’re both wearing matching masks, and their hats are black and white, almost like a couple’s set. Then Phoebe got into Maddox’s car, and he drove her home. Looks pretty suspicious to me.”
Reece’s mood soured. He shot Leon a glare. “You’re single. What do you know about what couples do?”
Leon rolled his eyes. “Since when did being single mean I don’t know anything?” He patted Reece’s shoulder sympathetically. “Reece, I suggest you prepare yourself mentally.”
Reece shoved his hand away. “Get lost. Don’t talk nonsense.” Then he turned to Leon. “Actually, I need you to do me a favor…”