Chapter 5 Photoshopped

After finishing her instructions, Cathy left the scene of conflict.

Angela quickly caught up with her, her eyes still red from crying. She said to Cathy, "Mrs. Green, why don't you talk to Lucas and ask him not to punish Iris? If I had known Lucas would protect me like this, I definitely wouldn't have argued with Iris in the first place."

In three years of marriage, Cathy had never seen Lucas protect anyone so recklessly, without regard for consequences or cost.

She glanced lightly at Angela, whose tear-streaked face was delicate and pitiful, and replied, "Since Miss Angela knows President Wilson is protecting you, why not plead for Iris yourself? President Wilson would probably be more willing to listen to you."

Angela looked troubled. "This is a matter for the management team. I'm just an artist; it's not my place to interfere."

"Well, if you know it's not your place to interfere, then don't ask."

Perhaps Cathy's tone was too sharp, because Angela seemed a little frightened.

She hesitated for a moment before asking, "Mrs. Green, do you... not like me very much?"

That question caught Cathy off guard.

She almost wanted to ask Angela-was there really anyone who could like their husband's first love?

But with Daisy still standing beside her, Cathy simply gave a faint smile and said, "Work is tiring enough as it is, Miss Angela. Don't ask such questions."

Angela, unsatisfied with the response, looked a bit disappointed. "Then I'll go have lunch with Lucas and see if I can convince him to spare Iris."

Cathy took a deep breath and pressed a hand against her stomach as she walked back to her office.

Noticing her discomfort, Daisy quickly made her a cup of warm oatmeal.

"Sister Cathy, drink this to warm your stomach. Don't get sick over this-though I know how frustrating it is."

"You worked so hard to secure that luxury brand deal, and he gave it away just like that. And those makeup artists and stylists-weren't they all people you carefully handpicked and recruited?"

"And Iris-such a talented actress-just banned at the snap of a finger. President Wilson, he..."

Cathy sat down, pressing her hand against her stomach. She waved Daisy off. "That's enough, Daisy. Do you want to end up like Iris?"

If an actress with a solid reputation could be banned so easily, then a mere assistant could be dismissed even faster.

Daisy was frustrated but couldn't hold back. "Star Media became one of the biggest companies in the entertainment industry because of you. And now everything you built is being handed over to Angela on a silver platter. Just because she's President Wilson's woman?"

"Whoever we promote doesn't matter, as long as they make money for the company," Cathy said.

Daisy muttered under her breath, "She spent three years overseas playing extras-if she was going to be famous, it would've happened by now..."

...

Cathy thought the Iris situation had blown over.

But two days later, the story went viral online.

The rumor spread that Iris had offended a certain "kept woman" and was subsequently blacklisted. Wasn't it proof that even a talented actress couldn't compete with someone with connections?

Iris had been in the industry for years and had a loyal fanbase. It didn't take long for them to dig up Angela's identity.

And naturally, they found Lucas as well.

Originally, the public had rallied in support of Iris. But the narrative soon shifted-many neutral onlookers began to romanticize Lucas and Angela's relationship, treating them as an ideal couple.

The situation escalated quickly. Staff members approached Cathy, asking if they should suppress the rumors.

Uncertain of Lucas's stance, Cathy went to his office.

She hadn't realized Angela had been spending the past few days accompanying him at work. When she arrived, the two were already discussing the issue.

Angela held up her phone to show Lucas. "Lucas, look! Fans made a photoshopped wedding picture of us. They say we look perfect together."

Cathy and Lucas had been married for three years, yet they had never taken wedding photos.

Angela seemed to recall something melancholic and murmured, "But you and Mrs. Green have that marriage certificate photo."

Lucas replied indifferently, "It was photoshopped."

"Really?"

"If I had been conscious at the time, she'd be in prison instead of on my household registration as my wife."