The Fallen Film Queen’s Possessive Alpha - Chapter 48

Two hours after the incident, one of the parties involved, Song Haoyin, was still unconscious, while the other, Zhou Qiwei, had already taken a seat in the conference room provided by St. Karl Hospital. President Zhou had cleaned herself up impeccably, with almost no visible traces left on her face. When Qu Yuanzhi arrived at the scene, she had expected to see a face ready to play the victim.

Zhou Qiwei was on the phone, her expression grim, though it was unclear who was on the other end. Strangely, a dozen unfamiliar faces were seated around the conference table. Qu Yuanzhi shot Xu Su a questioning look.

After motioning for Qu Yuanzhi to sit, Xu Su whispered to her that those were lawyers sent by Jiuzhou: “They’ve already reported the assault and documented the injuries. President Zhou’s priority is to avoid any negative impact on Haoyin.”

“Does Director Yuan know? Su Ye was screaming in the security room, exposing that President Zhou is the child of the Zhou family from Jiuzhou. She even accused President Zhou of collaborating with St. Karl Hospital to conduct human experiments here. The news is spreading like wildfire thankfully, President Zhou had us report it to the police first.”

“Human experiments?!”

Qu Yuanzhi was stunned not because of the experiments themselves, but because she couldn’t believe someone like Su Ye would have uncovered them, given Zhou Qiwei’s capabilities.

Xu Su dropped another bombshell, expecting shock from Director Qu, only to find her completely unfazed, showing no surprise about Zhou Qiwei’s background. So everyone knew except me?

The PR director felt utterly defeated. Xu Su couldn’t help but think she had failed at her job if even Su Ye had pieced together this gossip, how had she missed it?

Xu Su quickly updated Qu Yuanzhi there was no point hiding it now: “Madam Zhou from Jiuzhou wants to use the media frenzy to sue Su Ye for defamation and commercial damages, sending her to prison. President Zhou is trying to pull the news, but Madam Zhou Qing disagrees. They’re at a standoff.”

Just then, the computer on the table flashed with breaking news the medical group affiliated with St. Karl Hospital had plummeted three percentage points in the stock market.

Of course, Aunt Zhou Qing was protecting her daughter. Since Mobius Industries wasn’t publicly traded, the wider the news spread, the greater the losses and the more desperate the St. Karl medical group would become.

But Qu Yuanzhi understood Zhou Qiwei better. Given the “Zhou Devil’s” personality, she wouldn’t use her friends let alone Haoyin as pawns, no matter the stakes. The wider the news spread, the less it affected Zhou Qiwei personally, but the more damage it did to Haoyin.

Online discourse was already turning ugly. Among those following the news, some dismissed it as a publicity stunt, while others bluntly declared Song Haoyin deserved it. “Getting involved with that kind of Alpha. what did she expect? Omegas like her.”

A calmer segment of netizens urged patience, waiting for an official investigation report. But bad news travels fast, and the “localized rationality” online was no match for the overwhelming tide of collective outrage.

The incident had been exposed by a hospital patient who recorded and uploaded a clip online. Later, Su Ye dragged out by security had eagerly confirmed the authenticity of the leaked footage using her work account.

“Useless security! They didn’t even think to confiscate her phone!”

Zhou Qiwei responded coldly, “Security guards don’t have law enforcement authority. I’ll discuss how to handle this matter with Ferris Wheel. Get Jiuzhou’s lawyers out of here now.”

On the other end of the line, Zhou Qing said something more, but Zhou Qiwei pressed her fingers to her temples. She’d already had an exhausting day and had no energy left for an argument. Taking a deep breath, she exhaled slowly, forcing down her anger. The sound of her breathing carried through the phone to Zhou Qing’s ears.

What followed was Zhou Qiwei’s ultimatum: “I won’t repeat myself. Stop meddling and get those people out of here!”

“Mom just doesn’t want you to take a beating for no reason! You were kind enough to send someone to the hospital. why should you be the one getting hit and cursed at?”

The Zhou family wasn’t powerless. They could handle matters objectively, but they could also retaliate personally. Zhou Qing didn’t understand why her daughter, who was far from meek, was so insistent on keeping things low-key.

Then Zhou Qing suddenly remembered something after the year-end banquet for the trust fund, her slightly tipsy wife had casually mentioned that Weiwei might be in love. Changing her tone, Zhou Qing lowered her voice as if afraid of being overheard. “Weiwei, are you seeing someone?”

If she indulged Zhou Qing’s line of questioning, the conversation would just go in circles. Zhou Qiwei knew that between “others” and herself, Zhou Qing would always choose her. The only way to end this quickly was one decisive move.

Zhou Qiwei replied dismissively, “Yeah, yeah, sure.”

“Is it that Ms. Song or Ms. Qu?”

Zhou Qing whispered an explanation, “Yuanzhi’s mom told me you got hit. I mean, her little Yuanbao might look more like an Alpha, but he’s still pretty cute.”

Zhou Qiwei didn’t answer. Zhou Qing’s thoughts wandered until she recalled the child who had once wanted to confess to her daughter. That child had said many people adored Zhou Qiwei. She also remembered the time at the auction when Weiwei had remarked that an Alpha like her wasn’t exactly popular and had even asked if Zhou Qing would ever allow her daughter to marry someone like her.

The thought of her daughter being misunderstood all these years, with the family failing to show enough care, always pained Zhou Qing. She had to make it clear her support for her daughter was absolute and unconditional!

In a firm voice, Zhou Qing declared, “Weiwei, if you can’t decide between two people, and if they don’t mind, you can choose both! The whole family supports you!”

“You really are my mother.”

But Song Haoyin no longer had a mother. Did that mean her interests could be ignored, and she could be bullied at will?

Zhou Qiwei hung up and instructed Xu Su to immediately contact News Weekly Online, demanding they take down the article and replace it with breaking news: the police report, Su Ye’s arrest, the medical group’s defamation lawsuit against Su Ye, and Magic Cube Industries’ legal action against irresponsible media outlets all to be featured as the top headline.

Then, purchase the second news slot to clarify: Ms. Song Haoyin had been invited to Magic Cube by its new CEO, Ms. Du Xin, when she suddenly suffered an acute hormonal episode. As a specialist in the field, Zhou Qiwei was entrusted with escorting her to the hospital. There was no assault, no strange relationship just an unfortunate incident. Magic Cube also urged all Alphas and Omegas to prioritize their gland health and hormonal balance.

“President Zhou, if possible, could Magic Cube Industries provide a simple lecture on common gland and pheromone-related conditions? Or perhaps similar events to raise public awareness about pheromone emergencies and reduce negative speculation about Hao Yin’s sudden illness.”

This Director Xu is quite professional, Qu Yuanzhi thought as she lightly applauded.

I know you’re the youngest daughter of Jiuzhou.

Two friends stood in the hospital corridor. After today’s incident, Zhou Qiwei had long stopped worrying about family matters being exposed what would be would be. So when Qu Yuanzhi laid her cards on the table, Zhou felt relieved, only surprised that Yuanbao hadn’t thrown a tantrum.

Qu Yuanzhi had already thrown a massive fit at home even kicking the coffee table in front of her mother for the first time, hurting her own toes in the process. Qu Jinghan could only pull her silly daughter back, torn between laughter and exasperation.

Given Qu Jinghan’s devotion to her daughter, had Zhou Qiwei intentionally deceived her precious child, she would never have allowed her to maintain a friendship with someone who treated her like a fool.

So while Yuanzhi sulked at home, Jinghan comforted her: “All these years, Qiwei chose not to speak of it, and neither did the Zhous. Had I not met Du Ning at your parent-teacher conference back then, I wouldn’t have known either. Everyone has past burdens they’d rather not mention be more forgiving with friends.”

“You’ve always been closer to Xuan Tinglu! Since childhood!”

Zhou Qiwei frowned slightly, looking thoroughly vexed, but soon devised how to salvage their friendship: “Du Xin is my aunt. Tinglu only learned this after they started dating.”

Yuanzhi’s jaw dropped as if she’d seen an alien. Had anyone else said this, she’d have been furious. But coming from Zhou Qiwei, it meant she treated both friends equally equally capricious. Knowing her nature didn’t make it any less infuriating.

“Does Hao Yin know?” Yuanzhi suddenly asked. “A girlfriend is different from friends. She’s been open about her situation while you remained closed off. I suggest you come clean.”

Before Zhou could respond, a woman’s confused voice came from behind: “What is it that I should know?”

Song Haoyin sat propped on the hospital bed. Though recently stricken by sudden illness, pheromone disorders clearly couldn’t defeat her—the woman reviewing her laptop with slightly bowed head still shone brilliantly. If anything, her current fragility made her even more compelling.

From her professional perspective, Xu Su judged this the perfect moment for clarification Song could easily garner considerable sympathy.

But Zhou Qiwei disagreed.

“Have her play the victim for sympathy? Dig up her private life for public consumption? Song Haoyin is an actress, why should she commodify her privacy?”

Haoyin smoothed her hair as if ignoring Zhou’s objection, telling Xu Su: “Prepare a press conference here at the hospital later. I’ll also announce Magic Cube’s new initiative addressing common pheromone emergencies for alphas and omegas.”

“Song~ Hao~ Yin~”

Zhou Qiwei drew out her words as she sat by Song Haoyin’s bedside, still trying to plead her case when Song pinched her nose shut. Miss Song’s voice was gentle yet firm: “When public figures make headlines, they owe the public an explanation a proper conclusion. We can’t just leave things ambiguous. Even if I don’t care, what about you?”

Why should Zhou Qiwei suffer such injustice?

This was precisely why Song Haoyin insisted on holding a press conference. She was tired of Zhou Qiwei constantly being misunderstood especially because of her. And then there was Zhou’s face. Zhou never mentioned being struck, as if Su Ye’s violence at the hospital bedside had never happened.

Though Su Ye had acted under the mistaken belief that Song Haoyin was being abused, Song felt no gratitude. She knew Su Ye too well. If Su Ye were standing before her now, Song would ask: If you suspected I was being abused, why didn’t you just secretly film it and leave? That would’ve been more like you.

Why did you have to escalate things?

“Zhou Qiwei has kept so much from you. She’s lying to you.”

Days later, in the police station’s detention room, Song Haoyin met with Su Ye. Her former friend looked haggard; under public security regulations, she had been held for several days. The medical conglomerate had already filed a lawsuit, and Su Ye was unlikely to win this defamation case.

As Song studied Su Ye, she inexplicably thought of Zuo Wangxun, still lying unconscious in the hospital. She truly couldn’t understand the motivations of these two people in her life. “If Zhou Qiwei invested so much money just to deceive me, then she must be a con artist with exceptionally high moral standards.”

“What if it’s her life at stake?” Su Ye’s voice was feverish. “The Zhou heiress, the owner of Rubik’s Industries such an expensive life. No matter how much she invests, it’s worth it, isn’t it?”

“Before I went to St. Karl’s, I hired a private investigator. Zhou Qiwei must have some ulterior motive for helping you. She used to visit St. Karl’s regularly a hospital famous for treating hormone-related disorders. But after meeting you, she suddenly reduced her visits.”

“Why do you think that is?”

“Haoyin, listen to me. Someone like Zhou Qiwei doesn’t make losing deals. She’s a businesswoman! You’re being used.”

Su Ye admitted she was no saint, but what right did Zhou Qiwei have to earn Song Haoyin’s trust? Did Zhou think that trust came so easily? Su Ye had betrayed Song, lost her friendship, and accepted that.

But Zhou Qiwei? She had been scheming from the start. How could someone like that stand by Song Haoyin’s side?

Su Ye couldn’t accept it. She refused to concede. We’re cut from the same cloth so why do you get to whisper sweet nothings in her ear?

“So?” Song Haoyin tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Even if Zhou Qiwei lied to me, that’s between her and me. What does it have to do with you?”

The words ignited Su Ye. She shot up from her seat across the long table, prompting the officers outside to burst in and force her back into the chair.

“You thought attacking Zhou Qiwei would make me bend to your will? Maybe even feel grateful and rekindle our friendship or go further? Su Ye, you’ve got quite the imagination.”

This wasn’t Song Haoyin. Su Ye sat there with a pale face, how could the person before her be Song Haoyin? Song Haoyin wasn’t like this. She wouldn’t be so spiteful. This attitude resembled someone else entirely. Su Ye could no longer control her emotions and shouted hysterically, “Zhou Qiwei is just a scoundrel who relies on her family background and has a bit of cleverness! Do you know, I’m here in Jiuzhou”

“You don’t know anything at all.” Song Haoyin stood by the table, impatiently picking up her handbag. She regretted agreeing to meet Su Ye.

“That kind of person like Zhou Qiwei even the Zhou family refuses to acknowledge her existence. Born but never raised—”

Slap!

Su Ye froze. Twenty years, and this was the first time she’d been slapped and by Song Haoyin, of all people.

Song Haoyin looked at her as if they’d never met, her gaze as cold as if she were staring at a stranger. Word by word, she warned, “Su Ye, you should learn to keep a civil tongue in your head.”

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