The Scumbag Attackers Regretted It Deeply After My Death - Chapter 48

He hadn’t forgotten the business at hand. Frowning, he asked, “Have you seen Weibo? Last night, Guan Luoxue paid for a trending spot. I just went to her room, and she made two demands. One of them is for you to hold a press conference to apologize to her assistant.”

Yao Anna sneered internally, her gaze calm. “And you agreed?”

“How could I? I originally wanted to spend some money to settle the matter quietly, but Guan Luoxue opened her mouth like a lion, demanding one million in compensation. Furthermore, she insists you apologize at a press conference. I cannot accept such a humiliating treaty.”

“That’s why I came to you—to see if you have any good suggestions.”

Yao Anna understood Director Zou’s meaning. It turned out Director Zou couldn’t handle a tough nut like Guan Luoxue and wanted to consult with her, the person involved, to find a solution.

“Simple,” Yao Anna said. “Tell her to get lost and find another actress to fill the spot.”

Director Zou: “…”

Zou Zhaoming gave a bitter smile and spread his hands. “You make it sound so easy. Guan Luoxue has the Pei Group backing her, and President Pei is one of the biggest investors in this drama, investing just as much as your fiancé, President Jiang. Since Guan Luoxue hasn’t done anything truly outrageous, it’s hard for me to break the contract and kick her out.”

“The Pei Group?” Yao Anna froze for half a second, her delicate brows furrowing. “You mean Pei Congling invested in this drama too?”

“Yes, that very same famous President Pei.”

“…How come I didn’t get this news earlier?”

Yao Anna was a bit stunned. She remembered that in her past life, Pei Congling hadn’t invested in Phoenix Reborn. Jiang Nian’an had invested and made over a billion, and Yao Zhenzhen had become incredibly famous after being nominated for the Golden Eagle Best Actress award for her role as the lead. As for this so-called second female lead, Guan Luoxue…

Yao Anna fell into deep thought. She felt as if she had forgotten a key detail.

“President Pei didn’t invest before. She suddenly asked to meet me half a month ago saying she wanted to invest. Anna, why are you asking? Are you close with President Pei?”

Director Zou explained, and a thought suddenly struck him. His eyes lit up—if Yao Anna had a good relationship with Pei Congling, and Pei Congling stepped in, Guan Luoxue wouldn’t dare to be so unscrupulous!

But Yao Anna’s next sentence caused the light in Director Zou’s eyes to dim.

“I know her, but we aren’t close.”

Seeing Director Zou’s disappointed face, Yao Anna pursed her lips. She didn’t admit to her relationship with Pei Congling because she couldn’t let Yao Zhenzhen, who was in the same cast, realize she was teaming up with the Pei family to deal with the Yao family. After all, the Peis were the Yaos’ rivals. If Yao Zhenzhen found out, it wouldn’t be long before Yao Guangming knew about their connection.

“Sigh, then it’s going to be difficult. Guan Luoxue probably won’t show up for the opening ceremony. The media I invited will definitely dig into this. Although Guan Luoxue was rude first, you did break her assistant’s finger. This matter might be hard to handle…”

Director Zou was worried. Familiar with the entertainment industry, he analyzed the pros and cons for Yao Anna, reminding her to be careful.

After seeing Director Zou off, Yao Anna opened the fridge, took out a can of iced cola, and took a sip. Yao Ling hurried over. Seeing her leisurely drinking soda, she was anxious. “Sister Anna, don’t you know President Pei? Give her a call. She’ll definitely help you solve the Guan Luoxue issue. If this blows up, it’ll be bad for your image.”

With a faint smile in her eyes, Yao Anna drank her cola slowly and said, “Don’t be in such a hurry.”

“How can I not be? Sister Anna, you’re way too relaxed!”

Seeing the young girl was genuinely upset, Yao Anna laughed. She set the cola on the vanity and affectionately took Yao Ling’s arm, leading her out.

“Alright, alright. If Guan Luoxue wants to deal with me, she needs the actual ability to do so. Let’s just watch the show and see how she wants to play this out.”

Seeing her nonchalant and even interested expression, the words of persuasion at the tip of Yao Ling’s tongue were forced back down.

Fine. Over the last few days, she had rediscovered her goddess. She wasn’t blind to the changes in Yao Anna. Regarding the Omega’s transformation, Yao Ling only felt relieved. Compared to the previous innocent and kind Yao Anna, she preferred the current “black-bellied” version who didn’t let people off easily. She truly wanted Yao Anna to live well; clearly, this version of her could protect herself, and others wouldn’t dare bully her.

When they reached the banquet hall, the guests and media were all in place. The left area was occupied by the investors of Phoenix Reborn, equipment suppliers, and advertisers. The right area was filled with news media members holding cameras and microphones, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

A staff member spotted Yao Anna and ran over.

“Sister Anna, everything is ready. We’re just waiting for you. Director Zou wants you backstage.”

“Okay.”

Yao Anna nodded. Just as she was about to head backstage with Yao Ling, heavy and hurried footsteps sounded behind her. A cold voice rang out, drawing the attention of many media members.

“Anna.”

Hearing that familiar voice, Yao Anna’s body stiffened slightly.

On the other side, sitting in the first row of the left area, Pei Congling was chatting and laughing with a middle-aged man. Suddenly, she heard someone behind her say: “Holy crap, isn’t that President Jiang and Sister Anna?”

The mention of “Sister Anna” immediately resonated with those nearby.

“Colleague, are you a fan of Sister Anna too?”

“You bet! I’ve been a fan for three years. Her ancient costume look is simply too beautiful. I love it. Jiang Nian’an is truly a winner in life!”

Hearing this, Pei Congling’s eyes darkened. She retracted her smile and turned to look. She saw the noble and proud Alpha standing behind Yao Anna, staring intently at her as if waiting for her to turn around. However, Yao Anna only paused for two seconds and continued toward the backstage without looking back. Her expression was cold, and her white robes made her look like a transcendent immortal, giving off an aura of something that could only be admired from afar but not touched.

As they passed each other, Yao Anna glanced sideways. Her calm gaze swept over Pei Congling in the front row, a flash of surprise in her eyes, before she left the hall.

Pei Congling raised an eyebrow, the intrigue in her eyes deepening. This Yao Anna—when Jiang Nian’an called her, she didn’t even turn her head, yet she looked at her while passing by. Though the Omega’s action seemed casual, it was full of meaning.

Suddenly, someone sat in the empty seat beside her. A low, cold Alpha voice came from her side.

“Don’t get happy too early.”

Pei Congling snapped out of it and looked over. She saw Jiang Nian’an staring straight at her, displeasure and provocation written all over her face.

Heh…

She instantly understood the meaning behind Yao Anna’s look just now.

That girl did it on purpose! She deliberately incited Jiang Nian’an’s hostility.

Pei Congling blinked innocently, a gentle smile appearing on her face as she played dumb. “What do you mean by that, President Jiang? I don’t quite understand.”

Jiang Nian’an’s eyes darkened further. A cold sneer curled her lips as she mocked, “Whether you truly don’t understand or are just pretending, I’m afraid only President Pei knows for sure.”

Pei Congling: “…”

Why did it sound like Jiang Nian’an knew some inside information?

Previously, she might have doubted the relationship between Jiang Nian’an and Yao Anna, but now she didn’t doubt it at all. Yao Anna had embarrassed Jiang Nian’an in front of the media, and then this “great deity” immediately came to pick a fight with her. What was this if not “turning shame into anger”?

Jiang Nian’an was jealous of her. It was blatant jealousy!

Pei Congling smiled, maintaining her refined, aristocratic image. She looked up at Director Zou on the stage.

The opening ceremony had officially begun. Director Zou stood on stage speaking into the microphone. She looked focused, but only Jiang Nian’an, sitting next to her, knew that Pei Congling’s heart wasn’t in it.

“The rumors about the Yao Group were your doing, right?”

Jiang Nian’an sat upright with her long legs crossed. She didn’t look at Pei Congling but kept her eyes on Director Zou, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear. Her tone was certain, as if she had already confirmed it was Pei Congling’s work.

The smile in Pei Congling’s eyes faded slightly. She gently turned the ruby ring on her index finger, her expression remaining unchanged.

“Does it matter if it was me? President Jiang’s methods aren’t exactly honorable either. Ten minutes ago, a trending topic suddenly appeared regarding Yao Anna’s family matters. That should be your handiwork, shouldn’t it?”

Jiang Nian’an’s eyes tightened. She turned to stare directly at Pei Congling. “Bullshit!”

Pei Congling: “…”

Why the sudden profanity?

“Is it not?”

Pei Congling turned her head, looking at Jiang Nian’an with a half-smile. Witnessing the fire burning in the Alpha’s eyes, she found it amusing. The usually calm and steady Jiang Nian’an had actually lost her cool because of one sentence?

It was this Alpha’s reaction that made Pei Congling realize that perhaps Jiang Nian’an wasn’t the mastermind behind this particular matter.

Jiang Nian’an couldn’t be bothered with her. She gave her a cold look and silently took out her phone. She opened Weibo and saw that while the Phoenix Reborn opening ceremony was at the top, the second trending topic had a very piercing title:

#Yao Anna’s Identity Exposed: Completely Broke Ties with the Yao Family a Week Ago and Sent Her Father to the Hospital?

Her fingers tightened around the phone until her knuckles turned white. Jiang Nian’an stared at the screen, her finger trembling slightly as she clicked the title. The comment section was a mess; anti-fans were jumping for joy, while fans who had “awakened” during the previous role-stealing incident were fighting back desperately to protect Yao Anna’s image.

Only the Yao family and herself knew about Yao Guangming being hospitalized. Could this be Yao Zhenzhen’s work again?

Just then, the main and supporting actors of Phoenix Reborn took the stage. Yao Anna stood in the center position (C-position). Beside her was Rong Jingxi, dressed in black military attire with sharp brows and bright eyes, looking handsome and dashing. Although Rong Jingxi had the “pretty boy Alpha” look and didn’t seem very “Alpha-like”—giving off a “soft and easily pushed over” vibe—once he was in makeup and costume, his handsome appearance and the cold temperament he projected perfectly fit the God of War image in the script!

Cheers erupted from below. These two leads were such a perfect match! They were a “top-tier CP” (Couple)!

With the official “shipping” interactions beginning, the audience’s eyes were sharp. They didn’t need to say a word—they were ready to ship them and spend money! The Alphas in the crowd stared at Yao Anna with glowing eyes, while the Omegas drooled over Rong Jingxi.