Way Back Into Love (Essie)

"Damn Leila!" Mandy said through gritted teeth.

The change in her facial expression told Essie that Mandy believed her. Grabbing the opportunity, she said further, "That day, Leila asked me out for a cup of coffee. She saw the ring on my finger, and I told he that Zac gave it to me. She was livid. I was glad that she was falling into my trap, but I didn't expect her to be so devious. She ran to you to tell tales, set me up, and tried to ruin our friendship." She sighed heavily. "Our ten-year friendship, ruined just like that by that woman. Our friendship was too fragile for this test. I will never meddle in your relationship with ice guy from now on, or you may kill me where I stand."

These words were the killing blow. Mandy no longer had any sliver of doubt toward Essie. At the thought that she had almost killed her friend yesterday, she felt regret welling up in her heart.

How could she be so stupid as to believe her biggest rival?

"Essie, I was wrong. Please forgive me. I won't be tricked again." She fervently hugged Essie.

"You're more important to me than any of my other friends." Essie patted her head. "To be honest, that ice guy was only nice to me so that he could win me over on his side. I wash his clothes, clean his room, and cooked food for him. I am like his 24/7 unpaid nanny."

"Do you really do such belittling things to yourself?" Mandy raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I don't have to pay rent," Essie retorted with a shrug and a snicker.

Hearing this, Mandy smiled back. Leila was her greatest enemy, and she had to join hands with her friend in order to take that woman down.

In the apartment...

As she entered the house, Essie heard Zac talking on the phone.

As it turned out, it was precisely the woman who drove a wedge between her and Mandy, Leila, who was on the other end. It seemed like she was trying to ask Zac out for dinner.

'Humph! Since you were the one who picked a fight today, don't blame me for my reaction.

I will make you pay for what you're done today.'

She limped to the sofa and suddenly stumbled forward. Fortunately, Zac was able to catch her within the circle of his arms before she landed on the floor.

Discreetly, she hit Zac's phone with her elbow, and the device fell to the ground. Instead of picking it up, Zac gently ushered her to the sofa first. "The wound on your leg hasn't healed yet. Don't walk too much today."

"I'm feeling dizzy, too. I may have gotten a concussion when I took that tumble and hit my head." She rubbed her forehead.

"Really? I'll take you to the hospital so you could be examined by a doctor." Zac sounded a little worried.

"It's not that serious. I'll be fine after resting for a couple of days." She waved her hands and lowered her eyes, trying to look pitiful. "But I'll be home alone with no one to take care of me. I'm pretty sure I will starve to death."

He shook his head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "You idiot, I'm here. How can you possibly starve to death?"

"You are never at home anyway," she muttered seemingly to herself, but each word was very clear.

"We have an patient in the house. Do you think I would dare to go out?" He tapped her nose affectionately. Suddenly, he remembered that the call was still ongoing, so he hung up the phone after declining Leila's invitation politely.

On the other end, Leila heard everything they said. She was so angry that she threw her mobile phone spitefully to the ground.

'That vixen! She may look cute and capable, but she's a two-faced, conniving little bitch!

She was as crazy as Valery.

Valery tried to ensnare Zac by getting pregnant, while Essie tricked Zac into getting a ring.

Leila could not take any action against Valery because of her influential family. However, Essie was free game, having neither money nor background, so Leila would crush her like an ant. She clenched her teeth, an cold, calculating gleam entered her eyes.

Essie was quite pleased and proud of herself for making Zac promise to stay at home.

To her, winning small battles was the key.

In case that Leila should cause mischief between her and her friend again, Essie sent Mandy a text message, telling her that she ruined Leila's and Zac's date.

Elated, Mandy replied with five funny emojis.

That night

After Essie fell asleep...

Zac booted up his computer and started a video call with William.

"Boss, the program called Beauty on Runway was planned and produced by Star Media. I have looked further into it, and apparently the top managers of the company are currently seeking investors and planning to be publicly listed."

"Construct a plan to invest in the program and acquire Star Media." Zac forwarded the drafted plan to William.

William was stunned. Zac's family was already involved in more than 30 industries, with subsidiaries throughout the world and its unmatched influence in the media field. Why did they need to acquire such a small company?

However, as soon as he saw the name Emperor, he understood.

Zac did not want to live off of the glory of his family. Thus, at the age of eighteen, Zac founded the Emperor Group, tackling the main responsibilities of infrastructure and construction. Now, the industries that the company covered had extended to IT, Internet, and tourism. Was he now trying to gain Emperor an entry into the media business?

Anyway, he was known for having the Midas touch, and his investments turned out to be highly profitable. The business community started calling him an investment compass. Thus, William only executed his orders.

A week later, Essie received the news of her selection.

The news couldn't have been more welcome.

She was so excited that she ran downstairs crazily and wrapped her arms around Zac's neck. "Zac, I got selected! I got into the show!"

Zac exclaimed, "I knew you could do it! The champagne is ready, just waiting for you." A bright, charming smile was plastered on his face. With Essie's talent in design and keen insight into fashion, it was not difficult for her to win the championship. But reality shows were just shows, not the Olympic Games. Talent really was not really the basis for winning such shows, whereas background, backstage, and money

were.

He did not want these underhanded dealings and unspoken rules to taint her; he wanted her to be able to show her strength freely.

In the afternoon, Essie signed a contract with the TV station and then went to visit Mandy.

Mandy was the bearer of both good news and bad news.