chapter 40

After returning to the manor, Carla and Beth ran out and greeted Andrea as they excitedly held onto her arm. Andrea simply laughed. She wasn't going to disappoint their expectations; especially not the man that thoughtfully helped her so much.

Beth noticed Andrea’s gaze was focused on the man sitting on the sofa flipping through documents. She smiled cheekily as she pushed Andrea towards him, "We won't be light bulbs anymore, hurry over and keep him company!"

After speaking, Beth and Carla returned to their own respective rooms. However, not long after, Beth ran back out holding her phone towards Andrea helplessly, "George is calling, do you want to pick up?"

Andrea took a quick glance at Calleb before she nodded, grabbing the phone from Beth’s hands.

"Andy, since the magazine has decided not to use you, you should return home first. There's no point for you to stay in the US. Don't blame my sister for being ruthless, she did it for the sake of Alcantara’s. The magazine wasn't happy with you, so you don't have the right to blame anyone," George said, speaking like everything he and his sister did was right.

"After using me, you kicked me aside, now you want me to gladly accept all this?" Andrea’s tone was calm but contained a slight sense of ridicule.

"Why won't you give up? Why must you go against Maggie? Why can't you just let us off?" George asked impatiently. Andrea felt like a heavy and annoying baggage that he was desperate to get rid of, but she just kept following him around.

"There is no reason for me to let despicable people off!" Andrea’s tone was firm, "I know how the industry is like. Today Maggie has backup, so she is capable of stepping all over me and is using me to benefit herself. But, that doesn't mean she will still be this fortunate tomorrow..."

"You already have no chance, just let it go! The fact that I love Maggie, is not her fault. My sister was right, you indeed do not have any tolerance."

Andrea suddenly clenched her left fist. Sensing the change in her emotions, Calleb reached out his comforting palm and pulled her into his warm embrace.

George was indeed a heartless person, otherwise, he wouldn't be able to treat Andrea this way. He took her love and destroyed her career, now he wanted her to support his new relationship - he was practically draining her of everything she had.

"Your selfishness will only push Maggie further into hell." After speaking, Andrea hung up the phone and tried her best to calm herself down.

Calleb put down his documents, held onto her hands and gently swayed her body.

"I'm fine. It's normal to be annoyed once in a while, it helps me train a stronger heart."

"Did you see your mentor?" Calleb did not ask any further as he changed the topic.

"Uh huh, it went smoothly." Andrea naturally sat beside Calleb as she leaned against his arms, "I also met a few famous photographers. Calleb, I was so happy...all that was missing was you. I couldn't help thinking, if I could attend an event like that holding your hand, how perfect it would be."

"You will have plenty of chances in the future," Calleb responded suggestively.

"Are you tired? Should I give you a massage?" Andrea asked as she knelt beside him. However, before she could do anything, Maggie turned towards her, grabbed hold of her hand and picked her up in his arms; carrying her horizontally.

"I want you to massage a different part of me..."

"Hubby...I won't make you wait much longer..." Under the moonlight, Andrea hugged Calleb and as the moment became more passionate, she mumbled, "...because I realized, when I think of you kissing someone else, I feel extremely uneasy."

...

Early the next morning. Secret's Headquarters. Mara once again notified Maggie and the others to attend a meeting. After writing up the contract yesterday, today they had to officially sign it.

Maggie wanted to take part in the magazine shoot as soon as possible because the child in her stomach was already over 1 month old. If things kept getting delayed, people would easily discover soon.

The Top Ten Model Awards was to take place in half a months time. She wanted to use the results from Secret's shoot to obtain an award, that way she would be able to climb up the ranks to become an A-grade model. As Secret was a weekly publication, her appearance in the magazine would be before the awards ceremony. So, whether she would be able to influence the Oriental Trend, would go towards her assessment for the Top Ten Model Awards qualifications.

5 minutes later, Mara entered the meeting room. She glared at Maggie and Ella with a mocking expression, however, they didn't realize.

"Mara, we are ready to go. We can get started with the shoot as soon as you are ready. Don't worry, Maggie is an extremely professional model, she will definitely complete the task given by Secret and ignite the Oriental Trend."

"Also, we have already organized for Andrea to fly home, she won't be causing us any more trouble...after all, you know she's not easy to deal with."

Mara sneered as she played with the pen in her hand, "What should we do now? Sorry, Ella, unfortunately, I didn't ask you here to sign the contract...I...asked you here to change models again."

After speaking, Mara tore the contract in Maggie’s hands into shreds, "I'm no longer using either of your models. This is the condition the model I want has given me."

Upon hearing this, Ella slammed her hands on the table angrily, "Mara, what do you mean by this?"

Ella had never thought Secret would go back on their words.

"Can't you understand what I'm saying? I said I won't be signing Maggie. For the sake of your family's personal matters, you've shoved an unworthy model into my hands. Ella, is this how you treat your friends?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Ella had a surprised expression.

"Fine, let me ask you one thing: why did you tell me Andrea is a newcomer? She is already internationally renowned and has received multiple awards. She is even the disciple of Royal Magazine's editor, yet you intentionally told me she's a newcomer. Were you afraid I wouldn't take Maggie, so you deliberately defamed her?" Mara exclaimed loudly.

"I..." Ella was choked up.

"Did you know, because of your selfishness, how humiliated I felt at last night's photography exhibition?"

Mara continued to blame Ella regardless of their past friendship, "Ella, I don't care what you do when no one is looking, but in front of me you better contain your scheming."

"But, you can't just say you don't want her like that. You've seen Maggie’s abilities before..."

"Regarding this matter...I have no say - I've already made a promise to the model I've worked so hard to sign. If you want to plead, go speak to her. As long as she agrees to work with Maggie m, I have no opinion." Mara placed the shredded contract on the table and turned to ask her assistant, "Has she arrived?"

"Yes, she's arrived."

Hearing all this, Ella clenched her teeth, "Let me see who this model that has made you shred up our contract and sever our ties is."

TRIAL MARRIAGE HUSBAND: NEED TO WORK HARD

C40: Negotiating With Han Ruoxue

Ella turned around and looked at the entrance to the meeting room. At the same time, George and Maggie also stared angrily at the door. Who was it this time that was ruining everything for them?

Maggie felt like her heart was about to explode from anger. It wasn't easy to get rid of Andrea, yet who would have thought, 'the mantis stalks the cicada, but behind them lurks the oriole*'. She was surprised there was someone else trying to challenge them.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was extremely intense. At this moment, the meeting room's door flew open and in walked a beautiful figure who caught everyone's attention.

Andrea!

It's actually Andrea!

It's Andrea again!

Ella clenched her fist; she never thought Andra would be able to convince Mara to go back on her words. Maggie and George stood up in shock simultaneously.

This was impossible, Andrea was already eliminated. How did she make Secret change their minds?

"After careful consideration, everyone at Secret has decided to use Andrea as our model," Mara announced in front of the people in the room. She then gave a trivial look at the trio, "As I'm aware, she is also a model from Alcantara’s, but why do I feel like you aren't happy at all. Is it possible that Andrea isn't actually a model of yours?"

"Andrea, what schemes did you use? Why did you have to steal the front cover that belonged to me?" Maggie couldn't hold back her anger as she questioned Andrea.

"The front cover that belonged to you?" Andrea maintained her smile, not allowing anyone to see through her emotions, "You used my popularity to go overseas, under the guise of sharing the stage; you used me to created a topic of discussion to distract the public from your scandal; as soon as we arrived in the US, you got rid of me after I no longer had any use; you defamed me in front of the client and faked my portfolio. So, tell me, how does this front cover belong to you?"

"I only retrieved what belonged to me and recovered the fairness I deserved."

"You used your background to step all over me for your benefit, while I used my own capabilities to retrieve my front cover. I don't steal from anyone...but, I'm not going to let others step all over me - it's that simple."

Each word that came out of Andrea’s mouth was clear and precise - full of power. Making Mara, who originally misunderstood her, look at her in admiration.

What a strong character!

"Andy, I've said it before, this is the most important time for Maggie. Everyone in Alcantara’s should be helping her get through this obstacle." George verbally attacked Andrea angrily, "Can you not be so selfish?"

"The reason she's faced with an obstacle is because of you. I've said it before, no matter how much you want to support her, I have no opinion and don't care, but...if she wants to advance by stepping on me, I will only make her fall pitifully."

"Andrea, Mara mentioned...as long as you say it, Maggie can still participate in the Secret photo shoot. She doesn't have much time left, she will be partaking in the Top Ten Model Awards soon."

"Why must I agree? If she is having difficulties, it is her problem, why is it my obligation to help her? Is there a law for it?" Andrea asked in an amused tone. "Isn't Ella really capable? Get her to secure a job with another magazine..."

"Andrea, don't go too far," Ella stomped her feet in anger.

Mara couldn't be bothered to continue watching Alcantara’s people fight amongst each other. She gently patted Andrea’s shoulder and said, "Andrea, I'll wait outside. Tell me your decision after half an hour. Whether it will be a solo shoot or a shoot with you and Maggie, you decide."

"Thank you, Mara," Andrea nodded. It was good timing, as she had much more to say that wasn't convenient to say in front of outsiders.

"I've asked for a few bodyguards to stand guard at the door, if anyone wants to do anything to you, just scream."

Andrea smiled again and looked at Carla and Beth, hinting that in this situation, she may not necessarily be at a disadvantage. As soon as Mara left the room, Ella slammed her hand on the table and questioned Andrea, "What is it that you want?"

"This is not how you treat someone you are asking a favor from..." Andrea said firmly to Ella. "What your brother has done, I am sure you already know. In this industry, it is clear that the strong get all the support, while the weak get stepped all over. I know it doesn't matter what I say to you. Since we both hate the look of each other, what's the point of working together? You should go plead to someone else."

Ella’s eyes were red, but at this moment, there was nothing she could do.

After all, she was the manager of a different company. The fact that she was helping Alcantara’s was already a breach of her contract; she couldn't help Maggie out in the open.

Plus, chances didn't come around easily.

So, she had no choice but to soften her tone, "Tell me what you want Andrea, if you go too far, both of us won't benefit from it."

"Maggie said I stole something that belonged to her."

"No, Maggie needs your guidance," Ella clenched her teeth as she responded to Andrea. In reality, she wanted so desperately for Andrea to immediately disappear.

Andrea also felt the same towards her. However, the provocation from these people in front of her, made her understand, if she couldn't reason with them, she should make a choice to benefit herself. So, after taking a quick glance at Maggie’s defiant expression, she raised her eyebrows and said, "I'll give Maggie a chance...under one condition."

"Speak," Ella said as she held back her anger.

"I want Alcantara’s to promise from now on, who I work with, will be decided by me personally. In other words, I will take on whatever job I want, Alcantara’s has no right to step in. They also have no right to arrange for jobs I do not agree to," Andrea said straightforwardly.

"That's impossible," Ella was firm, "What difference would this be to canceling your contract or opening a personal studio?"

"You can turn it down, after all, in the end, I will still make it happen. But, are you sure, Maggie can continue to wait?"

Ella glanced at George. They both looked down and contemplated for a moment. In the end, Ellla told Andrea: "At most, I can only allow you to voice your opinion. In other words, we won't arrange jobs for you without you knowing. In regards to your choice of clients, the company definitely needs to be in control, otherwise, if you randomly choose to work with cheap no-name companies, what would happen to our company's reputation?"

"Andrea, no artist can tread on top of their company's head."

"The company can be in control, but...I need all the higher-ups to be present whenever a decision is made because I no longer have trust in Han Yufan."

"Other companies provide their artists with the best resources. I don't expect you to do that for me, I just don't want you to interfere. One more thing...do not tie Maggie into everything."

Ella sneered. She didn't believe Andrea was capable of much, all this was just a rash decision. Once Maggie’s status was elevated, Alcantara’s wouldn't have any difficulty defaming Andrea again. When the time comes, she would create a problem for Andrea that she was sure Andrea wouldn't be able to get herself out of.

So she agreed - right now, this was the best decision she could make.

Since she couldn't directly step all over Andrea, all she could do was...make her share a stage with Maggie. She couldn't wait to see, with a top manager like herself, whether Andrea could manage to be better than Maggie.

"I agree," Ella responded as she nodded her head.