The next day, a news article surprised the Chinese netizens. It stated that Ryan Zhang, was actually not dating the newcomer actress in question and that the two were only working in a production together. Wu Studios also used this to market the fact that his character in the upcoming drama was a heart breaker.

Many die-hard fans were relieved and most people just thought it was a marketing plan. Although there was one person not happy about it; the new actress in the scandal, Diana Han. Outraged by the fact that her staged scandal got immediately brushed off, she decided to pay Wu Studios a visit.

Diana Han was actually not a newbie actress. In fact, she had been in the showbiz industry for five years, but she had only been given small roles that it didn’t really get her to be noticed. The new drama where she would work with famous actor Ryan Zhang was her first leading role and she was trying to get the most of it. She just didn’t expect for her plan to backfire.

Donned with a disguise, which was just a mask and a pair of sunglasses really, she rode the elevator with the employees of Wu Studios.

“Wah, Miss Li is very amazing isn’t she?” said one of the employees inside the elevator. “She managed to squash a scandal the day after it was released.”

“I heard she had dealt harder ones in America.” seconded another one. “This should be easy for her considering Hollywood is much bigger than the Chinese showbiz industry.”

“Eh? I don’t think I’ve met Miss Li. What is she like?” asked another one.

“Are you new here?”

“Yes.”

“Miss Li was hired to be Ryan Zhang’s handler just a few months ago. She’s really good at what she does and she’s a very tough cookie. She gets along well with Ryan Zhang’s sponsors and has managed to secure work and contracts for him in the next five years.”

“Wow. She sounds like Wonder Woman.”

“She’s also very beautiful.” commented the first one to speak up a while ago. “Beautiful and smart, a total femme fatale.”

The elevator doors opened and Diana got off when she realized it was her floor. According to what she just heard, it was Ryan Zhang’s handler who stopped the scandal from growing. And from what she knew, she did the same thing to the other scandals that popped up before hers.

“A total femme fatale?” she muttered. “I would like to see that.”

Diana headed straight to the office of Elise and was very glad to have seen her inside. She wasn’t looking for trouble but she just wanted to know how the renowned Miss Li was able to stop the scandal at a fast rate.

“Good morning Miss Li.” she greeted.

Elise looked up from the documents she was reading and was surprised to find a familiar face.

“You’re… Miss Han? Diana Han?”

“Yes.”

“Ah. Please take a seat. What can I do for you?”

“I just wanted to know how you were able to think of such a way to stop the scandal between me and Ryan. I am very thankful for that by the way.” she said.

“Oh. That. Well, I have come across a similar situation in America. I just used that as a reference.”

“Is that so. Still, thank you for that. If it went on, both our reputations would have plunged and I would’ve gained many haters.”

“Oh, don’t worry. It’s my job to ensure Ryan’s reputation doesn’t plummet. Of course, it needs his cooperation so I’m very happy that he is very cooperative with me.”

“I see. Miss Li, what do you think of the scandal? I mean, what are your thoughts about it?”

“My thoughts? Hmm…”

Diana was starting to get confused and also started regretting her decision of coming into the company and seeing Elise Li. She was obviously a formidable opponent.

“I think, it’s done by people who had nothing to do but create trouble.”

She couldn’t help but just nod nervously.

“But sooner or later, bad karma will get them. After all, if one were to follow the golden rule; Do not do unto others what you do not others do unto you, I’m pretty sure what they did will bite them back.”

“I see. Well, that’s what I’m here for. And I’m very glad to get your answer. I should probably go.”

Elise watched as Diana Han walked out of the door. She knew fully well that the woman was trying to probe her but she didn’t fall to her traps, which she basically considered a win.

Her phone suddenly rang and she was very surprised to find that it was her son’s school that was calling her.

“Hello?”

“Miss Li? This is Seth’s adviser.”

“Oh, I see. May I ask why you called?”

“It’s concerning Seth. He got himself into trouble.”

Elise went wide-eyed and immediately left the building.

***

Seth is usually a laid back guy. Even if you bother him, he wouldn’t even try to retaliate and would just walk away. But it’s another thing when you insult his mother.

It was the middle of lunch break and Seth was reading a book in the school’s rooftop. During lunch time, he would usually head up there to get away from the noise inside the classroom. He wasn’t expecting to be bothered by the school’s number one problem child; Kyle Zhou.

“That’s my seat.” said Kyle when he saw Seth in the rooftop.

“There’s a lot more place for you to sit, choose. Don’t bother me.” replied Seth, not even taking his eyes off the book he was reading.

“Really now.”

Kyle suddenly snatched the book from his hands. Seth couldn’t help but sigh in disbelief at the childish actions of the boy in front of him. From what he knew, Kyle Zhou was a cheeky student who would pull pranks and sleep in classes. He got suspended for breaking a window once and getting into fight inside the school campus. He wasn’t a bully, but other students usually stay away from him.

“Give it back.”

“No.” Kyle smirked. “You just transferred right?”

“Months ago. Now give me back my book.”

Seth tried to snatch it form his hands, but Kyle was quick and immediately raised the book with his hand. Unfortunately for Seth, the boy in front of him was way taller than him. He couldn’t even reach the book even when he stood on his toes. He also sucked at jumping, so he had to think of another way of taking the book back, since Kyle seemed to have no intention of returning it.

“Give it back.” Seth muttered again, trying to give Kyle a chance.

“How about, no?”

“What the hell’s your problem?” Seth asked.

“I hate you.”

“Ha?” Seth was a bit miffed at the answer. “I don’t even know you. Why the hell would you hate me?”

“I hate it that you seem to have no care in the world.” Kyle sneered. “I hate it when you’re too optimistic even at misfortunes. I just… hate you!”

“What? Do you have a loose screw or something?”

Seth sighed and kicked Kyle in the knee. The latter howled in pain and crouched to nurse his aching knee. Seth took this as an opportunity to snatch his book back. When he did so, she started to walk back inside the school.

“Why would you hurt someone who was only goofing around with you?” Kyle asked.

“You started it.”

“Is that what your mother taught you? How about your dad? Ah, right, you don’t have a dad. I suppose I understand you acting that way since you only have a mom.”

Seth was usually very good at holding his temper, but it was different when his mother was the one insulted. In a flash, Kyle found himself lying to the ground and pain erupted at the side of his mouth. Seth just punched him!

“Take that back! You have no right to say that to my mom!” Seth screamed.

“Get off!” Kyle threw a punch as well that hit Seth’s jaw.

The two started exchanging blows. Some students saw what happened and immediately reported to the teachers. The two ended up getting summoned to the teacher’s office. And so were their parents.

Elise panicked when she saw her son with a bruise on his cheek.

“Oh my gosh! Seth! Are you okay? Who did this to you?” she asked.

She looked around the room and found another student and a teacher.

“Are you Seth Li’s guardian?” asked the teacher.

“Yes, I’m his mother. What happened?”

“Can you wait until the other party’s guardian arrives?”

Elise only nodded her head and started inspecting her son for other injuries. A few minutes later, another figure rushed inside the teacher’s office. It was a man in an expensive-looking suit. Elise immediately recognized him, Zhou Group’s CEO, Dylan Zhou.

“Kyle!” he called. “What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into?”

The teacher immediately explained what happened to the two in the rooftop.

“Why did you do that?” Elise asked Seth, who still refused to meet her eyes.

“He started it. He can mock me, but he can’t insult you.” Seth answered.

Meanwhile, Dylan was also scolding his younger brother who had always caused nothing but trouble.

“You instigated him.” Dylan pointed out.

“No I didn’t! He was sitting on my spot!”

“That still doesn’t give you the right to instigate him and insult his mother!”

“But he hit me first!”

“Dude, you threw the first blow first.”

“No I didn’t!”

“Kyle, not all blows are physical. Sometimes, emotional ones hurt more than physical punches.”

Kyle only pursed his lips and looked at the mother-son duo across him.

“Kyle, he was raised by a single mother, do you know how hard that is? You insulted him and his mother. Of course he’d get angry at it.” Dylan explained.

“But-“

“Apologize.”

“Ha? But-“

“Kyle Zhou.”

Kyle hated it when his brother gives him the look. It always left a bad aftertaste in him. The Zhou brothers walked to the two and Kyle immediately apologized.

“I was wrong to do and say those words. So, I’m sorry.”

Seth looked up and nodded his head. “Sorry for hitting you.”

Elise stood up and faced the brothers.

“I hope this never happens again. And Mister Zhou.”

Dylan was taken aback when she called him.

“I hope you’d do something about your brother. I’ll do the same on my side.”

“Of course.”

Dylan couldn’t help but smile. Women usually fall for his charms the moment they meet. His handsome looks made sure of that. But the woman in front of him seems to not be affected by it at all.

The Zhou brothers watched as Elise and her son drove away from the school. The older one couldn’t contain his interest and therefore couldn’t hide his smile.

“What’s wrong with you?” asked the younger.

“Kyle, I think your big brother is in love.”

“Ha?”

***

Elise sat in Seth’s bed and watched her son unpacked his school bag with such feeling and expression of anger. She knew her son’s temper, and she was pretty sure the kid, Kyle Zhou, hit his sensitive parts. That was why he was in such a mood.

“Would you like to talk about it?” Elise asked.

“Not really.”

“Then, would you like to let it all go?”

She noticed him go silent and seconds later, he started sobbing. She hugged her son closer.

“Just let it all go.”

She basically got a clear picture of what happened at school with Kyle Zhou. The latter probably mentioned about him having no father, and her being a single mother. That had always been a sensitive and sore topic for Seth. Even back in America, he would get into trouble with his classmates and schoolmates because of that.

Elise couldn’t help but feel sorry for her son. It was her fault why they were in such a situation after all. Her son grew up without a father. Even though she tried to be a mother and a father to him at the same time, it was still different when the real thing is around.

‘But I already lied to Ryan about him.’ she thought. ‘I can’t let him find out. I can’t let you two meet. I’m sorry if mom’s being selfish Seth. But that guy doesn’t deserve to be your father. You’re too good for him and he cherishes his career too much. I will not let you call a guy who chose his career first over his responsibilities to you, dad. I don’t care if it’s just pride.’

And so, Elise had made her mind.