CHAPTER 321
As Arianna neared the entrance to the general manager’s office, she took a moment to inhale deeply and steady herself.
She adjusted her blazer and organized her thoughts before raising her hand to knock.
“Come in,” a voice called from inside.
Arianna opened the door and entered, making an effort to exude confidence while mentally preparing for the conversation ahead.
The general manager stood up from behind his expansive desk as she walked in.
He motioned toward the seating area and spoke in a measured tone,
“Let’s discuss this over at the sofa.”
Arianna nodded and followed him, waiting for him to take a seat before positioning herself in the chair across from him, maintaining an upright posture and a neutral expression.
The general manager, an experienced individual skilled in handling complex situations, looked at her with an unreadable expression. His demeanour was calm, yet there was a gravity in his voice as he asked,
"I trust you're informed about the difficulties we're currently dealing with?"
“Yes,” Arianna replied quietly yet confidently, her voice steady.
He scrutinized her for a moment, attempting to determine if she was genuinely composed or merely putting on a brave face.
Choosing not to waste time, he cut to the chase.
“You’re intelligent, so I’ll get right to it,” he said, leaning forward with a measured tone.
“This issue has escalated beyond our expectations. The backlash is severe, and Starlight Network cannot afford to ignore it.”
"I was the one who advocated for your hiring because I saw great potential in you and believed you had a promising future with us. I want to have faith in your abilities, but if you can’t find a way to solve this and turn things around, the network will have no choice but to let you go.”
His tone remained calm, but there was a sharpness to his words.
“This is a pivotal moment, Mrs. King. If you can’t navigate this crisis, your career here—and possibly in the industry—could be at an end.”
Arianna met his gaze, the weight of his ultimatum sinking in.
She understood perfectly.
The stakes were high, and the consequences of failure were clear. Her career, her reputation, and her future rested on her ability to salvage the situation.
The general manager’s lips curved into a faint, almost encouraging smile.
“Don’t let me down.”
…
After leaving the office, Arianna headed straight for the restroom. She splashed cold water onto her face, the chill helping to ground her spiralling thoughts.
Taking a deep breath, she gripped the edges of the sink and stared at her reflection.
“Pull it together,” she muttered to herself.
Once her mind was clearer, she pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts until she found Selby’s number. Her finger hesitated above the call button, lingering for a brief moment before she finally pressed it.
The call connected almost immediately as if he’d been expecting her.
Before Arianna could even say a word, Selby’s voice came through, sharp and precise.
"I’ve been waiting for your call, Mrs. King,” Selby’s voice rasped through the receiver.
Gone was the usual calm and warmth, replaced by a strained hoarseness that hinted at his exhaustion.
Arianna pressed her lips into a thin line, unease prickling at the back of her mind.
Something was wrong—she could feel it.
Before she could respond, Selby’s tone turned grave. “I’m sorry, Mrs. King...” he said abruptly, and the line went dead.
The sudden dial tone rang hollow in her ears.
Arianna's chest tightened as she clutched the phone, her pulse quickening. She immediately redialed the number, but instead of a familiar voice, an automated message echoed back:
"The number you are trying to reach is no longer in service."
Panic rising, she tried Selby’s secretary instead, but the same mechanical message greeted her. Her hand dropped to her side, and her gaze darkened.
The apology lingered in her mind. Was it a confession of guilt, or an admission of regret for dragging her into this mess?
The answer mattered—without it, she couldn’t formulate her next move.
The stakes were too high, and the outcome hinged on knowing Selby’s role in the scandal.
Her instincts told her that trouble was brewing, and Selby’s abrupt silence all but confirmed it.
The general manager’s warning echoed in her mind, underscored by the relentless attacks she faced online. The netizens’ fury was palpable, and the consequences of mishandling the situation were now inevitable.
Arianna inhaled deeply, closing her eyes for a moment to centre herself. This wasn’t just an organic scandal—it had been carefully orchestrated.
The speed at which the story spread, paired with the conveniently timed revelations, pointed to someone deliberately fanning the flames of public outrage.
If her instincts were correct, Harmony was the one pulling the strings.
And Harmony’s goal wasn’t just to tarnish Arianna’s reputation—it was to obliterate her.
Arianna’s jaw tightened. She couldn’t afford to back down, not even an inch.
She unlocked her phone and quickly dialled Rochelle’s number. As soon as her friend picked up, Arianna got straight to the point.
“Chelle, I need your help. Can you find out where Professor Cornwell lives?”
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