Chapter 382: Rumors-4

Cylus did not want to let go of Mina. Every time she looked at him, he felt that familiar tug that kept pulling him back to her side. When she thanked him for being a devoted friend to her, Cylus felt a surge of pride, but somewhere deep inside, he knew she was setting distance between them and at times; it was almost as if she were saying goodbye.

Pulling his eyes away from Mina's, Cylus looked back at Lisa and President Lee, only to find twin stares of bitterness. Mina must have noticed it as well because she shifted her body slightly behind his, pulling his attention back to her and invoking a smile. No matter how sexy she appeared, a person's nature could not be easily changed, and Mina was not an exception.

"Looks like your cousin could use some help," President Lee said to Cylus, who spun around to see Olivia and Peter standing near to one another.

"I will be right back," Cylus said to Mina. He did not want her to follow him and become involved with matters that could potentially affect the peace of her work environment.

With Cylus gone, Mina started to feel uncomfortable. She excused herself to the restroom; unable to take the stares she was getting from President Lee or his girlfriend. She wanted to escape before they could resume speaking to her about 'clean slates'.

As Mina expected, Lisa volunteered to follow her. She had hoped that the woman would have left her alone but that was asking for too much. Lisa kept talking to her along the way, but Mina just wanted to hide for a while.

When Mina saw that tranquility would not be easily found, she made her way back to the waiting men, relieved that Cylus had returned. She kept a serene expression on her face. She laughed and giggled all the way back to the three men who waited for them.

Mina was extremely friendly to everyone around her. She even casually sipped at a glass of wine that Zane noticed had not moved much, which meant that Mina was pretending to drink. He found himself watching her facial expressions, and studying them for a tell, but there was nothing that gave her away. He seemed to be the only one who noticed the odd behavior, because he was the only one staring at Mina in concern.

Growing up in a household with a manipulative father, Zane learned to spot odd or ingenuine behaviors from an early age, and Mina was showing just that. He knew that Ian and Cylus would be swayed by her, as both men had a soft spot for the woman, but to Zane, who only saw Mina as a friend, it was obvious. When he could take it no more, he sent her a text.

[What are you doing?] Mina looked up at the man who was less than six feet away from her. She was confused, but she decided to text back.

[I am enjoying myself.] she replied. Zane narrowed his eyes at her and cleared his throat. Mina froze, knowing that the man was going to say something she would not like, but she did not allow him to speak.

"President Lee, I hear that you have signed a three-year commitment with Rouge Entertainment. I had not realized the Lee group dabbled in the entertainment industry. I'm sure your board was pleased with you; as always." Zane stared at Mina with wide eyes. "And Miss Lisa, you have great insight. You and President Lee must have been in harmony for you to have started development on a film studio."

"We have known each other for a long time," Lisa replied with a smile, while Zane shook his head in disbelief.

"President Lee, I have been meaning to talk to you about something. I would like to set up a retirement plan for my parents. I have done the research and the Lee group runs one of the top rated in the country. Do you think it would be a good fit for someone on a fixed budget?" Zane watched his friend fall right into Mina's trap; even Cylus was hooked.

"I thought I helped you already?" Cylus said and Mina nodded.

"Yes, with a stipend fund, but now I would like to invest in a lump sum retirement plan."

"It depends on your level of income," President Lee added. "I'm curious though, what monthly stipend?"

"I took an advance out on my salary, and I opened an account for my parents. In the event that anything happens to me, they will receive the money in monthly payouts." Seeing that Mina had won, Zane raised a glass to the group and left.

Mina and Ian continued to talk about several types of investment accounts she could have connected to a retirement plan for her parents. Mina actively listened to Ian's suggestions, and she internally rolled her eyes at each one. She knew the ins and outs of finance like the back of her hand, but she hoped the ego boost she was giving the couple drew them to her side before Zane opened his mouth.

"Thank you for that advice and Miss Lisa I look forward to touring your studio, maybe you can squeeze me in for a private viewing?" Lisa nodded and vowed to check her schedule.

Mina continued to chat cheerfully, when there was a loud commotion from the other end of the room. She took one look and ran in the direction before any of the men could even process what was going on. All they had seen was Mina kick off her heels and run.

Mina found herself pulling two women apart from one another, something she was familiar with doing thanks to her sister's temper.

"What is going on?" She asked. Only to see Olivia on the ground.

"She just attacked Olivia, and I hit her back."

"She deserved it," Mary shouted. "You like to take pictures of people? I will take some of you now." Mina snatched the woman's phone and smashed it onto the ground. By that time, Cylus had made his way to Olivia, who he wrapped in his jacket.

"You're finished," he said to Mary before walking away with his cousin in tow. He looked at Mina, indicating to her that it was time to leave, and she nodded.

Mina helped Jay pick up her things that had fallen in the scuffle, then she went back to get her shoes but was stopped by Director Porter. The man hit a button on his phone, and almost every person in the room received a notification. He pulled Mina forward and stood beside Jay.

"This woman is my assistant, she was wrongly accused and assaulted by Mary weeks ago. She chose to be considerate and ignore the assault, and in return Mary spread rumors about her. This woman," he said referring to Jay, "is a makeup artist with Rouge Entertainment, She briefly worked with an actress in one of my works. Both women are innocent, but is Mary?"

Mary could see the men and women around her staring at their devices, and then back up at her with judgement in their eyes. She quickly retreated from the area knowing that whatever they were looking at was unwelcome news for her. She found her fiancé, just as the security arrived, and the pair left the event in shame.

Mina on the other hand, was calmly handed her shoes by Lisa, who wore a fake expression of concern. She put them on and looked up to see Jay being pulled out of the hall by director Porter. Unsure of what she should do next, Mina waited.

"I don't think he is coming back for you," Lisa said, but as soon as she finished speaking, Cylus reappeared.