The clown 2

Zane's swear words reverberated through the air via the audio device, causing a stir of murmurs and shocked gasps from the guests.

Zane turned his gaze towards the guests as he heard their ongoing murmurs. It was at this precise moment that he understood he had inadvertently directed his words partly at his guests, who now stared at him with disappointment.

He shifted his gaze back to the clown and noticed that the clown had a sinister smile at him and then turned around, exiting the hall.

"Mr. Morris, is this your speech of gratitude to say to the members of the RIS group for their support and your achievement to this extent? Isn't it disrespectful?" asked a reporter while he was busy typing down every word of the new VP in his laptop.

Zane closed his eyes, feeling the heat of embarrassment rising in his cheeks as the blinding camera flash froze the moment, recording his expression for all to watch live.

Fury flared within Zane, but he couldn't react since he foolishly fell for the clown's trick. It was his first time being publicly humiliated.

Zane opened his eyes, keeping an unfazed expression as he replied. "I spoke subconsciously earlier due to a minor health issue I'm experiencing. I apologize for the unpleasant words I used."

He explained the real issue to his guests, but they appeared disbelieved in his words. However, he looked calm in the grumble that was still waving in the air.

"Are you saying you are mentally ill? Or is there another health issue you are experiencing?" Asked another reporter.

Zane furrowed his brows at their misinterpreted question of his explanation.

"I'm not mentally ill or have any health challenges. Don't publish a misinterpreted event that happened this evening on your online community." Zane strictly warned. His somber warning sent fear into the hearts of the reporters, who instantly stopped writing an upsetting article in their social platform.

The reporters just stared blankly at him, scared of falling onto his bad side, acknowledging that he could destroy their career and future in the blink of an eye, just like he had done to those who wrongfully dared to drag into the mud.

Amid the displeased murmur, there came an outraged voice among the guests.

"I don't believe a thing you said, Mr. Morris! You meant what you said by offering this nonsense to us!" a prominent client said angrily as he slammed the obscene journal on the ground.

"I don't believe you either! How could you invite us here just to insult us with these journals? I'm so disappointed!" Another said and threw his journal to the floor while he stormed out of the hall.

"Look at this, Mr. Morris. I guess your souvenir is enough to say you brought us here to be mocked." the third high-profile client accused.

The high-profile client vexedly turned around and exited the hall.

Staring at the obscene page on the floor, Zane looked stunned with deep narrowed eyebrows. He couldn't believe what he just saw on the journal which was enough to upset his guests and even him too.

"I apologize once again but this ceremony is over." Zane said as he ended his ruined ceremony.

He couldn't hold the embarrassment that clouded him and his pain was getting unbearable as he stepped down from the dais with his head high, still looking unaffected by the ugly scene he created unknowingly.

Damien rushed into the hall with a few bodyguards from outside when he saw the guests leaving one after the other angrily.

"Please keep a distance. Don't come close." Damien warned the reporters in a calm voice, as they were eager to interview his boss.

He joined the bodyguards in forming a barrier with their hands to shield his boss from the hunting cameras and sound devices of the reporters.

"Take me to the hospital," Zane ordered Damien, who ushered him safely outside the hall with a few bodyguards surrounding him.

"Rodger that, Big Boss."

Zane finally emerged from the hall and safely made his way to his car parked under the hotel's parking bay, away from the pursuing reporters.

After a few steps, he fell to the floor, landing on one knee, but Damien was quick to support him, preventing a complete collapse.

Zane grunted in pain, his face twisted with a clenched jaw and teary eyes. Despite feeling his muscles and legs gradually going numb, he held back tears while he fought back for strength.

The sensation was excruciating as if his stomach and chest were in flames. It seemed as if he was on the verge of giving up with each passing minute, but death seemed to be running away from him.

"Damn it!!! This hurts like hell!" Zane groaned in pain since he could not act tough with it anymore. He struggled to stand upright against his numbing legs.

After finally getting up, he made his way slowly towards his car.

"Just hang in for a little while, Big Boss. We are close to the car." Damien encouraged as he glanced at his boss's black Dongfeng Mengshi M-hero 917 motor ahead of them.

Damien was frightened to see his boss in such a critical condition for the first time. His boss appeared paler, like that of a half-dead man, as he wondered what was the cause.

Zane heard Jane calling his name from behind, but his agony suppressed his response and he wasn't able to utter a word again as he only continued to gnaw in distress.

With a look of fear on her face, Jane quickly got into the back seat and sat next to Zane while Damien drove the car, speeding away from the under-parking bay with a few escorts.

Anastasia, the clown, emerged from her hiding place behind a bright red car, revealing herself and her partner-in-crime.

She watched the back of Zane's car speedily driving away from the underground parking bay. 

With a smug smile, twirling on her red heart-shaped lips, which add a mischievous glint to her elegant appearance, Anastasia gazed down at the costume and small bottle in her hand, containing a powder substance, and she said. "It has to hurt this much, Zane."

Fortunately, the drug worked on him which made it easier for her to manipulate his mind, just like she had prepared for it.

Before the ceremony began, Anastasia sneaked into the room where the journal was and replaced the original with her own printed obscene version.

Savoring a lollipop's sweetness to satisfaction, Emery stood beside Anastasia as she whispered. "It was just a little drop, but his condition seemed bad. I hope he doesn't fall into a coma before they reach the hospital."

"He has to be conscious to take my revenge because I haven't started yet," Anastasia spoke in an icy tone, devoid of the warmth and sweetness usually present in her voice. Her face had no trace of the slightest regret for what she did to him.

Anastasia donned a pair of sleek sunglasses, adding an air of mystery as she emerged from the dimly lit underground parking bay, elegantly.

Emery walked alongside her, the two of them making their way to the grand entrance of the opulent RIS five-star hotel.

As they stepped out into the open air, a black and luxurious limousine awaited them. Its sleek exterior and polished exterior hinted at the extravagance within.

Noticing their two esteemed young madams approaching, the imposing guards swiftly opened the backseat doors, executing a deep bow in their honor.

Anastasia and Emery exuded elegance as they settled into the back seats, and the limousine drove away from the hotel, leaving behind an air of sophistication.