Deliberate Tardiness

That remark was simply too suggestive, making Lily instinctively glance at Aria, who was looking down, biting her lips until they turned white.

Alistair glared at Misha, about to explain when Win's deputy editor-in-chief, Chen Jia, interjected, "Yes, yes, I did receive a call from Misha's side about changing the time to eleven o'clock."

After explaining, she turned to scold her assistant, "Didn't I tell you to inform the photographer? Why wasn't it communicated?"

The assistant was speechless. Why wasn't it communicated? Because you never told me in the first place! Understanding she was being scapegoated again, a situation she was quite familiar with due to this "old witch" being her superior, she adeptly played along, "I was busy with other things and forgot."

She then turned and apologized to Lily and Aria, bowing deeply, "I'm sorry."

Seeing the assistant's frustration, Lily didn't make things difficult, simply saying, "It's fine," before turning to Alistair, "Actually, you all arrived early. Given Misha's reputation, I heard she deliberately arrives five hours late to prove she's a big shot. I can't fathom who would be foolish enough to support her."

Alistair was speechless.

Misha admitted she was late on purpose today, but saying she always did it to prove she was a big deal was going too far. She was usually very professional, and except for this time as a form of revenge, she never arrived late when she had work.

Misha knew Lily was Edmond's wife, but she wasn't scared. If she caused trouble, Alistair would back her up anyway.

"Lily, don't go too far!"

Lily sneered, "Who's going too far? If you don't want me to take your photo, just say it. Do you think I care about a recently resurfaced old model?"

Misha's agent, who had never met Lily before, was visibly displeased at seeing her artist being scolded. She pointed at Lily and told Chen Jia, "Is this the photographer you hired? What a temper! No manners at all!"

Lily hated being pointed at. She pulled Aria behind her and threw the half-full bottle of water at the agent.

"Who are you pointing at? You wanna fight?"

"Ah—"

Misha screamed as the water splashed all over her and her agent.

"Lily! I agreed to let you take my photos as a favor to Alistair. Do you really think, with your little experience, you can shoot me? Do you even know your level? What can you do besides relying on a man?"

Lily's voice was even louder.

"So what if I rely on a man? I rely on my own husband, openly and honestly. It's better than you relying on someone else's fiancé, using seductive tactics, you dirty parasite! And you still have the nerve to talk about me?"

"You—"

Seeing the situation escalating, Alistair yelled at Misha, "You say less!"

After yelling at Misha, he ran a hand through his hair, annoyed, and then said to Lily, "Lily, you've been waiting so long. Let's start. We can talk about this after the shoot. Do me this favor."

This was clearly siding with Misha.

Aria glanced at Alistair, then looked down again when he turned his face towards her.

Seeing Misha's smug expression, Lily wanted to call Edmond to have Alistair removed, but she suppressed the thought. She didn't need Edmond to deal with someone like Misha; she could handle it herself.

When Brooks received Lily's call, he was in a large conference room at L&S Group, holding a morning meeting. The meeting, which should have ended by nine, was dragging on till eleven because he was in a foul mood, berating his staff for nearly two hours.

Hearing his phone vibrate, he assumed it was someone else's and grew even angrier.

"Who is it! How many times have I said to silence or turn off your phones in meetings? Fine!"

When no one admitted it, Brooks was about to slam the table when his son, Leopold, pointed out, "Dad, it's your phone."

Oh? Brooks looked at the screen and saw 'Little Rascal'. His anger dissipated, replaced by a mix of surprise and apprehension.

Surprise.

That little rascal finally remembered she had a father? How long had it been since she contacted him?

Apprehension.

Every time she called, it was trouble. Either she wanted something or left him fuming.

In the large conference room, the previously tense atmosphere turned to confusion. Moments ago, their furious chairman was now hesitating to pick up his phone, acting comically.

Until Leopold reminded him, "Dad, she has a bad temper and little patience. If you don't answer soon, she'll hang up."

Brooks finally answered. He had to hear what this little rascal wanted. Worst case, he could endure a few more troubles; their father-daughter relationship needed mending.

"Hello, Lily, you…"

"Dad, someone is bullying me."

The voice on the other end was filled with grievance, making Brooks momentarily dazed.

In his memory, this little rascal hadn't acted spoiled or spoken so pitifully to him in a long time. For years, she had been arrogant and defiant, no matter what.

Brooks softened his tone, "Who's bullying you?"

...In the makeup room of Win's studio, Misha was getting dressed after the water incident. Her agent and deputy editor-in-chief, Chen Jia, stood silently while Alistair sat beside Misha, trying to talk to her, looking upset.

"Don't provoke Lily, don't cause trouble for me..."

Before he could finish, someone entered. Everyone turned to see Lily with her phone.

Alistair stopped talking. Misha's agent nudged Chen Jia to intercept Lily.

Lily bypassed Chen Jia and sat on the sofa, still on the phone with Brooks.

"It's Misha, who just made her comeback. She's bullying me. Is her backer you?"

Hearing this, everyone in the room exchanged glances, looking between Alistair and Lily.

Alistair frowned, confused about what Lily was planning. Meanwhile, far away in the L&S Group conference room, Brooks was puzzled, "Misha who just came back? I don't know her, but I know she's a model because of all the recent news about her."

Brooks wondered where Lily got the idea he was Misha's backer.

"How could I be her backer? I've never even met her."

Lily glanced at Alistair, "Oh, I just guessed. From what I deduced, Misha's backer must be an idiot of a businessman, and among the businessmen I know, you're the only idiot."

Alistair was speechless.

Brooks was puzzled.

Lily glanced at Misha again, "Good thing it's not you. Misha is a terrible person. People like her don't stay popular for long. Dad, next time you back someone, make sure they're worth it. Don't waste our family's money."

Misha was fuming, but Alistair's earlier scolding kept her in check.

Brooks focused on something else, "Our family?"

Lily replied, "Yes, you're my dad."

Brooks was pleased, "Nice to see you remember I'm your dad."

Taking advantage of her good mood, Brooks asked, "When will Edmond have time? When will you both come home for dinner?"

Lily said, "Speaking of dinner, I remember last time you said the 9% profit was close. So, Dad, it's been over six months since our bet, is it done yet?"