Farewell to Love: The CEO's Desperate Chase novel Chapter 46

"…Yes, I'm with her right now. I'll take her there myself in a bit." As footsteps approached, Christian knocked on the door and came in.

He stopped dead in his tracks the moment he saw her.

"Wait… Emilia?" The uncertainty in his voice was unmistakable.

You couldn't blame him. She was so much thinner than before, with a mask covering half her face, and the new outfit made her breathtaking in a way that was almost unrecognizable.

Even Joyce, who'd known her for years, might not have guessed it was Emilia standing there.

Emilia turned to face him, catching the stunned look on his face. She gave a resigned nod.

"It's me," she said quietly. "Let's go."

Christian nodded, still a little dazed, his heart thudding against his ribs. Emilia had always been beautiful, but now—now her beauty was sharper, almost dangerous. What had once been gentle and warm was now striking and bold.

A beat too late, he grabbed a long coat from a nearby rack and draped it over her shoulders.

Christian guided Emilia out, steadying her as they made their way to the waiting van. Inside, a makeup artist was already waiting, ready to finish Emilia's look—press-on nails, high heels, the final touches before the show.

The van pulled away, headed for the live taping of *Voice of the Divine*.

At the same time, another van was making its way to the same venue.

This one carried Vivienne.

Vivienne was directing her own makeup artist, instructing her to create the look of a fragile, ethereal beauty. Meanwhile, she was on the phone with Tyler.

"Tyler, it's Vivienne," she said, smiling into the receiver. "Yes, tonight's the first live show. You have to come—I saved you a seat."

"That's right, they're only treating me so well because of you, Tyler."

"I know how much you've done for me. I'll give it my all tonight."

After hanging up, Vivienne quickly sent a text:

*Tyler will be there tonight. Make sure the follow-up footage is ready.*

When she got an "OK" in reply, a satisfied smile played at her lips.

…

Without a word, Emilia slipped from the room, avoiding the crowd.

Vivienne greeted everyone in turn, her manner warm and gracious. Finally, she glanced in the direction Emilia had gone.

Her eyes glinted with curiosity. She'd reviewed the profiles of all twelve contestants—she knew the details of eleven, but the twelfth, the one called "Serena," was a mystery.

Serena was Donovan Entertainment's top pick, but her background was tightly guarded. Even when Vivienne tried to pull rank with The Erickson Group name, the staff wouldn't budge.

They told her Serena was Christian's personal project, and all the information was kept under lock and key at Donovan Entertainment. The ordinary staff knew nothing.

Vivienne had caught a glimpse of the girl just now. She didn't recognize her—must not be anyone important. She seemed a little proud, maybe a bit aloof. Christian's new protégé, perhaps? Some gold-digger he was sponsoring?

Not that it mattered. Vivienne had already put Tyler's wife, Emilia, in her place. What was one more upstart compared to that?

She dismissed the thought and turned back to her fans.

Meanwhile, Emilia lingered near the stage, surveying the set.

*Voice of the Divine* had twelve contestants, three celebrity guests, and a five-round format, with each round airing a week apart.