I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 186

Natalie's gaze traveled up from the red heels.

The alley was too dark to make out a face until the figure crouched down, her features illuminated by the faint light from the street.

"Long time no see, Natalie Watson." Sophia Green’s face, twisted with triumph, came into view.

Shock rippled through Natalie. It was Sophia! She wasn't wearing her usual flawless makeup, and her eyes burned with a raw, visceral hatred.

"Ms. Green, what is the meaning of this?" Natalie asked, forcing herself to sit up and lean against the grimy wall.

Sophia snatched Natalie's purse and tossed it aside. "Who were you planning to call? Alexander Ramirez?" she sneered.

As Natalie had pushed herself up, she had been discreetly trying to reach for her phone, hoping to dial anyone, anyone who might hear the danger she was in.

"You're a public figure. Aren't you afraid of this getting out?"

Sophia laughed as if Natalie had told the funniest joke in the world. The laughter stopped abruptly, and her expression contorted into a mask of rage. "A public figure? If it weren't for you, would I be in this position? Blacklisted from every set? Facing millions in penalties?!"

Just a few days ago, she had been preparing to start a new film.

Then came the call. All her projects—films, appearances, everything—were canceled. While she was reeling from the news, her endorsement deals, including a lucrative luxury brand contract she had just secured, were all terminated.

Sophia had immediately gone to her agency for answers. "Sophia, you've ruined us!" her agent had screamed. "You were secretly dating, which is bad enough, but he's a drug user, and it's all over the news!"

She had been dumbfounded. "What drug use? I'm not dating anyone!"

"That vice president from Prestige Properties Group! Someone reported him, and the police found evidence! Because of your association, you're implicated. Our contracts have morality clauses! Any negative press means the deal is off, and you have to pay the breach-of-contract penalty!"

The penalties were astronomical.

"So you were the one who arranged for Prestige Properties to work with me," Natalie said, the pieces falling into place.

"So what if I was? This is what you get for trying to steal my man!" Sophia glanced at her accomplice and waved a hand. "Put her in the car!"

"Sophia Green, what are you doing?!"

"Taking you somewhere nice, of course," Sophia said, patting Natalie's cheek. "Aetheria has a high demand for pretty faces like yours. Once the clients get bored, we'll dump you on a ship in international waters. Maximize your value."

Her hand slid from Natalie's face down to her waist. "Harvesting your organs might hurt a little, but don't worry. You'll get through it."

In that moment, Sophia had lost all trace of her once-cherished innocent image. She was a demon, ready to devour Natalie whole.

A man stepped forward, pulling out a dirty rag, and moved to shove it into Natalie's mouth.