Hollywood Zenith

"-but as you didn't know about Roderick's wrongdoings, I will spare you. That doesn't mean you are free to do as you please, if I find one more case like this in the future, you have to be ready for whatever is coming your way." His intentions were clear, and everyone remembered them by heart.

" Sir, I am terribly sorry for what I said earlier. I didn't know-" With this chance, he wanted to get on his good side.

" Save it. I don't want to hear your lousy apology. I don't want to chance my mind. Understand?" Samuel flipped his hands like he was shooing away some stray dog. He didn't want to be petty over this matter.

" Yes sir."

" Nothing much will change except a few more people will be joining you from my company. I will apply some reforms, but those will have nothing to do with management. Everything will be finalized in a few weeks until they just operate as usual. As I said earlier, Russell will take point and will lead the company from now on." Samuel's obligatory speech was interrupted by Steve, who whispered a few words in his ears and left the room.

" Someone turn up the news. It's better to show you than to listen to my ramblings. If someone still is uncertain it will surely change your mind." the meeting room had a big plasma television, they were confused, but they soon paid attention to what was being portrayed in the news.

" I confess to my crimes, my guilty consciousness is eating away my sanity. Which is why I am forthcoming about it." Roderick was seen making absurd statements.

He was reading a script, but no matter how much corporate language they employed, it couldn't hide his sins. His crimes were downplayed heavily, but police will receive some 'concrete' evidence through an anonymous tip.

Not to mention all the women coming to see his press conference. He would be going behind bars for sure for quite some time. The Earl would also be investigated, but the main problem would be other nobles.

They would surely take it as an attack on their faction. Samuel needed to talk to someone who would reassure them, but that was for the latter. While he was absorbed in his thoughts, others' were glued to the screen.

It was one of the most shocking things they had witnessed. What did Samuel do to make him confess to his crime? They were also shocked by the sheer number of victims, everyone knew Roderick was a sleazy bastard, but this was too much, even by their standards.

" I hope you get my message. This meeting is adjourned, if you have some more concerns, you can talk with Russell." Samuel said and left. His work here was done; after talking with Russell some more, he said his goodbyes. He had to see someone, the person who was responsible for all of this.

...

...

...

Samuel rang the doorbell; it was almost night, meaning everyone would be at home by now. He looked around to see the London suburbs he had just visited yesterday.

Adele moved here with her family when she first got her contract deal. It was a big moment in her life, and he had never seen her that happy in a long time.

After waiting for a few minutes, no one opened the door. He kept on ringing it until Adele opened the door. He was expecting Penny or her grandmother to open the door.

" Adele, I have been calling you but you were not answering your phone."

" What part of being alone did you not get? It's been a day and you are here. Come in." It looked like her mood had not improved. She appeared angry for some reason.

" Where is everyone? And why are you so angry?" Samuel looked around. It appeared she was alone.

" Mother had not come home. Grandma is at neighbours house, she made a friend recently."

" Is that so? You didn't answer my second question."

" It's just- I am so angry! I thought this through and plan on suing the hell out of them! Do you know they are spreading false lies about me? Russell informed me yesterday!" Her sadness had divulged into anger. It was good that she was not moping around in sorrow.

" I don't think that would be necessary. Didn't you watch the news?"

" huh? Why?" Samuel grabbed the remote and tuned in to the local news. They were still going over it; it was like a party for them airing whatever dirty laundry they could find on Roderick. They were also efficient as they already called a few victims for interviewing.

" Did you do this? How?" Adele was dumbfounded.

" It appeared that man had done it before. I just nudged him a little, you can also go back to the studio. They-" Adele jumped into his arms before he could continue. They both fell on the couch as Samuel grabbed her.

" I am sorry I didn't ask you but I had to do something." Samuel stroked her hair. He felt her tightening her embrace.

" Thank you for everything. I was so scared, I didn't know what to do..." She said while nuzzling her face in his chest. She was also sobbing like yesterday. Samuel knew enough about her to guess she liked to put a strong front to stop making people she cared about worry.

" Didn't you know? Only I am allowed to bully you, they should have thought better to do it." He chuckled.

" Now you are ruining the moment."  Adele also smiled.

" Also I want to say this now that you have definitely gained some weight since the last time I saw you."

" What!" She pushed him off, but Samuel caught her and pulled her onto his lap.

" There is no reason to be mad. I never said where." He said while peering into her pale green eyes.

" You-" She wanted to break free, but Samuel sealed her lips. She didn't expect him to be so forward with it, but she also gave in. After a few seconds of tasting her rosy lips, Samuel pulled back. She still had her eyes closed, looking for more.

" You know, I am not a saint. I demand a hefty reward for my services!"

" I see. I can start by showing you my room." She knew what he was implying. Samuel smiled and grabbed her hips, and proceeded to lift her up. She locked her legs while he carried her toward the stairs.

They were making out as they headed toward the room. The main door opened, and Penny entered the living room.

" Adele, I am sorry I can't find mangos at the grocery store-" Penny had never thought she would witness something like that. She dropped all the groceries due to shock.

" A-aunt P-penny, I was just l-leaving." Samuel abandoned the poor girl and waltzed out the door in the blink of an eye.

"T-this, I-I can explain." Adele was blushing heavily. Whether it was due to arousal or embarrassment, no one knew.

" I am happy for you." Penny only said one sentence before Adele ran upstairs while hiding her face. It suffices to say the awkwardness lasted for quite some time as neither Samuel nor Adele knew how to face Penny.