This one sentence left Julia stunned, a foreboding premonition rising in her heart. Yet, she clung to a sliver of hope, trying to explain to her boss, "It’s about the livestream tips we agreed on."
"Julia!" Aaron’s tone grew harsh. His expression, a stark contrast to his warmth the previous night, was now frigid. "It seems you don’t realize what mistake you’ve made. According to the contract we signed, that share of profits was contingent on you not damaging the company’s image. But now you’re abusing drugs and committing dostic violence against n. Once this gets out, it will be a heavy blow to our company’s reputation." Aaron took the contract from the lawyer’s hand, pointing to a clause. "We even have the right to hold you accountable."
Shaless! Julia finally realized it: the accusations of drug abuse and dostic violence were all a farce, a cruel play staged by the man before her to seize her earnings.
Her hands trembled, her head buzzing with rage. "Aaron, you’re framing !" she shouted. "How could you do this?"
"Watch yourself. I could sue you for defamation," Aaron said, taking back the contract and having the lawyer put it away. He continued slowly, "Initially, I was inclined to be lenient, not even planning to hold you responsible. Out of humanitarian concern, I even considered paying for your grandmother’s surgery! But this... this makes feel like a fool for genuinely wanting to help soone who defas . Sigh, it’s so hard to be a good person. No, I’ll just pursue this according to the law. Let the law deal with you fairly. As for your grandmother’s surgery, I can’t help with that either."
Julia stared, stunned. Her hands clenched so tightly her knuckles were white as she looked at Aaron’s face, consud by a rage she couldn’t unleash. She desperately wanted to punch him, to lash out. But the image of her grandmother lying in a hospital bed flashed through her mind. Tears welled in her eyes, and her voice trembled as she choked out, "I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. Please... please help pay for the surgery."
Aaron smiled. He raised his hand, patting her head, his expression softening into an almost gentle one. "Good, I’m glad you understand," he whispered. "I’m a reasonable man, naturally willing to help you sort everything out. The condition, of course, is that you beco an honest, obedient girl. I’m no fool; I won’t help soone who slanders . You’re still young. Don’t be afraid. A few years in prison will pass quickly." He removed his hand from her head. Aaron watched Julia, who looked ready to burst into tears, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
For such naive youngsters, he only needed to apply a little pressure to plunge them into despair. He didn’t even need to bribe the police chief; bribing just two officers to lawfully arrest Julia would suffice. He didn’t need to buy connections in the courts either. He didn’t have to truly possess far-reaching influence, rely project the image of it. With her grandmother as a weakness, he could manipulate Julia completely. Aaron hadn’t intended to be so ruthless, but the earnings from this livestream were simply too substantial. A full 26,000,000 US dollars—such a vast sum was more than enough for Aaron to decide to keep it all for himself. As for Julia, with her 300,000-plus followers, she was utterly insignificant in his eyes. Those so-called famous influencers, in his presence, were nothing more than dogs wagging their tails and begging for scraps. It wouldn’t do for the dog to eat at while the master ate husks.
"You should thank ," Aaron said, patting her shoulder with a smile. "It’s basic courtesy to thank soone who helps you."
Julia trembled uncontrollably, managing to force out the words, "Thank you, Boss Aaron!"
"You’re welco. You just wait here for your hearing. Don’t worry about the surgery or anything that cos after; I’ll handle everything." Aaron turned and left the detention room, the lawyer following him out.
The door clicked shut.
Julia could no longer stand. She slumped to the ground, her body curling into a fetal position as tears stread endlessly. It’s alright, she murmured to herself. As long as Grandma can be saved, a few years in prison don’t matter. I’ll get out soon. Besides, I didn’t earn that money through hard work. It’s alright.
At this, Julia broke into heart-wrenching sobs. The sudden swing from sorrow to elation, and now plunged back into even deeper sorrow—it was all too much to bear. She could never have imagined such malice existed in the world.
Why did this have to happen to ? Growing up, everyone else had parents, but I only had Grandma. Academics, sports, friendships... I was never first in anything the world considered excellent; it always seed to pass by. If effort doesn’t yield anything good, then at least let live a little more easily.
With that mindset, she beca an influencer, hoping to survive on her passion and a faint hope for fa. But then, her healthy grandmother was struck by a serious illness.
Tears stread down Julia’s face. It felt like the entire world was filled with malice directed solely at her.
Maybe I should just die, she thought, utterly dejected, her tears finally cried dry. Nothing good ever happens to anyway. I really want to go ho, Grandma.
Julia took a shaky breath. The image of her grandmother in the hospital bed surfaced again. No, she couldn’t just die. She had to live, at least long enough to see Grandma through to the end.
TAP. TAP.
The crisp sound of footsteps echoed from outside, like high heels clicking on the floor. Julia didn’t care. She remained huddled on the ground, trying to fashion her indifference into a protective armor against the world’s cruelty.
The door opened. Hearing the sound, Julia instinctively looked up. A woman stood in the doorway. She was tall, with short, light-golden curly hair that brushed her ears. She wore square-frad glasses, and her silver-gray eyes exuded confidence. Her tailored business suit hinted at a sharp, capable deanor.
The woman gave Julia a quick, dismissive glance and shook her head. "To think the Knesset would make you Pri Minister. Reality truly is becoming more absurd by the day."
Julia stared at the woman, bewildered. "Wh-what are you talking about?" she stamred.
"My na is Bibiyana Carlio," the woman stated, introducing herself before extending a hand. "Forr Pri Minister Tani unfortunately t his end in the forests of Jerusalem. The nation requires a new Pri Minister to manage dostic affairs. Following an ergency election by the Knesset, you have been chosen. By a vote of 80 to 40, the Knesset has decided to appoint you Pri Minister of the nation."
Bibiyana’s words made Julia’s eyes widen in utter disbelief. ? Pri Minister of the nation? How is that even possible? Has the world gone mad? Or is the drug Aaron gave still in my system? A flurry of wild thoughts raced through Julia’s mind. "But... I’m currently under investigation for a cri," she managed to say.
"Oh, that," Bibiyana said, her tone remarkably casual. "That’s a trivial matter. Aaron, the one who frad you—they’re all insignificant. I’ve already taken care of it."
Julia’s eyes widened further. Aaron, who had seed so powerful and unbeatable to her, was dismissed by this woman as an insignificant pawn, dealt with in a single breath. So, they’re actually serious about making Pri Minister? The realization brought no joy, only a deepening unease.
Twenty-six million US dollars had turned a seemingly kind and honest man into soone shaless, vile, and despicable. The power of Pri Minister of an entire country... who knew how many people it would drive to madness?
Julia instinctively shrank back slightly, not taking Bibiyana’s outstretched hand. "I... I don’t think I have the ability for that."
"Haha, at least you’re self-aware," Bibiyana chuckled softly.
This whole absurd situation, Bibiyana mused, is the result of intense pressure from the Aricans, various external factors in the region, and a severe internal split within the Likud Group following the loss of Tani and Nock. Everyone knows that becoming Pri Minister right now ans being a scapegoat. Signing the two-state solution will undoubtedly brand them a traitor on the nation’s pillar of sha, yet it must be signed. A political novice, soone easily packaged into a legendary figure, is the perfect candidate to sign it. Firstly, they’re an ideal scapegoat. Secondly, it offers a sliver of hope to the masses—proof that an ordinary person can rise if they work hard. As for when Julia would be removed from office, that would depend entirely on the whims of the Knesset elders.
But Bibiyana had her own agenda. She gently lifted Julia’s chin. "As long as you do exactly as I say," she murmured, "serving for a long ti won’t be an issue."
Julia sensed this was an incredibly formidable woman. She nodded. "Okay."
"Excellent. Co with , Pri Minister." Bibiyana took Julia’s hand and led her out of the detention room.
As Julia stepped out of the police station, the sun was rising in the east. Warm morning light washed over the fine white sands of Tel Aviv. The sea breeze, sweeping through the renowned Tel Aviv Yafa pronade, caressed Julia’s cheeks. In that instant, she felt as though the entire world had beco brighter.
Several police cars pulled up and stopped. The man escorted out of one was none other than Aaron. He was handcuffed, his head bowed, all his forr arrogance gone.
The mont Aaron saw Julia, he froze. A flicker of sha crossed his face before he started shouting desperately, "Julia! I’m sorry! It’s all my fault! I was blinded by greed! Please, forgive !"
He struggled. "Please, I’ll kneel! Rember how I helped you? I even paid your grandmother’s surgery fees upfront!" Aaron lunged forward, frantic, but two police officers restrained him.
Julia looked at the man yelling like a madman. "Pah!" She spat forcefully on the ground near him. Still not satisfied, she surged forward and kicked him twice, hard. "Go to hell, you scum!" she seethed. Flipping him the middle finger, Julia felt a fraction of her rage dissipate. She turned to Bibiyana. "Can this bastard be sentenced to death?"
"No," Bibiyana replied with a faint smile, "but he can be committed to a psychiatric hospital. I doubt he’ll live many years there." She didn’t find Julia’s outburst unseemly. In fact, if soone could endure such treatnt and still smile and forgive, they would be the truly dangerous one to watch out for.
"Good! Then let him rot in a ntal institution for the rest of his life!" Julia retorted viciously.
Aaron exploded in fury. So this is the fury of a woman scorned! "You bitch!" he roared. "You ungrateful viper!"
Julia was stunned by his utter shalessness. It wasn’t the money that made him like this, she realized. He was always this despicable; he’d just hidden it well before.
Julia said nothing more. She turned and walked away with Bibiyana.
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