Chapter 3

Ava Sterling POV

Vanessa laughed from sheer anger.

“Fine, I’d love to see how you run this show!”

She turned and sharply ordered her assistant.

“Pause the finale segment!”

“Notify the front hall that I’m not feeling well, and the Reed family’s donation is on hold!”

The moment those words came out, the event manager’s legs nearly gave out.

The Reed family’s donation made up nearly thirty percent of tonight’s total, and if they withdrew it at the last minute, every major headline tomorrow would say “Ava Sterling’s Project Loses Control” and “Blackwood Foundation Loses Face”!

“Ms. Sterling, I’m begging you, please just soften up first, because Miss Reed won’t really do anything to him…”

The manager pleaded with me.

“What are you using to guarantee that?”

Sebastian glanced at the manager coldly, and that one look froze the rest of the manager’s words in his throat.

Seeing this, Vanessa grew even more pleased.

“Oh, he’s pretty good at protecting his owner, isn’t he?”

“How much is she paying to keep you, because I’ll pay double!”

I did not even spare her another glance and picked up the walkie-talkie directly, my voice cool and firm.

“All departments, pay attention, lighting stays as planned, and activate the backup plan for the finale.”

“Put the donor list on screen in the original order, and leave the Reed family’s spot blank!”

Everyone backstage sucked in a breath.

Vanessa screamed in rage.

“You dare remove the Reed family’s name?!”

“You were the one who said your donation was on hold.”

I looked at her coldly.

“Charity is not a bargaining chip you use to threaten others.”

Vanessa raised her hand and slapped toward my face!

Before she even touched the corner of my clothes, her wrist was once again clamped tightly by Sebastian.

The movement was clean and decisive.

“Lay another hand on her, and we call the police for assault.”

“You dare threaten me?!”

Vanessa shook off his hand and arrogantly brought out her trump card.

“Do you know who I am?”

“My boyfriend is part of the Blackwood family!”

“Tonight’s venue and media access were all arranged through him for me!”

“If I want someone to go upstairs, he definitely won’t stop me!”

Someone from the Blackwood family?

Sebastian and I looked at each other.

The only heir of the Blackwood family was standing right here being treated like a male model, so where did this Blackwood boyfriend crawl out from?

“If he’s part of the Blackwood family, then call him over.”

I crossed my arms.

“Let him tell me in person whether my husband should go upstairs with you tonight.”

“I’ll call him then!”

Without hesitation, Vanessa dialed a number saved as “Mr. Blackwood” and deliberately put it on speaker.

“Vanessa, what’s wrong?”

A gentle male voice came through.

Vanessa immediately changed into an aggrieved tone.

“I saw a male model I liked backstage, but some woman keeps insisting he’s her husband and even dared to threaten me!”

“Hurry and help me teach her a lesson!”

The other end paused, and his tone became troubled.

“There are too many people backstage, so if you want someone, just have the organizers coordinate it, and don’t bring my name into this.”

The chill in Sebastian’s eyes deepened.

A true Blackwood would never need to hide behind a woman and cower.

I spoke directly toward the phone.

“This ‘Mr. Blackwood,’ may I ask which division you are responsible for at Blackwood Group?”

The person on the other end instantly froze.

“Who are you?”

“The person in charge being threatened by your girlfriend with a withdrawn donation, and also the wife of the gentleman she is trying to buy.”

The other party fell silent for two seconds and then began stammering.

“This is a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding.”

“Ms. Sterling, Vanessa has been spoiled, so please give me some face.”

“What is your name?”

I pressed him step by step.

The call was directly hung up.

Vanessa’s face turned ashen, but she was still forcing herself to hold on.

“He… he’s just too busy and doesn’t want to deal with a small fry like you!”

Sebastian took out his phone and sent his assistant a message.

I ignored the furious Vanessa and gave an order to the whole room.

“Start the show!”

Music blasted from the front hall.

Vanessa glared at me viciously.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll make you lose everything?!”

I pointed at the camera overhead with the red light on.

“I forgot to tell you that from the moment you said you wanted to buy my husband, the control room has been recording the whole thing.”