Possessed No More: The True Star Returns to Claim Her Throne

Chapter 174: Sweet-Talking Women Have the Best Luck

"Besides spreading defamatory stories about Riley Perry, what else have you done to hurt her?"

"Waaaah... Stop asking! I even deliberately encouraged her to find a sugar daddy, but that damn girl wouldn’t fall for it..."

No matter what the entertainment reporters asked, Holly Summers answered every single question, and she told the truth every time.

Holly Summers was falling apart inside, wishing she could just smash her head into the ground. ’How could I have even said that?’

’I’m finished. I’m finished!’

The reporters all looked at her with contempt. No wonder Riley Perry had called her out on the show. Now it seemed like she had gotten off easy. Riley should have just run her through with a sword. This woman was a fucking piece of shit!

Seeing that the reporters still wanted to ask more questions, the hysterical Holly Summers abandoned her luggage, shoved her way through them, and bolted. The moment she jumped into a taxi, she could already imagine what a frenzy the trending topics would be today.

’Heh, after all these years in showbiz, the only time I’m trending for my "true skills" is when I’m about to be forced out. How pathetic.’

Sure enough, before she even made it home, her bizarre airport rant had already been posted online.

The trending topics about Holly Summers blew up!

From that day forward, whenever netizens wanted to insult someone, they would bring up Holly Summers: "You’re worse than Holly Summers!" "Even Holly Summers isn’t as vile as you!"

Holly Summers became a synonym for wicked.

Riley Perry only glanced in Holly Summers’s direction before exiting the airport. When she saw the familiar car at the pickup area, she still felt a surge of happiness.

"It’s so late. You didn’t have to come pick me up."

Inside the dimly lit car, Eric Sinclair’s smile vanished, replaced by an aggrieved expression. "What? My Sweetie doesn’t want to see me?"

Riley Perry scooted over and settled onto his lap. "I just meant I didn’t want you going to all this trouble so late at night. Samson Sinclair was with me, so I was perfectly fine."

"There now, let me get a good look at you. It seems my President Sinclair has gotten even more handsome."

Eric Sinclair’s pout vanished in an instant. Riley Perry had won him over with a single sentence. He leaned in, pulled her into his arms, and planted a firm kiss on her. "Such a sweet-talker."

’Hmph. A sweet-talking woman has the best luck. It doesn’t cost anything to say a few nice words!’

"Oh, and be careful for the next few days. The police announcement said they caught all the scammers, but you never know if someone slipped through the cracks. I’ll have a few bodyguards follow you. Don’t pay them any mind, just act as you normally would. They won’t show themselves unless they’re needed."

Riley’s fingers found his earlobe and began to toy with it. "Treating me so well, Mr. Sinclair? What am I going to do if I can’t bear to leave you?"

Eric Sinclair grabbed her mischievous hand, his gaze burning into hers. "If this is what it takes to make you inseparable from me, then I’ll have to be even better to my girlfriend from now on! Sweetie, I’m a very loyal man. You won’t regret being with me!"

Riley’s eyes darted playfully. ’Heh, this man is so calculating. He deliberately emphasized the word "girlfriend."’

’He’s still trying to make things official.’

"Since you behaved so well today, I’ll give you a point in my little ledger."

Eric Sinclair pulled her into an excited embrace, showering her with kisses and murmuring, "That’s my Sweetie."

The car drove on for a long time, and Riley felt like her lips had been kissed swollen. The moment he finally released her, she quickly scrambled off his lap. "Just take me back to The Elysian Gardens. My parents are heading home tomorrow, and I need to spend some time with them."

Eric Sinclair’s mood instantly soured. ’We’ve been apart for three days, but it feels like nine years! My girlfriend finally comes back, and I have to take her home?’

"Can’t you go back tomorrow morning?"

His tone was so plaintive that Riley almost burst out laughing. She planted a kiss on his cheek before replying, "I’m afraid not. I called my family after the show, so they know when my flight was supposed to land."

Eric Sinclair dejectedly scooted over until he was pressed against the car door. ’I can’t change her mind, but can’t I at least sulk on my own?’

’Aww, his sulking face was just too cute.’ Riley couldn’t resist leaning over, cupping his face in her hands, and playfully squishing his cheeks. "I’ll spend lots of time with you after I see them off, I promise," she cooed, "So no more being angry, okay?"

"When are they leaving? Do you need me to arrange for a car?"

"No need. It’s not like I don’t have a car. I’ll come find you as soon as they’re on their way. I promise."

What else could Eric Sinclair do? He had no choice but to take her to The Elysian Gardens and then head home alone. Of course, before he let her go, they shared another long, passionate moment in the car.

It was already past three in the morning when she used her fingerprint to unlock the door. Her family was surely fast asleep, but as she stepped inside, she heard a noise from the master bedroom.

Ruby Marshall had woken up. Seeing that it was her daughter, she opened her bedroom door for a peek before gently closing it again.

Riley didn’t dawdle. She put down her suitcase and bag, took a quick combat shower, and immediately fell into bed.

She woke up at six a.m. sharp to the sounds of activity outside her room.

After freshening up, Riley went to the kitchen. "Mom, what delicious thing are you making?"

Ruby Marshall was at the stove in a plaid apron, stir-frying something while Patrick Perry helped out beside her.

"I made pork and chive buns and pork and pickled cabbage buns, millet congee, stir-fried pickled vegetables, a cold shredded potato salad, and those chicken gizzards I braised yesterday. Is there anything else you’d like?"

"No, this is wonderful."

Ruby Marshall pointed to the fridge. "I also braised some chicken feet and pig’s trotters yesterday. I put them in the refrigerator, so don’t forget to eat them after we leave."

Riley went over and hugged her mother’s arm, wheedling, "Thanks, Mom. You’re the best to me. I haven’t had your homemade braised food in years."

A rare smile appeared on Ruby Marshall’s face. "And whose fault is that? It’s because a certain ungrateful daughter of mine never comes home."

"Hehe, I’ll definitely be home for the New Year this year. You’ve worked so hard, Mom."

Patrick Perry thought, ’...How strange. I spoil the kids rotten, and my wife is the one who’s always stern with them, yet both of them are closer to her. Where did I go wrong?’

"Your mother brought some of our homemade pickled vegetables and pickled cabbage—they’re in these two jars. There are also some peanuts and soybeans from this year’s harvest. Make sure you eat them."

Riley loved fried peanuts and soymilk made with fresh soybeans, so Ruby Marshall had made sure to bring some for her.

"Okay, okay, I know. I’ll definitely eat them."

"Breakfast is ready. Go call Sean." Ruby Marshall took a plate to fill with buns. The buns were as large as a grown man’s fist, perfectly white and fluffy, and looked incredibly appetizing.

Riley went to the study to get Shane, and the family sat around the table, chatting as they ate. "We all watched your show yesterday," her mother started. "What’s the deal with that Holly Summers girl?"

Riley said, "What else could it be? She’s just a talentless hack who’s crazy with jealousy. Don’t worry, she won’t be making any more trouble."

"But didn’t she say she has a backer? What if she makes a comeback?"

Riley took a big bite of her bun before explaining to her mom, "On the surface, it looks like Holly Summers offended me. But in reality... ahem... she also offended me."