Chapter 447
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Tyler burst out of Black Lung just in time to see Viper launched into the air by an oncoming car.)
Viper had made a habit of jumping out windows to escape. He’d aimed for the building across the street, planning to land on an LED billboard. But this time, he missed. He fell hard, landing in the street and getting hit by a speeding sedan.
His body was flung several feet before hitting the ground, leaving a pool of blood behind.
Tyler ran over immediately, saw Viper lying unconscious and badly injured, and called for an ambulance.
When the medics arrived, Viper was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Tyler assigned two men to follow and keep watch over him, then returned to Black Lung to assist the police with cleanup.
The raid had been a major success. Several dealers were arrested, and a full sweep of Viper’s office and the entire bar turned up over three kilograms of illegal drugs. Black Lung was shut down by law enforcement, and everyone involved was brought back to the station for further processing.
Even though Viper was still unconscious and unable to speak, Jake’s testimony gave the police enough to issue an official statement to the
public.
In the report, the department clarified that Yates was not involved in drug use. He’d passed three drug tests, all negative. The drugs found in
his belongings had been planted by his assistant, Jake, who had been manipulated by known dealer Viper.
The case was finally cracked wide open.
Yates was officially cleared and released.
The day of his release, a swarm of reporters and camera crews flooded the police station. As Yates walked out under police escort, he was
met with a sea of flashing lights and shouting journalists.
PE’s PR team quickly stepped in to take control of the scene. Before leaving, their spokesperson addressed the media.
“We will be holding a press conference for Mr. Yates shortly. Please refer to PE’s official website for details. Thank you.”
Yates was escorted into a waiting van. Inside, he saw Sebastian and Caitlin sitting there.
“Sebastian, Caitlin…”
He looked exhausted. The past hours had been brutal. Never in his wildest thoughts had he imagined Jake–his assistant of four years-
would betray him like that.
“You’re okay now,” Sebastian said, patting his shoulder.
“Thank you. Thank you both. Without your help, I’d probably still be locked up.”
Yates turned to Caitlin. “I’m sorry. I embarrassed you.”
He had joined PE hoping to bring honor to her and the company. And yet, his very first movie premiere had turned int
htmare scandal.
“This wasn’t your fault,” Caitlin replied. “You were set up. But I will say–you’ve always had terrible judgment when it comes to people. You need to start being more cautious.”
She was teasing, but it came from a place of truth. She still remembered the first time they met at NO.8–Yates had tried to impress her with a fake necklace. It hadn’t worked.
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Yates was the easygoing type, the kind who trusted too easily. It made him vulnerable.
“Alright , alright, you’ve made your point! No need to roast me alive!”
The tension eased, and Yates finally managed a genuine smile.
The topic shifted back to the drug case. Caitlin raised a critical question. “Yates never inet Viper and never stepped foot in Black Lung. So why would Viper go out of his way to frame him? What was his motive?”
Sebastian suggested, “Could be what the police said. Viper was trying to pull in a high–profile target. Someone wealthy. Drug dealers always want bigger clients.”
“But that doesn’t make sense. If Viper just wanted someone rich, there are plenty of easier targets. Framing a celebrity, planting evidence that’s personal.”
“I swear I don’t know the guy,” Yates said. “Never met him in my life.”
At this point, Yates was shaping up to be
be the most wronged man
of
the century.
Caitlin was convinced Viper had a deeper motive. It wasn’t just about business.
“The only one who knows the truth is Viper himself,” Sebastian said. “Once he wakes up, we’ll get answers.”
“Exactly. Keep a close eye on him. When he wakes up, he’ll talk.”
Following their discussion, Caitlin and Sebastian took Yates to NO.8 for a proper shower and a celebratory dinner to help him unwind.
Once the police released their official statement, the public’s opinion shifted quickly. The hate once directed at Yates was now aimed at Jake and Viper.
Jake was dragged across the internet as the most ungrateful snake of the century. Yates had helped him without hesitation, and Jake had betrayed him for money.
As for Viper, the public saw him as pure evil–someone who ruined lives for profit. Many felt his accident was nothing more than karma.
Though Yates was exonerated, the damage had been done. Several of his endorsements were dropped. The lost contracts couldn’t be
recovered.
Fortunately, most of his fans remained loyal. Only a small number had turned on him. The majority stood by his side.
To help manage the aftermath, Caitlin advised him to lay low for a while. Once things cooled off, she’d help him make a strong comeback.
Soon, Tuesday arrived–the day of the new product launch.
TIG’s show was held at the New York Convention Center under the theme “Majestic Elegance.” Their event team had prepped everything the runway, the lighting, the seating.
Media outlets, fashion influencers, and
I several PE celebrities attended to show their support.
Justin, TIG’s lead designer for the collection, was working closely with Starline’s CEO Molly backstage . The models were ready, hair and makeup done, outfits in place.
But just ten minutes before the show was set to begin, news broke: XEG had launched their fashion show early.
A few reporters caught wind of it–and were shocked to see that XEG had used the exact same theme : “ Majestic Elegance . ” Even the designs looked eerily similar.
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The news spread like wildfire.
Some TIG staff saw it online and rushed to inform Justin.
He was stunned. How could XEG be showcasing designs identical to his? If they proceeded now, the media would definitely as TG Har copied them.
The show was about to start, and panic set in backstage.
Molly, fuming, immediately called Caitlin.
“Caitlin! We have a major problem! XEG just launched their show, and their designs are identical to yours–even the theme is the same . They went live early, and it’s already making headlines. What do we do now?”