Chapter 265: Rise and Shine, Whippersnapper

"You've seen the news then, I suppose?"

"Who didn't though? It was all over the internet."

"I can't believe such a disgusting person is getting this much fame."

"And dating one of the wealthiest men in the country?"

"If you think about it, how else did she meet Ambryan? Probably through mutual contact with one of those old geezers."

"Didn't they say it was because of his mom?"

"Then, she met his mom and used her to get to him."

"Are you girls done?" Cale spoke up from the door.

He had stepped out for a while to take a phone call. What he didn't expect was to find both the stylist and makeup artist talking behind his model's back. They whirled their attention towards him and gulped. Their hands dropped to their sides.

Cale stalked towards them with his head bowed slightly.

His aqua blue eyes darkened in contempt.

"If you have time to gossip among yourselves, I bet you have the time to find yourself some replacements," he threatened under his breath. "I don't care what you say about me to others but I won't stand for toxic people like you to be around her. "

The two women chose to stay silent. One bit her tongue while the other looked the other way. Behind them, Eve's chest rose and fell steadily. The conversation hadn't fazed her rest. 

"What are you waiting for?" Cale demanded. Then, he side-stepped and pointed to the door. "I want those replacements now!"

They placed the makeup and styling tools back on the vanity mirror, leaving as they were told. They had heard about Cale Fisher before. Everyone knew him as a bubbly person. He was also easy to work with and was very attentive. To see this side of him sent shivers down their spines.

Cale closed the door and walked further into the room. He huffed once he reached Eve's side. The first thing he inspected was the current state of her makeup. With the words the two had exchanged, it wouldn't come as a surprise if they sabotaged this shoot for his model.

Eve opened her eyes, her corner lip curling up. 

"Did I ever tell you what a great manager you are?" She teased.

Scoffing, Cale checked each makeup product on the table. "How much did you hear?"

"Everything."

His glare flickered in her direction. "And you let them speak about you that way."

Eve shrugged. "I'd rather know what exactly they were thinking than not."

She might have spoken at some point but Cale arrived before it could happen. With the recent scandal, the gossip was to be expected. She'd rather her their unbiased opinions than to cut them off. She considered it always better to know the people she worked with.

Then, she would know when to be wary and by how much.

Cale shook his head. So far, nothing amiss caught his attention with the products. It was most likely a stroke of luck. "We should have done this a long time ago but I think we should get you a personal makeup artist and stylist. They'll always know what is best for you even with different themes given by the clients."

"Let's talk about it later." Eve sighed. "I can imagine it won't be easy at the moment."

"Avery and I know a few that could fill in the positions but they have clients already."

"I'd rather not cause another riff by taking someone's personal stylist."

"Figured you would." Cale crossed his arms over his chest. He leaned his on the wall beside the vanity mirror and watched the door. "If there's really no one available, we'll post an ad and do it the old-fashioned way."

Eve pressed her lips together. She stared at her reflection. They had added prosthetics to her face so the wrinkles looked realistic. The white wig had big short curls. Its style reminded her of Marilyn Monroe.

At least, she was going to be a classy grandmother.

"I wish I could say that it's not necessary," she said after a while. 

Cale showed her a sad smile. This part never became any easier through his years as a modelling manager. The higher his models climbed, the more rocks were thrown at them so they'd fall. Sometimes they overcame it. Sometimes they didn't. 

Either way, he hated that part of the business was this suffering.

"Is there anything we can help you with? A cup of coffee perhaps?" He offered, one hand in his pocket—ready to call Nanzie for a quick coffee run. The client hadn't even provided her one like he asked.

"Hm..." Eve considered, fiddling with her thumbs. Her hazel eyes suddenly lit up like stars. "I can never turn down coffee but I think I have a better idea."

Taking out her phone, she opened the DTC app and started a video call.

The feed was black when the receiver picked up. Then, it was followed by a tired voice. "Hello?"

A grin spread across her face. She recalled a random old lady from films and mimicked her tone of voice. "You, lazy whippersnapper! What time is it?! How could you still be sleeping?! You should be up even before the rooster crows! Youth these days aren't as hardworking as before. Back in my day—"

Ambryan scowled. He had heard the ringtone and answered the call without a second thought. Only now did it register which ringtone it had been. Bolting up, he became wide awake. "EVE?!"

"That's grandmother Eve to you!" She cackled. Her voice returned to normal. "You might want to pull the phone away from your ear. It's a video call, you know."

Eventually, the video feed revealed her boyfriend's face. His coal black hair stuck out in different directions. His violet eyes still had a lazy haze over them. Eve couldn't help but smile. This had to be one of her favorite looks on him.

"You're old" was the first thing he said once he caught a glimpse of her costume.

"Yes, it's part of the script." Eve pointed out. She played with a hair strand, pulling it straight and tried to get a good look at it. "You think you'd still like me when my hair isn't red anymore?"

Ambryan chuckled. "Your hair isn't the only thing I like about you."

Any hint of drowsiness completely left him at this point. He rubbed his hand over his chin. Only one thought came to mind when he gazed at her aged look. And that was the future. Someday they would be this old and gray. 

He hoped they would still be this smitten over one another. 

"Really?" Eve blinked. She cupped her ear and leaned it closer to the speaker. "Tell me more."

"You have this insane sense of humor that wakes me up this early in the morning."

"Well, either I wake you up or your food gets cold." She winked, leaning back and dropping her hand. A deep breath exhaled out of her nose. Her voice also lowered in volume. "Message me when you leave the apartment and again when you reach your destination, okay?"

"I will. How are things going?"

Ambryan assumed there was something more to this video call. As humorous as it was, Eve wasn't the type to disturb his sleep unless it was an important matter. Maybe it could wait but he didn't mind the interruption. 

He'd actually much prefer it if she ran to him before anyone else.

"The scandal definitely has an effect but it's nothing serious," Eve admitted, averting her gaze. "Cale is sticking by my side, keeping an eye on anyone who'd dare to say or do something. He just ordered coffee for me too."

"You can rely on me! I'll make sure they'd regret ever thinking about Evangeline badly!" Cale spoke from his spot. He and Eve exchanged a smile. Then, he checked his watch. If it weren't for the current circumstances, he would have followed the makeup artist and stylist—just to speed things a little.

Ambryan nodded in approval. "And Jane?"

"She's not here yet and I'd rather impress people before she arrives."

"Good girl."

Eve snorted at that. "What am I? A dog?"

Swinging his legs towards the edge of the bed, Ambryan let out a yawn and rose to his feet. "I'll get ready to leave. If I finish early, you think we can grab lunch together?"

Eve bit her bottom lip. They had an itinerary but that usually served as a formality. "I'm not sure how the schedule will be for today. I'd rather not ask for special favors until the scandal is cleared up."

"I understand. But you will come home to the apartment later?"

"Of course."

"I'll see you then."

"Hey! Nanzie—"

Ambryan hung up before she could finish protesting. He stretched for a second and reviewed his phone notifications. Wen and the others should have been up last night for the investigation. Once he found what he was looking for, he grabbed his laptop and checked the news.

The developments he, his mother and Andie planted should have taken effect.

> Evangeline Reed Update: A Witness Recalls Night of the Photo 

> More Come to Light as People Point Out Details in the Image

> Evangeline Fans Continue to their Journey of Denial

> Who is the Man with Evangeline? We Might Just Have the Answer!

> Man in the Photo Refuses to Make a Comment on Scandal

Skimming through them, Ambryan nodded at the progress. This should be enough for them to make their move later in the day. Whoever came up with the fake pictures really didn't think deeply. It was easy to debunk once they fell into the trap.

Such as when was it taken.