The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1376

He’d been burned by N before, so he knew how this went.

“J’s got sharp instincts, and N’s reputation checks out,” Anthony said, his tone pointed as he shot Kenneth a look that basically screamed, Good luck, you’re on your own.

Kenneth’s face barely changed, but you could tell it hit him hard. It felt like someone had dropped an anvil on his head, and his mind was humming with static. He’d thought he was complaining about two different people, but no... it was all about Lottie. Charlotte was absolutely going to tear him apart today.

Time was almost up. Charlotte didn’t feel like wasting another second on Kenneth. She followed a staff member through the back corridors and into the green room behind the studio.

Most of the crowd today were die-hard fans of Storm, the hit comic. Word had gotten out that J might make an appearance, but nobody was sure. Hope and doubt mixed in the air, buzzing with excitement. The atmosphere crackled.

“How’s it looking?” Sabina leaned in, her nerves showing as she whispered to her assistant. “Is J actually here?”

“I heard he is,” the assistant whispered back, as if afraid the wrong person might overhear. “Don’t worry, Sabina. We’re negotiating with the comic company. We’ve offered to increase the licensing fee and give them twenty percent of future profits.”

“No one in their right mind would turn that down.”

“Exactly.”

Sabina finally relaxed, a relieved smile breaking through. Sure, it was expensive, but once she took Storm international, her value would skyrocket. And the real cherry on top? She’d finally get to put Emily in her place.

She couldn’t figure Emily out. Who was she, to act so cocky? If Emily came from money, she wouldn’t still be grinding in showbiz after all these years. Sabina decided Emily’s background had to be nothing special.

Just then, Emily’s phone buzzed with a message from Kenneth: The copyright issue’s sorted. Whatever happens next, don’t be shocked.

The boss completely crumbled. He’d already promised Sabina’s team too much, too soon. Now, as the announcement drew closer, he could only imagine how Sabina would react.

The host’s voice rang out on stage, booming with excitement. “Now, let’s see who will walk away with the rights to this year’s hottest sensation, Storm…”

“Everyone, eyes on the big screen!”

The room went dead silent, hundreds of faces turned expectantly toward the display. Sabina clenched her hands, lips curved into a confident, practiced smile. She was ready to stand up and give her speech.

Emily, though, was still stuck on Kenneth’s message. Had he really convinced J? Would J actually pick her?

Right then, the screen lit up, bold letters announcing the winner. And the person who’d landed the rights was...