Captivated by the Ruler of the Underworld
Chapter 177 Who's Trying to Frame Her?

The message from her agent had a photograph attached to it. The scene showed a place in the casino where John was touching her chest, and the crowd around them erupted in heinous laughter.

She had spent the last few days attempting to purge the memory of the casino incident from her mind, but now, with a single photo exposed, it felt as if invisible hands were ruthlessly tearing open her recently healed wounds, causing pain more agonizing than any physical stab.

She stared at the photo, lips pressed tightly together, her hand trembling as it clutched her phone.

Her agent, receiving no response, called her directly and, upon answering, he launched into an interrogation.

"Flora, what on earth is this about? You refused to provide companionship and more intimate services in the beginning.

"Now, what have you done? You had a golden patron, and yet you chose to play the harlot in a casino. Flora, you've really outdone yourself.

"This photo was sent to me anonymously. I still don't know who's behind it, but with you making such moves, tell me how you plan to clean this up."

Holding her phone, Flora laughed at the outburst, "Not forcing me? Riley, do you hear yourself? Opportunities were limited without playing 'the game' you insisted on involving me in, yet what did you do? You drugged me and delivered me to Hayes. I was barely out of high school. I had just dropped out.

"Later, I earned everything through my hard work, and what did you do? You handed my opportunities over to Emerson. There's no excuse for your actions, Riley. You wanted to build up your niece but used my efforts to reel in favors." On the other end, Riley's face flushed with anger as she yelled, "Are you really bringing up all of this now? You've been climbing up the ladder these past few years, but wasn't it me who guided you in every step? Now that you're finally gaining recognition and on the verge of becoming more successful as a second-tier star, do you want to turn your back on me? Flora, you're truly an ingrate," Riley sneered.

Flora lifted a hand and touched her forehead, her complexion ashen. "Riley, I don't want to talk about this right now."

Bringing it up was futile; what mattered most was tracking down the person who took the photos and paying them off before they could ruin her career.

"Just help me find the person who sent you the photos first and pay them," she said.

Riley chuckled coldly but ultimately responded, "Fine, I have my P.I. connections, but it'll cost you. A private investigator won't work for less than five million." Over the years, Flora had made some decent money. Although five million was a steep price, she could still afford it.

Or maybe it was that Flora never really cared much about money.

Figuring that two heads were better than one, she did not hesitate and wired the money while also starting her own search for a detective.

Flora reckoned that as her agent and with her popularity just starting to peak, Riley wouldn't just let her go.

Besides, Riley was her stepmother's cousin, and the Harrisons would want her to succeed. They wouldn't let Riley treat her like a disposable pawn.

Moreover, she couldn't let her future be destroyed; she had Lela now. She had promised to be there for Lela.

After all, they had just found each other.

Flora stared at the slightly blurry photo in her hand, biting her lip. If this photo was blurry, it meant there surely were copies, and probably plenty of them. Who was behind this attempt to frame her? Emerson? Or another actress?

Tears welled in her eyes as the identity of her saboteur remained a mystery.

The entertainment industry was murky, and as she rose to fame these past years, stepping on a few toes in the process, anybody could be a suspect.