Dominate Showbiz: Media Tycoon Discovered My Talent-Chapter 30: A Fling

Kaija had always known Juho’s last name was Maley from their time training in the same batch at the airline. But at this point, she shouldn’t even be surprised it turned out to be fake all along.

"Tell me then," she demanded.

His face suddenly eased into a bright, easy smile. "I can’t tell you that," he said lightly. "If I told you, then I couldn’t let you leave."

She stared at him. The sudden change in his tone only made the threat in his words more disturbing.

"Does Charles Kosonen know you’re behind this?" she asked.

"He doesn’t," he said nonchalantly, shrugging. "But there’s something I want done. Something only Charles Kosonen can make happen. All I ask from you now is to stay here until he’s willing to do as I say."

Her brow furrowed. "What do I have to do with any of this, then?"

He gave her a bright smile again. "Oh, you have everything to do with it, Kaija."

Then the smile faded, his eyes sharpened, and his voice dropped to a chilly tone. "You’re the key to making that arrogant fucker keep his mouth shut and start listening."

Goosebumps prickled all over her skin at how easily Juho kept switching his tone. Had he only just developed this psychopathic side, or had she been such a lovesick fool to ever notice that?

"I’m sure you’re mistaken, Juho," she said. "There’s nothing between me and Charles Kosonen."

His face eased into a smile again. "Oh? Really?" In one swift motion, he leaned over and pushed her down onto the bed.

"What the hell are you doing?!" she shouted, thrashing like a fish out of water, but it was no use.

Juho had already gripped her wrists and pinned them above her head. His other hand started undoing the buttons at the collar of her shirt and pulled it open, leaving her neck exposed.

"You call this nothing?" he sneered, his eyes cruel as he stared down at her. The marks Charles had left from the other night were still there all over her skin, only partially faded.

"It was just a fling," she protested. "I’m just one of his many women!"

His lips curved into a cruel smirk. "I don’t think so, Kaija. That fucker might’ve had plenty of women he’s toyed with. But not once has he ever made his way to my studio to check on them, let alone shown affection toward them in public, or taken them out to do some ’women’s things,’ like what he did with your hair."

Her eyes narrowed. "I don’t get what you mean."

He suddenly bent down and seized her neck in a painful grip. "What I mean is," he whispered into my ear, "you’re special. And I plan on borrowing that special effect you have on that stubborn fucker to my favor."

She shot him a furious glare, thrashing harder under his strong grip. "And what if he doesn’t do as you want, huh? What would you do to me then, now that I know you’re behind this?"

"Well, then I have no choice but to let you go," he said lightly. "However, I’ll have to make sure that you learn how to keep a secret well when you do, Kaija. If I’m not mistaken, your mom lives in the northern suburb of the city, doesn’t she?"

She stared at him, completely stunned. Did he just use her mom to threaten her into silence? Was this Juho right in front of her eyes really the same Juho she’d always admired? The same person who had made her heart flutter and her cheeks burn just by his presence alone?

Her body gave out. She stopped fighting altogether, just sinking to the bed below, her gaze turning away from his.

Right now, she didn’t even want to see his face or those brilliant emerald eyes anymore. Turns out, Juho wasn’t just a player with a double, no — triple life. He wasn’t any better than some random scumbag with cheap, lowly tricks in those action movies.

"Fine," she surrendered. "I’ll keep my mouth shut. I’ll also stay and behave as you want. Now let go of me and leave."

His body stiffened, so did his hands, as if the sudden change in her tone had done something to him. Slowly, his grip loosened and released altogether.

"I’ll make sure you’ll have everything you need while you’re here," he said coldly, rising from the bed.

She didn’t answer. She didn’t even feel like thanking him for such a hospitable gesture. She just redid her buttons and fixed her shirt.

Juho threw her one last glance and left the room.

For the next seven days, she remained in that room like an obedient prisoner.

Juho never visited again. The maids were the only human beings she interacted with. She asked for more books to burn her time away, stopped pressing her ears to the door so she wouldn’t discover more disturbing facts than she already had, and just counted the days.

Kidnapped as she was, there wouldn’t be many people out there coming to look for her. Niklas was already with Marja. Marja knew better than to call or visit her these days. Besides, she’d never told them about the deal she’d signed with Charles or that she’d moved to the KE headquarters.

And her mom? Maybe her mom would come looking for her when she didn’t see her sending the monthly allowance, if they were to keep her here for more than a month.

Charles was probably the only one who knew about her current state and was also on her side, or at least she hoped he was. He did tell her he’d get her out of here soon over the call. But as more days drifted by slowly and quietly, she started feeling her hope withering away.

Only on the eighth day did Gustav visit again. He hadn’t come to inform her that she could leave.

With his face stern and his tone grave as ever, he told her, "Unfortunately, we have failed to reach an agreement with Charles Kosonen on the conditions for your release, Miss Sepala."