Chapter 844: The Traitor Who Got Betrayed [Part 3]
Villain Ch 844. The Traitor Who Got Betrayed [Part 3]
Sophia and Mr. Bell walked side by side through the quiet hall. The atmosphere was calm, with only the faint hum of air conditioning and the distant sound of a vacuum cleaner echoing from somewhere down the corridor. Most of the staff had left for the day, their work finished by five in the afternoon. The few who remained were engrossed in their tasks, barely noticing Sophia and Mr.
Bell as they passed.
Sophia stole a glance at Mr. Bell, her mind already working on the next steps of her plan. He wasn't bad looking for his age; in fact, he carried himself with a certain charisma that came from years of experience and authority. His neatly trimmed hair and well-fitted suit spoke of someone who cared about his appearance.
He wasn't her type, but he was certainly someone she could work with, given the right circumstances.
Based on her observations, Mr. Bell didn't seem to be a family man. She had never heard him mention a wife or children, and there were no personal photos in his office. It was as if his life outside the agency was a blank slate, which could work to her advantage. His position within the agency was quite significant, giving him access to information and influence that could be very useful to her.
His meticulous appearance, always complemented by a subtle yet captivating scent of cologne, indicated a man who took pride in his image, likely due to the many people he interacted with daily—staff, models, and clients. Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire
This plan was a bit desperate, Sophia had to admit. But given the current situation, she felt cornered. She couldn't rely on Elio, whose support had become increasingly uncertain. James, Noah, and Gilbert were also out of the question. She needed someone she could count on. Mr.
Bell was her best bet, even if it meant stepping outside her comfort zone.
The biggest concern was Mr. Bell's familiarity with models. He interacted with them regularly, making it difficult to stand out or use charm to sway him. He was likely used to beautiful women trying to gain his favor, which meant Sophia needed to approach him differently.
Sophia glanced around the hall, ensuring no one had noticed them together. She didn't want this to become the subject of office gossip. Once she was confident they were alone, she approached Mr. Bell with a subtle, friendly gesture, initiating a conversation.
"Mr. Bell," she began, her tone casual yet engaging, "I've been thinking about our upcoming projects. Have you considered any collaborations with other big companies? It could be a great way to expand our reach."
Mr. Bell nodded, clearly pleased with her interest. "Actually, we've been exploring a few options. There's a lot of potential out there, especially with the rise of social media influencers and the crossover with traditional modeling."
Sophia smiled, steering the conversation toward her intended topic. "Speaking of influencers, how did we manage to recruit Vivian? She's become quite the sensation."
Mr. Bell's eyes lit up as he recounted the story. "Ah, Vivian. It all started with her videos on social media. Her cute face and the way she embodies her characters when she cosplays caught our attention. She had a natural talent that we knew would be valuable.
We reached out to her and offered her a position as a freelance model, and she's been a great asset ever since."
Sophia nodded, absorbing the information. She needed to bring Allen into the conversation smoothly. "That's fascinating. It's amazing how social media can open up so many opportunities. And speaking of new faces, how are we doing with the recent recruits? Any standouts?"
Mr. Bell's expression turned thoughtful. "Ah yes, there's one in particular. The new model, Allen. His face isn't the most striking compared to some of our other models, but there's something about his eyes. They have this intense, bad-boy vibe that seems to captivate women.
We're seriously considering offering him a permanent contract."
Sophia's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Allen. This was the opening she needed. "That's interesting. I've noticed that about him too. There's a certain allure to his look. It's intriguing that he's had such an impact already."
Mr. Bell smiled, clearly enjoying the topic. "Yes, it's quite remarkable. His presence is different. It's more subdued, yet it leaves a lasting impression. We're always looking for that unique edge, and Allen seems to have it."
Sophia nodded thoughtfully, masking her true intentions. "Do you think his background has anything to do with it? I mean, he doesn't seem like your typical model."
Mr. Bell shrugged. "It's possible. He came to us quite by chance, thanks to Vivian. She introduced him when one of our models couldn't make it. He stepped in, and we were impressed.
There's still a lot we don't know about him, but sometimes that mystery is part of the charm."
Sophia stored this information away, her mind racing with possibilities. "It's definitely something to consider. The element of mystery can be very appealing."
Sophia took Mr. Bell's statement as a cue to delve deeper. She saw an opportunity to gather more information about Allen, and she intended to make the most of it. Turning towards Mr. Bell with a thoughtful expression, she said, "You know, Allen really does fit the character perfectly. I was thrilled when I was assigned to illustrate him.
It's like he was made for the role. But, I realized I don't know much about him. Do you know anything that might help me with the illustrations? Sometimes understanding the person behind the character can make a big difference."
Mr. Bell glanced at her with a hint of curiosity. "Why the sudden interest in Allen? Do you have a crush on him or something?" he asked with a playful smirk.
Sophia laughed, a light, airy sound that masked her true intentions. "No, nothing like that," she replied, shaking her head. "I'm just curious since I've been assigned to draw him twice now. It's always helpful to know a bit more about the person you're illustrating. Makes the work more authentic."
Mr. Bell's eyes twinkled with amusement, but he didn't press the matter further. Instead, he seemed to relax a bit, sharing what he knew about Allen. "Well, like I said, he's a bit of a mystery. He came in through Vivian, and he's managed to make quite an impression. His look is unique—those eyes of his really capture attention.
He's not just about the looks, though. There's a certain charisma about him that's hard to define. So you don't have to be embarrassed if you are interested in him. It's normal."
Sophia nodded, absorbing the information. She knew she needed more, so she decided to take a risk. Flicking her gaze towards Mr. Bell, she gave him a subtle, seductive look. "Actually," she said, her voice dropping to a softer tone, "I'm interested in someone else."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Sophia felt a wave of discomfort. The act of flirting, of using her charm in this calculated way, made her feel a bit icky. But she knew it was necessary. Mr. Bell had influence, and she needed his favor to get what she wanted.