Chapter 384 - I Owe You a Favor

"Listen, Roy, this photo is just one of them. I've received news that there are four or five more photos, maybe even more, already in the hands of various media outlets. I believe tomorrow morning's newspapers will prominently feature these photos. So, I need you to tell me everything about your relationship with her, including every detail!" 

Roy could hear the seriousness in her voice and knew that the situation might be severe. He proceeded to explain how he had found the massage parlor through a friend's recommendation, how he had hired Keira, and how, to avoid raising any suspicions and worry in Laila, he had rented a hotel room for Keira to provide her services. He recounted every detail.

Laila listened carefully to his account, trying to imprint every word in her mind, searching for clues that could unravel the mystery.

She believed that Roy was not the type to be careless, but the appearance of this photo was too strange.

"According to your explanation, she shouldn't have had an opportunity to take these photos. Did you fall asleep while she was massaging you?"

Roy paused for a moment. "I think I did... Oh, damn it! She must have taken that damn photo while I was asleep! I'm going to kill her! I'll definitely kill her!"

"That's enough! Do you want to make the situation worse?" Laila scolded angrily. "Tell me the names of the hotels where you met every time, as well as the room numbers. I need precise dates, times, and locations. If you can't remember, make an effort! Then, send it to my email. You have ten minutes! Remember, everything!"

Without waiting for Roy's response, she hung up the phone and dialed Jia Xiaoming's number.

"Miss, do you know what time it is?" His voice, when he answered the phone, sounded as though he were on his deathbed.

"Don't sleep. I need your help."

"Can't it wait until tomorrow? It's late here, Miss!" He clearly knew where she was at the moment.

Laila wasn't surprised that he knew; she'd have been surprised if he didn't.

"Listen, I've gotten myself into a big mess, and if you help me this time, I owe you a favor!"

"Oh?" Jia Xiaoming's voice immediately became more alert. "How big of a favor?"

Laila narrowed her eyes. "As big as you think you can get."

"So, as long as it's something you can do, you'll agree to it?"

"You can interpret it that way!"

"Hmm," Jia Xiaoming rubbed his chin, intrigued. Her influence and resources could be incredibly useful in certain situations. In their line of work, who knew when they might encounter a dire situation? With her assistance, they might be able to muster significant power!

However...

"Are you willing to pay such a high price for my help? I hope it's not something too dangerous," he said, not wanting to get himself into a life-threatening situation just for a future favor.

"Don't worry; it's definitely not illegal. I just need you to find someone for me and have them play a role."

Jia Xiaoming raised an eyebrow. "Tell me more."

"I need someone who looks somewhat like Roy, at least from the side and in terms of build." This was Laila's plan; she intended to stage a substitution.

Jia Xiaoming chuckled. "You already have one boyfriend, and now you want another?"

"Jia Xiaoming, I'm not joking." Laila's voice turned colder. She no longer had time to waste. By early tomorrow, the newspapers would have already published the news. If she didn't act now, it would be much more difficult to control the situation.

"I'll send you a photo." She forwarded the photo of Roy and the woman to his email.

Upon seeing the photo, Jia Xiaoming immediately understood what she was worried about.

"So, you've been cuckolded."

"...Cuckolded?" She was dumbfounded. He had used the term in Chinese, and she felt like slapping him.

"Didn't you see that he had his eyes closed? That woman is a masseuse. Roy had some injuries on his body that needed treatment, so he found her. It happened while he was relaxing and dozed off. She managed to take this picture. And it's not just one photo; I can't even be sure how many there are at the moment. All I know is that this will be everyone's breakfast topic tomorrow morning!"

"Alright, I understand the severity of the situation now. But can you really find someone to impersonate him that easily?" Jia Xiaoming was skeptical. It wasn't as simple as finding a substitute and expecting everyone to believe it.

"But if I do nothing, Roy's reputation will be ruined. Do you understand?" Laila couldn't allow that to happen. Even if it was for the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean" set to premiere next year, she couldn't let this incident drag him down. If a scandalized actor played a role, would parents still be willing to take their children to see the movie?

"Pirates of the Caribbean" was aimed at audiences of all ages. If it couldn't attract children, it would mean a decrease in their parent demographic. In that case, it wouldn't be much different from the R-rated films she used to make. She had hoped this film would become a major box-office success, allowing her to earn a fortune!

Jia Xiaoming fell silent on the other end, contemplating their course of action. Meanwhile, Laila made a copy of the information Roy had provided her and sent it to Jia Xiaoming's email.

"I just sent you an email with details of the times and locations of Roy's meetings with that woman. You must help me with this, okay?"

If they had more time, Laila could have approached this differently, perhaps spending more money to resolve the situation. However, time was something she lacked at the moment. In a few hours, newspapers would be delivered to the newsstands, and she only had these precious hours to work with.

Scratching his head, Jia Xiaoming sighed, "Alright, how do you want me to handle this?"

Hearing his agreement, Laila felt a slight relief. If he had refused, she would have had to exert a great deal of effort to suppress the situation.

"I hope..."

The two of them then discussed their plan of action over the phone.

After the discussion, Jia Xiaoming sighed heavily, "Please remember to remind me often; I don't want to become your enemy."

"Now is not the time for compliments. Can you do what I asked?"

"Don't worry, if I can't, you can come and chop off my head." He assured her, willing to go to great lengths for this favor. "But Laila, your Chinese still needs some work."

"?" 

"What I said earlier wasn't a compliment..."

"Get lost!"