Chapter 579 - Scene From Hell
The current situation was that both Iris and the man were holding the cake box together because he refused to let it go immediately. Iris kept the smile on her face. It was normal for her to encounter fans like this. There were people who would want to prolong direct contact with her by refusing to let her go during handshakes, hugs, or in this case, gift-giving.
As a rule, Tang Yiyi told her not to say no to her fans. It would be her entourage's job to play the bad guys and drive away any persistent fans who were being too touchy-feely with her, especially when the fans were males. And indeed, the bodyguard closest to her immediately blocked the man and warned him away.
The man finally released the box and stepped back, not resisting the bodyguard, but still continued to speak to Iris. "My name is Tian Kong. Please remember it. I'm a big fan."
A faint furrow formed between her brows when she felt the weight of the box after he released it. However, she wasn't able to think much about it because Tian Kong distracted her with his words.
"I've supported you ever since your first showbiz comeback. You were so amazing! I immediately became a big fan. I was one of the earliest members of the Black Stars. I bought all of your albums and merchandise. I was even able to buy one of your Orchidia Beauty facial skincare set before it sold out in 5 seconds."
"Thank you very much for your support, Mr. Tian Kong. I appreciate it," she told him.
"I also sent you so many fan letters and gifts before but I never got a reply from you."
"Sorry about that. I receive so many. I'll keep you in mind when I check my fan letters next. Thank you."
One of her bodyguards blocked Tian Kong even more and barked, "Move it."
Tian Kong, however, bent his head to the side, completely ignoring the bodyguard in order to continue looking and speaking with Iris. She was now beginning to feel uncomfortable with this persistent fan."You're the best musician for me, Boss Iris! You're still so young and have so many years ahead of you to experience more success! Why would you become engaged so early? I don't think it's wise to marry when you're still so young!"
Iris' smile disappeared and she stepped back. Another bodyguard squeezed himself through the crowd in order to help his colleague block Tian Kong. The other Black Stars were now reprimanding him.
"That's not up for you to decide! How dare you boss our boss around?! You have no right!"
"I agree with you to some degree but mind your own business! We, the Black Stars, are always supportive of our Boss Iris no matter what! If you don't support her decision to marry CEO Jin, then you're not a real Black Star!"
Tian Kong's expression turned dark. He glared at the fans scolding him.
Iris felt touched when her other fans began defending her relationship with Jin Liwei but still thought that the situation was getting out of hand.
"Everyone, please calm down. There's no need to fight with each other. Let's maintain peace and order, okay?" she told them.
"Kyaaaaah! Boss Iris asked something of me! Yes, boss! Peace and order are now my ultimate virtues in life!"
"Sorry, boss! We won't fight with each other anymore!"
The surrounding fans all nodded. It was only Tian Kong who had an expression of ridicule on his face as he watched the others obeying Iris. Her two bodyguards were able to drive him back, but right at that moment, his expression transformed into a smug one.Iris was watching him, the niggling feeling she felt earlier only became stronger with each passing second. When she saw his smug expression, alarm bells started ringing in her mind. He looked at her again and glanced at the cake box she was holding before looking away. If she wasn't observing him, she would have missed this.
She raised the box close to her face and sniffed at it. At first, she could only smell the faint scent of cardboard. She couldn't smell any sweetness of cake or pastries at all. In addition to its unusual weight, she began to have a bad feeling. It was only then that her nose registered another smell.
It was very faint but it struck her like lightning. She froze and her expression turned into alarm. Her alarm turned into fear when she saw Tian Kong's hand reached inside his trouser pocket where a rectangular bulge from his phone could be seen.
There was no time. Her instincts took over.
"Everyone, duck!!!"
Then she threw the box up in the air as hard as she could. For two seconds, the people around her were confused. Only a few listened to her. Most watched the cake box fly in the air, wondering what Iris was playing.
Tian Kong's expression turned furious when he saw what Iris did. She glared at him while grabbing both Dom and Tang Yiyi to the ground.
BOOM!!!
A flash of fiery red and orange lit up in the air. The shockwave caused the people to drop to the ground. Everyone couldn't hear the cacophony of their own screams over the loud sound of the explosion.
The mall descended into chaos, turning into a scene from hell.###
At the same time at Jin Corporation.
Jin Liwei was at a meeting with his fellow executives and some key personnel when a loud siren sound started blaring inside the conference room.
Everyone automatically took cover under the tables, their bodies moving on instinct from the regular emergency drills the company made them do. Rose Young moved a couple of beats slower compared to the others because she was the newest one to work in the company among the group.
"W-what's happening? Is there a fire? Shouldn't we run outside?" she asked in a slightly panicked voice before looking at Jin Liwei.
If there was no Xu Tian blocking her way, she would've already thrown herself at Jin Liwei under the table and pretended to be afraid in order to seek comfort from him.
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