My Husband Is An International Idol

Chapter 35: Bringing Her Closer

The investigation began immediately.

Victor Reyes quickly discovered that working with Sarah Clifford was both impressive and terrifying.

The private investigator moved through information like a machine. She was efficient, precise, and relentless.

Within twenty-four hours, she had already accomplished more than Victor had in several days.

Victor watched as Sarah pinned photographs and reports across a large investigation board inside a private office provided by St. Claire Entertainment.

The envelope and photographs sent by an anonymous sender. Everything was connected somehow.

They just didn’t know how. Yet.

Sarah studied the board carefully. "The sender isn’t interested in money."

Victor frowned. "How do you know?"

"Because they haven’t asked for any."

Fair point.

"A blackmailer usually asks for something."

Victor nodded slowly. "So what do they want?"

Sarah’s gaze landed on one particular photograph.

Chris and Liliana standing together years ago.

"I don’t know."

The answer bothered her. A lot.

Because Sarah Clifford hated unanswered questions.

Meanwhile, across the city, Chris sat inside his parents’ home.

For once, he wasn’t there as an idol. Or a performer..Or a celebrity.

He was there as a husband because he was worried.

Amanda noticed it immediately the moment he entered and sat down with a serious expression.

"What happened?"

Chris looked toward his parents. Then toward the envelope resting on the table.

The photographs lay beside it. Silent reminders. Quiet warnings.

Chris exhaled slowly.."I’m worried."

Matthew frowned. The answer surprised him. "Worried about what?"

Chris met his father’s gaze. "Liliana."

The room immediately fell silent.

Amanda’s expression softened while Matthew remained thoughtful.

Chris continued.."The photographs don’t bother me."

Matthew nodded. He understood.

The photographs themselves were harmless. And a lot of people would take photos if they saw a celebrity with someone.

The problem was the person who possessed and collected them. The person who had posted the recent photos from the villa online.

"The sender knows too much," Chris said quietly. "And if they’re watching me..." He paused. "They might be watching her too."

Silence followed.

The possibility had crossed Matthew’s mind many times.

Amanda sighed. "That’s exactly what I was afraid of."

After several moments, Matthew stood and walked toward the massive window overlooking the city. His expression was thoughtful and complicated.

Chris watched him. Waiting.

Eventually, Matthew spoke. "You know why we bought that house."

It wasn’t a question.

Chris nodded. Of course he knew.

The flower-covered two-story house. The house everyone assumed belonged to Lucia Sterling.

The house Chris called home. And the house where Chris stayed whenever he visited the village.

It had never been chosen randomly.

Matthew continued.

"After your marriage, Liliana wanted to stay close to her grandmother. I thought she would choose a house in the city, but she chose the countryside."

Amanda smiled sadly.

"None of us could convince her to stay here. She said it would be best if the two of you lived separately."

Chris remembered. The endless discussions five years ago.

Matthew continued.

"The ancestral mansion still belonged to Lucia. Liliana could have lived there. But she didn’t want to involve her grandmother."

Chris nodded.

The Sterling ancestral estate stood ten minutes away from Liliana’s house.

Large. Beautiful. Historic. A reminder of what the family once possessed.

Grandma Lucia lived there with one of her sons, Robert, and his two children, Emily and Nathan.

But after the recent rumors involving Chris and the growing media attention, she spent most of her time with Liliana in the smaller house hidden beneath flowers and ordinary routines.

Amanda folded her arms. "Sterling Village was the safest place for her."

Chris understood.

Sterling Village was isolated, peaceful and protected. By them.

It was far from the media and the entertainment industry. And they thought it was far from danger.

That had been true before.

Chris looked toward his father. "I don’t think it’s safe anymore."

The words settled heavily between them. Because everyone knew he was right.

Matthew remained silent. Then Chris finally voiced the idea he had been considering for days.

"I want to bring her here."

Amanda immediately looked up.

Chris continued. "To the city."

Matthew frowned. "No."

The answer came instantly without hesitation.

Chris had expected that.

Matthew turned around. "The city is more dangerous."

"Normally, yes." Chris nodded. "But right now? I don’t think it’s safe anywhere."

A pause followed. Neither man spoke. They both understood the problem.

Someone was actively searching, watching and investigating. And Sterling Village was no longer invisible.

Amanda suddenly intervened.

"Matthew."

Her voice was calm and reasonable.

Matthew knew exactly he was losing an argument.

Amanda smiled. "You know he’s right."

Matthew sighed. The battle was already over. Everyone knew it. Including him.

Amanda continued.

"If someone is watching Liliana, I’d rather have her somewhere we can protect her."

Chris nodded immediately. Exactly, that was the point.

Matthew rubbed his forehead..He hated admitting when other people were correct.

Especially his son.

Eventually, he sighed. "Fine."

Chris immediately relaxed.

But there was still another problem.

Robin, who had been quietly observing the discussion, suddenly raised his hand.

Everyone turned toward him. He immediately regretted it.

"What?"

Robin looked nervous.

"Technically..."

Nobody liked the word technically.

"Technically, bringing her here creates another issue."

Chris frowned. "What issue?"

Robin pointed between them.

"You."

"And?"

"And her."

Chris continued staring.

Robin sighed dramatically. "The public doesn’t know she’s your wife."

Realization spread through the room.

Ah... Right.

That was a very important detail.

Several moments passed. Then Robin suddenly snapped his fingers.

"I have an idea."

Nobody looked encouraged.

Robin ignored them.

"What if she becomes your assistant?"

Silence.

Robin continued enthusiastically. "It solves everything."

Nobody appeared convinced.

So Robin pressed on. "She can stay close to Chris, travel with him, attend events, appear publicly, and nobody will question it because assistants are always nearby."

The room fell silent as everyone considered the idea.

Then Chris remembered the current issue.

"But what about the rumors online? The photos from the villa? We still haven’t dealt with those."

This time, Amanda spoke. "I have a better idea."

Everyone looked at her.

"Make her a new talent."

Chris blinked. "What?"

Amanda smiled. "Liliana is still young. And before the marriage, she dreamed of becoming an actress." She paused. "Although personally, I think she’d make a better model."

Then she added, "And her cousins too."

Chris frowned.

"Mom, two of her cousins are still in college. One is a florist. Another is a professional troublemaker."

Emily wasn’t even present and somehow felt attacked.

"I don’t think they want to live in the spotlight."

"Then ask them." Amanda shrugged. "St. Claire Entertainment hasn’t accepted new talents in years. I think this is the perfect opportunity."

Matthew remained silent. Because he knew she was right.

The idea was brilliant. A perfect cover for the recent controversy surrounding Pulse.

Only one question remained.

Would the Sterlings agree?

The next day, Chris called Liliana.

The moment she answered, he got straight to the point.

"I need to ask you something."

Liliana immediately became suspicious because that tone never led to anything simple.

"What?"

Chris explained everything.

The relocation, the security concerns, the talent offer. The possibility of moving to the city.

Most of which she barely had time to process. By the time he finished, Liliana sat silently, thinking.

Then she asked, "So you want me to become one of your company’s new talents?"

"Basically."

"Even though I have absolutely no experience?"

"Correct."

"That seems irresponsible."

Chris laughed.

Then she surprised him.

"I’ll do it."

Chris blinked. "Really?"

"Really."

Relief immediately appeared on his face. Then disappeared.

Because Liliana wasn’t finished.

"But I have to ask my cousins first."

Immediately, several voices could be heard in the background.

"I’ll do it."

Nicolo answered without hesitation.

"Me too."

Rose leaned closer to the phone.

"The company is near the university and I need money for a new iPhone. We’re getting paid, right?"

Chris chuckled. "Of course."

"Then I’m in."

Nicole spoke next. "If it helps clear the rumors, I’ll join too."

Chris smiled.

Then realized someone was missing.

"How about Emily?"

A dramatic sigh came through the speaker.

"I don’t want to be in the spotlight."

"Neither do I," Mary added.

Chris looked relieved. Until Emily continued.

"But I do need a job."

Chris immediately became suspicious.

"I’m a fashion designer."

Emily grinned. "You can hire me as a stylist."

Silence.

Then Liliana continued as if the suggestion made perfect sense.

"It would look more natural."

Chris closed his eyes. Of course she agreed.

"Emily can work as a stylist. Mary can be our manager."

Chris wasn’t convinced at all. Unfortunately, nobody asked for his opinion.

Liliana continued. "Everyone can stay together with us and your manager."

Chris nearly dropped his phone.

"My manager?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"If I live with you, people will talk."

Fair point.

"Your fans won’t like seeing their idol living alone with a woman."

Chris couldn’t even argue.

"But if we all stay together, nobody will suspect anything."

Robin, who happened to be listening nearby, suddenly felt a sense of impending doom.

Meanwhile, Nathan raised another concern. "What about our last names?"

Everyone fell silent. That was actually important.

Liliana answered immediately.

"We’ll use our mothers’ last names."

The room became quiet. Then everyone slowly nodded.

It wasn’t a perfect plan. But for now, it was the best one they had.