His Genius Wife Is A Superstar Chapter 1678: Den of Vipers

Heavy rain poured down as lightning flashed over the capital city. The night sky resembled a threatening black void.

In a luxurious hotel suite in the Philippines, Iris Long jolted awake from a booming thunderclap. Beads of sweat covered her forehead and neck, and her back was soaked through. She pressed a hand to her chest, gasping to confirm she was still alive.

'What's the matter, love?' Jin Liwei stirred awake, roused by his wife's sudden shifts and the raging storm outside.

She stayed silent, focusing on steadying her ragged breaths.

Noticing her pale face and perspiring form, any trace of drowsiness vanished from him. He propped himself up and drew his wife into his arms, soothing her gently.

'You're safe, love. Everything's alright. I'm right here.'

Iris clung to him like a drowning person to a rope, gripping his shirt tightly while struggling to breathe normally.

Once she had settled somewhat, Jin Liwei planted a soft kiss on her forehead and slipped out of bed to fetch a bottle of water from the fridge. He then dabbed at her sweat with a fresh towel as she sipped the water.

She gulped it down desperately. Only then did she notice her intense thirst.

'A nightmare?' he inquired.

Jin Liwei felt deep concern for her yet compelled himself to remain composed. It had been ages since his wife had awakened in such a frantic state during the night. She typically slumbered soundly, often without stirring until dawn. Witnessing her turmoil now filled him with worry on her behalf.

She paused before nodding slightly, her eyebrows knitting together. 'I can't recall the dream itself. But I remember the sensation of utter loneliness... of being confined... and unable to draw breath.'

Jin Liwei enveloped her once more as they reclined on the bed together. He rubbed her back softly, attempting to coax her back to sleep. 'No need to dwell on it if it's gone from your mind. It was merely a terrible dream. I'm always by your side.'

'I know,' she murmured with a satisfied exhale, nestling closer into his hold.

Though weariness weighed on her, the lingering nightmare kept sleep at bay. She rested her ear against his chest, listening to the powerful, even thump of his heart. The steady beat eased her nerves, yet she persistently tried to recall the dream's details.

Ultimately, she surrendered. The memory eluded her completely.

But the emotions it evoked lingered on.

Powerlessness.

Choking dread.

Terror.

She vowed never to endure such feelings again.

Sensing her lingering unease, Jin Liwei engaged her in light conversation. He yearned for her to relax. Since arriving in the Philippines, she had been laboring relentlessly.

She was scheduled for more commitments the next day, but if the fierce storm persisted, she might enjoy an unexpected break.

The suite's excellent insulation blocked out the rain and street noise. Yet the thunder's vibrations penetrated, even if subdued.

Jin Liwei noted the thunder crashing every few minutes. Though heavy curtains shrouded the room, flashes of lightning seeped through small cracks, illuminating the darkness briefly.

Their group hadn't foreseen such intense weather. Dom, though, shrugged it off. He explained that Philippine forecasts were infamously unreliable. The nation ranked among the world's most storm-battered, and locals had adapted to the unpredictable climate long ago.

Gazing at his distressed wife, Jin Liwei hoped the tempest would rage on through tomorrow, granting her much-needed repose. He viewed himself as a dedicated worker, but she outpaced him. Without intervention, she would toil endlessly, neglecting food and rest.

She fidgeted restlessly in his arms, betraying her inner turmoil.

Thus, he strove to divert her attention. Usually, he'd tempt her into passion for the best distraction, but tonight he pitied her state. True rest was essential. He wasn't some beast ruled by base urges.

Instead, he recounted the day's earlier events.

The moment he broached the subject, Iris let out a scoff.

'From the profile Ketchup compiled, I knew Girl Abante was no pushover, yet I still took her up on the interview invite. I relied on her fame as a top interviewer here. Her personality didn't matter to me, just that she'd conduct the session fairly. Never imagined she'd be so bold as to come after me.'

Jin Liwei's face darkened too. It had demanded all his restraint not to erupt as he observed Girl Abante gunning for his wife earlier. Only his faith in Iris had held him back.

'The avaricious chase only their desires,' he remarked. 'Types like her are intoxicated by their riches and influence. They believe they're invincible, above repercussions.'

She let out a breath. 'Indeed. She's far from the pioneer in this, and won't be the final one.'

That afternoon, Girl Abante had repeatedly tried to maneuver Iris Long into controversial statements.

But would Iris Long yield so easily?

Absolutely not!

Iris stood her ground firmly. For every ploy Girl unleashed, Iris parried effectively. Girl proved evasive, but Iris was no simple mark.

Girl Abante figured she could lurk like a serpent, striking only after her quarry erred and then claiming moral high ground.

Had her scheme worked, she could've framed Iris Long as the instigator. After all, as the show's owner, Girl controlled the editing. She could twist the narrative with cunning cuts. She'd pulled this trick countless times. No one had dared challenge her successfully. Those who tried had been crushed, their livelihoods crumbling away.

She failed to see she'd picked the wrong adversary this round. If Girl Abante insisted on serpentine ways, Iris Long would soar as a keen-eyed predator spotting all deceptions.

Aiming to ensnare her?

Iris would turn the tables and ensnare Girl!

As Girl Abante sensed the situation slipping from her grasp, she tried to retreat, but Iris Long wouldn't release her. At one juncture, Girl seemed ready to end the interview entirely, yet spotting Dominic Chua and the styling crew filming the chaos, she reconsidered.

In the finish, she had no choice but to slink away meekly and conduct a bland, standard session.

No scandals, but zero excitement as well.

Iris Long even found the interview's closing stretch the dullest she'd suffered in her career to date.

Without her craving for drama, Girl Abante's interviewing prowess proved merely average. She paled next to a true pro like Jericho Maya, an acclaimed reporter.

As the lackluster exchange wrapped, Iris Long smiled at the elder woman, her gaze icy nonetheless.

She declared, 'I was thrilled to visit the Philippines for the first time, not for your stunning landscapes but for your people. My closest friend, Dominic Chua, and his kin are among the kindest, most welcoming, affectionate, and genuine folks I've encountered in life. The Filipino Black Stars have shown unwavering devotion and backing, nationality aside. Those greeting me upon arrival here strove to make me comfortable too.

'Yet you, Madam, professed to welcome me into your home. And initially, I believed it. Truly. But that illusion shattered quickly. This isn't a home—it's a nest of snakes.'

She rose and towered over the seated Girl Abante.

'This marks the first occasion I've felt so let down by Filipino warmth. Without the wonderful time on the 'Ready, Set, Lunch Party' set with its fantastic hosts and crew, I'd never return to this network.'

She eyed the two nervous executives lurking behind the cameras. 'I'm starting to question why the management cherishes someone like you so much, Madam. I haven't a clue about your ties to the brass, nor do I wish to. But I can assert with certainty that this has been my most unpleasant interview in the Philippines.'

Then she locked eyes with Girl Abante. 'Whether you air this on your program or splice it to vilify me is your call. It doesn't faze me. You're not the initial one to try smearing my image. Thanks for the invite, but I won't return. Let's head out, darling. Everyone, let's go.'

With those words, Iris departed alongside her husband and team, not sparing a backward glance.

No one intercepted them.

What she didn't initially realize was that, right after her exit, the two executives unleashed on Girl Abante.

The entire network brass regarded Iris Long—and particularly her spouse, Liam Jin—as ultra-important guests.

Who could predict if the power duo might pour major funds their way? Even a basic partnership would be a boon.

Yet now, Girl Abante had ruined the positive debut impression the network had labored to craft for the pair.