Chapter 252 - 251: Let’s Keep Going
Sensing the storm of emotions swirling within her, he could feel her tense up, like she was barely keeping it together. Without saying a word, he pulled her just a little closer, his arm firm but gentle around her waist. His touch wasn’t forceful—just firm enough to remind her that he is by her side.
She glanced up at him, he met her eyes with a calm, assuring smile. Something about it was reassuring, like a quiet promise that she wasn’t alone and everything would be okay. And to her own surprise, it worked. The fear that had been threatening to consume her just seconds ago slowly ebbed away, like the tide pulling back from the shore.
It wasn’t that the fear disappeared completely, but it lost its grip. Just a little. Like it didn’t seem as loud all of a sudden.
She took a deep breath, then another—slower this time—steadying herself. Yes, she’d been betrayed, possibly used, set up. And not by strangers, but by the very people she had trusted the most. But she wasn’t alone.
Even though the man standing beside her was a stranger—absurdly handsome, unnamed, and still something of a mystery—she could feel it in her gut: he was different. He had that kind of calm, otherworldly aura, like this world was a game to him and he already had a complete plan to conquer it. And in his presence, she could almost believe that nothing could touch her.
Besides, she reminded herself, she wasn’t some naïve, helpless girl, helpless rookie fresh off the casting couch. She was one of the hottest rising names in the industry—a brand-new diva who’d clawed her way up past girls with ten times the connections and none of the hunger. She’d survived catty co-stars, sleazy producers, backroom deals, jealous rivals, image assassinations, social media witch hunts, PR disasters, and vicious gossip columns.
Hell, she’d once been sabotaged mid-performance and still got a standing ovation. She’d dodged sabotage, outplayed fake friends, and smiled through backhanded compliments from insecure veterans. She’d made it this far by being sharp, ruthless when needed, and damn good at pretending nothing could shake her.
But still... betrayal from the ones closest to her? That hit differently.
Still, she called upon the full force of her acting talent—the kind that had made critics call her a "natural"—and forced her body to relax. She smoothed out her features, buried the chaos beneath a flawless mask, and met Rex’s eyes with a bright smile. It was convincing, too—almost radiant. Almost. Only the slight tremble in her fingers betrayed the truth.
"Let’s keep going," she said, voice a little hoarse, but steady enough to pass.