Chapter 76

"Lily, what's the deal between us? Why are you always gunning for me?I just want to get along with everyone!"

Ava's eyes welled up as she bit her lip, looking all innocent in front of the camera.

Lily scoffed,hands on her hips, oozing confidence. "Cut the act. If you love drama so much.go to Hollywood. Why stay here pretending?"

Lily was fierce, while Ava played the victim.

And naturally. some folks felt sorry for the underdog.

Soon enough. a guy stepped up to defend Ava.

"You're too much, always picking on Ava. Apologize now, or else..."

"Or else what!"

Ella rushed over, cutting him off. She quickly checked Lily for any injuries and sighed in relief. "When will you learn to stop throwing punches so easily!"

"I can't help it, she just asks for it!" Lily blinked innocently. "I can't stand her bullying you!"

Ava was clearly the one causing trouble, but she always acted like someone was stealing her man, which wvas just gross.

"How can you treat me like this? Look at me, I might be scarred for life!"

Looks were everything to Ava.

She suddenly sat down, covering her face and crying.

Her face was hidden. but her shaking shoulders made a lot of guys feel bad for her.

Just then, the crowd parted.

Arthur strode in. looking aloof. He first went to Ella, draped a coat over her. then walked to Ava. "Ava, are you okay?"

Everyone watched with knowing looks.

"Arthur. I'm so scared!"

Ava raised her tear-streaked face and threw herself into Arthur's arms,clinging to his waist.

Lily was about to charge over in anger.

Ella grabbed her arm and shook her head. "Don't make a scene, there are cameras!"

The director was too thrilled to speak.

'The more drama, the better,' he thought, hoping for more conflict.

But things didn't go his way.

Ella shielded Lily behind her and coughed, "As you said,we're all colleagues. If you're hurt,go to the hospital!"

"You're bullying me too much! Arthur, I'm scared!"

Ava cried,clinging to Arthur.

The scene got awkward, Arthur's cold gaze landing on Lily. "You're causing trouble, and people like you don't belong here..."

"Wait!"

Ella wasn't fazed by his cold stare, looking him straight in the eye. "How do you know it's Lily causing trouble?"

The place went silent.

Arthur raised an eyebrow, full of disdain.

He sneered, his eyes cold. "What do you think?"

"I don't know!"

Ella's gaze shifted to Alan. "Say something. Lily means a lot to me. If she goes.we go too!"

Alan thought, 'Oh come on. what am I supposed to say?

He wiped the sweat from his forehead, forcing a smile. "It's just a small issue, not a big deal! Let's all calm down!"

"You're biased! I'm almost disfigured!"

Ava stubbornly showed her face, wiping her tears to reveal red marks.

Thinking of the slaps, Lily sneered, "Disfigured? With that face, if it scars,you should thank me for giving you a reason for plastic surgery! And..."

Lily didn't want to drag Ella into this mess, so she stepped out from behind her and faced the camera. "You better hit the hospital ASAP, or those marks will fade!"

[Lily's got a way with words!] [Totally, it's just some red marks. Disfigurement? That's a stretch!]

[Without knowing the full story, no comment! But yeah, it does seem over the top.]

Comments started pouring in again.

Alan glanced between Ella and Arthur. internally groaning, 'What are these two up to? It is still unknown whether Leo will be fired, and now Lily's causing more drama.

He tried to smooth things over. "Today's supposed to be a happy day, let's keep it going and deal with this later!"

"Fine!"

Alan thought Arthur would push back, but surprisingly, he agreed. Giving Ella and the crowd a long look, Arthur said, "Get Ava some medicine!"

"Got it!"

Arthur's assistant came over, respectfully addressing Ava. "Ms. Davis,please!"

Ava was speechless.

She was slapped a few times, and that's it?'

She looked pitifully at Arthur."Arthur,I..."

Arthur's voice dropped, eyes complicated, "Finish tonight's recording first!"

Work came first.

Ava reluctantly left.

Passing by Ella, she shot her a disdainful look but said nothing.

The drama ended, and everyone dispersed.

Lily proudly raised her chin. "Not bad, that jerk actually showed some improvement today."

At least she wasn't fired on the spot.

Ella's mouth twitched. "You caused this mess for me again?"

"Of course! That mistress needs to know you're not to be messed with!"

"Right. I'm not to be messed with. Now, can I eat some meat?"

Arthur,who had just walked a short distance, stopped.

Hearing Ella's words, he smiled, eyes twinkling with amusement, and turned back.

"Let's go have a barbecue!"

He didn't wait for Ella to respond, grabbing her wrist and leading her to the bonfire.

Lily smiled at the sight.

At the bonfire party, several small grills were set up for barbecuing.

Ella was dragged to one.

She looked reluctant. "What do you want to do?"

"Just barbecuing! Didn't you say you wanted meat?"

Arthur said it matter-of-factly, then sat down,rolling up his sleeves,and started skewering meat.

Even with his noble demeanor, he made everything look good.

Ella glanced at him, and despite knowing Arthur was a scumbag,she had to admit he was really handsome.

Every move exuded grace.

When skewering meat, he was so focused, like he was handling a billion-dollar project.

Under the firelight, his usually cold face softened, with strong features,a high nose. and a firm jawline.

She couldn't get enough of looking at him.

Unconsciously, her eyes seemed glued to him.

Arthur, sensing her intense gaze, smiled and turned back.

Their eyes met.

Arthur's deep eyes sparkled, his smile warm like spring sunshine, while Ella tilted her head, her expression unclear, but her actions showed deep affection.

The fire crackled, illuminating the two.

They were so close, everything around seemed to disappear, leaving only the two of them.

Heartbeats quickened, as if her heart were about to leap out of her chest.

Ella moved her lips, her body heating up,feeling restless.