Chapter 138

Evelyn gasped in surprise and quickly pushed Nathan's shoulder away, forcing an awkward laugh. "No, no, it's fine! Just a little twist—nothing serious. I've had worse before. It'll heal on its own."

Nathan frowned, ready to scold her for being reckless with her own well-being.

Damn it. One lie leads to a hundred more.

He froze mid-thought, studying Evelyn's uneasy expression.

With a sigh, he relented under her insistent shove. "Are you sure it's nothing?"

Evelyn plastered on a smile. "Absolutely. I jumped on my own—how bad could it be?"

Nathan paused, realization dawning. His lips twitched—half amused, half exasperated. But he didn’t call her out.

Then he remembered Richard’s message, and his expression darkened. "Why are you alone? Where’s everyone else?"

Evelyn shrugged, just as confused. Richard and Margaret had suddenly herded everyone toward the stage performance.

She’d expected at least Lillian to stay with her—the supposed victim—but Genevieve had dragged her away too. So here she was, left to enjoy the drama by herself.

Not that she minded.

She explained to Nathan, whose expression shifted subtly. With a resigned sigh, he pulled up a chair beside her.

"Are you sure you don’t need a doctor? Even a little pain—we could get some ointment."

The stage was a meter high. Jumping off carelessly could actually hurt someone.

Evelyn shook her head firmly. As she spoke, his phone buzzed again.

"Are you busy? Am I keeping you from work?" she asked.

Since his arm healed, Nathan had thrown himself back into overtime. The fact that he’d rushed here for this made guilt twist in her chest.

Nathan dismissed it with a wave. "It’s nothing." He pulled out his phone.

He’d driven over in such a hurry he hadn’t checked his messages.

The caller’s intent didn’t surprise him—he’d already fielded several similar calls at the office.

Evelyn caught the words Julian and performance, curiosity piqued.

Nathan glanced at her, then answered coolly, "My wife and brother know exactly what they’re doing. I have no objections. If someone got hurt, maybe they should look in the mirror. What does that have to do with them? Yes, I support them completely."

The other end went silent—likely fuming—before Nathan politely ended the call.

When he looked up, Evelyn’s eyes sparkled with excitement, making his pulse skip. His gaze softened.

"Did you have fun tonight?"

Evelyn couldn’t resist gushing. Nathan was always the perfect audience.

"Look at Seraphina’s performance! Can you believe she only glanced at the script for ten minutes? The live chat is losing it. I can see their jaws hitting the floor."

Nathan chuckled, leaning in to watch the stream. "She’s a professional. Your agency just gained a powerhouse."

"But Isabelle’s still a little worried…"

On screen, Seraphina played a nervous new hire—strikingly beautiful but with wide, innocent eyes and stiff, awkward movements that screamed inexperience.

Most knew her as the sultry seductress typecast by directors who never gave her range. Tonight? She shattered that image effortlessly.

Julian and the supporting cast had prepared for disasters—but from the first line, Seraphina barely faltered. Any deviations? Same meaning, same impact.

In the first scene, her character had to discuss a contract with her boss during a business trip.

The audience watched her stammer into the phone, desperate to get every detail right.

Then—

"Huh?"

Her face twisted in confusion, torn between professionalism and discomfort.

Entering the hotel room, she froze at the sight of Julian in a robe. She held the contract at arm’s length, eager to leave—but he beckoned her closer. "Bring it here."

She startled, trying to retreat, but he kept pulling her back, scolding her for overreacting—while he was the one crossing lines.

Back at the office, a woman stormed up and slapped her. "You shameless bitch! Using work to seduce my husband!"

Seraphina stood stunned, whispers closing in.

She covered her ears, voice breaking. "I didn’t… I’m the victim…"

Then—

She screamed, still in character, and slapped them both back.

"He abused his power! Why blame me? Because I’m pretty? Because I’m a woman? Is that why you think you can bully me? You’d rather attack me than face the truth!"

Panting, trembling—every ounce of her radiated years of pent-up fury and injustice.

Not a single tear fell, but her silent agony was devastating. Even the seasoned actors onstage were stunned.

The audience erupted.

Trolls hired to trash the stream drowned in praise.

In a nursing home, medical staff gaped at the screen. They knew Seraphina was kind—but her personal life? A mystery.

They’d tuned in to support her grandmother, Harriet.

None expected this.

A weak hand rose from the bed. Harriet’s eyes shone with tears—but she smiled, pointing proudly.

"That’s my granddaughter. The best."