Chapter 78

Stella's POV

"Lisa," I began, desperately trying to think of an explanation,"it's not what you're thinking. Let me explain. Adam andI-"

"No need to explain!" she interrupted, her eyes darting between us, a knowing grin spreading across her face. "I totally get it!Gorgeous man, beautiful woman-it makes perfect sense! Your secret is safe with me!" She mimed zipping her lips. "Not a word to anyone, I promise!"

I sighed, recognizing the futility of correcting her assumptions."

Thanks, Lisa. Did you need something?"

Her expression sobered slightly. "Actually, I came to say goodbye."

"Goodbye?" I echoed, confused.

Lisa nodded, suddenly less animated. "My family found out about that crazy fan incident yesterday. They don't think it's safe for me to keep working here. My parents are waiting downstairs-I'm leaving right away.""That's so sudden," I said, genuinely disappointed. Despite her sometimes overwhelming energy, I'd grown fond of Lisa. "Let me walk you down at least." She waved me off, her eyes darting to Adam again. "No need!You should stay with Mr. Lancaster. We'll catch up another time!"

After Lisa left, I closed the door and leaned against it, frowning slightly.

"That's strange," I murmured, more to myself than to Adam. "The production is already short-staffed. Would the director really let her go so easily?"

Adam set down his coffee cup. "She's Robert Davis's fiancée.The production wouldn't dare refuse."

"Robert Davis?" I looked up in surprise. "From the Boston Davis family?"

Adam nodded once, returning to his breakfast. I joined him at the table, my mind racing. The Davis family was old money-not quite as powerful as the Lancasters, but close. Their influence stretched across East Coast shipping, banking,and real estate.

"How did you know that?" I asked, watching Adam carefully. "I worked with her for weeks and had no idea.""I make it my business to know these things," he replied simply,as if that explained everything.

I studied his face, wondering what else he knew that I didn't. With Adam, there were always layers of information, carefully controlled and selectively shared.

By mid-morning, I had arrived at the production set, my mind still processing the breakfast interaction with Adam. I'd barely stepped through the doors when an new assistant rushed toward me, practically dragging me toward the makeup area.

"Thank goodness you're here!" she exclaimed. "The new male lead for the supporting role needs a styling evaluation for his costume fitting. We need photos for the press release by noon!"

I blinked in confusion. "New male lead? What happenedto-"

"Oh, you haven't heard?" The new assistant lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "He's been replaced! Effective immediately!"

"But why?" I asked, following her through the bustling corridor. "Yesterday he was fine-demanding and unpleasant,but fine." She glanced around before leaning closer. "Apparently, some serious dirt got leaked to the media this morning. It's bad-really bad. He was cheating on his girlfriend with multiple women, plagiarizing other people's work, had a secret social media account with all these misogynistic comments,and-"she paused for dramatie effect, "-his father's company is being investigated for tax fraud!"

I felt a chill run down my spine, remembering Adam's phone call last night. *"Take care of the trash,"* he had said. Could it be coincidence that less than twelve hours later, the man who had insulted me was facing total career destruction?

Pulling out my phone, I quickly typed a message to Adam:

\[Did you have something to do with what happened to the male lead?\]

I stared at the screen, waiting for a response that didn't come.

Throughout the morning, I noticed a distinct change in how the production staff interacted with me. Gone were the casual attitudes and occasional dismissiveness. In their place was a careful politeness, bordering on deference. People who had barely acknowledged me yesterday were now going out of their way to be helpful.

*Word travels fast in this industry,* I thought. *Everyone knows I'm Adam Lancaster's wife now.* In the early afternoon, I headed to the costume storage room to select accessories for the new supporting male lead. His measurements and coloring were different from his predecessor,requiring adjustments to several costume pieces. The storage room was located in the basement level of the building-a large space filled with racks of clothing,shelves of accessories, and carefully organized props. The lighting wasn't ideal, but I knew exactly what I was looking for.

I was reaching for a vintage pocket watch when suddenly the lights went out, plunging the room into complete darkness.I froze, my hand still outstretched, heart pounding in my chest.

"Hello?" I called out, my voice sounding unnaturally loud in the silent darkness. "Is anyone there?"

No response.

I fumbled for my phone, about to turn on the flashlight, when I heard the door open. Light from the hallway briefly illuminated the room before being blocked by a tall figure entering.

"Who's there?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

As I turned toward the door, strong hands gripped my shoulders, pushing me back against the wall. My breath caught in my throat, a scream building-

The hairpin clattered to the floor as I instinctively grabbed his shoulders-first to push him away, then, embarrassingly quickly, to pull him closer. The kiss deepened,and I momentarily forgot we were standing in my workplace with only a flimsy door separating us from the entire production crew. When he finally released me, I was struggling to catch my