Chapter 65
Chapter 65
Lena dropped the comb, her hand jerking. She stared at the doorway, her eyes wide in shock, “Julius…”
Quiana raised an eyebrow.
“Julius?” Ralph smirked. “That guy’s not exactly in the best of health. You’d be better off with me. We’d definitely make a splash as a couple. I could introduce you to some big sponsors, and you…”
“Ralph, cut it out!” Lena cut him off, her face pale.
In this business, if one couldn’t keep a secret, they would be out. Thus, Ralph, unfazed by her concern, kept going, “What’s the problem? You…”
Suddenly, a voice interrupted him, casual yet carrying an icy chill. “I heard you were trying to set my fiancée up with some sugar daddy.”
Ralph spun around, his face draining of color as he saw Julius, the stunningly handsome man in a wheelchair, at the door. “I… I didn’t mean… I was just…”
Beside him, the makeup artist tensed, her hand going to her pocket.
“Mr. Hawley!” Ralph scrambled to his feet, knocking over his chair in his haste. He scrambled up, his voice trembling, “Sir, I was just… I didn’t mean… Please, don’t take it personally!”
Julius toyed with his gold phone case, his voice as light as a whisper but carrying a dangerous undertone. “You think a psycho like me would let someone who tried to… influence my fiancée off the hook?”
Zack smirked at the absurdity of the word choice.
Ralph’s face turned pale as he slapped himself hard. “It’s my own fault for speaking out of turn. I was dreaming. Please, sir, just forget I exist!”
“Just forget you exist?” Zack raised an eyebrow, remembering Ralph’s character was paired with Quiana’s in the show. “Are you trying to insult Quiana?”
“I would never!” Ralph replied quickly. In the circles of the elite, Zack was someone he couldn’t afford to offend.
Julius stared blankly, his thin lips parting to say, “Get out.”
“Out! Out! I’m leaving!” To Ralph, those words were a reprieve. He ducked his head and hurried out, as if escaping a burning building.
Zack stuck out a leg to stop him, playing with his earring and grinning. “Didn’t get it the first time? Not in such a good- looking way.”
Ralph froze, and then, with gritted teeth, he squatted down and somersaulted out the door, rolling away like a turtle on its back.
The makeup artist, finishing up Quiana’s touch–ups, made a quick move for the door. But Quiana was one step ahead, planting her foot on the table in front of her, effectively blocking the exit.
“What?” the makeup artist asked, her voice cracking a bit.
Quiana just tilted her head, her hand outstretched. “Give it here.”
The makeup artist’s eyes widened as her hand flew to her pocket. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, trying to push past Quiana. “I need to get out of here!”
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12:03 Wed, 16 Apr A
Chapter 65
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In one smooth motion, Quiana grabbed the artist’s shoulder, guiding her onto the makeup table. Her hand darted into the pocket and pulled out a black recording device, its red light blinking.
The makeup artist’s face turned pale. She tried to snatch the device back, but Quiana was too quick.
Quiana held her chin, a sly smile playing on her lips. “And who’s been giving you orders? Winona?”
The makeup artist looked scared. “I had no choice…”
Quiana let her go with a click of her tongue, her smirk never fading. “You’re free to go.”
The makeup artist didn’t waste any time. She scrambled to her feet and fled, her panic evident as she hurried away.
Quiana spun the recording pen between her fingers, casting a sideways glance at the group by the door. “What’s the story with you all here?” she asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
“Just here to lend a hand,” Zack chimed in, his grin wide and playful. “Julius heard you might get the short end of the stick around here, so we’re here to make sure you’ve got our support. Right on the dot, huh?”
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