Chapter 12

Outside the set boundary. William’s eyes locked onto Elsie, who was getting her makeup retouched, his brows furrowed. “What scene is Elsie filming today? How did she end up with a scene opposite Grace? What part are they on now?” Eric hunched his shoulders, silently praying for a miracle, and mumbled, “It-It's the slap scene, sir... and, well, it looks like Miss Howard’s messed it up twice already.” Before he even finished, William’s expression darkened. Grace had lifted her hand for the third time. Just as William was about to rush over and call a halt, Elsie suddenly raised her hand and caught Grace’s wrist in a tight grip. “You better finish this take properly,” Elsie said. Her voice wasn’t loud, but there was something in her tone that made people instinctively chill. Grace flinched a little from the pressure, but she still tried to act tough. “The fans are long gone. Who do you think you’re scaring?” She struggled to pull her hand back. “Even if the behind-the-scenes team got some footage, they won’t release anything before promotion time. And with William around, you think that clip would survive? I said I’m slapping you today, and that’s what’s gonna happen.” Elsie didn’t even blink. She glanced slightly to the right. “I had Olivia start recording from the moment we began. If you’re that set on making trouble, then be ready to see yourself trending tonight. You’re not even debuted yet—take a hint from someone more seasoned.” “If William can help you rise, I can just as easily make sure you fall. Don’t believe me? Try me.” Grace followed her gaze and spotted Olivia standing off to the side, phone pointed straight at them. Her smugness drained away instantly. Only then did Elsie let go and turn to the director’s booth. “Let’s do another take.” Grace finally backed off, even her acting now laced with visible hesitation every time she moved to slap. “Cut! “Finally, we’re good!” The director rolled the script into a tube and lightly tapped the monitor, relief flooding his voice as he called the scene. Honestly, he thought this take would drag out all day. Outside the set. Eric threw a cautious glance at William’s clenched jaw and whispered, “Mr. Harding, should we still stop them?” William shot him a look. “She clearly doesn’t need me to.” A faint, complicated smile tugged at his lips. “People think Elsie’s a pushover, but she actually has a sharp tongue. Oh, and find out what she said to make Grace back down like that.” Eric nodded but couldn’t help thinking— Probably something close to how she roasted you yesterday. Whatever it was, it definitely wasn't friendly. After filming wrapped up. Elsie pressed a pack of ice Olivia had prepared against her cheek. Even though she’d braced herself for it, the sting still made her brows knit together.She had just packed up and was about to leave when William stepped toward her. “Does it hurt?” Elsie pretended not to hear him and walked right past. But William quickly moved to block her. “I had no idea there was a slap scene. If I’d known, I would've made the director change it.” Sensing her frustration, he reached out, pulling her back gently. “Asking you to switch roles with Grace wasn't meant to target you. I just didn't want you filming any kiss scenes with that Aiden guy.” Elsie let out a laugh instead. She looked up at him, eyes cool and emotionless. “William, you’ve got things backward.” He didn’t seem to care what Grace did, but was quick to control her. “Is it because, on paper, I’m still your wife and you’re afraid rumors might damage your perfect image?” William opened his mouth to say no. But Elsie had already pulled her hand out of his, taking a step back. Her voice was even colder now. “You don’t have to stress about it, Mr. Harding. We’re married in secret. As long as Grace can keep her mouth shut, no one’s gonna find out. “No matter what scandal I get dragged into, no one’s going to think you got cheated on. Your reputation won’t take a hit.” William’s face darkened. He cut her off sharply. “Elsie!” He gave a bitter, mocking smile, his brow tightening with frustration. “You’re right. I wasn’t the one who got cheated on. But Liam? He’d gladly wear that crown. Tell me—has he even come back once in the past three years? I’m pretty sure he blocked you on everything.” The color drained from Elsie’s face. Her grip on the ice pack loosened, hand falling to her side. She stared at William, her voice trembling. “Why do you keep bringing him up?” “Because if bringing it up gets under your skin, then yeah, I’ve got a reason.” His words shot out before he could stop himself. But as soon as his eyes landed on Elsie's swollen cheek, the anger in him fizzled out like a snuffed flame. He suddenly fell silent, as if stung by his own spite. He opened his mouth to say something softer, but Elsie had already brushed past him and walked away. “Elsie, that’s not what I meant—” William rushed to go after her, but someone grabbed his wrist. “Will! Nothing went right for me on set today…” Grace’s voice turned sugary sweet as she leaned toward his arm. William yanked her away and gave her a cold, hard look. “Go tell your dad I’m pulling out of South Howard’s investment deal. If he wants to know why, let him ask you.” Grace's face went pale in an instant. It took her a few seconds to process that. She dropped the sweet act, disbelief written all over her face. “That's a three hundred million deal! Just because I accidentally slapped Elsie twice, you're making my family eat that loss?!” “Whether it was ‘accidental’... you and I both know the truth.”William shot her a look, full of warning. “Go apologize to Elsie. If anything like this happens again, I’ll have you two switch roles. She gets to slap you until she’s satisfied. Simple as that.” Without waiting for a response, he turned to walk away—but Elsie’s figure had already vanished around the corner. That night, Elsie crashed at Olivia’s place. The next morning, they showed up to the set together. Olivia glanced at Elsie’s still slightly swollen cheek, frowning as she stormed along. “Grace did that on purpose, no doubt. Good thing you had the idea to record it—or she would’ve totally taken advantage of you!” She gritted her teeth, then added angrily, “And William, seriously? He’s supposed to be your husband—even if unofficially—and he just stood there while you got slapped? Then he has the nerve to pretend he didn’t know? Ugh. I swear, if I ever run into those two again, I won’t hold back.” Just as she said it, Olivia pushed open the break room door—and saw Grace sitting inside. Her voice jumped a few octaves. “What the hell are you doing here?!” Not bothering to be polite, Olivia looked just about ready to pounce when Grace stiffly spoke up. “I came to apologize. Elsie… I’m sorry.” Elsie lifted her gaze, calm as ever. “I know you don’t mean it. If you’re just here because of the video, don’t waste your time. I’m not deleting it.” “I…” Grace bit her lip, trying to say something, but Olivia cut in. She waved her phone, unlocked it, and hit play on the video from yesterday’s shoot. “Miss Howard, I’ve got this saved for good. If you ever try anything shady with Elsie again, I’ll send it straight to the trending page. Let’s see how people really view you then.” Grace’s face twitched slightly, her fists clenched tight at her sides, but she held back the flare of anger. Her tone softened a lot when she finally spoke. “I really regret what happened… I acted like that yesterday because I was supposed to marry William, and then you came out of nowhere, slept with him, and just like that became his wife. I couldn’t take it.” She paused, then added, “But after thinking it over last night… you two are getting divorced in ten days anyway…” Elsie sat the ice pack down and interrupted, still steady. “If you know we’ll be divorced in ten days, then you should also get that there’s never gonna be real love between us. “He only cares about you. So there’s no reason to treat me like some imaginary rival.” Those last two lines made Grace’s expression twitch awkwardly, but she gave a tiny nod and walked out without another word. Once outside, she pulled out her phone from her pocket and tapped to end a recording. Staring at the audio file, a nasty little smile crept over her innocent-looking face. “Elsie… You stole William and made my family lose three hundred million. You think I’ll let that slide?”