Chapter 5

Eric felt like that kick wasn’t aimed at the car, but squarely at his own head. He instinctively shrank back, silently grumbling: Back when Mrs. Harding first came to Capemont and got bullied, you nearly dragged the entire elite circle to apologize. And now you're asking who spoiled her temper? But of course, he didn't dare say a word. Just quietly shut his mouth and sneaked a glance at his boss’s stormy face. Damn, this mood's darker than chimney soot. William got in the car, and just as they were pulling off, Nancy Johnson came running out to stop them. “Mr. Harding, you forgot this!” “What is it?” “Mrs. Harding made your favorite mac and cheese. I noticed you didn’t touch it, so I packed it for takeaway.” William’s face turned even colder. “Throw it out.” “Drive, Eric.” As the car pulled away, Nancy frowned, still holding the lunchbox. Just when she was about to mutter something, the car suddenly reversed and rolled back onto the curb. The back door swung open, and a slender, well-defined hand reached out. “Give it here.” Nancy: … Film set. Elsie had just finished testing out every look for the shoot and was removing her makeup while flipping through the script. Her hand froze mid-page when she overheard the makeup artist whispering, “Did you hear? The investment for this film’s been taken over by Central Entertainment.” The makeup artist nodded excitedly. “Yeah, and they say the boss himself reached out to the director. Said he wanted in.” Elsie frowned. This was an indie-style art film—she signed up for the script and the awards potential. William’s a businessman. If a film doesn’t make money, it’s usually not even on his radar. What’s he doing investing in this? As she mulled it over, someone beside her suddenly gasped and pointed into the distance. Following their gaze, Elsie looked up just in time to see Grace walking side by side with William onto set. Grace was chatting away. William tilted his head slightly to listen, even had a faint smile on his lips. “Did you hear? William showed up just for Grace.” “This film’s got award potential. Since they grew up together, he’s probably throwing cash her way to give her a boost.” “Look how close they’re standing—psychologically, only couples who’ve been intimate act like that in public.” Elsie almost laughed. That wasn’t the full story. There’s another category too—like her and William—people who’ve definitely slept together and are legally married but still act like total strangers in front of others. Good thing their marriage was under wraps. If it weren’t, she’d really be the clown in this whole situation. She looked away just as her final makeup fix was done. Standing up, she walked toward the lounge to avoid bumping into them. Except, just as she stepped in, a knock hit the door barely a second later. Grace beamed as she walked in. “Elsie! William got me the second lead in ‘First Bloom.’ We’re colleagues now! You’re my senior, so we came by to say hello!” As she said it, she pulled William in by the hand. If Elsie still couldn’t tell Grace was marking her territory, then she’d have to be blind. Grace stood there all bright-eyed and adorable, and William, tall and refined beside her—with that perfect height difference—looked every bit the power couple. No wonder William decided to invest in a movie that’d never turn a profit. So it was for her. Elsie glanced at their joined hands, curled her lips into a cool smile and said calmly, “Miss Howard, you just debuted, it’s the crucial time to build your image. If something like this gets out, it's not great for your rep.” “Mr. Harding is, after all, a married man.”Elsie finally looked William in the eye, her tone calm but firm. “Keeping some space is better for everyone, isn’t it?” Grace’s smug face froze instantly. Elsie thought maybe her words were too harsh, and William would probably step in to defend his childhood sweetheart. But to her surprise, he arched a brow slightly, his lips quirking. “That’s true. Elsie’s more experienced in the industry—maybe you should listen to her.” Then, he actually stepped back, putting noticeable space between himself and Grace. Both Elsie and Grace were momentarily stunned, not quite believing what just happened. After a moment, Grace gritted her teeth and tried to explain, “You’ve got it all wrong, Elsie—” Right then, a staff member announced that the director wanted to talk to the second female lead about the script. Grace wasn’t in the mood to keep faking smiles with Elsie anyway, so she jumped at the excuse to leave. Elsie didn’t feel like talking to William either. She grabbed her costume and said flatly, “I need to change. If you’ve got stuff to handle, feel free.” Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked into the changing room. She had barely unzipped her dress when the door was suddenly pulled open, and William stepped in, shutting it behind him. “What the hell are you doing?!” she gasped, arms instantly crossing over her chest. William covered her mouth with one hand, chuckling lowly with a teasing look in his eyes. “Mr. Harding now, huh? “Didn’t you just say I’m a married man? What’s with the sudden formality?” His palm pressed lightly to her mouth, while her fair cheeks flushed red under the warm light. Her lashes fluttered like crazy. Her dress, half-hanging around her waist, made her shoulders look impossibly smooth and pale, like fine porcelain glowing under the lights. All he had to do was lower his gaze a little to catch sight of that slim waist rising and falling with every breath—reminding him all too vividly of that night three years ago. His throat bobbed involuntarily, and his voice came out gravelly, “Don’t scream. I’ll help you change.” Elsie covered her chest with one hand and shoved his chest with the other, cheeks burning. “If you’re that eager to help, go help Grace. I don’t need it.” William stumbled back half a step but only laughed. “Jealous?” “I’ve always seen Grace like a sister. Don’t overthink it.” He actually sounded serious for once. But to Elsie, it just felt like sarcasm. Three years ago, weren’t they also just supposedly “like siblings”? She recalled what the crew gossip had said and scoffed bitterly, the taste sharp on her tongue. “Sister? Who sleeps with their sister?” If William caught her underlying meaning, he didn’t show it. He just frowned. “Says who? Were you hiding under our bed or something?” Elsie huffed and looked away, only for William to gently tug her chin back to face him. Fed up, hurt, and with nothing to lose, she blurted out, “The paparazzi caught you two checking into the same hotel last night. And now the whole crew’s talking like you’re practically official.” Her voice cracked, and before she knew it, tears welled up in her eyes. She didn’t want him to see her like this, so she reached behind and pushed the door open with a trembling hand, forcing him out with all her strength. The door slammed forcefully shut behind him. Just as he stumbled out, the makeup artist happened to walk by and caught the whole scene. Her eyes went wide, and her brush dropped to the floor with a loud thud. William glanced at her, completely unfazed, his tone playful. “What? Can’t a guy help his wife change clothes?”