Chapter 26 Not Just Her Fault
Chapter 26 Not Just Her Fault
Hannah
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She glanced back and forth between Stella and Ethan, lips twitching awkwardly. “Ethan sure looks. old for his age.”
Ethan: 1
He pointed at the door, voice low and cold. “Get out.”
Hannah really wanted to beg Stella to delete the recording.
But in this situation, surrounded and cornered, she had no power to do anything
Her fingers clenched slightly. With her assistant in tow, she turned and slunk out, defeated.
If the really is Ethan’s sister, Hannah thought, then she probably won’t leak the audio
After all, it wouldn’t just ruin her–it’d also make Ethan look like a fool.
CEOs caught up in celebrity scandals weren’t unusual. But a CEO getting played by a celebrity like some lovesick idiot? That was different.
It would make people question his judgment. Stocks could plummet.
The office finally fell quiet again.
Ethan looked at Tina. “Remove Hannah’s face ID from the company system.”
Tina nodded. “Understood, Mr. Ethan.”
The elders let out a collective sigh of relief.
Elder A gave Ethan a look. “Mr. Ethan, you’d better open your eyes next time.”
Ethan nodded. “Yes, Madam Daisy. I understand.”
Stella had no intention of posting the recording. It would’ve been a lose–lose move.
Besides, it involved Lucas–the massively popular film star with millions of devoted fans. No one could predict how public opinion would swing.s
But that didn’t mean she fully agreed with the elders.
She turned to Ethan, her gaze cool and clear, “The company suffered because of this. That’s not all on Hannah. And don’t think you get to play the innocent victim here either.”
Her bright, elegant eyes held no trace of a smile.
Ethan felt a jolt in his chest.
Stella’s voice was calm, but sharp. “You were the one acting like an idiot with a romance filter on your brain. The second she threw you a few sweet words, you assumed she liked you. All she had to do was say your name and you were floating ten feet off the ground. Did you ever stop to think critically? If she really liked you, why was she hot and cold all the time? What is she -parboiling beef tripe?”
Tina blinked. She hadn’t expected Stella to say all that out loud.
So Hannah got one slap… and Ethan just got two.
Stella didn’t excuse Ethan just because he was her brother. She viewed things objectively.
It was like those times when a woman’s husband cheats and she only goes after the mistress–as if the man wrong.
did nothing
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Chapter 26 Not Just Her Fault.
No, both parties share the blame.
The elders nodded, murmuring their agreement. Stella was right again–thoughtful, thorough, and fair.
After chatting a bit more with Stella, the four elders headed back to work.
On the way out, Elder B got a message from a headhunting firm:
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Headhunter: “Mr. Simon, the salary’s been finalized. Five percent increase, same position. If all four of you join together, the year–end bonus will be higher!”
Elder B showed the message to the others,
All three shook their heads immediately. “Nope, not going. Starlight is looking great!”
He grinned and replied:
Elder B: “No need. Our Ms. Stella is back. We’re staying at Starlight till the day we die!”
Meanwhile, the company gossip chat was still lit up with buzz over the Hannah vs. Stella drama,
Time had passed, and everyone was dying for an update.
Finally, Reception dropped the news:
Reception: “Update: Hannah and her assistant slunk out of the building. Looks like our girl Stella won decisively!”
the Sock: “Yesss! Back to work!”
Warm Bellies: “Yesss! Back to pooping!”
s! Back
Grassy Plains: “Yesss! Back to kissing!”
The Sock @ Grassy Plains: “Hey you punk, what floor and department you in? I’m taking out a loan to hire someone to beat.
your ass
Laughter exploded in the chat.
The Panicker: “Slightly sad.. does this mean Ethan and Hannah are done? Guess there’s no ship to stan anymore… crying Lovestruck Wanderer:“Relax. Ships are like subways. One leaves, another pulls in. Don’t panic.
Reception: “I kinda ship Tina and Stella now. You didn’t see it, but when Tina came running back into the office, she was running. I’ve never seen her so flustered–our cool and collected Tina!”
Also Screaming “Yes! The lilies in our hometown are blooming again! There’s hope!”
“Alright, that’s a wrap for today’s episode!”
The on–set director lifted a megaphone and called it.
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Chapter 27 Ghost in the Frame
Chapter 27 Ghost in the Frame
Lucas stretched and rolled his neck, worn out.
To him, shooting variety shows was even more exhausting than filming dramas
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At least with dramas, there were breaks between scenes. But with variety recording–especially pre–recorded ones like this– he had to stay on edge the entire time.
And worse, he had a lite variety show lined up next.
Fantastic.
By the time the cameras wrapped, the sky was already dark when he stepped out of the studio.
His assistant handed him his phone and a bottle of water. “Good job today, Lucas. Here–drink some water.
Lucas took a sip and handed the boule back, unlocking his phone to check his WhatsApp.
Still no reply from Hannah.
His brows furrowed slightly.
She’s seriously still giving me the silent treatment! Come on, this is getting old.
He didn’t bother messaging her again. Instead, he scrolled through the rest of his notifications.
They’d been speeding through the shoot today, so he hadn’t touched his phone all day–not even during meals.
There were tons of unread message
Some were from his manager, some from other actresses inviting him to dinner or parties.
Lucas replied to those half–heartedly, his expression casual and aloof.
He had money, power, and millions of fans. Woinen chasing him was nothing new. Frankly, Hannah should be the one worried.
Then he spotted two messages from his younger brother, Jackson.
Isn’t that kid supposed to be in school? What’s he doing texting me?
Lucas tapped to open them.
Jackson said he saw a girl today who looked just like the girl Lucas had dated in high school.
Lucas paused.
The girl I dated in high school? Stella?
Under normal circumstances, he might’ve clicked for a photo. But today, he didn’t have the energy.
He and Hannah had fought because of Stella.
Seriously it’s ridiculous when you think about it–arguing over someone who’s been dead for over a decade.
And Hannah had stayed mad for months.
Women. Such a pain..
He started typing: “Focus on your studies. Stop imagining random stuff.”
There weren’t many people who looked like Stella.
