Chapter 4

That night, Holden was startled by the look in my eyes.

He could only pretend not to care and change the subject.

He lay beside me and quickly fell asleep, breathing evenly.

I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

I found that card from the inner compartment of my wallet.

In all my years as a dance performer, I had never slacked off for a single day.

Dancing during my period, doing wire work, rock climbing—whatever was dirty or exhausting, I took it.

Because I understood.

Only money was my greatest source of confidence.

Seven years, seventy million dollars.

I wanted to return it to him with interest.

Currently only one final payment remained.

The next day when I arrived on set, I saw Charlotte.

She wore high heels, a screenwriter's work badge around her neck, and intimately grabbed my wrist.

Feigning surprise.

"Eve? I never expected to see you here."

I pulled my hand back, smiling without warmth.

"What bad luck—we just saw each other last night."

"Thanks to you, my old friend, keeping him entertained. Holden slept very well last night."

At those words, Charlotte's smile froze on her face, jealousy rapidly spreading from her eyes.

Sure enough, Charlotte added a kissing scene before filming started.

The director looked troubled. "Miss Shaw, Mr. Lancaster specifically instructed that Eve has three no's."

"No kissing scenes, no bed scenes, no intimate scenes."

"This... we can't really go against his wishes."

Charlotte smiled slightly.

She seemingly casually made a phone call, and after chatting for just a few sentences, the director received instructions.

"Let's start filming. Everything follows Miss Shaw's wishes."

Meeting my gaze, her smile carried provocation.

"This is what makes a good actress professional, Eve. Don't you agree?"

I spoke: "I have no objections."

My co-star was still young, his face flushing red with embarrassment.

Before filming, I said expressionlessly to comfort him: "Excuse me."

The next second, under the photography lights, I stood on my tiptoes, wrapped my arms around the young man's neck.

And kissed him, light as a dragonfly touching water.

The scene was beautiful.

Holden witnessed this with his own eyes.

"Bang!"

The photography equipment was kicked over.

He forgot he'd come to pick Charlotte up from work, forgot what he'd said last night, and strode forward amid everyone's terrified gazes.

He forcefully dragged me to the car.

The sound of the car locks clicking was accompanied by the sound of my sundress being torn open.

"What? Already found your next meal ticket?"

"You kissed him? What's your next step together?"

"Did he touch you? Does he know where you're most sensitive? Has he been... here?"

"Slap—"

Unable to bear it any longer, I slapped him across the face.

Holden was stunned by the blow.

I pulled up my zipper and looked calmly into his eyes.

"The kissing scene was Charlotte's idea. The director got your approval too."

"And yesterday, you told me to find someone else."

"You knew, you acquiesced, you allowed it, and now you're having a fit with me?"

His lips moved, wanting to explain something.

But I laughed.

"Holden, I have no obligation to remain chaste for you."