Chapter 2037: Chapter 2037

Ivy nodded, her voice steady but tinged with frustration. “My bag’s been right here the whole time. This place is a free-for-all; anyone could’ve slipped that eyeshadow palette in there. I’ve been in the director’s lounge listening to the script run-through. I haven’t even been back here.”

“So, what, you’re saying you got framed?” The makeup artist sneered, not buying a word. “What, you think you’re in some kind of soap opera? That everyone’s out to get you? Who do you think you are?”

Ivy felt like she was hitting a brick wall trying to reason with her. “Think about it: if I really stole the palette, would I just dump it in my own bag?”

“Okay, enough,” Colton intervened, his tone brokering no argument. “This palette definitely wasn’t Ivy’s doing. The thing’s been found. Let’s just get back to makeup.” He knew her true status, but Balfour had made it clear not to make a spectacle, so he tried to keep things low-key.

The makeup artist, now feeling slighted by Colton’s defense of Ivy, shot back bitterly, “What’s the deal with you and Ivy, huh, Colton?”

Colton froze, caught off-guard by the accusation. “What are you implying? Ivy and I are strictly professional. What else would there be?”

“Oh, sure, who would believe that?” The makeup artist scoffed. “She’s a rookie, never acted before, not trained. How does she land a lead role in a major production on her first gig?”

This was a question that had been simmering among the crew since Ivy was cast.

After all, even seasoned actors like Giselle had vied for the part and failed, only for it to go to a newcomer with zero experience. It did not sit right with anyone.

But since Colton had personally endorsed Ivy, nobody dared speak up.

Now, however, with the words out in the open, the whispers began.

Ivy looked around; the gazes she met were laden with suspicion.

To them, she was no longer the innocent newcomer. In their eyes, she had become a woman who had used underhanded tactics to secure her role.

Seeing the scene unfold, Giselle, who had been watching from the sidelines, could not help but let a smug smile creep across her lips.

She had only intended to paint Ivy as a thief, to make her disliked.

But pressured, the makeup artist had voiced the silent thoughts of many.

Now, Ivy was cast in the role of the ingenue who had supposedly seduced her way to the top. Giselle was curious how Ivy would manage to turn the tables now.

Standing there under the weight of their scrutiny, Ivy finally spoke up, her voice clear and assertive. “I didn’t take your stuff, and I have no inappropriate relationship with the director.”

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Ivy earned her role fair and square. The entire casting process was transparent, and both the company and my assistants can attest to that,” Colton countered.

Though he could not disclose Ivy’s affluent background, he could not let these allegations stand; if Balfour got wind of this, he might just tear down the whole production.

“Really?” The makeup artist hissed. “Your company and assistants are your people. Would they tell the truth? Would they dare cross you, their boss? They’d obviously cover for you!”