CHAPTER 52

Chapter 52

Isabella patted Rihanna’s hand. “I understand. Thank you for being so nice to me. I’ll come to you if I ever need help. But now, I can’t take your money, I want to make it on my own.”

Rihanna looked at her. “Okay! I’m your good friend. If you ever need help, just ask. I’ll do my best, be it money or anything else. Besides Coles, you’re someone who’s been good to me and looked out for me!”

Isabella smiled and nodded, fully understanding Rihanna’s sincerity and simplicity.

She was a child who had been tortured, and after being rescued, she was well protected by Coles. When dealing with others, she was too decisive and naive.

“Rihanna, since you and Coles depend on each other, you should plan well for the both of you. For example, when he gets married or when you get married in the future, this money will come in handy!” Isabella kindly planned out for Rihanna,

Rihanna shook her hand and smiled. “I won’t get married. I’ll only be with Coles, and he won’t get married either.”

Isabella chuckled. “Why not?”

Rihanna looked down. “Who would marry someone like me? Coles‘ life is full of danger, and he doesn’t

t want to put others in danger.”

Isabella pushed Rihanna’s hair behind her ears. “Don’t say that. You’re a good person. Someone will like you, and knowing your past will only make them cherish you more. However, my mom said girls shouldn’t fall in love so easily because it’s easy to get hurt. We have to love ourselves.”

Rihanna nodded, finding her words reasonable.

The two girls leaned on the sofa, drinking coffee and chatting until they unknowingly fell asleep.

They woke up as the day brightened, feeling aches and numbness in their bodies. Laughing, they got up. Isabella glanced at her phone- there were no texts, WhatsApp messaged, or calls. The unease in her heart deepened.

“Isabella, is the person you’re worried about your lover?” Rihanna keenly felt Isabella’s concern.

Isabella hesitated and spoke slowly, “He’s my savior. He’s done a lot for me and saved me from desperate situations. I haven’t fallen in love. with him yet, and I don’t dare to.”

Yes, she dared not. To her, it was dangerous to give someone her heart. She had nothing but her heart.

Rihanna bit her lip and stopped asking.

It was the weekend, so they need not go to work.

After breakfast, Rihanna decided to go to Coles‘ company to find his assistant. She was determined to contact him no matter what.

Isabella understood her feelings

She also wanted to ask Kayson how Clayton was, but couldn’t bring herself to do so.

After returning from Rihanna’s house, she couldn’t help but WhatsApp Clayton a penguin and a pig emoji.

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Chapter 52

She waited for a long time but received no response.

Isabella couldn’t stay idle. Therefore, she visited Gwendolyn’s filming set to take her mind off things.

Tiana brought Isabella to Gwendolyn’s resting room.

“Is everything going smoothly?” Isabella asked.

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Tiana’s chubby face was filled with excitement. “Gwen’s acting is simply amazing! The director’s super satisfied. Steven has been so happy these days. This movie will definitely make Gwen popular.”

Isabella smiled. She knew Gwendolyn was destined for success. She looked around and asked, “Where’s Steven? Why isn’t he here?”

“Oh, he went to discuss contracts. Gwen has many contracts now–scripts, advertisements, you name it,” Tiana replied.

“Isabella, let’s go watch Gwen’s shoot. We can stand further away so we won’t get scolded,” Tiana said, resembling a child showing off her

new toy.

“Okay!” Isabella also wanted to see Gwendolyn act.

“It Lasts for Three Lives” was a period drama. Gwendolyn was dressed in a white medieval blouse with a knee–length blue skirt–she looked pure and lovely. She was currently filming a scene with the male lead.

Tiana whispered, “The male lead is William, the famous award–winning actor. I heard he took the role because of Mabel. There was even talk of him quitting the show when Gwen was announced for the role. But after they acted together, he never mentioned quitting again.”

Tiana was very proud and looked at Gwendolyn with admiration.

Isabella found it amusing. No one could resist Gwendolyn’s charm–not even an award–winning actor.

The shoot went smoothly, with Gwendolyn rarely making mistakes. The atmosphere on set was harmonious..

Suddenly, a commotion erupted in the crowd. Tiana was telling Isabella some stories that happened recently when a woman with delicate makeup rushed to Gwendolyn.

Slap! A palm landed on Gwendolyn’s face.

Everyone was stunned.

Isabella thought they were still filming. She felt a pang of heartache and asked in a low voice, “Didn’t they say hitting scenes like these are taken from suggestive angles? Why did she hit her?”

Tiana’s expression changed. “No, that’s Mabel. Why is she here?”

Then, she pushed through the crowd and ran toward Gwendolyn

Gwendolyn was completely bewildered. The slap had left her in a daze.

She was stunned to see Mabel‘ icy expression.

“Gwendolyn, I didn’t expect you to be a shameless hussy!” Mabel scolded angrily.

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“You promiscuous hussy! All you do is pretend to be innocent and cheat for sympathy. You don’t hesitate to seduce men with your charm to

steal roles and get famous!” she continued.

Slapi Gwendolyn retaliated with a slap, making Mabel stumble.

Gwendolyn declared loudly, “I’m a good person! got the role by auditioning fair and square. Show us the evidence if you want to slander me. You’re my senior, and I respect you, but that doesn’t mean you can slap mel”

Mabel narrowed her eyes. “How dare you hit me?” She lunged forward and grabbed Gwendolyn’s hair, and the latter fought back without

fear.

Everyone watched in shock. Some even thought it was an extra scene. No one came forward to intervene.

Tiana rushed over and tried to separate the two. Only then did everyone react and pull the two apart.

Mabel roared, “Gwendolyn! How could our film academy produce such a failure like you? You bring disgrace to the academy!”

Gwendolyn sneered, “Who’s really bringing disgrace? I’m ashamed of your behaviour!”

After they were separated, Gwendolyn was led back to the resting room. Her face was swollen and she couldn’t continue filming

Steven wasn’t around, and Tiana had no idea how to handle the situation. What’s worse, she couldn’t get through to Steven’s. Outside, the number of reporters was increasing, and they were interviewing Mabel.

Unable to contain her anxiety, Tiana wanted to rush out and explain.

But Gwendolyn stopped her, telling her that going out now would only add chaos.

She asked Tiana to inform the director to stop filming and that she would head back first.

Isabella had Gwendolyn change into Tiana’s clothes and sneaked out of the movie studio amid the chaos. She escorted her home and asked Tiana to keep contacting Steven, leaving the rest to them.

At Gwendolyn’s house, Isabella gently applied ice onto her face. “Who was that person? Why would they just hit you for no reason?” she asked with concern.

Gwendolyn winced from the cold sensation. She replied calmly, “I heard Mabel recently hooked up with the boss of a movie company. It seems like the boss dotes on her a lot, giving her the confidence to act like this. But what does she gain from doing this to me?”

Isabella thought for a while and asked, “Isn’t that too much? It’s Victor who doesn’t want her, why did she take it out on you?”

Gwendolyn held onto the ice pack as she replied, “They don’t know Victor. Even the director probably doesn’t know that Victor’s the investor.”

“Then, how come you know?” Isabella asked curiously.

Gwendolyn looked somewhat uneasy. “I saw him on the film set that day and said he was immature. I got scolded by Steven, and that’s when Steven told me about his background.”

“Y–You said Victor’s immature?” Isabella’s eyes widened.

Gwendolyn nodded and said impatiently, “He just looks immature. Don’t you think so?”

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‘Gwendolyn called Victor immature, and vice versa. Why does it feel like they’re kindergarteners?‘ Isabella thought.

However, thinking about how Victor and Clayton fought for food, she nodded. “Yeah, he’s pretty immature”

Gwendolyn was pleased that Isabella agreed with her.

Isabella didn’t leave until Tiana came. She insisted on going home, reasoning that Tiana would take care of Gwendolyn.

She was still thinking about Clayton.

There was still no news from him.

She could not hold back and called Kayson.

Kayson quickly answered the phone, “Mrs. Murray, what’s the matter?”

Isabella was speechless.

“Are you going out? Do you want me to pick you up?” Kayson asked.

“Oh, no. No,” Isabella quickly denied.

wanted to ask you… Umm… D–Did Clayton say when he’s coming back?” Isabella stammered. Her voice became weaker as she spoke.

“H just w

Kayson paused for a moment.

“Well, forget it. I’ll hang up.” Isabella felt that even her toes were turning red.

“Mrs. Murray, Mr. Murray should be back tonight. Go rest earlier–there’s no need to wait for him. He might be late,” Kayson said with an

unusual seriousness.

But Isabella was too flustered to listen carefully. She hurriedly hung up the phone.

She placed her hand over her chest to soothe her wildly beating heart.

“He’s coming back. He’s finally coming back,” she cheered in her heart.

A smile unconsciously spread across her face.

She reassured herself that her concern was simply rooted in her genuine worry for him. Ielt natural for her to wish for his safe return, considering he was her savior.

She told herself that there was nothing more to it. It was all because of the nightmares.

She called Rihanna, feeling worried about her.

“Isabella, Coles is back, but he’s not in great shape. I’m going to take care of him. Don’t worry about me.” Rihanna’s voice carried both joy and sadness.

ake a neved.

“It’s good that he’s back. Take care of him if he’s sick.” isabella finally felt relieved.

“Yeah. Thank you, Isabellal” Rihanna said sincerely.

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“No need to thank me. The person I’ve been worried about is coming back too. It’s finally resolved.” Isabella’s mood lifted.

She waited until midnight, but Clayton still hadn’t returned. She sat on the couch and dozed off with her phone in her hands.

In a drowsy state, she felt herself falling into a familiar embrace. With the scent of familiar mint near her nose, she started to sober up.

Opening her eyes, she saw a pair of familiar eyes in the darkness.

“Clayton, you’re back?” Isabella softly nuzzled against his chest, sensing a tangible presence, She reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Yeah” Clayton gently placed her on the bed and covered her with a blanket.

Isabella grabbed the hem of his clothes. “Where are you going? Don’t go. I’ll have nightmares if you leave.”

She spoke in a soft and