Chapter 69

Chapter 69

“If you’re so keen on flirting, I can give you a small lesson,” he said, darkening his gaze as he leaned in and whispered to Natalie.

Natalie couldn’t help but frown. “It’s just a colleague, nothing more than a chat between actors from the same cast.”

“Is that so?” Brian curved his lips into a faint and mocking smile as he looked at her.

It was clear from the sarcastic and cold glint in his eyes that he didn’t buy her explanation.

She fell silent for a few seconds, gripping her yogurt container tightly, trying to hold back her frustration as she said firmly, “Brian, he’s not at fault, and you have no right to punish him.”

“I don’t need someone else to tell me that,” he replied, his gaze never leaving hers.

Natalie knew he was serious, and she felt a pang of dread for the male actor.

The more she tried to defend someone else, the angrier Brian seemed to get.

Biting her lip, she held his gaze in a tense silence. A cocktail of urgency and annoyance brewed within her, but she found herself at a loss for what to do next. Suddenly, she turned on her heel and walked toward the trash can, tossing the yogurt container forcefully inside.

If he didn’t want her to drink it, then she wouldn’t, simple as that.

If giving up the yogurt would make him spare the innocent actor, she was willing to compromise. No matter how Brian chose to torment her, she could take it alone and just didn’t want others to suffer because of her.

After disposing of the yogurt, she turned back to face Brian, clenching her teeth as she said. softly. “It was just a chance encounter, not what you’re thinking.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, he straightened up and leaned in closer to her.

His tall frame cast her slender body in shadow. “Natalie, it would be so much better if you just learned to behave,” he murmured, bending down and kissing her bruised lip lightly.

“Always remember who you are now.”

“I know my place,” Natalie replied stiffly.

She had signed a one–year contract with Brian. It was crystal clear that she was to obey him.

Brian knew how much she hated being indebted to anyone. He had all her weaknesses figured so she had no choice but to avoid

out. She was also well aware of his influence in Streamville

provoking him outwardly to compromise.

He sensed her resistance and pulled her into his embrace, whispering in her ear, “How do you know there wasn’t something in that drink he gave you?”

Natalie closed her eyes briefly, steeling herself before replying, “I’ll be careful not to drink such

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Chapter 69

things in the future. And I didn’t plan on drinking it anyway. I don’t like that brand of youurt.”

If he wanted her to play nice, she could put on an act. It was her profession, after all,

Brian’s attention shifted to the commotion in the distance. That minor celebrity was trying to reason with a paparazzo, who stubbornly refused to hand over his camera. It looked like a fight was about to break out.

Two imposing figures pushed through the crowd and snatched the camera from the paparazzo, casually tossing it into a nearby river.

“You…”

“Learn to be decent before you focus on your job.” Reld said as he lightly grasped the paparazzi’s collar and stuffed a wad of bills into it.

Brian turned his gaze back to Natalle, his hand on her shoulder squeezing a bit harder as he said in a stern tone, “I hope this will be the last time.”

Natalie had never realized how intense Brian’s need for control was. She took a deep breath to compose herself and assured him, “There won’t be a next time.” She would make an effort to maintain a distance from the male actors in the crew to avoid any collateral damage.

“Brian?” A familiar female voice called out not far away.

Instinctively, Natalie pushed away from Brian and turned toward the source of the voice.

It was Madelyn.