Lexi lifted her chin, meeting Sebastian’s stormy gaze.
“Am I wrong?” she asked evenly.
“What, Sebastian? Are you going to abandon Lauren and marry me instead?”
He went still.
Her words hit clean and sharp.
She wounded him without effort—yet somehow looked just as hurt.
Silence stretched between them.
Lexi gave a thin smile and turned to leave—
A scream cut through the hallway.
Lauren.
Sebastian’s expression hardened.
He ran toward the sound.
Lexi followed.
He kicked open the private suite.
Flashbulbs exploded.
The room was packed with paparazzi.
Lauren crouched in the corner, trembling under the lights.
Lexi froze.
She was barely known.
Why were so many reporters here?
The Gilded Rose was exclusive.
Non-members couldn’t enter.
This wasn’t random.
Sebastian removed his jacket and wrapped it around Lauren’s shoulders.
He cupped her face, then turned on the photographers.
“I’ll say this once,” he said coldly.
“Step back. Or your companies won’t exist tomorrow.”
The crowd hesitated.
One woman stepped forward anyway.
“Mr. Sebastian, how long have you and Miss Lauren been together? How serious is your relationship?”
Sebastian’s jaw tightened.
Grand City’s most powerful businessman and its rising actress—any answer would make headlines.
“This is none of your business,” he said.
“Step aside.”
The reporter didn’t flinch.
“We make a living on stories like this. Exposure benefits Miss Lauren too. If you give us nothing, tomorrow we’re out of work.”
Lexi couldn’t help but admire her.
Fearless.
Sebastian’s gaze remained steady.
“Miss Lila,” he said.
“Since you’re here—write this clearly. Lauren is mine. If you misreport it, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
The statement sounded romantic to everyone else.
To Lexi, it stung.
Lauren is mine.
After a few more questions, the reporters withdrew.
Lauren clung to Sebastian as they left.
Before stepping out, she glanced back at Lexi—smug.
Sebastian never looked her way.
“Miss Lila, impressive,” a young journalist whispered.
“Even Sebastian doesn’t scare you.”
Lila ran StarBeat Media—the most influential outlet in Grand City.
She controlled narratives.
Lesser actors begged for her attention.
When the suite emptied, Lexi noticed something on the table.
A recording device.
“Lila” was engraved on its side.
Lexi picked it up and hurried downstairs.
“Miss Lila—wait.”
Lila turned, sleek and composed.
Black nails.
Controlled power.
“Thank you,” she said, accepting the device.
“Your name?”
“Alexandra Starling,” Lexi replied.
“Second female lead in Fallen Empire. I hope you’ll look after me.”
Lila studied her for a moment, then smiled faintly.
“I’ll visit the set for an interview soon.”
Lexi nodded, watching her leave.
Her pulse finally slowed.
Lila wasn’t foolish.
She knew exactly why Lexi had introduced herself.
But at least now—she had noticed her.
Back home, Lexi walked into another problem.
Her landlord stood inside, scanning the apartment with open disdain.
“You’re moving out tomorrow. I’m selling.”
“Tomorrow?” Lexi stared.
“Where am I supposed to go?”
“Not my concern. If you’re not gone, I’ll handle it.”
The door slammed.
Lexi sank onto the couch.
Fresh out of college.
No savings.
Barely surviving.
This small apartment had been a blessing.
Now it was gone.
She touched the crystal necklace at her throat and closed her eyes, steadying herself.
Before sunrise, she visited every real estate office she could find.
Nothing affordable.
Nothing available immediately.
By noon, the broker excused himself for lunch and never returned.
Exhausted and thirsty, she stepped into a grocery store.
She had just grabbed a bottle of water—
When her phone buzzed.