“I’ve been looking everywhere for you. So this is where you were hiding.”
Julian stepped through the crowd, and people instinctively moved aside.
He brushed a strand of hair from Lexi’s face, his gaze soft but unmistakably possessive.
“Julian… are you leaving?” Lexi asked quietly.
He nodded and took her phone, saving his number.
“Call me anytime. Day or night. I know Lauren and her sister like to target you. Be careful. I saw her yesterday—she still can’t compare to you.”
Relief flickered across Lexi’s face.
Whatever had happened before, his view of her hadn’t changed.
“Sir, the Boss is waiting,” a bodyguard reminded him.
Julian frowned, murmured a few final instructions to Lexi, then left.
The crowd immediately erupted in whispers.
What was her relationship with Julian?
Was that how she landed the role of second female lead in Fallen Empire?
Lexi ignored them and headed to the set.
Lauren stood beside her sister, smiling smugly.
“Starting today, my sister joins the crew. She’ll be playing my closest confidante.”
Lexi let out a quiet scoff.
Of course.
“You almost died yesterday, and yet you’re back already. Impressive. Lucky, too.”
Lexi’s gaze shifted to Lauren’s sister.
“I should be impressed with you two. From fighting over scraps in the orphanage to playing happy sisters now. That’s growth.”
Lauren froze.
“I’ve told you before—I have nothing to do with you. Don’t drag up the past.”
Her sister sneered.
“At least we have parents. Some people don’t.”
Lexi’s voice turned cold.
“I’d rather have none than be abandoned while having some.”
Lauren’s jaw tightened, but she forced a smile.
“The director’s calling you. Don’t keep him waiting.”
Lexi realized it was her turn.
She hadn’t even gone through her lines.
Lauren had done it on purpose.
Clutching her script, she approached the director.
“Director, I—”
“You’re shooting with Joey today. It’s a kiss scene.”
Lexi stiffened.
“That’s not in the script.”
“Actors need experience,” the director said flatly.
“Kisses are basic. Joey, guide her.”
Joey glanced at her lazily.
“I thought I was acting with Lauren. Who’s this?”
Lexi shot back, “If you don’t want to act with me, that makes two of us.”
He bristled.
“Watch your attitude—”
Before he could continue, Sebastian walked in.
“A kiss scene?” Sebastian flipped the script onto the table.
“Interesting.”
Since the previous incident, he’d assigned Connor to keep an eye on Lexi.
Today, he’d come personally.
“From now on, Lexi will not film kiss scenes. No intimate scenes at all,” Sebastian said evenly.
“Is that clear?”
The director nodded at once.
Whispers spread through the crew.
Someone hurried off—likely to inform Lauren.
“Lexi. Come with me,” Sebastian said.
Her pulse quickened.
Did he know about the missing crystal necklace?
Still, she followed.
Before she could speak, Lauren appeared.
Sebastian’s expression softened instantly.
He pulled Lauren close and kissed her forehead.
“Good work.”
Lauren smiled sweetly, then noticed Lexi still standing there.
“Why is she here?”
Lexi ignored her and looked straight at Sebastian.
“Have you seen my crystal necklace?”