Chapter 44

Who did he think he was?!

“I’m the Best Actor-to-be at this year’s Golden Bull Award!” Jay was furious. He glared at the director fiercely and hissed between gritted teeth, “You call this a valid reason?”

He didn’t understand. Why? Who exactly was he? How did he coerce the least corrupted director in the industry into losing his bottom line? “Best Actor at the Golden Bull Award?” The man sitting beside Eliza let out a chuckle. “Not necessarily, right?” As soon as he finished speaking, the chief director promptly caught on that Jay no longer stood a chance to be crowned Best Actor. He snorted coldly and instantly grew apathetic toward Jay. “To the best of my knowledge, the final results of this year’s Golden Bull Award aren’t out yet. “Do you really consider yourself a candidate for Best Actor?” He turned toward the chief scriptwriter and ordered, “We’ll make changes as this gentleman sees fit!” Then, he glanced at Jay indifferently. “If you have objections, you may pay the liquidated damages and leave! “There are many other actors who would die to take your place!” Jay was petrified. After all, the chief director had personally come to his home and invited him to be part of his new series. He even mentioned specifically his potential as the next Best Actor at the Golden Bull Award. Upon hearing that he wasn’t fond of Eliza, the chief director even went up to Tom in person and threatened him to fire her. For no apparent reason, his attitude suddenly shifted so thoroughly within a couple of days. At this thought, Jay narrowed his eyes and turned to glare at Beau. “Who exactly are you?” Beau feigned ignorance. In a gentle movement, he handed a pen and a piece of paper to Eliza. “Don’t hold back; create the scenes you wish to act in.” The chief scriptwriter stepped forward and nodded in agreement. “That’s right, Miss Lawson.

Go ahead and write down everything. I’ll make changes according to your wishes.” Eliza couldn’t find her tongue.

She was aware that Mr. Valentine had an immense influence.

But this was still beyond her expectations. She didn’t think that he was so powerful that everyone in Parson Media licked his boots. Feeling the intense gaze of the chief scriptwriter, Eliza couldn’t let the words flow from the tip of her pen. She shifted the piece of paper toward her and passed her the pen. “I think it’s still better if you do it. “I can’t really think of anything.”

The chief scriptwriter looked up at Beau helplessly. “You’ll do it, then. “Get rid of the intimate scenes.”

The chief scriptwriter nodded furiously and cautiously noted down his request. Once she was done with that, she turned and left without a second to waste. Since the script was to be rewritten, there was no need for Eliza and Jay to sync up about their important scenes anymore. Eliza stood up and said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll excuse myself for now.” “I’m leaving too!” Jay stood up and breezed past Beau’s chair. He headed straight for the door and offered, “Eliza, I’ll drop you home.” Eliza frowned and tossed a glance at Beau without moving. “She’s not going with you.” 2 Jay gritted his teeth. “How would you know?” The man calmly rose to his feet, sidestepped Jay, and walked out with long strides. Since the beginning, he had never once laid his eyes on Jay. It was as though he simply viewed him as an insignificant mass of air. “Catch up.”

The man’s deep, icy voice sliced through the air. Startled, Eliza scurried up to him. When she passed by where Jay was standing by the door, he took the chance to seize her by the arm. “Eliza Lawson, you’re starting to look down on me more and more now. “Never forget that I have evidence of your dirty deeds!”

She froze for a split second. Recovering from her stance, she looked at him with a sneer. “Jay, if I were you, I wouldn’t threaten me with what happened five years ago. “Do you think you’re the only one who has evidence of what happened back then? “Do you want me to uncover all the details of every penny of mine that you have spent in the past five years? How about I reveal it to everyone in the entertainment industry?” She gnashed her teeth and warned in a low voice, “I suggest that you stay in your place and drop the idea of threatening me with the past. *Otherwise, I don’t mind ‘fighting’ you to death. “Even if I do get into trouble, Mr. Valentine will have my back. Can Madeleine protect you from anything at all?”

With that, she flung herself free from his grasp and chased toward the direction Beau had left.

Jay stood rooted to the spot and watched her trail after the man eagerly. He clenched his hands into fists by each side. Back then, Eliza would never speak to him like that much less treat him so coldly! It seemed another man had indeed occupied her heart…

“Thank you.” Sitting in the back seat, Eliza pursed her lips as she fixed her gaze on the hem of Beau’s trousers. “If it weren’t for you, I would still be syncing up with Jay on those scenes…” “Get ready.” The man glanced nonchalantly at the document in his hand as he continued in a distant voice, “My father caught the news of you two yesterday. Your photos were basically everywhere. “He’s rather dissatisfied with this matter.”

Eliza gulped silently. She bit her lip. “I’m sorry…” Yesterday, she hadn’t noticed anyone sneaking pictures of the two when she was discussing the script with Jay. Never would she have thought that things would take a turn for the worse… His father… must be a stern man, right? “Do you know what would have happened if I didn’t show up today?” The man threw the documents at her. “They have a draft for their latest article ready.” Eliza hurriedly picked up the document and flipped through it. “Breaking news! Jay Carr and Eliza Lawson’s relationship has bloomed rapidly. Did Eliza seduce Jay or not?” “Perhaps Madeleine Robinson is the one who’s wronged. Lawson and Carr aren’t even keeping a low profile.”

“Who suits Jay Carr better-Eliza Lawson or Madeleine Robinson? I’d say Madeleine.”

Eliza stared at the drafts in the folder and felt cold sweat seep out from her skin layer by layer. If Beau hadn’t turned up at the company today and stopped those photos from being taken, they would have spread like wildfire along with every last word in these articles. Her fingers tightened around the folder, and she could feel her heart drumming in her chest. Yesterday’s news content was relatively non-

invasive. In fact, she didn’t even think too much about it-she took it as Jay’s attempt at diverting media attention away from Madeleine so that the spotlight would be snatched from her. However, it was now as clear as day that these were only excuses. His true intention was to twist the intimacy between them in Madeleine’s favor so that she could be seen in a new light. To this day, the two of them were still hoping to trample her under their feet and use her as a stepping stone! At this thought, Eliza dug her teeth into her bottom lip hard. Why couldn’t they just free her? Was it just because she was good-tempered and didn’t fight back much? Was that why they treated her like a fool and used her as a garden tool? When she was of use to them, they would try to coax her and get on her good side. When they were done with that, they would squeeze out every last ounce of her remaining worth. “It’s no use being angry.”

Beau turned to her, his obsidian-like eyes emotionless. “There’s only one reason others set you up so unscrupulously.” “You are too weak.” His words slammed into Eliza’s heart like a hefty hammer. She looked up at him in a daze. Beau raised his hand and caressed her moist lips with his fingertips. “To them, you’re merely a weakling that they can bully at will. “If you wish to avoid being bullied and framed in the future…” He retracted his hand with a smile. “Grow stronger so that you can crush them under your feet.”