Chapter 88 Didn’t Expect There Was Surveillance
Chapter 88 Didn’t Expect There Was Surveillance
Eleanor had never seen Tyler look so pleased with himself before.
In all her memories, Tyler was always cold and distant, treating everyone with the same icy indifference, like nothing in the world could faze him. But now, it was like he’d finally come down from his pedestal.
“What are you so smug about?” Angust crossed his arms and stared at Tyler, then suddenly changed the subject. “What were you two just up to? Did I interrupt something? Tyler, didn’t you say you’d wait the wedding to sleep with Eleanor?”
Tyler’s face darkened. “As long as Eleanor’s okay with it, that’s what matters.”
“Nope, not good enough. You said it yourself–your word should mean something,” Angust shot back. “Eleanor, take it from me–never let a guy get everything he wants, or he’ll start acting out. You have to keep him in check.”
Tyler clenched his fists, giving Angust a cold, warning glare.
Angust just ignored Tyler’s look and looked at Eleanor. “Anyway, you focus on the wedding. My script still needs your help, so I’ll be coming by a lot to talk plot.”
Tyler said in a low voice, “Angust, don’t forget–you have a fiancée.”
Eleanor added, “Yeah, since she came to see you, you should spend more time with her for now.”
Angust looked annoyed. “Eleanor, so you’re saying I have to just accept someone I don’t even like?”
“If you really don’t like her, you can just be honest and break up,” Eleanor said. “But you need to figure out if you truly don’t like her, or if you’re just being rebellious. Some choices, once you make them, there’s no going back.”
A flicker of sadness crossed Angust’s face, but it disappeared in a flash, replaced by his usual laid–back grin. “Eleanor, you‘ re too kind. Tell me, do you actually like Lila? Maybe you see yourself in her.
“But are you sure what she’s thinking? What if she cozies up to you now, then stabs you in the back later? She’s got a serious jealous streak.”
“If you already know that, then you should realize the real issue is you,” Tyler said, his voice low. “Don’t tell me you know what you’re supposed to do.”
don’t
Angust let out a cold snort. “Alright, Eleanor, I’m heading out.”
Watching Angust walk out, Tyler finally felt a bit less annoyed. But after all that, the mood was gone. He glanced at Eleanor. “Angust actually had a point. You don’t really know Lila. If she ever comes after you, what are you going to do?”
“I trust my gut,” Eleanor replied. “She’s not that kind of person.”
Tyler stepped up beside her, resting his hand on her shoulder. “You just feel for her because you’ve both been through tough times. But remember, aside from me, don’t trust anyone too easily.”
Eleanor smiled. “And why are you the exception?”
Tyler raised an eyebrow. “Because I’d never hurt you. Not ever.”
Eleanor finally asked what was on her mind, “If there hadn’t been any issues between Chris and me, would you still have gotten involved?”
Tyler’s gaze dropped. Back when she and Chris were childhood sweethearts, he’d felt uneasy–sometimes even had a stray, selfish thought–but reason always won out in the end.
“There’s no ‘if,” Tyler said. “Chris is just the way he is. But if he hadn’t cheated, I would’ve done everything I could to give you a peaceful life. Maybe the universe just wants us together.”
Eleanor smiled. “Come on, let’s go see what everyone’s talking about downstairs.”
*****
They had just stepped into the living room when they heard Lila’s voice. “I’m not here for dinner. I just wanted to say that all the stuff online has nothing to do with me.
“I already talked to my assistant–she didn’t tell the fans to do anything. Whatever the fans did, that’s on them, not me.”
Martha said, “I believe you, but I think it would be better if you cleared things up online. Since you came here to apologize in person, posting a statement shouldn’t be too hard.”
“It won’t help,” said Lila. “People who don’t want to believe me will just say in trying to cover things up.
Successfully unlocked!
“What really matters is finding out who’s behind all this, I swear it wasn’t me. And if I’m lying… may Angust never get it up again.”
Angust looked a little annoyed. “Why am I getting dragged into your oath?”
Lila grinned. “Because you’re the only one I’d ever marry. What do you think?”
1/2
Chapter 88 Didn’t Expect There Was Surveillance
“That’s still not fair,” Angust muttered.
“By the way, Madam Langford, I actually think I know who’s behind this. She came to me and said a bunch of nasty things about Eleanor.” Lila turned to Matha.
Serena’s eyes went wide as Lila pointed at her. She tried to look innocent and whispered, “It wasn’t me.” Almost like she was begging for help, Serena looked at Chris. “Chris, it wasn’t me.”
Normally, Chris would have spoken up for her when she looked so pitiful. But now, his face was blank, and he didn’t say a word.
Eleanor, standing a little ways off and watching the drama unfold, took it all in. ‘Looks like there’s trouble between those two, she thought.
Suddenly, Tyler grabbed Eleanor’s hand, holding it so tight it was like he was afraid she’d slip away.
Eleanor glanced at him. His face looked as calm as ever, but she could sense he was a little uneasy. “Tyler, you’re squeezing too hard. It hurts,” Eleanor reminded him.
Tyler loosened his grip a bit, but he still didn’t let go of Eleanor’s hand.
“Looks like we have company.” Tyler walked over to the sofa, sat down, and casually pulled Eleanor to sit beside him. “So, Ms. Vance, are you here to call us out, or is there something else?”
Tyler’s presence was commanding, his voice carrying a hint of authority. Though he was talking to Lila, his sharp, assessing gaze landed right on Serena.
Serena looked like she was about to burst into tears again. She clung to Chris’s hand, bit her lip, and after a long pause, whispered, “Chris.”
Chris pulled his hand away and looked at her. “Did you go see Lila?”
“I…” Serena hesitated. She couldn’t let Chris know she’d gone to see Lila, let alone that she’d talked badly about Eleanor. In Chris’s eyes, she’d always been the gentle, harmless one. If he found out, it would ruin the image she’d worked so hard to build.
“You’d better think before you answer. Don’t even think about lying.” Lila let out a cold snort. “You really think an A–list actress like me would bother lying?”
“But I heard you grew up in the slums before the Vance family took you in,” Serena said softly. “People say there are a lot of liars there. I don’t even know what I did to upset you, so why are you saying these things about me?
“Did Eleanor promise you something? I know she’s never liked me. Maybe all those rumors online were her doing.”
Lila stared at her. “Wow. That’s some Oscar–worthy acting.”
Eleanor let out a cold laugh. Twisting the truth like this was second nature to Serena.
“Oh? So you’re saying you never went to see Lila?” Tyler’s voice cut in.
“That’s right.” Serena made up her mind. If they didn’t have proof, she just wouldn’t admit it, no matter what they said. “The hotel where Angust is staying? That’s one of my properties,” Tyler said slowly.
Serena looked at Tyler, a wave of unease washing over her.
“For security, I had cameras installed outside the hotel. They’re pretty well hidden–most people wouldn’t notice,” Tyler continued. “I made sure there’s not a single blind spot. Since you say you didn’t go, let’s just check the footage. Tyler turned to Lila. “Lila, do you remember what day she came to see you?”
“Of course I remember,” said Lila.
Serena’s face went pale. “I… I feel dizzy. I want to get some rest.”
“If you’re not dying, you’re staying right here,” Tyler said coldly.
