CHAPTER 106: CHAPTER 106: UTTER FOOLISHNESS

Before the cracked moans could escape through the fabric’s seams, Natalie Vaughn mustered all her strength to raise her hand and stop Zane Thorne.

"Enough."

They couldn’t continue any further.

The mix of tingling and pain made her feel as though she was teetering on the edge of a fiery pit, where even the slightest misstep could result in falling inside.

Natalie thought again of the dream she had last night, consumed by desire, yet the timing was all wrong. In her current state, she couldn’t do anything.

Zane had evidently picked up on the ambiguity of the moment, his eyes mirroring the stormy night outside, with rain and lightning. If Natalie turned to look at Zane then, she would’ve realized how much he resembled the Zane in her dream.

Eventually, he withdrew his hand and pulled her clothing back down. Then, without a word, he went into the hospital room’s bathroom to wash up.

He washed away the medicinal oil on his hands, but couldn’t wash away the slick feeling beneath. In the reflection, the man in the mirror had eyes filled with a desire and longing he hadn’t witnessed in the past five years.

Prior to this, his eyes were only on racing. And now, they were on Natalie.

Zane stared at the man in the mirror for a long time, tried to wash away the desire with water, but the more he washed, the clearer the desire became. He should have realized that the encounter five years ago had already planted a seed in his heart.

Natalie was destined to be the most special person in his life.

That’s why, after making the call, he couldn’t help but hurry to Veridia. It was unlike him, but because it involved Natalie, everything made sense.

When Zane came back out, Natalie was half-lying on the bed. Her eyes were red, and there were still droplets on her eyelashes.

A tear shed earlier when she forcibly held back her body’s reaction.

Upon hearing the noise, she lifted her head to look at Zane. But upon meeting her pair of reddened, affectionate eyes, the man quickly shifted his gaze away. He couldn’t look into Natalie’s eyes any longer. Those eyes could speak, could enchant.

The atmosphere between the two was rare; both ambiguous and awkward.

Instinctively, Zane reached for a cigarette in his pocket, only to realize in his hurry that he hadn’t brought anything along.

It was only then that Natalie remembered to ask.

"Did you not bring anything?"

"No."

Feeling slightly pleased inside, Natalie asked again.

"How long do you plan to stay here?"

"I’ll leave when you recover."

Natalie raised her eyebrows.

"Then I’ll just stay in bed forever."

As soon as she said it, Zane shot her a glance, prompting Natalie to quickly shoulder-shrug and wave her hand.

"Just kidding."

But Zane wasn’t fond of such jokes. Only now did he recall Natalie’s injury after the moment of tenderness.

He had received Felix Langdon’s call upon landing; the rain was heavy, and he sped all the way without getting a clear understanding of the situation.

"Tell me, how did you get injured like this?"

The smile on Natalie’s lips faded.

"An idiot tried to show me the ropes while we were on the harness, but lost control and came charging at me with a sword. If I hadn’t reacted quickly, who knows if I’d be here chatting with you now."

As she continued, Natalie implied a sense of pride. In a similar situation, the outcome could have been entirely different for someone else.

Upon hearing the mention of a sword, Zane’s expression darkened immediately.

"Who?"

The man’s voice was low, and Natalie noticed the anger swirling in his features. She realized Zane was angry.

"Felix’s side..."

Before the words could drop, there was a loud commotion outside the hospital room.

It was Laura Young.

Zoe Chandler and Summer Churchill stood at the room’s entrance. Laura’s manager held some items, claiming to visit, but Laura’s expression clearly indicated otherwise.

Even with President Langdon’s indication, Laura Young wasn’t seeking reconciliation but rather an explanation from Natalie.

Zoe Chandler thought Laura utterly foolish.

If she truly wished to continue acting, she needed Natalie’s forgiveness, to appeal for mercy, not flaunt a sour face and demand answers under the guise of a victim.

Clearly, Laura’s malevolent intent initially almost led to disaster.

"Nina is resting; please leave,"

Zoe didn’t want Laura to go inside.

Within The Langdon Group, Zoe always held significant sway. Agents were ranked and Laura’s manager was more grounded, beyond the years of striving for success. Hence Laura wanted Zoe to lead, but seeing Zoe like this displeased her.

Why could Natalie effortlessly obtain what she couldn’t even earn?

"Ms. Chandler, we’re from the same company. Visiting isn’t unreasonable. This is a hospital, too many eyes watching."

Laura added, glancing at bystanders at the corridor’s end. Nowadays, netizens dissecting someone was all too easy.

Zoe sharply frowned.

If rumors of discord between Laura and Natalie emerged, giving poor reasons for Laura’s departure from the second lead would seem unconvincing, perhaps even paving the way for her to rally public disdain for Natalie.

The issue could be resolved, but it was vexing. As Zoe wavered, Natalie spoke up inside.

"Let her in."

Zoe immediately opened the door. Noticing the extra man in the room, Zoe was a bit surprised before looking at Summer Churchill.

"Been here half an hour."

Zoe swiftly averted her gaze. She had no fear dealing with Felix Langdon, being her boss, but this man, she avoided eye contact twice now.

If Laura was too foolish to pinpoint the situation, her career was as good as gone.

But Zoe underestimated Zane, his concern for Natalie, and his disdain for others.

After Zane became aware of what transpired on the set, Laura Young couldn’t possibly continue in this industry.

Laura barely stepped in, not even uttered one word, when Zane briefly glanced at her, turned back to Natalie, and asked:

"Is it her?"

Natalie nodded.

Laura was entirely ignored.

She was a top-tier celebrity; when had she ever faced such treatment? Even dining with financiers, she could speak a few lines.

"Natalie, tonight’s incident was indeed my fault. But it was just a mistake, no need to hand over my hard-earned role just like that, right? You’re a newcomer; even with clout, you shouldn’t be so arrogant."

Look, foolish enough to start lecturing with seniority.

Zoe really couldn’t bear to watch, feeling for Laura’s manager whose years of effort might go fruitless.

Natalie seemingly heard a joke.

"Shouldn’t be arrogant? If I have backing, why shouldn’t I be?"

"The entertainment circle isn’t just The Langdon Group’s decree; even with President Langdon’s support, how far can you go like this?"

Natalie sneered, eyes filled with cold disdain.

"And what do you count as?"

Her arrogance persisted.

What did Laura Young count for, acting like a clown before her? Using Felix Langdon to preach, where did she even get the audacity?

Laura, provoked by Natalie’s disdainful gaze, got fired up, speaking without a filter.

"Natalie, you’re but a whore seducing President Langdon. Now with another man in the room, what would you count for if President Langdon found out?"

One hand on her hip, the other pointing at Zane, Laura struck a caught-in-the-act pose.

Zoe raised a hand to her forehead.

That level of IQ was beyond salvaging.