CHAPTER 218: I DID TO SAVE BIG SIS

Ethan closed the door behind him, careful not to let Anna hear anything. The last time he questioned this man, Anna had jumped to the staff member’s rescue. But after catching him hovering near her changing room—almost listening in—Ethan’s doubts only grew sharper.

"I asked what you’re doing here." Ethan repeated, stepping closer. The man instinctively staggered back, putting even more distance between himself and Anna’s room.

Collin’s lips thinned under Ethan’s piercing stare, the kind that made him feel as if every layer of his lies were being peeled back.

"I–I was asked to clean this area," he stammered, lifting a broom and a few plastic bags as proof.

Ethan’s brow arched. From the shadow he’d seen beneath Anna’s changing-room door, it looked far less like someone cleaning—and far more like someone eavesdropping.

The man’s aura screamed caution, danger even. And the closer he hovered around Anna, the more Ethan’s instincts bristled.

A tense silence filled the hallway until a familiar voice broke it.

"Eh? Ethan, what are you doing here?" Kevin asked, slowing his steps when he saw Ethan standing with the same staff member who had earlier asked Anna for a photo, claiming his daughter was a fan.

Kevin sensed the stiffness in the air... right before Betty suddenly burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Ethan! I didn’t know you were here," she said, her eyes practically pleading with Ethan to play along and diffuse the tension. But a man who could read emotion with a single glance seemed completely immune to her hint.

"Were you the one who opened the door for me?" Ethan asked flatly.

Betty froze. The question hit her like a slap—exposing her attempt to distract him earlier.

Kevin, unaware of her plan, shot her a sharp glare. Betty immediately took a step back.

"Haha... I’ll go check if Big Sis is ready for the shot!" she blurted before bolting away at lightning speed and slamming the door behind her.

So that’s why she hesitated to answer me earlier, Kevin realized, mentally scoffing as the pieces finally fell into place.

But his attention shifted to the staff guy... then to Ethan.

"Aren’t you going to get ready for your scene?" Kevin asked, confused as to why Ethan was still rooted there.

Before Ethan could answer, the man bowed slightly and excused himself, practically fleeing the corridor.

Ethan’s eyes trailed after him until the man disappeared around the corner. Only then did he look at Kevin and give a small nod.

Kevin smiled and headed toward Anna’s room. Ethan, however, didn’t move. Not yet. Not when every instinct in him screamed that something was off. Very off.

Collin practically collapsed against the wall once he escaped Ethan’s interrogation. He exhaled shakily. He hadn’t expected the actor to be so sharp—and it unsettled him.

"I need to be more careful around him," Collin muttered under his breath.

But the moment he regained his composure, he tossed the broom aside with a sneer.

He had failed to catch even a word of what Ethan and Anna were discussing. And he still didn’t know whether Kathrine had revealed the notes he’d dropped for her, trying to lure her to the park.

Collin clenched his jaw, frustration boiling.

Fine. If Plan A failed, he’d come up with something better—something that would ensure he got to Kathrine one way or another.

He turned and walked away, already plotting.

***

Meanwhile, Anna was getting ready for her shot when she heard someone slam the door—again.

"For the love of God, have you two planned on breaking that door?" Anna snapped, glaring at the culprits. "I’m telling you right now—I’m not paying for any damages."

Kevin and Betty froze like guilty toddlers caught in the act.

"You!" Kevin yelled, pointing accusingly at Betty. "How dare you lie to me about Ethan being with Anna?!"

Betty instantly flinched and darted behind Anna, gripping her arm and startling her.

Anna blinked at her, eyebrows raised. "What did you do now?"

Betty peeked from behind Anna’s shoulder like a terrified kitten. "I didn’t lie! I just... switched the topic."

Kevin’s nostrils flared. "That’s the same thing!"

"I did it because I wanted to save Big Sis!"

"...Me?" Anna blinked, pointing at herself.

Betty nodded vigorously. "Yes, Big Sis. I didn’t want Mr. Clafford to get jealous of Ethan and shift his entire office to the set."

Kevin: "..."

Anna: "..."

Betty continued earnestly, "Big Sis, I know Sir Kevin would’ve informed your husband. And knowing how Mr. Clafford gets jealous of every man who even breathes near you... I doubt you want another scandal on your hands."

Anna was momentarily speechless. But the moment Betty’s words sank in, an image popped into her head of Daniel sitting in her changing room, laptop open, glaring at everyone who walked by.

No. Absolutely not.

’That devil must never step foot here,’ she jolted internally, shaking off the horrifying image before looking sharply at Kevin.

"You! Don’t you dare say a word to Daniel. Unless you want him to find out you secretly take our side."

Kevin gaped at her, his soul leaving his body for a second.

God, why are you unfair to me? He cried internally.

Her husband is threatening to wipe me off the earth, and she’s here pushing me into an early grave.

I need to change my profession... this manager life is just giving me death risks. He nodded stiffly, wiping his invisible tears.

"By the way," Anna said, narrowing her eyes at both of them, "how come you two were together? Weren’t you supposed to be on set checking the scene?"

That stopped both of them.

And this time, the tables flipped—Betty, who had been hiding behind Anna for protection, slowly shuffled to Kevin’s side like a guilty accomplice switching teams.

"Haha, about that, Big Sis... you don’t need to worry," Betty said with an awkward smile. "You know we’re both professional and completely devoted to you. Right, Sir Kevin?"

She nudged him hard with her elbow that made Kevin winced, almost doubling over.

"Ouch—aaah—haha, yes! Exactly. You don’t need to worry about anything. We’re not doing anything... mischievous." He forced a smile that looked more like he was in pain than reassuring anyone.

"..."

’But I never asked that’

***

[Daniel’s Office]

Kevin had updated him about the problems Fiona was trying to stir for Anna, but Daniel didn’t bother reacting much. He trusted Wilsmith—an experienced man—would handle the mess.

However, that didn’t mean Daniel wouldn’t knock some sense into Fiona himself if she pushed too far.

"About the scandal," Daniel asked calmly, glancing at a file before looking up at Henry, "are there still any talks?"

"Most of the noise has died down," Henry reported. "But online... Fiona’s fan club is causing trouble. They’ve started a petition to replace Miss Anna, claiming the scandal affects their idol’s image."

Daniel’s eyes narrowed.

Kevin had been right—mainstream news would eventually forget the issue. Reporters always moved on to louder scandals for TRPs. But Fiona’s fan club... that specific group already had a reputation for being obsessive and toxic. They weren’t letting go.

"What are the chances their request will be considered?" Daniel asked.

Henry blinked.

Sir, how would I know? It’s not like I’m funding the whole movie...

He forced a polite smile. "It’s... uncertain, Boss."

Daniel waved the answer off. "Never mind."

He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers, gaze sharpening with a calculating glint.

"But there is one thing we can do," he said quietly.

Henry felt a shiver run down his spine as Daniel’s expression shifted—dangerously calm, eyes glinting with a cold, deliciously evil edge.

....

After instructing Henry, Daniel stood and grabbed his suit, ready to leave.

"Uh, are we already leaving, Boss?" Henry inquired, looking at the time.

It was still too early for them to call it a day when all of the employees were working. However, seeing Daniel leave made him want to follow him.

"It is only me. Make sure you review those files on the table and report them to me later." With that, Daniel was out of sight, and Henry dropped his shoulder in defeat, giving Daniel a betrayed look.

***

Since it was an outdoor shoot, Anna wanted to finish her scenes quickly and return home. A part of her one she refused to admit out loud wanted to see Daniel again. Just the thought of him made her chest flutter in a way she wasn’t used to.

Back then, all she wanted was to run away from him. But now... after seeing the way he cared for her, protected her, touched her with such restrained affection... her feelings were shifting, quietly but powerfully.

She did feel a little guilty for locking him out of the room this morning. But her reasons were valid, as she couldn’t risk him overhearing her conversation with Shawn. Daniel could be many things, but calm was not one of them when it came to jealousy.

"God, I’m seriously going nuts with all these thoughts," Anna muttered, exhaling deeply. She hoped it would calm her but instead, her heartbeat only sped up.

And that’s exactly when an unwelcome voice cut through the moment.

"I’ve never seen a shameless girl like you, Anna. Even after being publicly exposed, you still have the face to show up here and shoot."

Fiona’s tone dripped with venom, loud enough for nearby crew members to hear.