Chapter 43
“You just won’t leave, huh? Thought I’d never see you again. By the way… how’d you get all the director’s secrets? Even his dead daughter’s story?” Lauren taunted.
“Enough!” Lexi snapped, refusing to let her keep talking.
Lauren only smirked.
“If you dare, you shouldn’t fear being talked about p>
Before Lexi could respond, Lauren’s sister, Isabella, appeared, linking arms with her.
“Come on, sister. Sebastian’s here to visit your set p>
Lauren smirked at Lexi.
“By the way, you know the Reeds and Blackwoods split because your family was too small-time. Julian? He always had eyes for the Blackwood heiress back in France. Looks like you were born to be the side piece p>
Lexi slumped into a chair, powerless.
She knew Julian had feelings for someone else—and it wasn’t her.
Meanwhile, Sebastian had brought a carload of roses and treated the crew to dinner—everyone, that is, except Lexi.
She understood his intention: to humiliate her.
She secretly wished he would just send her away—then she could join Julian’s entertainment company.
Being near him was worth a thousand times more than enduring Sebastian’s torment.
The assistant director’s voice cut through the chaos.
“Lexi, do you even know how to act? Your expressions are stiff, no emotion p>
Nolan had delegated control to the greasy assistant today, giving him free rein to make things difficult.
Lexi shot a glare at Lauren, lounging smugly in Sebastian’s arms.
Sebastian watched her like a predator savoring the hunt, confident she’d break eventually.
He had all the time in the world.
Ten minutes of filming became a dozen stops, driving Lexi to near madness.
Crew members grew frustrated—they had other work to do.
“Lexi, can you handle this? My girlfriend’s waiting for dinner, and if I’m late, you’re responsible!” an actor grumbled.
Lexi apologized repeatedly, finally granted a break as the assistant director relented.
She returned to the lounge, parched and exhausted, only to find the contract she had signed with Blackwood Productions on the table—a stark reminder of her chains.
Lexi’s heart jolted.
If she tore up that contract, would it finally sever every tie to Sebastian Blackwood?
Would she truly be free?
But why was the contract lying here in the first place?
Was this some trap, or someone trying to help her?
Her mind spun.
Either way, she couldn’t let it linger in sight—it wasn’t a choice she had made willingly.
Steeling herself, Lexi grabbed the contract and tore it to shreds in a few swift motions, tossing the pieces into the trash.
Applause echoed behind her.
Startled, Lexi spun around—and froze.
Sebastian Blackwood’s dark, fathomless eyes bore into hers like twin maelstroms.
One wrong step, and she could be swallowed whole.
Of course—it was a test.
Lexi’s lips curved into a bitter smile, sadness and rage coiling together.
“You’re in such a hurry,” Sebastian’s voice was cold as ice.
“Don’t worry. In three days, I’ll make sure Julian Reed’s company collapses. No one will dare touch you for work except Blackwood Enterprises p>
His gaze flicked to the shredded contract in the trash, lips curling into a faint smirk.
“And if you want to tear more, I’ve got plenty waiting for you p>
With a flick of his hand, stacks of contracts fluttered down like snow, filling the air with their crisp, lethal presence.
“Sebastian, you can do whatever you want to me—but don’t touch him!” Lexi’s voice cut through the tension, icy and unwavering.
Blackwood was a demon, a predator with no honor, no conscience.
Sebastian’s lips twitched into a disdainful sneer.
She was more reckless than he anticipated—so resolute, so defiant.
“Getting rid of Julian won’t just eliminate my rival—it’ll let me watch you suffer. Isn’t that… fun?” His voice was razor-sharp, slicing at her heart and reason alike.
“You’re despicable!” Lexi spat, eyes burning.
“Not just you—your entire family is despicable! Just seeing you makes me sick p>
It had been Sebastian’s family scheming all along, plotting to marry his sister into the Reed empire, to destroy two lives in the process.
None of this was Julian’s fault—but Lexi had to bear the consequences.
A sharp sting exploded across her cheek.
Blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.
But she lifted her gaze, meeting Sebastian’s eyes head-on, her stare like frozen steel.
He hadn’t meant to strike her.
But she had forced his hand with her stubbornness.
She could curse him, but not his sister or father.
If not for them aiding her in secret, she might have already perished countless times.
Anger curdled into bitter laughter.
She’d never expected anything from Sebastian’s character anyway.
“This is the second time you’ve hit me,” she said coldly.
“Anything I owed you? Consider it paid in full p>
With that, she stripped off the costume she’d been wearing and stormed from the dressing room.
Lauren lingered at the door, smirking.
She had seen everything—Sebastian striking Lexi, the blood on her lips—and a cruel satisfaction surged through her.
“Lexi, I warned you—stop chasing fairy-tale dreams. Cinderella isn’t real. How’s it feel to taste failure?” Lauren’s voice dripped with mockery as she followed behind.
Lexi froze, spinning around, blood glistening on her mouth.
Her eyes were red, icy and merciless.
“I never had that dream. Not before, not now, not ever. Lauren, I wish you and Sebastian Blackwood a lifetime together—may your union be perfect and eternal, so you won’t ruin anyone else’s life p>
Lauren’s face went pale, words failing her.
Sebastian appeared beside Lauren, sliding an arm around her waist, pressing a possessive kiss to her forehead.
Prince and princess theatrics.
Lexi’s chest tightened—part envy, part pain.
She turned on her heel, sprinting from the set.
One more second staring at them, and she feared she might lose her mind.
She couldn’t return to the set.
Not her apartment either.
And worst of all—she had nothing.
The neon lights of New York blurred as she walked through the crowded streets.
Families laughing, lovers holding hands, a world full of warmth and belonging—all things she had never known.
Tears came unbidden.
She pressed her palm to her face and realized she was crying.