Chapter 176
“Actually, I used to hate filming intimate scenes, too. But most scripts include them now. As long as they don’t violate my principles, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with using camera tricks. If you keep protecting me from everything, I’ll never accomplish anything p>
Sebastian’s anger had already begun to fade when he watched her disappear into the restroom.
But her words rekindled the dying embers of his temper.
He turned toward her, his eyes blazing.
“What did you just say? Say it again p>
Lexi let out a heavy sigh and twisted the towel between her hands.
She was intimidated by his fury, but she forced herself to continue.
“Sebastian, I’m an actress, not a delicate flower raised in a greenhouse. I can’t spend my entire life sheltered from every storm. I want to challenge myself and grow, while still protecting my own boundaries. Can’t you trust me p>
Her eyes were clear and calm, like still water. Something about her gaze gradually eased the turmoil inside him.
Sebastian pressed his lips into a thin line.
He was torn over whether to let Lexi pursue her career on her own terms.
The entertainment industry might not be as vast as it seemed, but it was a complicated web where everyone was connected to someone else. No one could completely avoid its darker side.
Even he, the president of Blackwood Group, had to meet business partners and attend social functions he would rather avoid.
“I won’t interfere with how you act,” he finally said. “But you have to promise me something. If anyone tries anything inappropriate with you, find a way to call me immediately. Don’t try to handle it all by yourself. Understand p>
He deliberately made his voice stern.
The truth was, he was simply terrified of what might happen to Lexi. He was afraid she’d lose herself in an industry obsessed with fame, money, and power.
Just like Carterna had.
“Don’t worry. If anything goes wrong, you’ll be the first person I call p>
Relief washed over Lexi. Now that Sebastian was willing to compromise, her tone brightened considerably.
Seeing how happy she was, Sebastian felt the gloom in his heart begin to lift.
But the memory of her intimate scene with Logan still bothered him.
“It’s all very well to call it a camera trick, but he was practically pressing himself against you! From now on, keep your distance from him p>
Lexi burst out laughing.
Sebastian could command the business world with a single word, making fortunes rise and fall at his discretion. But when it came to love, he was just an ordinary man with an ordinary man’s jealousy.
Still, he was worrying over nothing.
To Lexi, Logan was nothing more than an immature boy who threw tantrums and played childish pranks. There was no possibility of a romantic relationship between them.
“I’m coming to get you in three days,” Sebastian said, rising to his feet and straightening his clothes. His tone was casual. “I have a surprise for you p>
“Okay! As long as it’s a pleasant surprise and not a nasty shock p>
Lexi paused, then couldn’t resist asking, “By the way, has your father woken up p>
It probably wasn’t the best time to bring him up, but the question had been weighing on her mind.
Just as she’d expected, Sebastian’s expression darkened.
He frowned, turned her gently but firmly by the shoulders, and looked straight into her eyes.
“From now on, stay out of his affairs. If he comes looking for you, call me immediately. Whether he approves of us or not, I will never let you go p>
Under ordinary circumstances, a declaration that passionate would have brought tears of happiness to a woman’s eyes.
But to Lexi, it felt unbearably heavy.
Until Sebastian and his father resolved the resentment between them, their relationship would always be vulnerable to turmoil, no matter how much they loved each other.
Lexi believed a marriage wasn’t truly complete without the blessing of both families.
She lowered her head, wondering whether there was some way she could help the father and son reconcile.
They clearly cared deeply about each other, yet they insisted on treating each other with cold indifference. In the end, they were only hurting themselves.
“All right. Stop overthinking things and concentrate on your acting,” Sebastian said, tapping her forehead affectionately. “You’re not just my woman. You’re also a signed actress with Blackwood Pictures. I’ll make sure you get the opportunities you deserve p>
His tone was full of indulgence.
Lexi felt a sharp little sting on her forehead and finally snapped out of her thoughts.
Unfortunately, Sebastian had already strode away.
“Logan, you can come out now p>
Lexi shot a cool glance toward the tree beside her and called out without a hint of warmth.
She had noticed him lurking there and watching them ever since she’d come out of the restroom.
She hadn’t exposed him immediately because she had nothing to hide about her relationship with Sebastian.
Logan chuckled and stepped out from behind the tree. He sauntered over and sat down beside her.
“I can see things are going pretty well between you and Sebastian,” he remarked with a mocking smile. “But isn’t he Lauren’s boyfriend? Did the two of you sneak off to Paris for a romantic getaway behind her back p>
“Logan, you can eat whatever you want, but you can’t just say whatever you please p>
Lexi frowned.
“The situation between Sebastian and me is complicated. Even if I explained everything, you might not believe me. Besides, it has nothing to do with you. Don’t get involved. You could end up in trouble p>
She was genuinely trying to protect him.
Unfortunately, Logan didn’t see it that way. He thought she was simply trying to distance herself from him.
“That won’t do. If you’re stealing another woman’s boyfriend and becoming the other woman, then you’re going down the wrong path. I can’t just stand by and let you p>
“Logan, let me be honest with you. You don’t really love me, do you p>
Lexi cut him off, her voice suddenly serious.
“You feel sorry for me because I lost my parents when I was young, just as you lost your father and watched your family fall apart. You think we’ve suffered similar tragedies, so you feel we’re kindred spirits. You believe that because we’ve both been hurt, we’re destined to understand each other. Isn’t that right p>
She looked directly at him.
“The truth is, you’re a very selfish person. From beginning to end, the only person you’ve ever truly loved is yourself. You’ve always believed your parents’ divorce was what caused your father’s death. But actually p>
“Enough p>
Logan shot to his feet, shouting so loudly that his voice echoed across the set.
“Lexi, who the hell do you think you are? What gives you the right to say things like that? Who do you think you are to judge me p>
The mockery vanished from his face, replaced by dark, roiling fury, as though a violent storm were about to break.
His eyes flashed with a chilling light as he stared down at her.
“Lexi, you and I are not finished p>
He glared at her one last time, then spun around and stormed away.
Watching his rigid back disappear, Lexi let out a weary sigh.
At first, she’d assumed Logan had deliberately approached her because he was afraid she’d reveal what she’d witnessed in the hallway. Perhaps he wanted to keep the scandal from spreading and protect himself from the endless gossip.
But Lexi had never been one to spread rumors. She had no intention of telling anyone what she’d seen.