Chapter 34

Nicole Capra's knuckles turned white as she gripped her phone. Apologizing to Susan Thompson? The thought was worse than death. But Ethan Sullivan's furious glare kept her in check, his warning "face the consequences" hanging over her like a blade.

"Susan, I'm sorry." She forced the words through gritted teeth before turning away to dial Andrew Lucas' number, her voice instantly trembling with tears. "Andrew, someone bullied me..."

Susan watched Nicole flee, a cold smirk playing on her lips. The insincere apology meant nothing, but seeing Nicole humiliated was satisfying.

"Susan, your wound needs medical attention!" Ethan fretted, wringing his hands, wanting to touch but afraid to hurt her bandaged hand.

"It's really fine." Susan flexed her wrist. "Thank you, Ethan."

The tips of Ethan's ears turned red as he scratched his head awkwardly. "I won't let anyone bully you!"

Warmth bloomed in Susan's chest. If only she had more time... Before she could speak, a frantic crew member rushed over.

"Director! The dance double fell and was taken to the hospital!"

"What?!" Director Cyrus grabbed his thinning hair. "We spent 800,000 just on today's set! Where are we going to find a replacement now?"

Susan's eyes lit up. She had been the star of her dance class since childhood—her teacher once said she was born for the stage. Though she never became a professional, filling in as a double was more than enough.

"Director, let me try?"

Director Cyrus eyed her skeptically. "Do well, and I'll pay you 10,000."

Susan's heart raced. That was five times what she'd expected!

In the makeup room, the artist marveled. "Your bone structure is wasted off-camera." The mirror reflected Susan's exquisite features, a touch of crimson at the corners of her eyes adding an ethereal allure.

On the peach blossom set, petals drifted like snow.

Susan took a deep breath. Seeing Ethan waving encouragingly from below, her nerves melted away. As the music swelled, she transformed into the fox spirit who danced to her death for love.

Her sleeves fluttered like wings, shaking the blossoms from the trees. With each graceful arch of her waist and chime of silver bells, the audience held their breath. This wasn't just a dance—it was a fairy's soliloquy under moonlight.

Andrew pushed open the studio doors just in time to witness it.

A woman in red spun through the falling petals, her bare feet barely touching the scattered blooms. When she tilted her head back, a single tear traced her cheek—heart-stoppingly beautiful.

"Cut! Perfect!" the director shouted excitedly.

Andrew's face darkened. Especially when he saw Ethan staring at Susan, nose bleeding like an idiot. His fists clenched audibly.

Who was she seducing now?