Chapter 3

When I woke up again,

I was already lying in bed.

My face felt cool,

clearly medicine had been applied.

I looked around,

recognizing this as the luxury apartment Charles had bought for me near the set

to make filming more convenient.

My phone kept buzzing beside me.

As soon as I opened it,

messages flooded in like a tidal wave.

Number one on trending:

[Bella Acts Like a Diva on Set and Gets Taught a Lesson]

[Bella Slaps Newcomer]

[Nia Breaks Down in Tears on Scene]

I clicked on the video.

It was the scene where I stage-slapped Nia.

Edited to remove the beginning and end,

only showing the one second where my hand moved toward her face.

Then it cut to me being pinned to the ground,

slapped a full hundred times.

The caption read:

[Oscar winner Bella bullies newcomer on set, gets harshly punished by righteous people]

The comment section had already broken twenty thousand.

"Serves her right, I've heard she has a terrible temper."

"What's so great about being an Oscar winner? Bullying newcomers is shameful."

"I heard she slept her way to the top. She's been throwing her weight around, and now she's hit an iron plate."

"Bully girl, ugly freak, get out of the entertainment industry!"

I scrolled through one comment after another.

An overwhelming wave of hate comments.

Normally, Fletcher family legal would have stepped in by now,

but now there was only silence.

I smiled self-mockingly.

At 3 AM,

another trending topic shot to the top.

#Fletcher Family Media Supports Nia#

I clicked in. It was an official statement from Fletcher Family Media,

a still of Nia from the show,

with only one line of text:

"Pearls should not be covered in dust."

Immediately after,

Charles's personal account liked and reposted this statement.

The comment section erupted again.

"Oh my god, Mr. Fletcher personally got involved. Has Bella completely fallen out of favor?"

"It's about time she was replaced. I'm sick of looking at Bella's old face."

"Finally someone has noticed our wonderful Nia!"

I smiled bitterly.

Pearls covered in dust...

When Charles and I were at our best,

he withstood enormous pressure from his family,

insisting that his company would only sign me.

He always stayed by my side.

He once held my hand,

his eyes determined,

"Bella, pearls are never covered in dust. I will definitely take you to the top."

I didn't disappoint his expectations either.

I won three major Best Actress awards in one sweep,

made his company incredibly profitable,

proving his judgment was right.

Now,

he used those same words on another woman.

Charles,

you really are sparing no effort to prove

that you're the one in control of this relationship...

Just then, someone pushed the door open.

Charles walked in carrying a bowl of hot food,

"Bella, you're awake?"

I said nothing.

He sat down beside me, coaxing like one would an unreasonable child,

"I made you some food. The doctor said you need to take good care of your face. I've canceled all your upcoming schedules."

"Be good, open your mouth."

His movements were gentle, looking at me affectionately,

as if he were a completely different person from the man who had arrogantly slapped me.

Too bad I could smell on him

the exact same perfume that Nia wore.

I knocked the food out of his hands,

"Charles, are you done with your act?"

"Don't touch me with your dirty hands that have touched someone else!"

Charles was caught off guard and burned his hand.

The smile faded from his face,

"Bella, you're too uptight."

"Haven't I been with you long enough? Look around the industry—who stays faithful to one woman?"

His tone softened as he reached out to touch my face,

"Stop being angry. I just think the girl is kind of interesting, just playing around. She's no threat to you."

Just playing around.

Those words were like a knife

stabbing deep into my heart.

I turned my head away from his hand,

"Get out."

Charles's hand hung in mid-air,

his eyes turning cold.

"Bella, have I spoiled you too much? Do you really dare to order me around like an assistant?"

He stood up,

"Fine, I'm giving you a way out and you won't take it. I'll wait for you to come crying and begging me later."

Watching Charles's retreating back,

my heart suddenly felt empty,

aching faintly.

After a long while,

I reached up to wipe the tears from the corners of my eyes,

took out my phone, and scrolled to a number.

The call connected.

"Mr. Simon Brandt, I agree to the arranged marriage with you."