"But at that moment, you weren't near me," Ivy replied."I'm extremely grateful that I was still able to save you then," Aurum responded with a sense of pride. He would feel proud saving a woman he loves. Aurum had immersed himself into the role of someone who loves Ivy. He had to make it as convincing as possible. If he believed it himself, then others would believe it too."What if you hadn't successfully saved me, and the machine had hit me instead. What would you have done?" Ivy asked.Aurum was taken aback. He had not thought about that question because he had arranged the accident. He had coordinated with someone to trip and knock over the camera. There were even hand signals. Aurum was prepared to rush on stage right as the machine fell. He had calculated that he could make it in time.Over these past few days, Aurum had been getting along with Ivy. He had already shown his caring and considerate side, but his relationship with Ivy had not progressed any further. Ivy definit
The door closed slowly and quietly.Gale stepped back and gestured to Shawn behind her with a wink. "We shouldn't go in now!"Shawn asked, "What did you see?""Cough... It's a scene that we shouldn't be seeing."Shawn glanced at the tightly closed door."Could it be kissing?" he asked.Gale widened her eyes. Was this not too fast? How could Shawn dare to guess that of Ivy? Was it characteristic of men to want to get physical so quickly?"No?" Seeing her reaction, Shawn guessed again, "Hugging?"Gale shook her head. "No.""What is it then? Could it be that they've reached the final base?" Shawn said calmly."Where are your thoughts straying to? Well, yes, Aurum did take off his clothes."Shawn raised an eyebrow. "Why did he take off his clothes?""To show Ivy his injuries! With such a heavy machine hitting him, he must be covered in bruises, swollen all over," Gale replied matter-of-factly.No wonder she closed the door."Let's go then," Shawn said, showing no interest in
However, it was all fake. Though, even if there was a hint of sincerity, Ivy thought she might be willing to try being with Aurum."Stop pretending. For the next few days, you probably won't be able to lean back in your chair, you'll have to sit up straight," Ivy said.Aurum replied, "I'm a man, I'm not afraid of pain, I can endure it. If that had hit you, it would have been bad."He laughed again. "Would you cry?""Yes." Ivy nodded."In that case, it's a good thing it hit me. I'm most afraid of seeing a woman cry, I wouldn't know what to do if you cried.""If... when the camera fell, it didn't hit me, but the actress next to me instead... Aurum, would you still have come to the rescue?" Ivy asked.This question was not direct. There was a rich layer of subtext he had to read through. She was asking if she was special. Would he rush to help if someone else got hurt? Or was it just because she was the one who got hurt that he rushed up without hesitation?It was progressing as A
"What if I told you that I don't mind?'""How is that possible! No man wouldn't mind!" "I really don't mind. Because, that night, I had also not become pure," Aurum said.Ivy's expression instantly changed. Was he implying that he had also slept with Gale? Aurum, who was still shirtless, slowly walked behind Ivy."Ivy, since we're already talking about this, let's just be completely honest. There's only the two of us here and no one else," he said.Ivy remained still. "What do you want to say?""That night's events were deeply painful for all of us. Shawn hates me, Gale avoids me, and I blame myself endlessly, but I can't do anything to change it... I also know that you've been hiding at home, not wanting to see anyone, so I didn't disturb you.""You're a good girl, so you couldn't accept what Paul did to you. You felt dirty, unworthy of many good things, and closed yourself off, unwilling to open up.""But Ivy, that night, I... I also experienced the same thing as you. Gale a
After a while, she changed her answer. "Gale mentioned it to me.""Your relationship with her has reached this point where she would voluntarily confide in you?""She wants to put us together. You should have noticed it too. So, she brought it up to clarify and hoped I wouldn't overthink it, hoping I wouldn't reject you," Ivy said.Her reason was very plausible and reasonable, and Aurum did not doubt it. He pondered for a while. Ivy watched his every subtle expression. To see past someone and still know they are lying made her feel indescribably uncomfortable and upset.In theory, Ivy should have felt pleased, because she held all the cards. However, she could not help feeling desolate. Perhaps it was because she had somewhat developed feelings for Aurum. She had somewhat fallen for him, so she could not just look at him with eyes full of hatred. Love and hate intertwined.Ivy thought if only she had met Aurum on any other timeline… She thought of when he appeared like a prince, r
Fine, so be it.She only wanted revenge now."Aurum..." Ivy murmured, her expression somewhat surprised, yet also a bit shy, "Do you, do you know what you're saying?""Of course.""Could it be that you're delusional because you're injured?"Aurum smiled helplessly. "I injured my back, not my brain. Ivy, I'm very clear about what I'm saying and what I want.""But, I'm not worthy..."Aurum interrupted her, "If you say that, then I'm not worthy of you either. I've been engaged, I've had feelings for someone else, my past is very complicated. If you don't mind, I'm already content."Ivy bit her lip hard again. He really was a smooth talker. Everything he said tugged at her heartstrings. With Aurum's profile, personality, and abilities, he would succeed at pursuing any woman. Why could he not let go of Gale and just start over?Why did he have to resort to all sorts of underhanded means to get her?Ivy turned her head. At this moment, she really did not want to act. She wanted to
He waited for her answer. Ivy hesitated. It was hard for her to say what she wanted, although she was certain she had to agree. Only by becoming Aurum's girlfriend could she collect evidence. Deep down, she still felt resistant. Why was it so easy for men to lie through their teeth, while women had to muster so much courage to do that?"Ivy?" Seeing her silence, Aurum called her name.She would not reject him, would she? He was confident. Otherwise, he would not have confessed recklessly. Could Ivy still resist him? He had laid down enough groundwork before, and today he had even risked his life to save her.Aurum did not believe she had not been moved. Unless, that day in the office, Ivy had truly overheard his conversation with Paul. Otherwise, she would have long succumbed to his kindness!"Aurum, I..." Ivy hesitated. "I want to tell you that, I like you."He smiled."But...""Hmm? But what? Do you still have concerns?" Aurum asked.Ivy gently pushed him away and looked in
"If he can screw around, he shouldn't be hurt that badly."Gale noticed that Aurum was not wearing a shirt and was still holding onto Ivy. When she was eavesdropping outside, she had already anticipated that the two would be embracing, so she subconsciously ignored it. It was only now, with Shawn's reminder, that she realized it. Ivy's face flushed, quickly turning red, as she lowered her head to stare at her toes. Aurum also cleared his throat a couple of times. It was indeed a bit awkward."Oh my, that's right. Aurum, why aren't you wearing a shirt? And... Why are you still hugging Ivy?" Gale said, her eyes widening in surprise.Shawn pursed his lips. Gale's acting was too fake; he found it hard to watch. He helped her eavesdrop, and kept an eye on the surroundings, making sure no one caught her. As a result, she was not even paying attention and stumbled right in. Did Aurum not know what had happened? He was well aware, he just chose not to expose her."Well, it seems like I've