Chapter 195
195 The Moment the Whip Froze
195 The Moment the Whip Froze
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Daniel spoke up, his tone sharp. “Ms. Lawrence, maybe think about your family before you open your mouth.”
Eliza instantly swallowed her words.
Seeing the tension, Kayla quickly stepped forward.
“Mr. Eric, don’t misunderstand. As the saying goes, everyone has their own expertise. Ms. Spencer has outstanding skills in technology, yes–but acting? She hasn’t had formal training. Having her serve as a judge here does seem a bit biased.”
She paused, adding with a polite smile, “Surely, as someone who’s been a corporate chairman, you understand that, don’t you?”
Sandy snorted.
“If he was that capable, how’d he end up in a coma?”
The words were sharp, but those who knew the Nolans‘ internal affairs weren’t surprised.
Yvette immediately snapped at them.
“Mr. Eric went out of his way to come here, and this is the nonsense you choose to say?”
Her face was full of anger.
“When he was running Nolan Group, which of you didn’t benefit? You can’t take the perks and then turn around and bite the hand that fed you. And besides , Eric coming here doesn’t necessarily mean it’s about Alice.”
“I am,” Eric said flatly, his calm tone landing like a slap to Yvette’s face.
Yvette’s composure completely broke.
She stared at him in disbelief.
“Eric…
Her eyes trembled, her voice shaking.
“How could you say that?”
Eric’s voice remained steady, utterly unapologetic.
“She’s my wife. I chose her. I trust my judgment. Is that a problem?”
Of course it was a problem.
Yvette almost blurted it out, but seeing Eric’s cold, detached expression, she instantly lost the courage to speak.
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195 The Moment the Whip Froze
Eliza gritted her teeth , no longer bothering to hold back.
“She refused when I first invited her to do a scene. And now she’s still refusing. If she really had any ability why is she hiding it? Mr. Eric, do you seriously not question Risa’s relationship with Alice ? ”
Daniel sighed inwardly.
What relationship?
That they book male models together?
Saying something like that here was basically dancing on Eric’s landmine.
Sure enough, Eric’s expression was beyond dark.
The temperature on set seemed to drop ten degrees, cold enough to raise goosebumps on everyone’s skin , and at that moment, Alice finally spoke.
“If that’s how it is, fine. Let’s do a scene, but let me make this clear–once it’s over , don’t regret it.”
Eliza scoffed, her face full of disdain.
Why would she regret humiliating some country girl who didn’t know a thing about acting?
Oh, Eric might get angry?
So what?
Eric still needed the Lawrences‘ help to take Nolan Group back from Ruby. He wasn’t going to burn that bridge.
That thought gave her confidence.
“I won’t regret it. Let’s begin!”
She arched a triumphant brow.
“Same scene as before. You play the hostage.
The people around them all frowned.
That role meant Alice would have to endure being kicked and manhandled.
It was clearly intentional.
Everyone could guess Alice would refuse.
Even though they thought it was out of line, no one stepped in.
Alice was too proud. She needed her ego cut down. Otherwise, she’d never learn how this industry really worked.
But then, Alice actually nodded. “Alright.”
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195 The Moment the Whip Froze
Everyone thought they’d misheard.
Almost in unison, all eyes turned to her.
She was looking straight at Risa, who wore a face full of worry.
Then Alice gave her a subtle signal–don’t worry.
Risa could only respect her decision and ordered the crew to get the props ready.
Daniel, however, was deeply uneasy.
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“This isn’t going to be easy to watch, Mr. Eric. Should I have the Lawrences warned about Ms. Eliza?”
Eric said nothing.
Daniel didn’t dare act on his own, so he could only wait nervously.
Just then, Levi–now fully prepared–walked back over.
After hearing what happened, he couldn’t help but look at Eliza with a touch of pity.
She really didn’t know what she was getting herself into.
Once the stage was set, Alice picked a corner, sat down, and curled up against the wall.
In an instant, she was in character.
According to Eliza’s plan, she was going to use the props to “teach Alice a lesson.”
But somehow, the moment Alice slipped into that role, Eliza’s plan evaporated. Instead, she found herself drawn into the scene too.
She picked up the prop whip. “I’ll beat you to death, you-”
Reciting her lines, she raised the whip, ready to strike.
Even though she knew it was over the top, she wanted to see Alice humiliated, broken, desperate.
Her lips even curled with a hint of excitement.
But then, she saw Alice’s face.
That pitiful expression, raw with terror and the desperate will to live, hit her like a punch to the chest.
Her hand froze. She couldn’t bring herself to swing.
Alice lifted her gaze, a single tear trembling at the corner of her eye.
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