Chapter 375
“That crazy woman finally left-took Liliana with her too. Can you believe how awful those two are p>
The set was full of people eager for gossip, but Amara was well-liked. Most didn’t want to see her come to any harm, so when she stood up to Emma and Liliana just now, there was a collective sense of satisfaction. It felt good to see justice served, even in small ways.
Amara’s lips curled into a faint smile. “It’s nothing,” she replied breezily. “Just a lunatic, that’s all. Let’s get back to work, everyone.” With that, she tucked her phone away.
Unbeknownst to her, Finnian had arranged for someone on set to keep an eye on things. When Emma started hurling insults, Finnian’s informant was right there, witnessing everything. As soon as the dust settled, Finnian got a full report.
The moment he read the text, his brow knit in a dark scowl. He pushed back from his desk and barked, “Meeting’s over p>
The words had barely left his mouth before the entire conference room-large enough to seat over two hundred-fell silent. Heads snapped up, eyes following Finnian as he strode out, his face set in cold fury. He didn’t look back as he left the room.
Meanwhile, Amara didn’t linger long after the confrontation. She’d put Emma and Liliana in their place, which was deeply satisfying, but the adrenaline left her drained. Work was the last thing on her mind; she just wanted to go home and breathe for a while.
But she’d barely been home two minutes when a sharp, urgent knock echoed through her apartment.
Her heart jumped. The memory of that ugly scene on set flashed through her mind, and a sense of dread crept in. She peered through the peephole-sure enough, Finnian stood outside her door.
“Mr. Everly, is something wrong?” she asked, opening the door just enough to speak, but making no move to invite him in.
In Amara’s mind, Finnian must be here to reprimand her on Liliana’s behalf. After all, she’d publicly humiliated Liliana; it made sense he’d want to defend her. Amara’s gaze was wary, her posture stiff with hostility.
“My mother came to bother you today, didn’t she?” Finnian asked, voice low.
Amara nodded. “Mrs. Emma Everly stood outside my dressing room screaming at me. Liliana joined in, but I sent them both packing p>
Her eyes were icy, her words clipped. “I don’t think I did anything wrong. If you’re here to criticize me, Mr. Everly, let’s not waste each other’s time p>
She angled her body, clearly ready to slam the door if necessary.
Finnian flinched, wounded by her coldness. He reached out, gently but
firmly upper chin and turning,
her face toward him. “You think I’m here to take their side? Is that what you think of me p>
The disappointment in his eyes cut deeper than any insult. Was that really how
she saw him?
d Amara realize she’d
Only then did
overreacted. Maybe Finnian wasn’t here to scold her-maybe he just wanted to understand what happened. Her defensiveness had come from her own insecurities, not from anything he’d done.
She hesitated, then murmured, “I was too worked up before. If I misjudged you, I’m sorry p>
“You never have to apologize to me,” Finnian said softly, letting her go. “Never p>
The first sentence sounded almost normal, but the second was laced with something more—a gentle intimacy that made Amara’s skin prickle with discomfort.
“Mr. Everly, you don’t have to say that,” she replied stiffly. “Is there anything else you needed p>
The implication was clear: if not, he should leave.
Finnian had nothing else to discuss.
But for some reason, the fact that
Amara was so eager to see him
gone only made him want to stay all the more. A slow, stubborn resentment simmered beneath his calm exterior.