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Trapped between logic and survival, Ellie clenched her jaw.
"Alright, fine!" she snapped, turning to the stage crew. "Dangle the cloth from the middle. I’ll do it."
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
The deep, icy voice cut through the hall like a knife.
Ellie stiffened. “Shit.”
Chapter 14 Girlfriend
Sawyer stalked toward them, his face thunderous.
‘Is this woman insane? Swinging off the stage? Does she have a death wish?’ His jaw clenched at the thought.
Olivia’s demeanor shifted instantly. She straightened, her lips curling into a sickly sweet smile.
“Sawyer!” she gushed, practically glowing. “Oh my God, who told you I was here today? I didn’t think you’d have time to see me, so I didn’t disturb you.”
Ellie’s body went rigid.
Goddammit!
She groaned internally, covering her face with her hand. She had been so sure he’d be too busy to notice her.
‘But of course, how could I have forgotten? No matter how swamped he is, how could he ever miss a chance to dote on his precious fiancée? This love-struck fool!’ She gritted her teeth, shifting further away in the hopes that he would just leave after his little romance act.
But then—a firm grip landed on her shoulder and spun her around. Before she could react, she found herself face-to-face with Sawyer.
“I asked you a question, Ellie,” he murmured, voice dangerously low. “Have you gone deaf?”
Ellie squeezed her eyes shut in despair. ‘There goes my life.’
Forcing a bright, strained smile, she looked up at him.
"Sawyer?!" She widened her eyes in feigned surprise. "What a coincidence! What are you doing here?"
Sawyer’s expression was unreadable, but his unimpressed gaze spoke volumes—Are you stupid?
Ellie averted her eyes quickly, unwilling to meet that stare for long.
"Sawyer!" Olivia rushed to his side, suddenly stepped between them, shoving Ellie aside. Ellie lost her balance, nearly face-planting onto the floor.
‘This bitch.’ Ellie gritted, shooting Olivia a glare.
Before Ellie could lash out, the senior choreographer, Kevin, rushed into the hall, breathless and anxious.
“Mr. Stark, you’re here so suddenly—was there something urgent?” The poor man looked like he was seconds away from a heart attack. Sawyer never paid attention to the choreography department unless something very serious needed attention. His unexpected presence alone was enough to put everyone on edge.
Then Kevin’s gaze darted around, landing on Olivia.
His nerves eased slightly.
‘Ah, looks like Mr. Stark just came to see his girlfriend. Makes sense.’ Relief flickered across his face. ‘Olivia is an important person to him. Now that I see it myself, I can finally believe it.’
Oblivious to the tension, Olivia clung to Sawyer's arm, her voice dripping with sweetness.
"I was just preparing for my show. Did you know Ellie is our choreographer? I had no idea she could dance!" She gasped in fake surprise—so fake that Ellie nearly gagged. But Olivia wasn’t done. "Hasn’t she been staying at home for years, doing nothing? How does your company allow just anyone to handle something this important? Or is it…" She cast a sideways glance between Ellie and Sawyer, her lips curling slightly. "Did you hire her just because she… lives in your house?"