Page 51

The moment Olivia’s words landed, whispers spread like wildfire.
"Ellie lives in Mr. Stark’s house?"
"What’s their relationship?"
"Could it be something… improper?"
"No way. Olivia is his lover. Everyone knows they’re childhood sweethearts. Maybe Ellie’s just a maid’s daughter or something?"
"Or maybe she has a second job as a maid?"
Before the rumors could spiral further, Sawyer’s voice cut through the room.
"Ellie’s no longer Olivia’s choreographer. Let someone else take over." His gaze flicked to the senior staff member. "Send Ellie to someone else."
Kevin hesitated. "Mr. Stark, that event doesn’t require a choreographer. It’s just a small, insignificant—"
Sawyer turned to face him fully, his sharp gaze turning lethal.
The man swallowed and nodded quickly. "I-I’ll make the arrangements. Come, Ellie."
Ellie’s chest burned with a mix of humiliation and rage. She had known—always known—that Sawyer would favor Olivia, that she could never compare. But for him to interfere with her work so easily, just because his woman had whined a little? He tossed her aside without a second thought?
That hurt.
She clenched her fists and turned away, following Kevin in silence.
Behind her, Olivia smirked in triumph. She shrugged her shoulders smugly, watching Ellie walk away with a humiliated face. Then she turned back to Sawyer, beaming.
"Thank you, Sawyer! You’re the sweetest," she cooed, rubbing his arm affectionately.
As she spoke, a pink perfume bottle slipped out of her pocket and hit the ground with a sharp clatter.
The room fell silent.
Sawyer’s gaze snapped to the bottle—the one with the black bow. The very same bottle he had shoved into Olivia’s hands in a fit of jealousy after seeing Ellie with someone else.
Olivia hurriedly picked it up, her fingers tightening around it. "Don’t worry, Sawyer. I keep it with me all the time. I just… don’t use it much because I don’t really like the scent, but—"
Before she could slide it back in her pocket, Sawyer snatched it from her hand.
She blinked. "Sawyer?"
"It’s just a perfume," he said indifferently, slipping it into his coat pocket. "I’ll get you another one."
Then, without another glance at her, he turned on his heel and walked away. Olivia tried to hold onto his arm, but he easily shrugged her off, leaving her standing there, stunned.
Outside the hall, Kevin turned to Ellie with a serious look. "It’s a shame you couldn’t stay on that show. Your skills are spectacular." He smiled hesitantly. "But who can argue with the boss?"
Ellie forced a reassuring smile. "Don’t worry. I get it."
Kevin nodded, scrolling through his phone for a moment. Then his eyes lit up, and he looked back at her. "I have something better for you! Come on!"
Ellie followed, a little surprised by his enthusiasm. This man had more confidence in her than she had in herself. He led her down a floor and straight into a room—more private and luxurious than the rehearsal hall. It was enclosed in glass—completely see-through from the outside.
At first, the room seemed empty. Then, a figure emerged from the washroom.
Ellie froze.