Cracks in the Spotlight

5

A New Scandal

It had been weeks since Jane and Eve's unexpected countryside retreat, but Jane’s life hadn't missed a beat. She returned to her regular schedule of photo shoots, interviews, and glamorous public appearances with the same unaffected composure that had earned her the nickname “The Devil's Mistress.” Her fans adored her beauty, and her detractors fueled the tabloid fires, but nothing could shake her ironclad reputation—until now.

The morning started as usual, with Jane sipping her espresso while her agent, Olivia, scanned the latest headlines. But the moment Olivia dropped her tablet on the table, Jane knew something was wrong.

"You're in the headlines again, Jane," Olivia said, her voice a tight thread of frustration.

Jane raised a single brow, unconcerned. “And?”

"It's about Eve," Olivia continued, sliding the tablet over to her.

Jane’s gaze shifted to the screen, her blood running cold for just a second as she saw the headlines. There were photos—grainy, but clear enough—of her and Evan walking late at night after the convenience store meet-up and of him stumbling into her apartment after the wrap party. They looked innocent, but to the press, they were dynamite.

Jane Hustan’s Late-Night Rendezvous with Rookie Star: Is the Devil’s Mistress After Fresh Blood?

Jane's hand tightened around the espresso cup. Her jaw clenched, not because of her own image—she could handle the slander and rumors—but because they had dragged Eve into the chaos. Her reputation could survive another scandal, but Eve was still new, fragile even. This could destroy him.

Without a word, she stood up, calmly tossing her tablet onto the couch, then moved to grab her phone. The screen was filled with missed calls and texts from Eve. He had been trying to reach her, probably anxious and confused by the headlines.

But Jane ignored them. She didn’t have time for sentimentality right now.

---

That Afternoon

Jane arrived at a high-end PR agency, discreetly setting up damage control with her wealth and influence. The tabloids could be paid off, the photos buried under a mountain of fake stories. It would take time, but she was determined to clean up the mess—for Eve’s sake.

Inside, her face was emotionless, a stark contrast to the chaotic feelings beneath the surface. Jane didn’t like dealing with people, but when she did, she was ruthlessly efficient. She managed the crisis with a cool head, instructing the PR firm to keep Eve’s name out of any further scandals and destroy any evidence of their late-night walk.

It was a necessary sacrifice—cutting off all contact with Eve. She believed she was protecting him, saving him from the vicious industry, even if he couldn’t see it that way. The fewer ties she had with him, the better his chances at surviving.

---

That Evening

Eve, on the other hand, was spiraling. He’d spent the day trying to get a hold of Jane, confused and heartbroken by her sudden coldness. Why was she avoiding him? His hands shook as he typed yet another text:

Jane, please call me. I need to talk to you. I don’t understand…

His eyes stung as he hit send, knowing full well she might ignore this one, too.

He decided to confront her directly. With his heart pounding, he arrived at Jane's penthouse, swallowing back his anxiety. Jane answered the door, looking as calm and collected as ever.

"Why... why are you pushing me away?" Eve’s voice trembled. “Is it because of what people are saying? Is it because of your reputation?”

Jane didn’t flinch, her expression unreadable as she crossed her arms. "It's for your own good. This world will eat you alive if you don’t learn how to navigate it." Her voice was cool, detached.

Eve opened his mouth to protest, but the words caught in his throat. His chest tightened, and his hands curled into fists. He couldn’t bring himself to finish the confrontation, his eyes welling up. "Never mind..." he muttered, turning away. "Forget I said anything."

He walked away quickly, tears blurring his vision, and Jane stood at the door, watching him retreat. For a brief moment, something tugged at her chest, an unfamiliar ache that she couldn’t quite name. It was frustrating—she was trying to protect him, yet he seemed more hurt by her actions than the scandal itself.

But her mind, ever logical, dismissed the feeling as concern for a younger sibling. That had to be it. She was just looking out for him. Surely.

---

Later That Night

Jane attended the film's highly anticipated premiere. The press was out in full force, flashing cameras and shouting questions as she stepped onto the red carpet. Her cold mask was firmly in place, but her thoughts were still on Eve. She was scanning the room for him, wondering how he was holding up, when something caught her eye.

A tall, striking figure emerged from the crowd, standing out with his crystal-blue eyes and perfectly tousled blonde hair. He had an air of boyish confidence, his gaze locked onto Jane like he’d found something he hadn’t known he was looking for.

For a moment, Jane froze, taken aback by the intensity of his stare. It was as if the world narrowed down to just the two of them, the chaos around them fading into the background. Who was he? And why did he seem so familiar yet completely new?

Before she could think to ask, the man disappeared into the crowd, leaving Jane with an odd sense of anticipation. She brushed it off quickly, focusing back on the premiere, but the image of the mysterious blonde lingered in her mind.

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To Be Continued...