Chapter 24

"Natalie, your leg's busted, but you can still stand and kick someone? What are you, made of iron?" Zoey's sarcastic voice echoed down the hallway, and everyone around shot Natalie dirty looks, feeling duped.

Natalie shot up, glaring at Joseph. "You and Zoey are in on this, aren't you? You fixed my leg while pretending to check it, didn't you?"

Just then, Claire spotted a lipstick in the corner. She rushed over, grabbed it, and handed it to Joseph. "Dr. Green, look at this. It's the poisonous lipstick Natalie used. She said it would cause an allergic reaction right away."

"Test it now. If it's really poisonous, take Natalie to the cops. She was trying to mess up Zoey."

Natalie started to panic. She reached out, trying to snatch the lipstick from Joseph. "I brought this to touch up my makeup. How could it be poisonous?"

Joseph raised his hand, and Natalie missed. Zoey sensed a chilling presence and stole a glance at Henry, whose face was as ominous as a gathering storm.

"Joseph, just test it," Henry said.

Joseph got the hint. He took the lipstick and applied it to Natalie's lips and face. "Miss Davis, since it's harmless, it doesn't hurt to apply some. It might even clear your name."

Natalie froze. Her assistant, looking desperate, shouted and tried to pull Natalie away. "Miss Davis, let's wash your face, quick!"

"Yeah, wash it off now," Natalie stammered, panic in her eyes.

Joseph grabbed her arm. "Miss Davis, why are you freaking out? Seems like this lipstick really is poisonous."

Natalie didn't have time to argue. She just wanted to get to the sink and wash her face. She shook her arm, trying to break free from Joseph. "Let me go! You and Zoey are in this together. You're trying to kill me!"

Everyone watching got the picture. The real villain was Natalie.

Henry's lips curled into a cold smile, his eyes icy and deep. He turned to the director, Beckett West. "Beckett, you're quite the director. Even your actors are good at acting in real life."

Beckett broke into a cold sweat, his face pale. He knew Henry wasn't just the movie's investor but also the most powerful man in the Windsor family. If Henry blacklisted him, his career would be over.

Choosing between himself and Natalie was a no-brainer.

He looked at Natalie with a serious expression. "Natalie, you accused Ms. Cavendish of messing up your clothes on set. I believed you and stood up for you. Now, looking back, I regret it. You even fooled me."

Hearing Beckett's words, everyone remembered how they had wronged Zoey. Back then, they thought Natalie was Henry's girl, so they all took her side. Now, they were pissed at being played by Natalie. How disgusting!

"I told you to apologize to Ms. Cavendish. Maybe she would have forgiven you and let you stay. But you tried to ruin her. You're too malicious."

Beckett made a furious decision. "Pack your stuff and get out. We don't need someone who causes trouble and disrupts harmony."

Natalie was stunned. Joseph let go of her, knowing it didn't matter if she washed her face now. He had already seen red bumps starting to appear on her skin. The poison was spreading.

Natalie ran to Beckett. "I was framed by Zoey. How can you fire me?"

Beckett cursed her stupidity and pushed her away. "Get lost! My decision is final."

Natalie saw Henry and the delicate Zoey beside him, her eyes filled with hatred. How was she inferior to Zoey? Why did Henry choose Zoey? She believed that if Henry slept with her once, he would be hooked.

So she ran to Henry, crying pitifully. "Mr. Windsor, please speak for me. I'll do anything you want in bed if it means I can stay and keep filming."

Everyone felt embarrassed for Natalie. How could she say such shameless things? While there were a few in the entertainment industry who'd climbed the ladder through sex, most actors relied on their solid acting skills. Now, everyone thought Natalie had won the Best Actress award through improper means, tarnishing the reputation of all stars.

Zoey couldn't help but laugh and looked at Henry, giving him a thumbs up. "Mr. Windsor, you must be very charming to make Natalie throw herself at you like this."

After all he'd done to help her, she was even joking around with him. Henry tightened his brows, his gaze darkening as he looked at her, feeling she lacked conscience.

Seeing their flirtation, Natalie was filled with jealousy. She tried to throw herself at Henry. But before she could touch him, John kicked her to the ground. "Who do you think you are to offend Mr. Windsor?"

Natalie got up and tried to approach Henry again, only to be kicked down by John, her stomach aching. She sat on the ground, unable to get up, her heart filled with reluctance. She pointed at Zoey. "What about her? Why can she touch Mr. Windsor?"

Seeing her point at Zoey with malice, Henry tightened his grip on Zoey's shoulder, his eyes filled with coldness. How dare Natalie point at Zoey!