Chapter 71 Accomplice
Third Person POV.
Mildred's hands trembled as she scrolled through her phone, the words on the screen made her heart beat faster than normal.
Producer Chase Brussel: A Pattern of Abuse.
The headline glared at her from every entertainment news site. Her makeup artist was trying to apply foundation, but Mildred kept moving, unable to sit still.
"Miss Williams, please can you sit still," the woman pleaded. "I can't work if you keep shifting."
Mildred barely heard her. Her eyes scanned the article again, heart pounding so hard she could hear it in her ears.
Seven women have come forward with testimonies of blackmail and coercion. Chase Brussel allegedly photographed intimate moments without consent, using the material to manipulate and control his victims' careers.
Seven women. But there were more. Mildred knew there were more because she had helped with one of them.
Her sister.
"I need a minute," Mildred said abruptly, standing up. The makeup artist sighed but stepped back.
Mildred rushed to the bathroom, locking the door behind her. Her reflection in the mirror showed a woman on the edge of panic. Her perfectly styled hair, designer dress for the award ceremony tonight, but her eyes were wide with fear.
She pulled out her phone with shaking fingers and dialed Chase's number.
Thee number you have dialed is not reachable.
"No no no," she whispered, trying again while biting her fingers.
The number you have dialed is not in service.
She tried three more times, each failed attempt made her chest feel tighter. His phone was completely disconnected. Why would he disconnect his phone unless he was hiding? Unless he was scared?
Unless he was already arrested?.
A knock on the bathroom door made her jump.
"Milly?" It was her mother's voice. "Are you in there?"
Mildred opened the door, grabbing Margaret's arm and pulling her inside.
"Mom, did you see the news? Did you see what happened to Chase?"
Margaret's expression was carefully controlled, but Mildred saw the tension around her eyes. "I saw it."
"What if he tells them? What if they investigate and find out I helped him leak Dandelion's photos?" The words tumbled out from her lips fast and panicked. "I could go to jail. My career would be over. Everything I've done to --"
"Calm down," Margaret said sharply, gripping Mildred's shoulders. "You need to breathe. Right now."
"How can I calm down? He's being investigated! By the police, the media, everyone is digging into his past. What if my name comes up?"
"It won't."
"You don't know that!"
"Listen to me." Margaret snapped, "Did you sign anything? Any emails with your real name?"
"No, I used a burner email, but---"
"Did you meet him in person to discuss Dandelion?"
"No, everything was through messages and that email."
"Then there's no proof." Margaret released her shoulders, smoothing down Mildred's dress. "Without proof, it's just speculation. Chase has bigger problems than you right now. Seven women, Mildred. Seven public accusations. He's not thinking about some leaked photos from months ago."
"But what if he makes a deal? What if he gives them information to reduce his sentence?"
"Then he'd have to admit he was blackmailing women, which makes his case worse, not better." Margaret checked her own reflection, fixing her lipstick. "The smartest thing he can do is keep his mouth shut and let his lawyers work. Dragging more people into it just makes him look worse."
Mildred wanted to believe her, but the fear wouldn't leave. "This is Dandelion's doing. I know it is."
Margaret's jaw tightened. "What do you mean?"
"Think about it. The photos disappeared overnight weeks ago. Someone powerful took them down. And now suddenly Chase is exposed? All his victims coming forward at once? That doesn't just happen."
"You think your sister orchestrated this?"
"I think she found someone to help her. Someone with money and connections." Mildred paced the small bathroom her thoughts racing. "She's been quiet. Too quiet. No statements, no public appearances. She just vanished, She's definitely planning something."
Margaret was silent for a moment, her expression darkening. "Even if that's true, there's nothing we can do about it now. The best thing you can do is stay calm and stay quiet. Don't mention Chase, don't mention Dandelion. If anyone asks, you knew nothing about his personal life."
"But---"
"Mildred." Margaret's tone left no room for argument. "You have an awards ceremony in two hours. Cameras, reporters, industry people. You need to put on your actress face and pretend everything is fine. Can't you do that?"
Mildred swallowed hard, forcing herself to nod. She had been acting her whole life. Pretending to be happy when Dandelion won awards. Pretending she wasn't jealous when everyone praised her sister's talent. Pretending she deserved the roles she only got because Dandelion was out of the picture.
She could pretend a little longer.
"Good girl." Margaret opened the door. "Now let's finish your makeup. You need to look perfect tonight."
.
.
..............
Two hours later.
The award ceremony was everything Mildred usually loved. Flashing cameras, designer gowns, actors and directors mingling with champagne glasses. The venue glittered with crystal chandeliers and gold palettes.
But tonight, every camera flash made her flinch. Every conversation she passed made her wonder if they were talking about Chase. About the scandal. About her.
She plastered on her face her brightest smile, accepting congratulations for her nomination. Best Supporting Actress in a Drama. The role that should have been Dandelion's before the scandal broke.
The irony wasn't lost on her.
"Mildred! Over here!"
She turned to see reporters lined up along the red carpet barriers. She had done this a hundred times. Smile, pose, answer questions. Easy.
"Mildred, you look stunning! Who are you wearing?"
"Thank you! This is a custom piece by---"
"Mildred, have you seen the news about Chase Brussel?" A particular reporter asked cutting her off.
Her smile froze. The reporter was young and eager, with her microphone thrust forward.
"I, uh---"
"You worked with him on three films, correct? Did you ever witness any inappropriate behavior?"
The cameras were all pointed at her now. She could feel sweat forming under her dress despite the cool evening air.
"Chase and I had a professional relationship," she managed to defend herself. "I wasn't aware of his personal matters."
"But you must have seen something? Seven women have come forward and your sister---"
"I really can't comment on ongoing investigations," Mildred said, trying to keep her voice steady. "If you'll excuse me."
She moved away quickly, her heart hammering. Margaret appeared at her side helping her toward the entrance.
"That was fine," Margaret whispered. "You handled it fine."
But Mildred didn't feel fine. She felt exposed, like everyone could see right through her.
Inside the venue, she tried to relax. The ceremony would start soon. She just needed to get through it, accept her nomination gracefully whether she won or not, and go home.
She found her assigned seat, accepting a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. Maybe alcohol would calm her nerves.
"Mildred Williams?"
She looked up to find an actress she recognized. Vera Bradley, known for indie films and being outspoken about industry issues.
"Yes?"
Vera sat down uninvited in the empty seat beside her. "I just wanted to say I'm glad people are finally talking about Chase."
Mildred's hand tightened on her champagne glass. "Oh?"
"I worked with him two years ago. He tried the same thing with me." Vera's expression was hard. "Taking photos without permission, making threats. I was lucky. I had a lawyer who scared him off. But I knew there were others who weren't so lucky."
"I'm sorry that happened to you," Mildred said carefully.
"You worked with him a lot, right? Three films?" Vera's eyes were sharp and assessing. "Did you ever notice anything? Anything that seemed off?"
Several people nearby had turned to listen. Mildred saw phones being lifted, clearly recording.
"I don't think this is the appropriate---"
"Because I find it hard to believe people didn't know." Vera's voice was loud across the nearby tables. "He wasn't exactly subtle. And the people who enabled him, who pretended not to know, they're just as guilty."
"I never enabled anything," Mildred said, but her voice came out too defensive.
"Really? Because from what I heard, he had help leaking at least one actress's photos. Someone fed him information, and gave him access." Vera leaned closer. "You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"
The room felt too hot. Mildred could feel multiple cameras on her now, people whispering, watching.
"I don't know what you're implying, but I had nothing to do with any of Chase's actions." Her voice shook despite her best efforts. "I was his colleague, not his accomplice."
"Interesting choice of words," Vera said. "Accomplice."
"That's not what I meant."
"Because the way I see it, Chase didn't work alone. Someone helped him destroy Dandelion Williams' career. Someone who benefited from her downfall." Vera's smile was cold. "Someone who suddenly got all her roles."
Mildred stood abruptly, her champagne sloshing in her glass. "I'm not going to sit here and be indirectly accused of something I didn't do."
"Then what did you do, Mildred?" Vera stood too, and now everyone nearby was definitely watching. "Because your sister's career imploded and yours skyrocketed. Funny how that worked out."
"I earned my success!"
"Did you? Or did you just steal hers?"
Margaret appeared suddenly, stepping between them. "This conversation is over. Vera, I suggest you worry about your own career instead of making baseless accusations."
"Baseless?" Vera looked at Mildred. "Then why does she look so guilty?"
Mildred's face was burning. She could see phones recording, people typing on their devices. This would be online in minutes. The actress who might have helped Chase Brussel. Dandelion Williams' suspicious sister.
"We're leaving," Margaret said firmly, grabbing Mildred's arm.
"But the ceremony---"
"Now."
They pushed through the crowd, Mildred keeping her head down. She could hear whispers following them, she could feel the weight of judgmental stares.
Outside, Margaret shoved her into their waiting car.
"That was a disaster," Mildred said with a breaking voice. "Everyone thinks I helped Chase. They're going to investigate me. They're going to find out."
"They're not going to find out anything because there's no proof," Margaret insisted, but she looked worried now too. "That actress was fishing. She doesn't actually know anything."
"But what if Chase talks? What if he's already talking?"
Margaret's phone buzzed. She looked at it and went pale.
"What?" Mildred demanded. "What is it?"
Margaret showed her the screen. A gossip site had already posted a video. Mildred's confrontation with Vera, titled: Did Mildred Williams Help Chase Brussel Destroy Her Sister?
The video had been posted three minutes ago.
It already had fifty thousand views.