Chapter 260 Knock His Tooth out

Amelia's POV

I stopped and turned slowly, feigning surprise. "Mark? I thought we were supposed to be on different routes."

Mark emerged from the shadows, his flashlight beam pointed slightly downward to avoid shining directly in my eyes. His smile appeared genuine, but his eyes were cold and calculating.

"I got lost," he shrugged. "Lucky I ran into you. Mind if we walk together for a bit? These woods are creepy at night."

"Sure," I agreed neutrally. "I'm heading to the tractor shed."

"What a coincidence," he responded. "So am I."

We walked in silence for a few minutes, the tension between us almost palpable. Finally, I decided to move things along.

"So, Mark," I began in a conversational tone, "this convenient meeting doesn't seem accidental. You've been watching me since you arrived. Why not tell me the truth?"

He chuckled, his voice devoid of any warmth. "You're direct, aren't you? That's what they say about you—talented and smart, but maybe too smart for your own good."

"Is that Cassidy's assessment of me?" I asked casually, deliberately using the information Luke had provided.

His step faltered briefly—a small victory. "What makes you think this has anything to do with Cassidy?" The shock in his tone wasn't entirely disguised.

"I have reliable sources," I replied calmly. "You two are quite close. She seems to harbor quite a grudge. Looking at what happened at that charity gala, plus those 'anonymous' tabloid quotes... I'm guessing you're here to settle scores for her, aren't you?"

We reached a small clearing in the woods. Mark stopped, his demeanor subtly shifting. I knew the moment of truth was about to arrive.

"You know," he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, "I've been waiting for a chance to get you alone."

I stood my ground. "Here I am."

Mark's pleasant facade crumbled as he stepped forward. "You think you're special, don't you? From nobody to the top in record time."

"I worked hard for every success I've achieved," I responded calmly, sliding my hand into my pocket to ensure the recorder was capturing everything.

"Hard work?" he scoffed. "You stole Cassidy's role! That ballet film was supposed to be hers. She trained in ballet for fifteen years! Fifteen years of dedication, and you waltz in with what—two months of crash training? And suddenly you're the star?"

His voice was rising now, echoing through the trees.

"The director's choice was based on emotional connection, not just technical skill," I said.

"Shut up!" he hissed, his face contorted with anger. "You have no idea what you did to her. Her career was on the rise before you came along."

"And what about what she did to me?" I countered. "The 'accidents' on set? Her attempt to drug me and ruin my reputation? What about when she tried to throw her drink on me at that charity gala?"

Mark gave a bitter smile. "Mere inconveniences compared to what you deserve."

"And what do I deserve, Mark?" I asked, deliberately provoking him. "Is that why you're here? To give me what I deserve?"

A twig snapped somewhere in the darkness, but Mark was too focused on me to notice.

"I want to see it," he said, his voice unnervingly calm now. "Your precious reputation crumbling. The cameras will capture it all—America's new darling having a complete breakdown on national television."

"How exactly do you plan to accomplish that?" I pressed.

His smile was chilling. "A little scheme. I'm going to drug you tonight, record some shocking footage, then release it on the dark web before it makes its way to public platforms. Imagine it—the high-and-mighty movie star, exposed at her most vulnerable. Your career will collapse in an instant, just like you did to Cassidy's. What will your perfect husband think when he sees those images? He'll leave you."

"You're admitting to premeditated sexual assault and blackmail," I stated calmly, though I felt sick to my stomach. "That's beyond harassment."

"Who would believe you?" he taunted. "By then, your reputation will be destroyed. People will only remember the images, not care about the truth. You'll go from America's sweetheart to just another used-up Hollywood tragedy. Let's see you continue being your high-and-mighty movie star self then."

"You bastard!" Luke's roar shook the entire clearing as he burst from the darkness, his eyes dangerous with rage. Before Daniel could stop him, Luke had already landed a punch to Mark's face, knocking him to the ground. "You dare threaten my wife!"

Mark scrambled to his feet in terror, blood trickling from his mouth, his face registering fear as he saw Daniel and two security personnel behind Luke.

"Did you get all that?" Luke turned to Daniel, his voice still trembling with anger.

Daniel nodded, holding up the recording device. "Every word, every threat. Enough to put him away."

Luke turned back to Mark, advancing on him. "Do you know how long the sentence is for premeditated sexual assault, Reynolds? Add stalking, harassment, intimidation... you'll be away for a long time."

Luke stood beside me, the fury in his eyes undiminished as he addressed Mark. "We've recorded everything. Either way, this evidence is going to the police. Threatening to sexually assault my wife is enough to put you away for years."

He stepped forward, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Now, get out of this show immediately. If I still see you on this farm tomorrow morning, you'll disappear without a trace. I swear, no one will find your body."

A cold smile played across Luke's lips. "But if you leave right now, maybe you'll live long enough to serve your prison sentence. Your actions don't quite warrant the death penalty, but that depends entirely on whether I see you tomorrow."

Luke turned to the security personnel. "Take this scum away and make sure he packs his bags."

Mark turned deathly pale, the blood on his lip looking particularly stark in the moonlight. His entire body trembled as he seemed to recognize the genuine death threat in Luke's eyes.

His gaze darted between us, calculating his chances. Realizing he had no way out, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Fine," he muttered, "I'll go. But this isn't over."

Luke stepped forward, his tall figure looming over Mark. "Actually, it is over. If you so much as look at Amelia again, I will destroy you. Not just your career—everything. Try me and see."

"She doesn't deserve her success," Mark spat bitterly, glaring at me. "She's nothing but a—"

Before I could even think, my hand moved on its own, slapping Mark hard across the face. The sound echoed through the clearing as he staggered backward, one hand clutching his mouth. When he removed it, there was blood—and a tooth.