Chapter 88 GOT ENGAGED!
“Good evening. I’m Rachel Ginzolas, reporting live.
Yesterday at the Griffin Hotel, disturbing footage surfaced online involving acclaimed actress Giselle. The leaked video allegedly captures a private moment that escalated into an incident involving an intrusive fan during her personal time.
Since the footage began circulating, questions have been mounting. Viewers claim that the upcoming film Spy X Romance may be downplaying or withholding information connected to the incident. Fans are demanding transparency, and pressure is rapidly building.
As a result, the film’s director now finds himself under intense public scrutiny, facing growing calls to address the situation directly.
What you’re about to see is the footage that sparked the controversy.”
Giselle pressed the remote, and everything went blank. She lay back on the hospital bed, surrounded by gifts. A faint smile was curled on her lips.
After all, this had been a tactic: a perfect one, it was more fame. More sympathy, and the ratings for the series were already rising. Visiting the hospital immediately after the news broke had only added fuel to the fire.
She licked her lips and settled more comfortably into the bed.
“Miss, the series is being delayed. You need to be there,” Giselle’s new PA said.
Giselle’s eyes darkened. She stared at her, then let out a slow, twisted smile. “Don’t worry,” Giselle muttered. “He’ll need me.”
She reached for her phone and scrolled through social media. She was trending number one on Twitter. Honestly, she still didn’t know who had leaked the video: every detail, every angle, even evidence. Her fans were furious.
“Really, this is sick. Actresses need to be protected!”
“I can’t believe this! So unprofessional!”
“She shouldn’t do that series anymore, she should fight for her rights!"
“I can’t believe the director tried to hide this. I hope Giselle is doing okay!”
“She doesn’t deserve this! \[Sticker\]”
Giselle read the comments with an amused smile, stretching her arms lazily when..
Knock. Knock.
She quickly lay back down, pulled the duvet over herself, turned her head to the side, and shut her eyes.
“Good morning,” the PA greeted as Jaxon walked in, smiling.
“How is she?” he asked, his gaze drifting toward Giselle at the far end of the bed.
Her lashes fluttered softly. She felt her breath hitch the moment she heard his voice. If her suspicion was right…
She slowly turned, blinking her eyes open as if she had just woken up. Jaxon’s face greeted her, and she froze before sitting up instantly.
“G–Good morning,” she said softly.
Jaxon smiled and stepped closer. “You seem energetic today.”
Giselle froze. She placed a hand on her neck and let out a small groan. “Sorry… I was just shocked to see you,” she murmured.
Jaxon smiled and placed the flowers he was holding on the table beside her.
Inside, Giselle was screaming. She couldn’t believe this was happening.
Jaxon was a top actor, everyone wanted him. Even a single day’s shoot with him cost thousands. His net worth had to be in billions. She remembered how she hadn’t wanted this project at first because it went against her cool, untouchable image. She played the villainess here, and she hadn’t wanted to stain her name.
But now? It was worth it. Especially since he was her love interest in the series.
“Please, have a seat,” Giselle said.
Jaxon did.
“The director asked me to check if you wanted to forfeit the show,” he said gently,
Giselle froze, calculating quickly.
“I never said that,” she replied. “It’s just fans talking… I don’t want to quit. I really don’t.”
She needed fame right now. Jaxon and this scandal, would give her exactly that. She wasn’t foolish enough to let it slip away.
Jason smiled. “I’ll tell him that. Also… do you want to press charges?”
His gaze drifted to her neck, the red lines were still visible.
Giselle stared at him, the thick brows, the button nose, the way his brow arched slightly, those plump orange-tinted lips, the striking brown eyes. Her toes curled unconsciously. He was handsome. And she was only realizing it now.
“That?” Giselle said lightly. “I wouldn’t.”
Jaxon raised a brow. “Really? Your agency should handle it. These things get messy. I suggest you do nothing for now and let them take over. In the meantime… get well soon.”
He smiled, and Giselle’s smile widened. “It would be a shame if you left,” he added. “I’d love to work with you.”
Then he walked out.
Giselle stared after him, beaming like a fool.
“Miss, if you delay, someone else might get the role,” her PA muttered.
Giselle’s smile vanished, she gritted her teeth. “Did I fucking tell you to speak?” she hissed. “You poor trash, don’t talk unless I tell you to. Or even breathe.”
She turned her gaze back to the flowers on the table, smiling again.
Meanwhile, Jaxon stared at his phone. The smile he had on disappeared, he was watching Giselle, he had placed a tiny micro chip camera in that flower.
He replayed everything he had seen. He couldn’t believe she was like that, so angelic on the surface, yet sharp and venomous underneath, a viper.
No wonder Erica had warned him. He had doubted her at first.
He stepped into the sunlight, letting the rays hit him. Thankfully, his mask hid his face. Fans crowded outside the hospital, chanting Giselle’s name, shouting every detail.
He licked his lips beneath the mask, thinking of his sister. He had even sent people out to look for her. It had been a month since he had last seen Erica.
Then Aaron’s face flashed in his mind. Jaxon frowned and dialed Erica’s number immediately.
“Beep, If you’re hearing this, I’m not available. Later!”
He groaned softly. Turning to a corner, he walked toward his car, then froze when he looked into the rear-view mirror.
Erica.
She stood across the street, staring at the hospital. Dressed in a heavy black shirt and trousers, her hair tied in a messy ponytail. She looked exhausted, hollow, like she hadn’t slept in days.
Jaxon got out of the car instantly, but Erica turned and walked away.
“What was she doing here…?” he muttered, following her.
She slipped into an alley, he followed, suddenly jab.
He was slammed against the wall. “Really?” her voice rang out.
Jaxon smiled wide.“What are you doing dressed like that?” he asked.
Erica’s eyes sharpened. “A lot has happened.”
She removed her elbow from his throat, but Jason crouched slightly, scanning her face.
“You look beautiful… even like this,” he whispered.
Erica rolled her eyes. “You still flirt in situations like this?”
Jaxon chuckled. “I’m telling the truth. I don’t flirt.”
She turned her gaze away. “Don’t compliment me. It’s not like it’s my face.”
Her eyes said something harsher. Jaxon cupped her cheeks, forcing her to look at him.
“What are you doing?” she asked, but his smile softened. “Too bad. I still see you. I still see Celina every time I look at you.”
Erica froze.
For a second, something flickered across her face, then she looked away.
“I got engaged,” she said suddenly.
Jaxon froze. “What?”
“Well, Erica did. God, I’m tired.” Before she could say more, he grabbed her hand.
“Let’s go.”
“What are you doing?” she demanded.
“Taking you home, Erica.”