Chapter 2139
“Come watch the security footage with me, Ivy. I want to hear a plausible story,” said Colton, his tone a mix of concern and suspicion.
Ivy’s mind was clouded with confusion, and she followed him to the monitor.
The grainy video showed the inside of Diana’s dressing room. On the screen, someone wearing familiar attire was opening Diana’s door, glancing around with a furtiveness that didn’t sit right.
Colton tapped the screen, “See anything off about this?”
Thinking it was some kind of test, Ivy pointed out her observations, “First, that outfit looks familiar. Secondly, why’s that person peeking around before slipping into Diana’s room? It’s like she’s sneaking in… Did Diana lose something?”
Colton lit a cigarette, a silent cue for her to look closer.
“Just familiar?” he prodded.
Upon closer inspection, Ivy’s heart sank. The person in the video was wearing the same clothes she had on today!
“I need an explanation, Ivy,” Colton said, taking a drag from his cigarette.
Ivy felt the absurdity of it all. What was there to explain?
She hadn’t been near Diana’s dressing room. What did she know about someone else wearing her outfit in the video?
To make matters worse, the person had dodged the camera so her face wasn’t captured.
“What do you want me to explain, Colton? Did you call me back here because you think it’s me? But I didn’t do anything. I have no reason to steal from anyone.”
Ivy’s face twisted in anger. She never imagined she’d be pegged as the set’s thief.
“If it was just a stolen item, that’d be one thing. But Diana’s hurt her foot! A thumbtack was found in her shoe!” piped up a voice from the crowd, a woman who had always made snide remarks about Ivy.
“Diana’s injured, not just missing stuff?” Ivy sought confirmation from Colton.
“Yeah, she’s hurt. And it’s going to delay today’s shoot,” Colton replied with a frown.
“I feel sorry for her injury. But even if Diana’s foot is injured, that’s got nothing to do with me,” Ivy insisted..
“How do you explain the person on camera, wearing your clothes, having a similar build to you?” asked the cameraman, not out of spite for Ivy but tired of the drama that was disrupting the shoot.
His point was valid. A peaceful set was beneficial for everyone, and yet, here they were dealing with an incident that had even led to an injury.
“I don’t know what to say. I don’t think I should have to explain because I never set foot in Diana’s dressing room! How can I explain something I didn’t do?”
Ivy was at a loss, condemned by all around her.
“I’ll tell you what I think,” someone chimed in with malice, “You’re jealous of Diana’s rising popularity, afraid she’ll outshine you. So you wanted to hurt her, mess up her filming schedule.”
Those who already disliked Ivy were now eagerly slinging mud her way.
“Though I’m a newcomer, I would never stoop to such actions. Everyone has their own path, and I don’t believe Diana gaining popularity means I’ll lose my audience. All I want is to interpret my role wholeheartedly. I don’t play dirty,” Ivy retorted with integrity, leaving her accuser red-faced and speechless.
“Colton, do you really think I’m capable of this?” she asked, her voice steady despite the accusations. She didn’t care about the others who didn’t know her. But if Colton doubted her too, she would be totally disappointed.
In this cast, she hoped there was at least one person who trusted her.
“I get where you’re coming from, Ivy. But this is what the security footage shows. I need you to give everyone an explanation, and I owe one to the backers too,” Colton said, his frustration evident.
Ivy could hear the reluctance in his voice, but it didn’t relieve her disappointment.
This was about trust.
