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Chapter 29: Chapter 29: Don’t Lash Out Like a Mad Dog

"That’s fake! It’s fabricated! I never said those things," Mia Rhodes explained frantically, her flushed face turning deathly pale.

She was surrounded by fellow entertainers and a few of her friends from the industry, all of whom were now looking at her with suspicion.

Mia Rhodes turned to Ian Sterling, tears streaming down her face, her expression one of utter grievance.

"Ian, I really didn’t say those things. Someone must have fabricated it to frame me. They have to be jealous of my relationship with you, so they came up with this scheme to set me up." Mia Rhodes tried to step forward and grab Ian Sterling’s hand.

Ian Sterling took a step back. He could tell the words weren’t fabricated.

After hearing Mia curse Lynn on the recording, he looked at her with pure disgust and loathing, as if staring down an enemy. He snarled, "What relationship do we have?"

Mia froze at his words. She had been trying to imply that Lynn was the one who had plotted against her, but she never expected Ian to focus on *that* of all things.

Lynn Winslow stood to the side, barely suppressing a smile.

She lowered her gaze for a moment, and once she had her amusement in check, she spoke softly. "Cousin, everything happened so suddenly that day. Not many people were around to hear you cursing me. Why don’t you think about whether you might have offended someone who was there?"

"What are you talking about? When did I curse you? Those words were fabricated! It was you, wasn’t it!" Enraged by Lynn’s passive-aggressive act, Mia no longer cared about the crowd. She stormed forward, grabbed Lynn’s wrist, and demanded, "Did you do this? I knew you were up to no good the second you came back. What are you trying to pull!"

Lynn struggled, her eyes welling with tears, her gaze full of hurt. "Cousin, you’ve misunderstood me. You’re hurting me."

Ian Sterling slapped Mia’s hand away and shielded Lynn behind him, snarling, "Stop snapping at people like a mad dog."

Lynn clung to Ian’s arm, biting her lip daintily. She looked up at him with wide, teary eyes, her expression pitiful. "It really wasn’t me. My cousin must have offended someone, and that’s why they secretly recorded her."

Ian Sterling glanced down at her. His heart couldn’t help but soften when he met her glistening gaze, and he gave a soft hum of acknowledgment.

Kenneth Keller watched the drama unfold with his arms crossed. He’d known from the moment the recording started playing that it was Lynn’s handiwork.

’Playing the innocent victim in front of everyone, making them doubt Mia’s usual gentle image. The method may be simple and crude, but it’s a perfect way to test whether that lovesick fool Ian is still hung up on her. Killing two birds with one stone. What a devious mind.’

But Mia Rhodes had the protagonist’s plot armor. Even if people were suspicious, it was only suspicion. A petty trick like this was just a minor skirmish. It was far too soon to truly turn everyone against Mia, and of course, Lynn understood that.

She linked her arm with Ian’s, artfully revealing the red marks on her wrist where Mia had grabbed her. A buzz of conversation started up in the crowd.

"You really can’t judge a book by its cover. She acts like such a delicate little flower, but secretly she’s like this."

"But isn’t the timing of this recording’s release a bit too coincidental?"

"It is a bit, but the recording can’t be fake, right?"

"Maybe someone fabricated it to frame Mia."

"That’s also a possibility. But isn’t everyone saying that Mia likes Mr. Sterling? Judging by his reaction, he seems much closer to the other girl. He acts like he doesn’t even know Mia."

"Yeah, Mr. Sterling himself said they have no relationship."

Hearing this, Mia latched onto it like a lifeline. She grabbed Lynn’s hand, forced a smile, and explained, "Cousin, I was just too worked up and misunderstood you. I’m so sorry."

A flicker of light crossed Lynn’s eyes. She shook her head and said gently, "It’s alright, cousin. You should hurry and find out who did this."

Mia lowered her gaze to hide the malice in her eyes, nodded, and said softly, "Then please don’t hold this against me, cousin."

Lynn clasped her hand in return, reassuring her, "We’re family. How could I hold a grudge against you?"

Mia smiled faintly and nodded, then turned to Ian. "Ian," she explained, "I misspoke. I’m sorry to have troubled you."

Ian averted his gaze, not even bothering to look at her. Lynn, however, was starting to see Mia in a new light.

’She’s so adaptable. No wonder she’s managed to get to where she is today.’

Seeing his lack of reaction, Mia was a little disappointed and had no choice but to turn and look for Director Carson.

Lynn looked down at her own wrist, touched it lightly, and hissed in pain. Ian finally reacted, gently cradling her hand. Seeing the red marks growing more pronounced, he asked in a hoarse voice, "Want to go?"

Lynn pursed her lips and gave a small, wounded hum of assent.

The two of them walked out together. Kenneth Keller glanced at the dispersing crowd, shrugged, and followed them.

They hadn’t taken a driver, so Ian went to get the car, leaving Lynn waiting alone at the entrance. Kenneth Keller approached, a smirk on his lips, and stood beside Lynn.

"Miss Winslow, you certainly have your methods."

Lynn turned to look at him, the very picture of innocence. "What are you talking about, Mr. Keller? I don’t understand."

Kenneth Keller chuckled. "You didn’t release that recording with any real intention of taking Mia down. You just wanted Finn to be here so you could use the recording to make it clear to everyone in Quartos who doesn’t know the truth that there’s nothing between him and Mia."

"Did I?" Lynn asked, a bewildered expression on her face.

Kenneth’s faint smile faded, a hint of a threat entering his tone. "I don’t know what your endgame is, but I’m advising you to think about him when you make your moves."

Lynn gave a soft laugh. Just as she was about to say something, Ian pulled the car up in front of them.

Lynn had to drop it. Ian rolled down the window and frowned. "What are you two talking about?"

Hearing the jealousy in his voice, Kenneth was left speechless. He certainly didn’t expect a ride from Ian now. He rolled his eyes again and stalked off on his own, not even bothering to say goodbye.

Lynn got into the passenger seat and asked hesitantly, "Where are we going?"

"The hospital." It was like Ian had become a different person, his tone turning cold.

"We don’t need to go to the hospital. Can you just take me home? I have ointment there."

Ian was silent. Lynn glanced at him, and seeing his cold expression, asked, "What’s wrong?"

"What were you and Kenneth Keller talking about just now?" The jealousy in his voice was even thicker. Lynn’s eyes curved in a smile as she explained, "He told me to be nicer to you."

Ian’s expression finally softened, but his tone remained cold. "That’s not necessary. It’s not like there’s anything between us anymore."

Lynn’s brow furrowed. She couldn’t understand why his attitude had shifted so fast. He’d been gentle with her back at the party, so why the cold words now?

She sighed to herself but didn’t offer any explanation. She gave him the address for Amberly Bay and turned to look out the window.

Ian knew he was being volatile and contradictory. When Lynn didn’t say anything, a strange, uncomfortable feeling welled up inside him.

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