She Becomes A Hot Sensation After A Scandalous Affair
Chapter 134

Chapter 134: Chapter 134

—Zane’s clarification—

In the video, Zane was sitting on a chair. The camera panned to him, who smiled and said, "Hi, Zane Eastwood, here."

"Recently, I saw a YouTube video from two of my fellow Summer Heat Lovers contestants, Ethan and Bertha, who said that Madeline and I are on bad terms."

"They also said that she abused me after we lost the last game..." Zane scoffed as if he had just heard something so ridiculous. "I’m not keen on doing this kind of clarification. But I don’t want them—or anyone else—to slander Maddy like this."

"Maddy and I are on very good terms, more than that because..." Zane smirked at the camera as he knew his next sentence would shake up the world. "We’re dating."

"So, I hope everyone who watches this clarification will understand that I don’t want anyone to slander or scathe her with false rumors. Madeline Rose, my girlfriend, is entirely blameless," Zane said. "And this is my last warning for you, Bertha and Ethan. Take that video down, or I will sue both of you for defamation."

—Zane’s clarification ends—

Lance’s hand trembled as the video ended. He gritted his teeth, trying his best to suppress his rage, as he didn’t want to snap at Madeline.

He lifted his head, but Madeline continued looking down. She had no courage to meet his eyes.

"Did you agree to be his girlfriend?" Lance asked in a low voice, but it was nowhere soft. It was obvious that he could snap at any time.

"I—I tried telling him we don’t need to act intimate. All I want is for him to tell the world that we are on good terms, simple as that," Madeline replied. "But he told me it needs to be believable, so he wants me to be his on-screen girlfriend. I will act intimate with him whenever there are cameras around."

"And you agreed on that?!" Lance’s chest heaved as he was trying his best not to yell. He knew Madeline was in so much distress already, so it wasn’t fair if he yelled at her.

"I..." Madeline paused for a moment. She clenched her fists, and her body trembled. The guilt began eating her up, as she felt she had betrayed Lance.

She kept telling herself Lance only wanted her as a fake, contractual girlfriend, so it would be fine if she dated Zane for real.

But now that she had to play pretend with Zane, she realized how much of a burden it was because she truly loved Lance.

And she was still the same Madeline Rose from four years ago, still the same girl who liked to give up everything to the man she loved.

"I’m sorry, Lance..." Madeline murmured. "I told him to wait, but he said it’s an urgent matter because the more we wait, the more people think Bertha and Ethan are right. So I... I have no choice but to say yes."

"So you are his girlfriend now, huh?" Lance scoffed.

Madeline finally lifted her head. Her eyes were red after crying so much, and she shook her head. "No, this is only pretending. He just wants us to look intimate on screen. But we don’t need to do anything off-screen. W—Well, a fake relationship is not uncommon in showbiz. You are the CEO of a big entertainment company, so this doesn’t bother you, right?"

"Doesn’t bother me?" Lance gripped Madeline’s wrist and stared at her with a deep, unfathomable gaze.

Thousands of emotions brewed in his mind, and he didn’t even know where to start.

He was so angry and disappointed, both at Madeline and himself. Because he knew if he handled this problem better, she wouldn’t feel pressured by that scum, Zane Eastwood.

"T—This shouldn’t bother you. We’re just business partners... right?"

"Stop with that business partner’s bullshit," Lance said curtly. "You are my girlfriend. Mine! Of course, I’m fucking bothered when you’re about to kiss another man, even if it’s just an act!"

Madeline was at a loss. She tried convincing herself that Lance wouldn’t be bothered by it.

’But what to do when he’s actually angry about this?’ Madeline found herself unable to answer the question.

The only thing she could do was blame herself.

’I’m an idiot...’

Lance released Madeline’s hand and got up after seeing the regret on her face.

"Call your bodyguard, return to your home immediately, and get some rest. You’ve been through a lot today," Lance said coldly.

"W—What are you going to do?"

"What am I going to do?" Lance scoffed. "I will find that scum and punch him for pressuring MY girlfriend like this. That scum will fucking pay for this."

"No!" Madeline grabbed Lance’s wrist with two hands, but it was no match for his strength. He simply yanked his hand to release Madeline’s grip.

He walked out of the trailer, and Madeline rushed to stop her.

"Lance, you’re acting out of impulse! Calm down!" Madeline yelled as she tried to hold him by pulling his arm many times, to no avail.

"What about you, Maddy?" Lance said as he halted and lowered his head to stare at Madeline. "You also acted out of impulse. So why can’t I?"

"I... I just don’t want you to make a big mistake..." Madeline said. She tugged on his suit as she knew stopping him was impossible, anyway. "I will find a way to fix this myself."

Lance’s lips thinned as he saw Madeline’s eyes glisten with tears again.

He didn’t know if Madeline was trying to weaken his resolve with her tears, because it was indeed very effective.

But he couldn’t back off now, not when he was furious at that bastard.

"You should return home now. Call your bodyguard." Lance repeated his instruction.

"I’m sorry..." Madeline murmured. "Just when I thought things would go smoothly."

"I don’t blame you for using this method to handle Ethan and Bertha. This must be too shocking for you," Lance said. "But I am disappointed you don’t trust me enough to handle your problem, Maddy."

’And I am disappointed in myself because I made a grave mistake that ruined your trust in me,’ Lance added in his heart before he walked away and left Madeline, who stood still, staring at his back regretfully.