Chapter Five

A shadow silently watches the entire interview-turned-freak-show. This is Lucy Woods? Gray Langdon smirks satisfactorily as he continues to glance at the interesting pictures flashed on the LED screen. I’m not even intimidated! How could a woman like her scare Geline to death? The studio is deathly silent as everyone hangs on every word exchanged by the two women.

“What do you mean, Lucy? The photos clearly show your face.” The reporter continues to corner the supermodel into a trap.

Lucy seems to lose composure for a moment—just a fraction, actually—before her expression changes back smugly. “What I meant was, clearly I wasn’t behaving like the way I’m supposed to when I’m under the influence of alcohol. Hey, let’s face it: I’m as ordinary as the next person. I’m human, too, and I commit mistakes. No one gets to judge someone just because they’re famous and can be publicly ridiculed.”

Hmm, smart. Getting the people’s sympathy is the best move and she did just that. Maybe she isn’t all talk, after all. The entertainment reporter seems to be disappointed at the quick adjustment of the supermodel. And when it looks like Lucy Woods cannot be undone in a series of photographed scandal, Jia Collins decides to switch back to talking about the clothing line promotion.

“Thank you, Lucy Woods, for being with us this morning. We’ll be back after this short break. Stay tuned!”

“And, cut!” the director shouts behind the scenes. The crew instantly moves in to prepare the set during the short break. Lucy Woods, without saying another word, stands and walks toward Gray’s direction.

He steels himself as the woman, branded by his sister as the Black Witch, passes by in long strides.

Here we go.