Chapter 136

Vivian didn't hesitate. She pushed past Ethan with violent force, her entire body trembling with barely contained rage as she fled the scene.

At the gates, Adrian's polished Maybach sat gleaming under the moonlight like a smug predator. A dark impulse surged through her veins.

Channeling all her pent-up fury, she delivered a vicious kick to the driver's side door. The metallic shriek echoed through the night as an ugly dent deformed the flawless surface. Vivian didn't look back. The fleeting satisfaction fueled her escape into the darkness, her emotions a turbulent storm.

One Week Later

Emberglow County.

Surrounding Crestwood City, Emberglow County housed the legendary Sapphire Springs - a natural wonder steeped in history. The area had miraculously escaped urban sprawl, preserving its untouched beauty where wilderness still ruled supreme. Vivian had first discovered this paradise with Adrian during a location scouting trip. The breathtaking scenery had inspired her to feature it prominently in one of her screenplays.

Recently, Damien caught wind of Sapphire Springs' sudden popularity among social media influencers. The viral attention had local officials scrambling to develop the area into a tourist destination. Fearing construction delays, Damien accelerated the filming schedule. "We need to wrap these scenes before the bulldozers arrive."

The makeup artist's voice snapped Vivian back to reality. She nodded absently and offered the woman a small tin. "Try these herbal drops. Great for vocal strain and surprisingly delicious."

The makeup artist popped one gratefully, savoring the minty sweetness. The cast and crew's shared dedication created an unusually collaborative atmosphere.

By the water's edge, Adrian had arrived urgently after learning about the impending development plans. He'd long coveted this pristine location, though previous attempts to acquire it were blocked by environmental protections. But he never abandoned his ambitions.

Dressed in immaculate white, he paused mid-step, one polished shoe resting on a boulder as he surveyed the landscape. Walter Holloway, the development project manager, approached nervously, pointing toward a row of dilapidated cabins.

"Mr. Blackwood, notice how these guesthouses operate at minimal capacity. The recent mudslides destroyed half the properties. Locals remain unaware of the rezoning plans, still hoping for demolition payouts." Walter's usual commanding presence shriveled into deference around Adrian.

Adrian remained silent, his sharp gaze scanning the shoreline until it landed on a barefoot woman in a flowing white dress. Beside her stood a lean man, their silhouettes creating a striking contrast against the shimmering water.

Penelope Holloway, Walter's starstruck daughter, followed Adrian's line of sight. "Oh! That's Sebastian Hartwell!" she gasped. "And that must be his co-star!"

Since their explosive confrontation, Vivian had thrown herself into work, channeling all her energy into the film. Adrian hadn't contacted her - no calls, no texts. It was as if their connection had dissolved into nothingness.

Yet traces of their past lingered. Serena's Instagram posts occasionally contained subtle references to Adrian - inside jokes and details only someone intimately familiar with him would recognize.