A Night of Desire-Chapter 176: Scandal

Because she had nailed her first scene, many people on the film set had a change of heart about her and were no longer so hostile or standoffish.

Even if a small minority still gave her the cold shoulder, she didn’t let it bother her. As a result, her days were spent either studying the script or honing her acting skills, making for a rather pleasant life.

A few days passed peacefully, but just when Clara Grant thought this tranquil life would last, something happened that put her on edge.

Early one morning, Clara Grant was rummaging through her suitcase for something to wear, while Holly Summers was in the bathroom, scrolling through her phone as she brushed her teeth.

Suddenly, a piercing "AHHH!" rang out. A second later, Holly Summers came tearing out like a whirlwind and dashed right up to her, toothbrush in hand and mouth full of toothpaste foam.

Clara Grant jumped in fright. "What’s wrong?"

"Quick, look! Look!" In her panic, Holly Summers actually swallowed her toothpaste and shoved the phone in her hand in front of Clara.

Clara Grant glanced at the phone, confused, then nodded. "Hmm, this is a nice picture of you. The photo’s well-taken."

Now it was Holly Summers’ turn to be confused. She leaned in to look at the screen. "What picture of me...?" Halfway through her sentence, she realized the phone had somehow exited the page she was on and returned to the home screen, which used her photo as the wallpaper.

"Oh, crap!" Holly Summers swore under her breath, quickly pulling up the news page again and handing the phone back to Clara Grant.

"Here. The news is plastered with stories about you and President Quinn. It’s even trending."

Clara Grant’s heart dropped. Her first thought was, ’Has the news of my marriage to Seth Quinn been leaked?’

She quickly took Holly Summers’ phone and scanned the articles, only to realize it wasn’t about their marriage, but rather a brewing scandal involving her and Seth Quinn.

It was all just about the day of the opening ceremony, when Seth Quinn had repeatedly stepped in to save her from one embarrassing crisis after another.

Those reporters were just grasping at straws, offering their own interpretations and adding all sorts of embellishments.

"I knew it! Why else would President Quinn have suddenly shown up at the ceremony that day, and at just the right moment, too? And what a coincidence that his incense stick just happened to break."

"Oh, and another thing! At the end, when your suitcase broke, even though he said those few words and acted all impatient, I still thought something was strange about him."

"Now that I’ve read the analysis in these articles, it seems like something really was up. I bet President Quinn actually came specifically for you that day, and just happened to find you in a bind."

"So he discreetly and effortlessly resolved each crisis for you, watched over you the entire time, and then slipped away quietly."

"Wow, President Quinn is the perfect man, protecting the woman he loves."

Holly Summers’ eyes sparkled as she nudged Clara Grant. "And to think, last time I asked if you were President Quinn’s girlfriend, you denied it."

Clara Grant lowered her gaze, hiding her unease. "I’m really not. You know what these entertainment reporters are like. They’re experts at grasping at straws and making things up out of thin air. What wouldn’t they write just to get clicks?"

Holly Summers thought for a moment, then nodded. "That’s true. Still, my gut tells me there’s something going on between you two."

"No, there isn’t. Your gut is wrong," Clara Grant retorted, though her voice lacked conviction.

"Really? You’re really not President Quinn’s girlfriend?" Holly Summers was still skeptical.