章 14: Chapter 14: Slapping the Face
When Charlotte Cooper got home it was already late at night. Henry Russell hadn't returned yet. After a quick wash, she went to bed.
The next day, she woke up in the curve of Henry Russell's arm.
The sunlight poured through the curtains, casting golden shadows on the bed head. Charlotte looked at the jaw in front of her and leaned back, trying to get a clearer view of his face. But, this stirred Henry, waking him up.
She wasn't sure what time he returned home, but seeing his drowsy eyes, she realized it must have been late.
Charlotte patted his back gently and said in a soft voice, "Go back to sleep."
Henry did fall back asleep, but his arm remained draped over her waist.
When he slept, he was extremely peaceful. His curly eyelashes were remarkably dense, lined up like a little brush.
Charlotte's gaze trailed from his full forehead, all the way down to his Adam's apple. His features were so perfect they seemed like a sculpture by a master craftsman. It was hard for her to look away.
After half an hour of gazing at him like that, Charlotte finally reached out for her phone on the bedside table.
She had a habit of sleeping early and turning off her phone.
The moment her phone was turned on, it buzzed with a series of vibrations. She opened Whatsapp to find a few messages from her good friends in the circle.
Nothing but words of concern.
Vanessa Foster also sent her a message: a brief four words. "You needn't worry."
Upon reading the message, she relaxed and replied to everyone who had messaged her. Then, she opened Instagram.
The incidents started when Lara Milan went live. Her sharp-eyed fans noticed a slight swelling on her face. They asked Lara Milan what had happened but she refused to answer.
Soon, an enthusiastic netizen leaked online that the bruise on Lara's face was done by Charlotte. They even attached a cut video clip.
In the drama, fights are mostly faked. If a director seriously demands a real action scene, they make sure the force is well controlled.
However, the slap Charlotte delivered seemed unusually ruthless. Coupled with her expression, it looked deliberate.
There was an outcry on Instagram.
"Taking advantage of acting to publicly hit another actress, never have I seen such an arrogant actress in all the years I lived."
"So arrogant just because she has a backer, has she no shame?"
"I predict she's going to lose fans!"
"There's such a disgusting person in the entertainment industry, shameless."
Underneath, Lara Milan's fans and Charlotte's haters were fiercely arguing.
There were even more abusive comments afterward. Charlotte closed her phone. Regardless of how unpleasant the comments were, she had seen and heard it all. Claiming she didn't care would be a lie. But she could turn off her phone to avoid seeing anything that would bother her.
She unconsciously fell asleep again. When she woke up next, the bed was empty.
After washing up, she went downstairs and saw that Henry Russell had already prepared a meal, waiting for her at the table.
"Why didn't you wake me up?"
Charlotte quickly walked over and sat on the chair closest to him.
"Just finished."
Henry Russell served her a bowl of soup and handed it to her naturally, as though it was a gesture rehearsed a thousand times over.
Henry Russell had performed major surgery yesterday, so this morning he was entitled to some rest. By a stroke of luck, Charlotte also had the morning off and decided to drag him to the couch to watch television.
By chance, the entertainment gossip channel was showing the video of Charlotte hitting someone.
From the angle it was filmed, it looked as if Charlotte was an evil queen from a fairy tale slapping Snow White.
She looked hateful and heinous.
Charlotte felt that if her face weren't at least pretty, she might end up being verbally abused even worse.
Feeling embarrassed, Charlotte avoided looking at Henry's face. She quickly changed the channel, "The television these days will broadcast anything without examining the facts."
Henry Russell frowned. Being a public figure, such negative news wasn't good for Charlotte.
"Didn't Vanessa Foster hire a public relations team?"
"Vanessa told me not to worry. She will handle it," Charlotte explained.
The incident had happened overnight. Normally, a PR team would have stepped in once the news broke. But there was no movement yet. Charlotte understood why.
This was her first role in an ancient costume drama. Lara Milan's drama had increased the heat around it, thereby giving her a chance to gain more fame.
That was what Vanessa Foster was thinking.
Online rumors about Charlotte being a diva and assaulting a female actor became increasingly furious.
Lara Milan posted a selfie on Instagram, capturing herself sitting by the window gazing at the sunset, appearing at peace with the world.
This ambiguous post stirred up even more speculation amongst the public.
Vanessa Foster had been watching the trending hashtags on Instagram. As an A-list star, Charlotte was no stranger to attention. Coupled with her outstanding beauty and mediocre acting skills, she was constantly subject to public debate.
When the news broke, it quickly topped the hot search list.
Looking at Lara Milan's post, within an hour, the criticism in the comments section under Charlotte's Instagram posts reached an all-time high.
It was at that moment Vanessa Foster decided to release the second part of the video from the shooting site. It showed Charlotte helping Lara Milan up and apologizing to her with a humble bow after the scene ended.
A flood of supporters rushed in, vigorously praising Charlotte for being dedicated and talented.
The director also posted pictures of the two from the film praising both for their excellent performances.
Once the video was released, Charlotte's fans were shocked. Those who had been criticizing her suddenly had their arguments disarmed.
"Oh my god, did I see that right? My beloved Charlotte showed superb acting skills."
"I feel like crying, have been waiting so many years for this."
"Wow, my goddess is a terrific actor. What drama is this? I want to follow it!"
"For those who accused her of being arrogant, have you ever seen acting? That's what filming is like."
In fact, there was no need for a paid comment army. Charlotte's fans and those who adored her looks raised their idol high, praising her like there was no tomorrow.
Soon, "Charlotte's explosive performance" ousted "Charlotte's star behavior at the filming site" and topped the hot search list.
Charlotte was constantly checking Instagram after receiving a call from Vanessa Foster. Seeing everyone commenting on her explosive acting skills, she couldn't stop smiling.
"Are you happy?"
Henry Russell glanced at her a few times before withdrawing his gaze, repeatedly stroking Charlotte's long hair.
Charlotte was lying on his lap. At his question, she nodded, looking up at him, "Of course, I am. Finally, people are acknowledging that your wife is more than just a pretty face."
The corners of Henry Russell's lips curled up. When Charlotte referred to herself as his wife, there was a particularly pleasing sound to it.
"You've never been just a pretty face."
He gently massaged Charlotte's scalp, making her squint with pleasure.
Those who had just been complaining about Lara Milan disappeared one by one. A few others brought up the fact that Lara seemed to be baiting for sympathy.''
Upon seeing Lara's swollen face, Charlotte suddenly remembered to ask Henry Russell about a pressing issue.
"Lara Milan claimed you touched her leg?"
Henry Russell cast his eyes down at her, "Lara Milan? Who?"
Charlotte tossed her phone onto the table, sat up, and looked at him, "Lara Milan, the woman you saw yesterday in the corridor."
With that, Henry Russell recalled that he had indeed seen her yesterday, "I dunno. Probably a former patient."
Seeing his indifferent expression, Charlotte knew he hadn't paid the woman any mind.
"Don't worry, besides you, everyone else's legs might as well be pig's trotters in my eyes."
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