When I Was a Wallflower (Leo and Amelie)
Chapter 221

Rose let out a scream, her head turning to the side. A smug Elyse was going to lecture her, but Rose shot her a glare and swung her hand straight into Elyse's face. Elyse covered her face as she stared at Rose in disbelief. "How dare you?"

Rose put her hands on her hips, harrumphing. "What? Do you think I won't retaliate? Are you stupid?" She huddled closer to Elyse and poked her. "Do you know how much money I can make? If you were to ruin my face, I would ruin your future. Fortunately, I am a generous woman. So, how will you settle this? Compensation or apology?"

Already incensed by Rose's arrogant attitude, Elyse couldn't stand for her further bragging of the resources she had. The resources she stole! Livid, she slapped Rose once more, but Rose wasn't one to back down that easily, and they got into a tussle. However, Elyse came from money, and she was no match for Rose, who had seen and been through society's darkest side. Eventually, Elyse's hair became unkempt, her shirt was torn, and her face was clawed. She was pinned down by Rose like a defeated cat.

Not even Elyse's assistant came to help. She was sick and tired of Elyse's exploitation and constant yelling. Everyone else stood by and watched. Elyse looked down on them in the past, after all. Some even stayed far away lest they got dragged into the mess. The fight went on until Donia came.

A tattered Elyse was dragged back up. She felt her scalp roaring in pain, and her face was burning. Her whole body was screaming out, and her legs were buckling. Donia shot her a look of disgust before handing Elyse a mirror. "Look at yourself."

When she looked into the mirror, all Elyse saw was a mad woman. A madwoman with disheveled hair, messy clothes, and a face covered in bruises. Tears were streaming down that woman's cheeks. Is that... me? Aghast, she touched her hair, and the woman in the mirror mimicked her movement as well. She then opened her mouth, and that madwoman did the same as well. Stricken by grief, Elyse hurled the mirror away and covered her face, shrieking.

What happened to me? This isn't me. I'm supposed to be perfect. I'm supposed to have perfect hair and perfect makeup. I'm supposed to be impeccably dressed!

"Oh, shut it!" Donia snapped. She wouldn't even give Elyse a moment of her time. Her attention was on Rose. "You injured her face. How do you expect her to work tomorrow? What if the investors decide to pull out? Elyse, are you dumb or something?"

Elyse looked at Rose. Aside from the slap on her face, she looked as perfect as ever. Her clothes were straight, and her hair was perfect. She looks practically unscathed. This is so unfair!

Donia ignored Elyse and quickly rubbed some salve on Rose's cheeks, working through all the necessary actions to make sure she could heal faster. Even so, she still thought Rose should be seen by a doctor And so, she called one.

Elyse stared dumbly. Donia would only do that for her in the past. But she's changed. As soon as I've lost my worth, she's changed. How could she! How could she abandon me? Elyse hated her guts. Rose approached her, and she whispered, "Don't feel angry. You've been in this industry for years. You know how they are. They only care for those who have value to them. Anyone who's useless is nothing to them."

Elyse clenched her fists and glared at Rose, but Rose chuckled and turned the other cheek, challenging Elyse to slap her. Even though she was overwhelmed by anger, she still couldn't do anything to Rose. Donia said she would press charges if Rose were hurt. If that happens, I'm done for.

Eventually, Elyse pulled her hand back. With all the strength she could muster, she left the company without shedding a tear. However, the moment she got into the car, she burst into tears, agonizing over the unfair treatment she was given. Eventually, she got exhausted from crying, and she slowly stopped. Then, she pulled out a tissue to wipe her tears away. When she raised her head, she saw her assistant staring at her, and she frowned.

She was just going to yell at her assistant, berating her for not coming to comfort her, but her assistant said, "Donia called. Since you don't have any projects, this car is wasted on you. So, they're taking it back tomorrow."

Infuriated once more, Elyse raised her hand and was about to slap her assistant.

The assistant added, "Don't blame this on me. Donia said that. If you want the car back, tell her."

Even the assistant is mocking me! Elyse's face contorted with rage, but she didn't slap her assistant. Instead, she punched the car. Dammit. Everyone's coming at me just because of one canceled marriage. I'l show them. I'll show them all. A long while later, she told her assistant an address. "Drive."

She was heading to an investor's home. He invested in five movies and asked her to play the leading role in three. She tried her best to doll herself up, but the scars couldn't be hidden, so she wore a pair of sunglasses and a mask. Fortunately, it was the pandemic season, so nobody would think she was disrespectful for wearing a mask.

In the past, Donia would arrange everything for Elyse, and the assistant would only have to take her to the meetup spot. Though, she now had to make the calls and do everything herself. Just for this meeting alone, Elyse had to make at least 20 calls. After much bureaucracy, she had to tell them Leo was her friend before the investor would see her. It was infuriating, but she sucked it up. She needed the movies. She needed to return to the top.

The investor was a Gingham local. He was dressed casually and was having tea in a tea shop.

Elyse approached him. With a silvery voice, she called out, "Mr. Oates."

John Oates looked at her, frowning when he noticed the mask, yet he said nothing about it. "Here. Have some tea."

She took the seat across from him and placed her hands on the coffee table. "Mr. Oates, about the movies... You know how serious I am about acting, and I'm more experienced than Rose. And I'm famous, too. If I can get the leading role once more, I promise I can do better than Rose ever can."

John ogled her and popped a petite pipe into his mouth. Then, he sucked on it twice and puffed a ring of smoke out. "Of course, I can give ya the show, Miss Clayton. But y'know, Rose sacrificed somethin', so ya gotta sacrifice somethin' too. Y'know what I'm saying?"

Um, I don't know what you're saying. Elyse looked at him, and John winked flirtatiously as he pointed at her chest. She quickly covered it up, but he said he was just going to kiss her.

The moment he touched her, Elyse tensed up and was going to give John one tight slap, but she put her hand down right away. This is my last chance. If I don't give him what he wants, I'm done for.

Remember what Donia did to you. Remember what Rose did to you. You've got to be strong. Get famous, and then get back at them! Her arms hung limply by her side, and she closed her eyes, holding her disgust down as John did whatever he wanted with her.

He groped her chest and moved his perverted hand up to her mask. However, when he took it off, he balked. "Da hell is this?!"