Having led a sheltered life, Maggie had never faced such violence and anger from her family before.

Overwhelmed with pain, Maggie collapsed to the floor, the weight of her actions pressing heavily on her mind. As darkness edged her consciousness, thoughts of Lilah dominated. She made a silent vow to herself: Lilah would pay for this humiliation.

At the Starlight Mansion, Lilah sat vigilantly beside Jerrold, her relief growing as she observed the returning color to his cheeks. The earlier worry gradually subsided, replaced by a sense of tranquility.

Gerard, upon entering the room, was immediately struck by the serene atmosphere. Lilah's calming presence seemed to permeate the surroundings, her gaze soft and filled with concern.

"Is he any better?" he asked softly, standing beside her.

Lilah nodded, her voice gentle. "He's resting for now."

Gerard's eyes briefly clouded with a mix of relief and residual anger.

"I left Maggie to her family," he added, his tone hinting at the unspoken consequences that awaited Maggie.

Lilah understood the implications; she was well aware of the clout the Harris family held. It was clear that Maggie would bear the brunt of her family's displeasure, given their reluctance to antagonize Gerard.

Such was the sway of a family as influential as the Harris family.

Gerard's reputation alone could prompt others to act in his interests without him even uttering a word.

A sudden thought crossed Lilah's mind, prompting her to inquire, “Has Maggie ever shown interest in you?"

Gerard met her gaze, his eyes deep and unwavering. “We hardly know each other," he responded. "And after you, there's no place in my heart for another."

Lilah felt a faint warmth spread across her cheeks. Why would people say that Gerard was a man of few words? The man certainly knew how to weave words!

“Please look after Jerrold. I need to head back to my apartment.

Don't forget to rest yourself," she gently reminded.

He nodded. "Good night."

"Good night."

With that, Lilah made her way home, hoping for a night of peaceful slumber.

As morning dawned and Lilah roused from her sleep, she was greeted by a flurry of notifications. The Internet was ablaze with a scandal involving Maggie.

"Renowned Actress Maggie's Behind-the-Scenes Bullying Exposed!"

Intrigued, she clicked on one of the trending posts, revealing an anonymous video upload. The footage showcased Maggie in a lavish setting, ensconced on an ornate chair, her every whim catered to by a bevy of assistants. One shaded her with an umbrella, another delicately offered her footwear, and yet another brought forth a platter of fruit for her indulgence.

However, an errant piece of fruit slipped, tarnishing Maggie's outfit.

The terrified assistant who had made the error knelt immediately, only to receive a sharp slap from Maggie who chastised, "Are you so inept? Can't you even do this right?"