Sensing her softening, Cliff made sure she was comfortable before he left to find Gerry.

Gerry was in the studio, reprimanding an actress for getting too close to an actor. "This is a serious film. If you're going to kiss, just kiss. What are your hands doing? Behave, or I'll report you.”

The actress was annoyed, casually placing her hand on the actor's abs.

Gerry, frustrated, said, “Damn, this is a pure campus romance!"

The actress sighed. "You're only filming our faces. What's the harm in a little touch?"

The actor's face turned beet red.

Just then, someone burst in and said, “Mr. Hopkins, your brother is here!"

Gerry, visibly annoyed, snapped, “My brother doesn't bite. What's the rush?"

But as Gerry turned and saw Cliff, he immediately fell silent Cliff looked furious, as if he was about to tear someone apart.

Gerry quickly adjusted his demeanor. “Cliff...”

Before Gerry could continue, Cliff grabbed him by the neck and dragged him outside.

Gerry was gasping for breath, on the verge of losing his temper, when Cliff confronted him angrily and said, “How did Laney get those bruises on her neck?"

Gerry's anger evaporated instantly. He glanced around, pretending to be clueless. “What bruises?”

Cliff tightened his grip. “Let me show you."

Frightened by Cliff's rage, Gerry quickly confessed, albeit sparingly, fearing Cliff might actually harm him if he divulged too much.

Even with Gerry's brief account, Cliff's expression grew darker. "You kept something this serious from me? Are you out of your mind, Gerry?"

Gerry, caught between intimidation and defiance, replied, “How am I out of my mind? Hadn't I handled the attacker?"

“How exactly did you handle the attacker?"

“I followed the usual procedure and detained that man." Gerry quickly added, “But before the detention, I made sure he was roughed up a bit. Broke a few bones."

Cliff's response was cold, unsatisfied. “It should've been his neck.”

Gerry shivered. “Cliff, we live in a law-abiding society. Plus, with your status, can you afford to act recklessly?" He then asked, “How did you even find out about this?"

Cliff was about to address this. “If I hadn‘t seen the marks on her neck, have you intended to keep this from me forever?"

“Why would I tell you?" Gerry retorted. “If you hadn't pushed her away, would this have happened?"

Cliff clenched his teeth, fighting the urge to lash out at Gerry, recognizing his own part in the incident. He regretted not going after Laney himself. Fortunately, it had only resulted in minor injuries and nothing worse. Otherwise, he couldn't bear to think of the consequences.