CHAPTER 143: YOU’RE ONLY REALIZING THAT NOW?

"Are you alright? I heard what’s been going around," Ethan asked gently once the shoot wrapped for the day.

He had seen the headlines — the revelation of Anna’s identity, the endless online speculation, and the growing pressure on the production. He’d even heard that Director Wilsmith had called her in earlier to discuss the situation. Many believed she’d be replaced.

But seeing Anna still on set, shooting as though nothing had happened, eased part of his worry. Yet another part — the quiet concern he couldn’t shake — remained.

Anna paused mid-step and looked at him. For a second, her expression was unreadable, but then she offered a small, reassuring smile.

"I’m not fired," she said lightly, though her voice carried a calm strength. "So yes, I’m still happy. And as for the chaos, it’ll die down soon. Scandals don’t stay interesting forever."

Her words made Ethan exhale a little, relief softening his tense features.

That was one of the things he admired most about her — her composure. Even when the world seemed determined to break her, she didn’t let it show.

Unlike others, Ethan had known about her real identity for a while. But he’d never said a word. He hadn’t treated her differently, hadn’t let it affect their work, and for that, Anna silently respected him more than she could say.

"I can see that," Ethan said with a faint smile. "And I’m glad Wilsmith made the right call. He’s a man who keeps his word — and he’s smart enough to see through people’s intentions."

Anna’s smile deepened slightly. She wasn’t surprised that Ethan knew about Wilsmith’s decision to keep her on the project — news like that traveled fast.

But what did surprise her was the certainty in his voice, the quiet confidence he had in her when even she had begun to doubt herself.

Her throat tightened slightly, the emotion catching her off guard. "Thank you, Ethan," she said softly. "It... means more than you think."

Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. "Don’t thank me yet. The real challenge is surviving tomorrow’s press."

"Press?" Anna repeated, her brows furrowing.

"Yes," Ethan said, looking slightly surprised. "Didn’t you hear? Your father’s going to make a public statement — he’s addressing all the speculation."

Anna blinked, momentarily speechless. The words hit her like a sudden jolt. She’d been so wrapped up in work that she hadn’t even checked her phone. The idea that Hugo Bennett was finally speaking publicly about her—after everything—caught her completely off guard.

Ethan noticed the stunned look on her face and frowned. She didn’t know? he wondered silently.

"Wait—did you—Ah!"

Before he could finish, someone brushed roughly past them, yanking at Anna’s arm hard enough to make her stumble.

"Hey—watch it, mister!" Ethan snapped, immediately catching her before she could fall. His tone sharpened with irritation as he turned toward the man who had bumped her.

The man — wearing a plain crew uniform — froze and bowed his head quickly. "I-I’m sorry," he mumbled.

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. The man looked nervous, but something about the encounter didn’t sit right. His movements weren’t clumsy — they were calculated.

Anna straightened herself and offered the man a polite smile. "It’s okay, Ethan," she said softly. "I’m fine."

"Are you sure?" Ethan asked, still glancing warily at the stranger.

"I’m fine," she assured, brushing off her sleeves. Then she looked at the man again. "It’s alright, Mister. Please, go on with your work."

The man kept his head low, refusing to meet her gaze. "Once again, I’m sorry, Madam," he muttered before turning quickly and walking away.

Ethan watched him go, his jaw tightening.

"It’s fine, Ethan," Anna said, noticing his lingering stare. "He’s just an old man. Probably didn’t see me there."

Ethan’s eyes didn’t leave the retreating figure. "He didn’t seem like it was unintentional," he muttered, a faint scowl forming.

Anna chuckled softly at his tone. "I didn’t know you were the type to hold a grudge," she teased, raising an eyebrow.

Ethan finally looked back at her, his lips curling into a wry grin. "You’re only realizing that now? Wasn’t I obvious when I kept asking for a proper thank you?"

Anna blinked, momentarily caught off guard before laughing. "Oh, right," she said, shaking her head. "How could I forget? You can be so petty sometimes."

Ethan’s grin widened. "Glad you noticed."

Anna chuckled again, the tension from earlier fading. For all the chaos that surrounded her life right now, having someone like Ethan around — steady, teasing, but quietly protective — made things a little easier to bear. And yet all of the thinsg he thoughts drifted back to her father.

***

Meanwhile, Collin stopped at a secluded corner of the set, far from prying eyes. The noise of the crew faded behind him, replaced by a tense stillness.

His expression shifted — the mild, obedient façade he’d worn all day giving way to something darker. His eyes gleamed faintly with uncertainty at first, but that hesitation didn’t last long.

"Hugo Bennett... publicly acknowledging Anna as his daughter," he murmured under his breath, recalling Ethan’s earlier words.

The thought lingered, rolling through his mind like a puzzle clicking into place.

"Does that mean," he whispered, his tone sharpening, "Anna is legally a Bennett now?"

A slow grin crept across his face — cold, deliberate, dangerous.

The uncertainty in his eyes flickered out, replaced by something far more sinister.

"Well," he said softly, a low chuckle escaping him, "that’s... interesting."

His amusement deepened, the sound echoing faintly in the empty hallway.

Whatever plan he’d been quietly piecing together, this revelation had just given it new life.

Still smirking, Collin adjusted his cap and walked away — his steps calm, his mind anything but.

***

Later that evening, when Anna returned home, Mariam was already waiting for her — worry written all over her face.

The news about her madam was everywhere: on television, online, even whispered among the staff. Mariam, who rarely paid attention to gossip, had overheard it earlier from one of the housemaids, and since then, her concern hadn’t let her rest.

"Madam, thank heavens you’re back," Mariam said, rushing forward. "I’ve been worried sick since I saw the news—"

"Mariam," Anna interrupted softly, setting her bag down. "Thank you for worrying, truly. But I’m fine. Do I look like some damsel in distress, ready to cry over what people think of me?"

Her words were light, almost teasing, but Mariam could hear the weariness hiding beneath them.

Even after Anna’s reassurance, Mariam didn’t look convinced. Since the moment Anna had stepped through the door, she had been trailing behind her like a mother fussing over her child — hovering in the kitchen, in the hallway, everywhere Anna went.

At first, Anna hadn’t thought much of it. But when Mariam finally brought up the topic directly, she realized just how worried the older woman truly was.

"Madam," Mariam began gently, "shouldn’t we inform the Master about this? I’m sure he’ll take care of whoever leaked the news."

Anna paused, her hand still on the edge of the sofa.

For a brief moment, she didn’t respond.

’It’s not like he doesn’t already know,’ she thought, her chest tightening. Daniel isn’t the type to miss something like this. If he’s silent... it’s because he’s already doing something about it.

But the thought didn’t bring her comfort — only a strange, restless unease.

Anna looked at Mariam, forcing a faint smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

"There’s no need to trouble him," she said softly. "I don’t want to bother him with my matters."

Not when I’ve started getting attached to him again, she thought silently, the realization tightening something deep inside her chest.

Mariam opened her mouth to protest — to remind her that Daniel was her husband, that he had every right to know and help her — but the words never came.

Because the moment Anna turned on her heel and walked toward her room, Mariam saw something in her retreating figure that made her stop.

The way her shoulders were slightly tense. The quiet heaviness in her steps kept her still worried.

"Still... she seems a little disturbed," Mariam murmured to herself, a small pout forming on her lips. But then, as if a light flickered on in her mind, her eyes brightened.

"Maybe a good meal will cheer her up!" she said with renewed determination.

With that thought, she hurried toward the kitchen, already planning a comforting dinner — something warm, rich, and filled with the little touches she knew Anna loved.

If words couldn’t lift her mood, perhaps a taste of home could.

Anna quickly freshened up and settled onto her bed, the quiet hum of the night surrounding her. Reaching for her phone, she scrolled through the latest updates — and there it was.

Hugo Bennett to Address the Media Tomorrow.

The headline stared back at her, bold and surreal.

Even though Ethan had mentioned it earlier, seeing it confirmed on every major news outlet still felt unreal. Her father — the man who had spent years keeping her hidden, who had treated her existence like a stain to be covered — was suddenly willing to acknowledge her publicly.

It didn’t make sense.

Why now?

Her thumb hovered over the screen as she read through the details: Hugo Bennett was set to hold a press conference the next morning to clarify "family-related rumors." The tone of the article was neutral, professional — but to Anna, every word sounded calculated.

She leaned back against the headboard, exhaling softly.

"What suddenly changed?" she murmured to herself.

Because this wasn’t like him. Hugo Bennett didn’t act out of guilt or love — only out of necessity.

And if he had chosen to speak now, it wasn’t for her sake.

It was for his own.