CHAPTER 971: CHAPTER 971: LEAH THORNE INJURED BY A SMALL STONE

Leah Thorne and Shane Young were in the middle of filming their second scene when suddenly a commotion erupted outside the set, causing quite a racket.

Director Wright urgently called for a halt, scolding, "What’s going on? What’s that noise outside? Where’s security? What happened?"

At that moment, the assistant director burst through the door, stumbling as he ran in, "It’s bad, Director Wright, something big happened!"

As he spoke, the assistant director furtively glanced at Leah Thorne.

"What happened? Speak!"

The assistant director tiptoed and whispered into Director Wright’s ear, "Director Wright, we just got news that someone leaked... Leah Thorne got pregnant at 18 and had an abortion!"

"What?" Director Wright couldn’t believe it.

"Director Wright, the news is absolutely true. The leak has spread to Weibo, and in just a few minutes, it’s skyrocketed to the top of the trending searches. All the media reporters are swarming in, surrounding our entire film crew, and frenzied fans are charging forward, all demanding to see Leah Thorne. Security is barely holding them back; they’re like they’ve been injected with adrenaline and are about to storm in!"

The news was like a thunderbolt. Director Wright stood stunned for a while before reacting. After all, he was used to big scenes. He immediately looked at Leah Thorne, "Today’s shoot is canceled. Leah, something happened outside. Let Madame Goldie take you away quickly. You need to lay low for a while."

Leah Thorne calmly put down the script in her hand, "Okay, Director Wright, I’ll leave now."

Madame Goldie was prepared for this, but she didn’t expect the situation to escalate so quickly. Leah’s natural publicity draw was too significant. "Leah, the van is waiting outside. Let’s go."

Leah nodded, ready to leave with Madame Goldie.

But by then, reporters and frenzied fans outside had broken through all the barriers and rushed in, their cameras clicking away at Leah Thorne with blinding flashlights.

Countless microphones were shoved forward, and all Leah could see were the swarming heads thick with anticipation. The makeshift set was at risk of collapsing under the pressure.

"Leah Thorne, are the leaks and rumors true that you got pregnant at 18 and had an abortion?"

"Leah Thorne, can you tell us who the man is? You’ve been single all this time, did you have premarital pregnancy?"

The lights were blinding. Leah raised her hand to shield her eyes.

Madame Goldie quickly shielded Leah behind her, blocking the cameras, "Sorry, everyone, we won’t respond to these rumors right now. This is a filming location. Please be safe and leave immediately."

At that moment, a group of agitated fans surged forward, pointing at Leah Thorne and cursing,

"Leah Thorne, we’ve been following you for so long, and this is what you show us?"

"An 18-year-old pregnant girl, at an age when you should be studying and learning, fooling around with men, then suddenly transforming into a major star in the entertainment industry. You usually pretend to be an aloof and glamorous ice queen, fooling so many people. Ugh, you’re truly shameless!"

"Leah Thorne, you’re a bad influence on kids. Give us our genuine feelings back, we are no longer your fans, we’re leaving now!"

"Leah Thorne, you have parents, right? Oh, I forgot, you’re an orphan, your parents have long passed away. You’re truly like someone born but never taught anything. If my daughter were as cheap as you, I’d probably beat her to death. Your parents must be turning in their graves with anger!"

An agitated fan picked up a stone and hurled it at Leah Thorne’s forehead.

With a dull thud, Leah was hit, and blood began to flow immediately, blurring her vision.

"Ah!" Madame Goldie screamed, shouting angrily, "Where’s security? Security, get here quickly!"

The scene descended into chaos, but hotel security quickly swooped in, diving into the throng to barely maintain order. Madame Goldie embraced the injured Leah and swiftly led her away.

...

Madame Goldie, being a master manager, had handled many crises. Although the scene was once out of control, she successfully brought Leah back to the villa.

"Leah, stay here for the next few days. It’s safe, and those paparazzi won’t find you." Madame Goldie wiped the blood from Leah’s face with a warm towel.

Leah’s forehead was wounded, a chunk of flesh missing, blood flowing profusely, it looked gruesome.

Madame Goldie took out a medicine kit and started treating Leah’s wound. Leah pulled out her phone and opened Weibo. Moments ago, the app had collapsed due to the news of her pregnancy, and programmers worked overtime to restore it. Still, it was sluggish, indicating the massive traffic she generated.

Now, Leah was the top three trending topics on Weibo: Leah’s pregnancy and abortion, 18-year-old Leah, and Leah’s man.

The internet was flooded with curses. Previous praises and positive comments turned into flakes of snow, relentlessly pelting Leah. Some even categorized her as a tainted artist and called for her banishment.

Madame Goldie took Leah’s phone from her hands, "Leah, don’t look. The internet is full of insults and nasty comments about you. Besides a few irrational fans, many of your rivals are taking this opportunity to trample on you. After all, if you fall, your endorsement contracts are up for grabs. That fan who threw the stone was sent by your rivals."

The entertainment industry is like this, filled with unseen knives yet riddled with bloody storms.

Leah showed little emotion. She raised her hand, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "Madame Goldie, it’s fine. Since I exposed this incident, I was already mentally prepared."

Madame Goldie paused, "Leah, what should we do next?"

Even Madame Goldie was unsure of what Leah intended to do.

Leah slowly curved her red lips, "Madame Goldie, we don’t need to hurry. The ones who should be anxious are others."

Others?

Who?

At that moment, a melodious ringtone chimed. Leah received a call; it was Old Master Xavier.

"Leah, it’s Old Master Xavier calling."

The call was expected. Leah reached for her phone and directly hung it up.

She didn’t answer.

Soon, the phone rang again. This time, it was Mrs. Xavier; Laura Xavier calling.

Leah again directly hung up.

Her pregnancy and abortion at 18, who the child’s father was—she didn’t need to say it. The Xavier family could likely guess most of it.

A cold glint flickered in Leah’s eyes. She wouldn’t answer the phone, preferring to watch them squirm like ants on a hot pan.

These were debts that the Xavier family owed her, and she intended to reclaim them one by one.

Soon, there was a "ding-dong," and the doorbell rang at the villa.

Madame Goldie was startled, "Who is it? This place is secluded; no one should have found us."

Leah stood up, "I’ll go open the door. If I’m not mistaken, it should be... someone here to pick me up."

Who?

Madame Goldie grew even more puzzled.

Leah walked over and opened the villa door...