Chapter 125: Some Gossip

Ruth felt uneasy about the confidential script, especially after Isabella's earlier comment: "If you cast me, aren't you afraid the whole show will be ruined?" Ruth had also somewhat offended Isabella. Worried that Team A-list's script might target Gordon, she questioned Taylor and Riley during the final rehearsal.

"Mrs. Gonzales, we really don't know," Riley said helplessly. "Even if there are behind-the-scenes shots from the rehearsal, they only capture a bit."

Taylor, impatient and dedicated to a successful show, resisted using his influence to interfere. "What's there to worry about, Mrs. Gonzales? Your husband has no issues. Team A-list is Justice Upholder, right? Do you think they would mistakenly target Mr. Gonzales?"

Ruth frowned. "My husband has no problems, but who knows Team A-list's real purpose? Is there really someone in the entertainment industry who upholds justice and dares to offend all capitalists? I'm afraid their goal is to deal with anyone who competes with them. The previous cases were coincidences. In the future, they might deliberately smear even good people to maintain their image."

Taylor and Riley couldn't refute her. Team A-list's actions seemed fantastical; were they truly trying to reform the entertainment industry?

"If they intentionally target us, I need to be prepared to protect my husband. Please, help me," Ruth pleaded.

Riley, feeling the conversation was unproductive, replied, "We're not hiding anything from you. We genuinely don't know anything."

Ruth persisted, "Then about what I mentioned earlier"

Taylor immediately objected. "I said it's not possible. Unless it's their own stage play, how could we insert someone else's performance video into a live variety show, especially to slander others?"

While Team A-list had performed similar acts within their own plays, Ruth's plan to counter Team Noble involved hiring actors for a separate performance—a disruption Taylor and Riley wouldn't allow. Their policy was non-interference, but they wouldn't actively target anyone either; it all depended on the actors' performances.

Ruth's face changed. "It's not slander. It's the truth. We just hired people to act it out. Why can't it be used as an addition to the stage play?"

Riley's face darkened. "We've given you all the respect we can, but interfering with the show's normal broadcast is absolutely out of the question."

Failing to achieve her goal, Ruth lashed out: "Are you two defending Rebecca because you're both romantically involved with her?"

Taylor and Riley were astonished. Ruth quickly realized her outburst was inappropriate, apologized awkwardly, and left. Feeling embarrassed and furious, she encountered several staff members before running into Simon.

Simon looked worried. "Aunt Ruth, how did it go?"

Ruth softened slightly. "Weren't you supposed to keep an eye on your uncle and that vixen?"

"They're on a break from rehearsing," Simon replied. "That woman left. Besides, watching them is useless. They use rehearsals as an excuse to flirt. She was practically seducing him with her gaze. Hah, the script we gave her is practically an outlet for her true nature. She acts like she wants to jump into bed with Uncle Gordon immediately."

Ruth's anger intensified. If Rebecca were present, she might have slapped her.

Seeing Ruth's anger, Simon sighed. "Uncle Gordon owes everything he has to you. I even became an actor thanks to you. We were so poor back then, but we have what we have today because of you. Uncle Gordon is foolish, thinking he's above it all. He fell for a vixen." Ruth felt better, reassured by their family connection. "Don't worry, your uncle and I won't divorce."

Simon, seeing Ruth's improved mood, flattered her. Ruth and Gordon, childless, had raised Gordon's brother's children, including Simon, who wouldn't have had his acting opportunity otherwise.

"Simon, you are a good man. You haven't been seduced by that vixen," Ruth sighed, seemingly convinced Rebecca seduced every man near her.

A trace of hatred flashed in Simon's eyes. "She tried to seduce me, but I find her disgusting."

"Indeed, she is disgusting," Ruth agreed.

They continued their conversation as they walked.

Meanwhile, in the women's restroom, Isabella's legs were numb from reading gossip. She was about to stand when she overheard several women gossiping.

"I told you before, and you didn't believe me. Now you know," one said.

Isabella froze. The gossip concerned Rebecca's promiscuity and the possibility of Team A-list targeting her, although her rumored relationships with Mr. Carey and Mr. Briggs might offer protection. Isabella found it to be fabricated gossip. She was surprised at the boldness of Taylor's assistants, the gossipers, to spread such rumors.

The assistants discussed the possibility that Team A-list would still target Rebecca, and expressed satisfaction that if it happened, Rebecca would get what she deserved for her behavior and disrupting the work environment. They even speculated about the details of Rebecca's relationships, imagining a threesome.

Isabella was about to leave when she saw Rebecca, somber and slightly red-eyed, slapping her face in the mirror before applying makeup and leaving with a confident facade.

As Isabella left, Thalia found her.

"Ms. Jeannet, Danielle sent me to fetch you."

Isabella thought she was being called back to rehearsal, but it turned out Taylor wanted to discuss other arrangements. Isabella's eyes lit up. Christopher and Rosalie, who had overheard, anticipated some juicy gossip.