Chapter 106: Succubus

Joan pulled back her hand, tears welling up. Surrounded, she couldn't see what Sean and Abigail were doing.

Luna said, "Miss Palmer, since you can't prepare the fruit, let me do it. You should rest."

Kevin said, "The medic is arriving soon. Calm down and let us disinfect the wound. It's for your safety."

Damian pulled Victor away and returned to his station. Luna took over Joan's task while Kevin sat Joan down and gently blew on her wound—a surprisingly caring gesture.

Sean finished cleaning the processor blades and approached Joan. He calmly asked, "Let me see your hand."

Joan raised her hand. The bleeding had stopped, and the wound was shallow—just a white line on her finger. The lack of blood made it appear insignificant.

"Not a big deal," Sean said. "Just clean it and put on a Band-Aid. You can get back to work." He was about to return to the grill, worried Abigail might set it on fire given her dubious cooking skills.

Joan looked aggrieved but nodded. The audience mocked her openly.

'She calls that a wound? It's microscopic! Damian was right. If the medic had been a second later, it would have healed itself. That guy's a miracle worker!'

'Victor and Damian are so dramatic. Victor immediately told everyone! Drama queen!'

'Am I the only one who thinks Sean is dense? It's obvious Joan wants his attention, and he just says, "Band-Aid and back to work." LMFAO.'

Joan watched Abigail and Sean work together, her eyes glinting. After the medic arrived, treated the wound, and left, Kevin departed as well.

Nina returned with a plate of fruit, whispering, "Damian and Victor are clearly coming after us. Mr. Graham is taking Abigail's side, too."

Joan, far from stupid, knew this. She stared at the ground, her expression dark. "It's a shame they weren't kicked out. We need to get rid of them." Abigail was protected by Luna; even if she did something wrong, Luna could persuade Sean to keep her.

Sean asked Luna to design everything for Joan, granting her privileges, but he wouldn't tolerate further stupidity from Victor and Damian.

Nina cautioned, "Damian and Victor resent us. If we push them now, we might walk into a trap."

Joan considered this. "It doesn't matter. I'll make some inquiries tonight."

While plotting, Luna approached Victor and Damian, whispering, "Can we talk later?"

Damian grunted. "Meet at the west garden later. Tell Quinn to come, too."

The men grilled while Sean kept Abigail nearby to add pepper and chili powder. She coughed constantly, her face red.

Sean offered her a kebab. "Here. Eat this."

Abigail ate slowly, dropping a few octopus tentacles onto her plate.

"You're barely eating," Abigail said. "Why don't I grill and you eat?"

Kevin had Luna feeding him, other designers had their models assisting, but Sean, who could have avoided the work altogether, had no one feeding him.

Sean looked knowingly at Abigail, who understood his unspoken request: Feed me.

She held her plate tightly, her knuckles white. "I mean, we're on set…"

"Then why ask?" Sean said, clearly upset.

Abigail glanced at Luna, feeding Kevin. She took a deep breath. "What would you like to eat?"

"Octopus tentacles," Sean replied immediately.

Abigail served him. Joan's eyes narrowed.