Chapter 2 Don’t Ever Provoke Me

• Eliza walked down the stage back to her seat with composure after receiving the trophy.
• Cody gazed at her intently from the moment she refrained from denying her relationship with Benjamin on stage, keeping her on tenterhooks.
• “Cody?” Reese called out for Cody gingerly; her eyes fell naturally on Eliza as she followed his undisguised gaze. “Oh, it’s Eliza Walker, who’s got all the good resources since her debut. I heard that she has a mysterious sugar daddy backing her up!”
• “Uh-huh,” mumbled Cody nonchalantly as a reply.
• Reese frowned when she saw that Cody didn’t withdraw his gaze. “She and I were in the same crew before, and she was often seen leaving the director’s room—”
• Before she could finish her sentence, however, Cody stood up. “I’m going to the restroom.”
• Reese’s face fell, for Cody went in the direction Eliza had left. However, she cleverly kept silent.
• Before Eliza could walk out of the restroom, she was dragged back in with a sudden burst of tremendous strength. Then, the door to one of the cubicles was closed.
• Cody’ face was very tense. Holding Eliza’s chin with his fingers, he enunciated, as if the words were coming from the bottom of his throat, “Why didn’t you deny it?”
• Eliza’s heart skipped a beat. She feared Cody for no reason, but she was unwilling to show it in front of this guy.
• She took the initiative and hooked her slim arm around Cody’s neck.
• Then, she asked in an ingratiating sweet voice, “Did you follow me to the ladies just to ask this, Mr. Brooks?”
• Cody didn’t answer her, but his eyes darkened.
• “Are you… jealous?” Eliza asked casually, though she was a little hopeful deep down inside.
• “Eliza, don’t ever provoke me, hmm?”
• “I dare not.” Eliza still wore an ingratiating expression on her face. “Because you’re my backer, Mr. Brooks.”
• Cody’s hands clenched into fists.
• Eliza stood on tiptoe and kissed the corner of his lips with a half-smile. “It’s bad to leave Miss Watson behind while she is waiting for you, Mr. Brooks. I’m leaving first.”
• With that, she picked up her handbag and left without even looking back.
• They never communicated with each other again the rest of the event.
• It wasn’t in Eliza’s nature to like engaging in social activities.
• Furthermore, the resources Cody had been providing for her over the past five years were the best in the industry, so she never had to try to please anyone.
• She had a few drinks with the director after the awards ceremony before planning to leave directly through the back door.
• Louie was the person Cody had arranged for her. He naturally knew her temper very well, so he had had a minivan waiting at the door beforehand.
• Eliza was about to leave the venue when the door suddenly opened.
• Benjamin loosened his tie with an expression of relief as he walked in.
• Before Eliza could speak, Benjamin astounded her by asking, “What’s wrong with you? Has Mr. Brooks jilted you?”
• “Heh.” Eliza chuckled impassively before suddenly walking toward Benjamin.
• However, she was watching Cody—who was holding Reese in his arms outside the door—from the corner of her eye.
• Benjamin, on the other hand, became alert as he stared at Eliza.
• Before he could respond, Eliza had wrapped her arms around his slim waist and pressed her body onto his.
• “What are you doing?!” Benjamin tried to pull Eliza away, only to be surprised that she had so much strength.
• He failed to pull her away from him. Instead, they looked like a young couple in a drama, locked in an embrace while flirting with each other.
• Cody, who wasn’t far away, also noticed the commotion.
• Benjamin froze for a moment before pinching Eliza’s waist hard. Despite the smile on his face, he uttered between clenched teeth, “Eliza, where’s your sense of shame?!”
• “What’s that? I have no idea what you’re talking about,” replied Eliza with a mischievous grin.