Amara had been acting distanttely, and Finnian couldn''t quite figure out why. Did he do anything wrong?


    After returning to the break room, Amara continued to review her script, altering a few lines for the next scene. Then she picked up a book to read.


    By around noon, hunger began to creep in. Deciding it was time for lunch, she headed out to grab a bite.


    As she stepped out the door, she found Finnian standing there, hands tucked into his pockets, looking directly at her. It was unclear how long he''d been waiting.


    Amara paused, asking, "Do you need something?"


    She nced around furtively, relieved to see no one was paying them any attention.


    She never wanted to act so self-abased. Ever since she was disfigured, the world had seemed a little less kind, and insecurities had been seeping into her bones.


    Finnian noticed her cautious nces and couldn''t help but wonder if she was embarrassed by their association. Did she really think he was someone she''d rather not be seen with?


    "Why are you avoiding me?" he asked, cutting straight to the chase.


    "There''s been a lot of gossip flying aroundtely. It''s just not a good idea for us to be seen together in public," Amara replied.


    It was a valid point, yet Finnian sensed there was more beneath the surface.


    Before he could press further, a guy in his early twenties approached, exuding a kind of effortless charm. Ignoring Finnian, he approached Amara directly before uttering, "Ama, I need to talk to you."


    Finnian instinctively sized him up. The guy was tall, at least six feet two, with a lean, athletic build and a cool,posed demeanor. His tousled hair gave him that quintessential "college heartthrob? look.


    Finnian couldn''t help but frown at his familiarity towards her as he used "Ama". He asked, "And you are?" The guy shot him a frosty nce, which only made Finnian''s gaze harden in response.


    Amara was puzzled by the tension between these two who had never met before. Was it some sort of natural aversion?


    She quickly intervened, "This is Lucian Hale, the second lead in our production, ying the prince."


    Lucian was usually in period


    costume for the show, a slight different from his usual self, and Finnian wasn''t keen on the project, so it was no wonder Finnian hadn''t recognized him right away


    Finnian stared at the man. Lucian was an actor in Whispers of Winter. So, he was the friend Amara had brought home for dinner?


    Finnian''s contemtion was


    inscrutable to Amara. She just took


    Lucian back into the break room, asking, "Lucian, what did you need to tell me?"


    At twenty-five, Amara was a few years older than Lucian. When speaking to him, she couldn''t help but slip into a big sisterly tone.


    Lucian''s voice was a touch frosty. "I saw him with Liliana earlier, and now he''s here with you. I just don''t want anyone to start talking."


    Amara felt a flicker of warmth at his concern.


    This wasn''t their first coboration;


    in fact, it was their third. The first


    one was few years ago when Lucian was just an extra. Amara saw his potential and then they kept in touch. As her next project came around, she rmended him for a supporting role-a stepping stone for him.


    Now, in Whispers of Winter, she felt he was perfect for the second lead, and thanks to her, he got the part.


    In many ways, Amara had been instrumental in Lucian''s rise in the industry.