“It’s getting late. You could stay if you like it here. I don’t want to argue with you but remember this, I
don’t want to hear anything bad about my daughter from you.”
Hayden stood up from the couch. She turned and talked to Chelsea when she passed by her, “If you
didn’t like the person your mother introduces you to, why don’t you bring your boyfriend home and
introduce him to them? I, as your sister, can always help you out if you don’t have the courage. After
all, our father is not an unreasonable person. Don’t misunderstand the kindness in your parents’
action.”
“I don’t understand what are you talking about,” Chelsea panicked. She couldn’t even explain herself
properly. She looked around and saw Freddie’s crew was staring at her in a complicated look.
“Don’t you all listen to her! It’s all nonsense. She’s trying to destroy my reputation. I’m from the Downey
family. I can’t have a toyboy!”
Hayden knew Chelsea was afraid of being looked down upon and that she had much consideration of
her dignity.
The fact that Chelsea had a toy boy was out of Hayden’s expectation. But Hayden could guarantee that
even if Chelsea dared to have a toyboy, she didn’t dare to speak of it at all.
People love gossips, especially anecdotes. The toy-boy topic attracted the attention of those who were
in the dressing room. They started to whisper and discussed Chelsea’s previous reputation. It became
quite embarrassing for Chelsea.
If Chelsea didn’t provoke Hayden at first, Hayden wouldn’t have done this to her.
“You!” Chelsea got panicked when nobody listened to her explanation, “Hayden, you slut! You destroy
my reputation! I’ll kill you!”
Chelsea then grasped Hayden's shoulder and raised her hand.
Hayden didn’t expect Chelsea to have to courage to hit her in the public. It was already too late when
she wanted to dodge Chelsea’s slap.
When Chelsea almost hit Hayden, a shadow blocked the lights from the door. The shadow’s hand
grasped Chelsea’s wrist and stopped Chelsea from hitting Hayden. He scolded Chelsea, “Chelsea,
what are you doing?”
Chelsea’s face turned pale.
“Freddie…”
“Are you trying to bully Hayden in my place? Do you want me to call the cops?” Freddie looked
unapproachable and he shrugged Chelsea’s hand away angrily.
“Freddie, it was just a misunderstanding. She defamed me and tried to destroy my reputation. I can’t
help myself. I was too angry. You see, I’m here to support you. I even brought you flowers. They were
sent in by flight this morning. Have a look.”
Chelsea played the victim card.
Hayden sneered. She didn’t even try to defend herself. Hayden continued watching Chelsea putting up
a show.
Freddie didn’t even look at the bouquet. He said coldly, “Hayden isn’t an unreasonable person. As for
you, I don’t remember inviting you over. Please get out.”
Hayden had already embarrassed Chelsea by exposing her toy boy. She felt humiliated now that
Freddie kicked her out of the dressing room.
Chelsea pursed her lips and frowned in anger.
“Freddie, we grew up together. I’ve always seen you as a family member. Ever since your debut, I’ve
invested in your TV programs and TV series with no conditions. How could you treat me like this? Don’t
forget that the Downey family had saved you from dying in that underground boxing ring.”
Everybody froze after Chelsea spilled the word.
Hayden got nervous and looked at Freddie.
Freddie was usually cheerful and lively, but he looked like an iceberg at this moment. He took a few
steps forward and approached Chelsea.
Chelsea was terrified with the way Freddie glared at her. She took a few steps back and leaned against
the wall.
Freddie looked into Chelsea’s eyes.
“This is the last time I’m warning you, Chelsea. Don’t interfere in any of my business. I’m just like
Hayden. I can live a good life without the help of your family.”
“Freddie, it’s not what I meant. I…”
“Get out,” Freddie gave her a cold shoulder. His tone came so cold that it chilled Chelsea’s spine.
Hayden quickly winked at Freddie’s manager, who was already stunned by his attitude. He immediately
recovered from the surprise and stood in between Freddie and Chelsea. He smiled politely at Chelsea,
“Ms. Chelsea, please. The concert is starting soon. Please head to the auditorium if you have already
bought a ticket.”
Chelsea can't stay in the dressing room now.
Chelsea pursed her lips and glared at Hayden, then left the room unwillingly.
After the incident, all the crews returned to their position. The makeup artists continued to fix Freddie’s
makeup, while the stylist tidied up his style. The crews were used to incidents like this as it happened
quite often in the industry. Everyone’s minds were in sync and agreed not to further discuss it anymore.
Most importantly, Hayden saw Freddie’s manager walked around and giving out red packets to
everyone in the dressing room. He gave everyone a payoff people to keep them quiet.
Out of everyone’s expectation, a man in a black cap stood in the direction of the fire exit and was
filming down the dispute in the dressing room.
“You’re on in ten minutes. Freddie, I’ll give you some time to get ready. We’ll be outside.”
Freddie’s manager patted his shoulder to encourage him. He then went out with the crews after
Freddie agreed. Hayden was left behind as a companion for Freddie.
The dressing room became too quiet out of a sudden.
“You’re still holding on to what happened last time?”
Hayden suddenly voiced out. The dressing room wasn’t big. Freddie could hear every word she said
clearly. Her words were like a pair of hands gently tearing up his scars, and exposed what he was
trying so hard to hide.
Tearing up the scars would still hurt very much no matter how gentle it is.
Freddie frowned. He was recalled every moment of life and death when he was in the boxing ring.
The huge makeup mirror reflected Freddie’s gentle expression. He smiled bitterly and said softly, “I
wanted to say that I don’t mind.”
“It’s okay,” Hayden patted his shoulder as an act of comfort.
“Nobody could really forget what they have been through, let alone letting go. That was part of your life
no matter what kind of experience that was. It is inseparable from you. What you have gone through
moulded who you are today. Don’t you tell you that you don’t like yourself today?”
“I like who I am today,” Freddie’s expression turned tender, “I like everything I have now. If you didn’t
take me away from the underground boxing ring, I will never have what I have today. You gave me
everything. You deserve to enjoy everything I have.”
“Did you forget what you said to me when I brought you away from the underground boxing ring?”
Hayden smiled, “I asked you what you want the most. You said that you wanted freedom. The freedom
you wanted is not to stay beside me forever. It’s going to be another cage for you if you did that.”
Freddie stunned. He wasn’t reminded of what he said for quite some time. He felt confused and
disappointed, “Hayden, you knew…”
“The concert is starting soon. You should be on the stage already.”
Hayden stopped Freddie and took her hand away from his shoulder.
“Freedom should be your belief. Everything else should mean nothing to
you.”
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