<b>Chapter </b><b>481 </b>
Calista’s expression darkened instantly, but Luther was quicker to speak up. “Aria and I are on the same team<b>.” </b>
<b>“</b><b>We’re </b><b>the </b>real team!” Calista turned to Finn. “Let’s do it over. No mistakes this time.”
Luther’s expression turned cold. He said sternly, “I’m an idol. Hyping up a CP will only make me lose fans. Don’t even think about it<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Calista’s voice involuntarily rose several notches, all traces of her usual sweetness vanishing without a trace. “So, you won’t lose fans <b>by </b><b>shipping </b><b>with </b>Aria?<b>” </b>
Luther said expressionlessly, “We’re rted.”
“What kind of rtives are you?” Calista asked.
Luther said, “She’s the girl my cousin Owen likes.”
‘Wait, what?‘ Everyone except Aria immediately perked up, their eyes gleaming with gossip–hungry curiosity.
Vanessa cut straight to the chase. “What’s your rtionship with Owen?”
Luther replied, “I’m the grandson of his grandfather’s brother.”
Everyone felt it was convoluted.
Calista, well–versed in the Shaw family’s affairs, immediately understood what Luther meant and quickly said, “Luther, Owen was the one who harmed Isaac. The Shaw family banished them from Kanit City long ago. There’s no need for you to acknowledge Owen as your cousin.”
She paused, then added sharply, “Also, my grandpa said Aria beat Isaac up and sent him to the hospital. They’re all terrible people. You should stay far away from them.”
That was precisely why Calista had been targeting Aria overtly and covertly. She wanted to curry favor with the Shaw family.
Calista’s words stunned everyone.
‘Wait, Aria beat Luther’s family?‘ They were shocked. ‘The gossip is getting juicier.’
Aria shot her a sharp re. “If you already know I’m no good, Ms. Archer<b>, </b>why are you so eager toe <b>to </b>my ce?”
“Like I’d evere here if we weren’t filming!” Calista shot back.
Vanessa cut in sharply, “Finn didn’t invite you. You forced your way in yourself.”
“…” Calista choked on her words, too enraged to speak.
Luther stared at her. “Calista<b>, </b>Isaac went to jail because he broke thew. He got what he deserved. Since when was it Owen’s fault?”
‘Why is even Luther against me now?‘ Calista thought, feeling wronged.
She gritted her teeth and said, “That’s what my grandpa said.”
“If Mr. Archer has objections to the court’s verdict, he can appeal on behalf of Isaac. But <b>don’t </b>you dare make Owen the scapegoat <b>for </b><b>everything</b><b>,</b><b>” </b><b>said </b>
Luther.
Both embarrassed and frustrated, Calista finally realized that Luther’s rtionship with Owen’s family was far better than <b>she </b><b>had </b>imagined, <b>not </b><b>nearly </b><b>as </b>strained as she’d thought.
Realizing her mistake and sensing Luther’s displeasure, Calista looked apologetic. “I’m sorry<b>, </b>Luther. Since <b>my </b><b>grandpa </b><b>and </b><b>Isaac </b><b>are </b><b>close </b><b>friends</b>, I
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<b>Chapter </b><b>481 </b>
<b>wasn’t </b><b>thinking </b><b>straight and </b>ended <b>up </b>misunderstanding your <b>cousin </b><b>Owen</b><b>,</b><b>” </b>
<b>Luther </b><b>coldly </b>turned his head away.
….
‘<b>The </b>court verdict stated that Isaac got imprisoned for criminal offenses, yet Calista twisted the facts just to curry <b>favor </b>with me. What a self<b>–</b>righteous <b>idiot</b><b>,</b><b>‘ </b>Luther thought.
As the conversation turned to these sensitive matters, the others kept silent.
The atmosphere grew tense.
Finn took a deep breath, signaled the cameraman to stop filming, and, with a forced smile, said, “Let’s take a 30–minute break, then restart <b>from </b>the team selection scene. Is that okay?”
Luther said tly, “Groupings are confirmed. There’s no need to reshoot. Let’s start with <i>the </i>
game.”
“Okay,” Finn replied.
He thought, ‘Whoever said Luther was the quiet, easygoing type was too unreliable. Still, it shows how dead–set Luther is against being <b>shipped </b>with Calista.‘
Calista had masterfully crafted her public persona, but everyone in the industry knew her reputation was notorious<b>, </b><b>yet </b><b>no </b>one dared <b>to </b>cross her<b>. </b>
‘If she weren’t part of this shoot,‘ Finn thought, ‘everything would have gone perfectly smoothly. What a bad apple!‘,
O