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Chapter 22 - Chapter 022 ( )

"My decision stands," Nakulla Huang declared, his voice cutting through the tension like steel. "I will not allow you to return to the film industry. And I will not let you go back to that ridiculous drama — not now, not ever!"

But Nattalie Huang stood her ground.

"I'm not quitting," she said, her tone steady but defiant. "I'll finish what I started, no matter what. You can't stop me, Father."

Their gazes collided — fierce and unyielding. Neither would bend.

Nattalie knew better than anyone what it had taken to reach this point.

Every sleepless night, every rejection, every cruel comment online — every scar on her pride had led her here. She had fought too hard, bled too much, to simply walk away now.

Even if her character was despised — the villain everyone loved to hate — it was still her role. Her work. Her dream.

And she wasn't going to let anyone, not even her father, take that from her.

Nakulla exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his face. The battle between anger and love was clear in his eyes.

He didn't want to yield — but how could a father truly stay angry at his daughter, the one he'd sworn to protect since the day she was born?

After a long pause, his voice softened, though the authority in it remained.

"Fine," he said finally. "I'll give you one last chance."

Relief flickered in Nattalie's chest, fragile but real.

"But listen carefully," Nakulla continued, his tone sharpening once more. "If something like this ever happens again — any danger, any threat — you're done. You'll quit immediately. No arguments. No excuses."

The small spark of hope dimmed.

Nattalie lowered her eyes, her hands gripping the blanket tightly.

"Father… isn't that a little unfair? How can I prevent something I can't even predict?"

Nakulla's gaze hardened again.

"I don't care. Which is why I've already made arrangements. Whether you like them or not, you'll follow my plan. That's the only way I'll allow you to continue."

Her heart sank.

Nattalie looked around the room — at Vincent, Norte, David, and her mother, Lilian.

But none of them spoke.

Their silence said everything.

They agreed with him.

They all wanted to protect her — even if it meant breaking the very dream she had built her life upon.

In the end, Nattalie had no choice but to nod.

It wasn't surrender — not completely.

But inside, she made a silent vow.

If there was even the smallest crack in the walls her father built around her…

She would find it.

And piece by piece, she would take her freedom back.

***

Two days passed.

The news about Vannie Lung's attack had spread everywhere — from television gossip programs to every entertainment site imaginable.

"Popular actress attacked by obsessed hater."

"Is this the dark side of fame?"

"Who is behind the assault on Fong Jia Li's actress?"

Headlines screamed her name, her photos plastered across every page — from red-carpet glamour shots to the haunting image of her being carried into the hospital.

Outside, fans gathered with flowers and posters, some crying, some praying.

Others — the crueler ones — whispered that she deserved it, that karma had come for her villainous roles.

Inside the hospital, Nattalie scrolled through her phone quietly.

Each comment, each rumor, hit her like a stone.

But her expression didn't change.

Vincent noticed.

"You're really going to read all that garbage?" he asked, taking the phone from her hand before she could protest.

"I just want to know what they're saying," she murmured.

"They're saying nonsense," Vincent replied flatly. "And you shouldn't waste your time feeding on it."

Nattalie exhaled, leaning back against the pillow.

"It's not like I don't know how this industry works. Public sympathy fades fast. By next week, they'll find someone new to hate."

Vincent frowned, watching his sister's calm mask — the one she'd perfected after years in the spotlight.

It wasn't strength, not really. It was survival.

A knock at the door interrupted the tense silence.

It was Feng Yi Bai, her director, looking unusually subdued.

"Miss Lung—ah, Miss Huang," he corrected himself awkwardly, glancing toward Vincent. "May I have a moment?"

Vincent hesitated but eventually nodded, stepping back.

Feng Yi Bai bowed slightly, guilt heavy in his voice.

"I'm so sorry. If I had known you were in danger, I would've done something—"

"It's not your fault, Director Feng," Nattalie interrupted gently. "No one could have predicted this."

He nodded, still uneasy.

"The production team wanted to visit, but I told them to wait. There's too much media outside already. I came because… the network's worried about delays."

Vincent's jaw tightened. "Delays? My sister was nearly killed, and they're worried about ratings?"

Feng Yi Bai raised his hands quickly. "No, no, of course not! They just—well, you know how sponsors are. They want reassurance that Miss Lung will return when she's recovered."

Nattalie sat up straighter, determination sparking in her eyes.

"Tell them I will," she said firmly. "I'm not quitting."

Vincent turned to her in disbelief. "Lilie—"

She met his gaze with quiet resolve.

"I promised Father this would be my last chance. I won't waste it."

Feng Yi Bai hesitated, then nodded with relief.

"I'll pass along the message. Please, take your time to heal properly. We'll adjust the schedule to give you some breathing room."

After he left, Vincent sighed heavily.

"You really don't know when to stop, do you?"

Nattalie smiled faintly.

"If I stop now, everything I worked for disappears. I can't let fear decide my future."

Vincent looked at her for a long moment, then reached out to squeeze her hand.

"Then I'll make sure no one hurts you again."

The quiet vow lingered in the air — fragile, but real.

Outside the hospital window, the city buzzed with gossip and flashing lights.

But inside, for the first time in days, Nattalie felt something close to peace.

***

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