The CEO’S Unplanned Heir novel (Aurelia and Leopold)
Chapter 873

Leah pouted, her intuition telling her Avery still harbored feelings for Bonnie.

"Why would you even care about her, after she left you high and dry?" Leah grumbled, spooning a mouthful of mac and cheese. "She ghosted you when you needed her most, and now she's playing the victim? Don't tellyou're buying her excuse. She's just trying to clear her name." Avery's fanbase wasn't having any of it either, dubbing Bonnie 'lying siren’ for her tics.

Avery quirked a half-smile, "If she hadn't dumped me, we'd probably be married by now. You want to seehitched so young?" The last thing Leah wanted was Avery off the market. She stuck out her tongue playfully, "Then I guess millions of fans and I should be thanking her for taking a hike." With a gentle pinch to Leah's cheek, Avery shrugged off the past. "Let bygones be bygones. She's my classmate, and I can't stand by to watch her get bullied." Leah sighed inwardly. Avery was just too nice for his own good, always taking the high road.

That evening, as Avery was shooting a night scene, Marianne plopped down next to Leah.

"Bonnie's really stirred up a storm this time, and garnered quite a bit of sympathy," Marianne observed, nibbling on a carrot stick. "I heard they're booting Sybil from the project, letting Bonnie step in." Leah scooped up sstrawberry ice cream, "Sybil had it coming. No tears shed there." "But our idol isn't thinking of getting back with Bonnie, right?" Marianne's concern was palpable.

Leah was serious, "Let's not feed on those rumors. Avery's been over Bonnie for ages. She's the one trying to ride his coattails." Marianne sighed, "Well, she's definitely hitched a ride this time. Without Avery there, she'd just be another one of Sybil's punching bags, never making a comeback." Leah shrugged, "Sare born to fame, sachieve it, and shave it thrust upon them. Guess she just got lucky." Their chat was cut short as a familiar figure approached.

"Speak of the devil," Leah muttered.

With paparazzi swarming the movie set, digging for dirt, it seemed they wouldn't rest until they'd turned every stone on Avery and Bonnie's rumors.

Was Bonnie here to fan the flames of her fading spotlight? Leah sprang from her seat like a whirlwind, racing to intercept Bonnie. As Avery's assistant, warding off unwanted distractions was part of the job.

Marianne followed suit.

"Bonnie, with paparazzi lurking around every corner, what do you want here?" Leah challenged.

Back off! Bonnie twirled a strand of hair, "Avery had my back this morning. I just wanted to thank him." Leah was firm, "No need. Avery didn't do anything special. He was on a set visit, oblivious to your . Had he known, he wouldn't have shown up." Bonnie had deepened her frown. She didn't care for Leah, who guarded Avery like a hawk, as if afraid someone might snatch him away.

"Even though we're not together, we're still friends. I just want to thank him in person. What are you so worried about?" Marianne scoffed, "Please, you're both in the eye of the storm. This isn't about gratitude. You're just scared the buzz is dying down and you want to cling on." Marianne never minced her words. Thinking Leah as her only rival, she wouldn't stand for another one. Bonnie was history.

Bonnie bit her lips and her trick was exposed to them. Her agent advised her to keep up the momentum and ramp up the ‘interaction’ with Avery, keeping the fire blazing.

"I'll wait for Avery. If he wantsgone, I'll respect his wishes and leave," she declared.

Leah could see the stubborn resolve. Bonnie wouldn't leave without seeing Avery.

"Look, Avery's done more than enough for you," Leah said, her voice soft but firm. "Don't make this any harder, okay?"

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