Beverly’s grasp on her phone tightened as she hesitated, her face a blend of anxiety and something unspoken. Elizabeth’s gaze flickered toward her briefly, noticing the unmistakable signs of discomfort.
“Beverly,” Elizabeth began casually, her tone light but probing. “You’ve been awfully silent. Something on your mind?”
The question startled Beverly, who quickly shook her head. “No, not at all! Just enjoying the meal. It’s delightful, isn’t it?” Her attempt to divert attention was met with a raised eyebrow from Elizabeth.
Daxton leaned back, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips. “You’ve got sharp instincts, Elizabeth,” he said, reaching for his glass of water. “Sometimes, the quietest ones in the room have the most to say.”
Beverly’s cheeks reddened, and she busied herself with her plate, avoiding eye contact.
Asher, oblivious to the subtle exchange, leaned forward with determination. “You know, Elizabeth, we shouldn’t let these trolls have the final say. Maybe there’s a way to shift the narrative. Something genuine, something people can’t dispute.”
Elizabeth sighed, setting her fork down. “Asher, it’s not that straightforward. Public perception is changeable. The more we push, the more it looks like we’re hiding something.”
Daxton nodded in agreement. “She’s right. Sometimes, the best strategy is to wait for the storm to pass. But if you do want to redirect the focus, it has to be subtle and organic.”
Godwin, who had been silently observing, finally spoke up. “The only way to win over the public is with patience and consistency. Let your actions speak louder than the noise.”
Elizabeth leaned back in her chair, her eyes scanning the room. The crew was chatting and laughing, seemingly unaffected by the undercurrents of tension. But her gut told her there was more happening—something just beyond her reach.
Her attention returned to Beverly, who was now scrolling through her phone with deliberate focus. The faint glow of the screen reflected in her eyes, hiding whatever emotions lay beneath.
Daxton broke the silence with a light chuckle. “Well, if nothing else, Elizabeth, at least you have good company here. And plenty of food, thanks to me.” He flashed a playful grin, earning a round of laughter from the table.
The mood lightened, but Elizabeth’s mind remained occupied. As the lunch break wound down and the crew began tidying up, she caught Beverly sneaking another glance in her direction.
“Beverly,” Elizabeth called softly, catching her off guard. “Can you stay back for a moment?”
Beverly froze, her eyes darting to Daxton and then back to Elizabeth. “Of course,” she said, forcing a smile.
As the others filed out, leaving the three of them alone, Elizabeth crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. “Is there something you need to tell me?”
Beverly hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. “I don’t know what you mean,” she said, her voice wavering slightly.
Daxton leaned against the table, his casual demeanor contrasting with the sharp look in his eyes. “It’s okay, Beverly. Whatever it is, we’re here to listen.”
Elizabeth stepped closer, her tone firm but not unkind. “If there’s something happening, I’d rather hear it from you than find out some other way.”
Beverly’s shoulders slumped, and she exhaled shakily. “I… I might have overheard something,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Elizabeth exchanged a glance with Daxton, her curiosity deepening. “Overheard what?”
Beverly hesitated, her gaze flickering toward the door as though afraid someone might walk in. “It’s about… the script. The one you’ve been working on.”
Elizabeth’s stomach tightened. “What about it?”
Beverly looked down, her voice trembling. “Someone’s been talking about it online. They’re saying it was stolen.”
Elizabeth’s heart sank. The implications were staggering. “Who?”
“I don’t know,” Beverly confessed. “But I think… I think it might have been someone from the crew.”
Daxton’s expression darkened, his playful demeanor vanishing. “Do you have any proof?”
Beverly shook her head. “Just rumors. But I thought you should know.”
Elizabeth’s mind raced. If the script leak was true, it could jeopardize everything she’d worked for. Her hands curled into fists at her sides as she met Beverly’s uncertain gaze.
“Thank you for telling me,” she said finally, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “But I need you to do one more thing.”
Beverly nodded quickly. “Anything.”
“Keep this to yourself,” Elizabeth said. “And if you hear anything else, let me know immediately.”
Daxton straightened, his expression resolute. “We’ll figure this out, Elizabeth. Together.”
As the lunch break ended and the set returned to its usual buzz of activity, Elizabeth couldn’t shake the feeling that the storm was far from over.
