However, she couldn't shoulder all the blame. Holden hadn't addressed his situation with Sadie, which had left her angry. Moreover, Holden had pretended not to know about her joining the love-variety show and lied to her.

Holden snorted coldly, fixing his gaze on her. "Is this what you call being busy with work?"

Caught off guard, Ariana blushed and stammered, "This... I..." She paused, then countered, “Weren't you supposed to be at a charity auction? How did you end up here?"

“Why am I here?" Holden cornered Ariana, his voice soft yet filled with intensity. "If I hadn't shown up, my wife would have been snatched away by someone else. You've got people chasing after you relentlessly, and the internet is abuzz with rumors about you and Mitchel, all fueling speculation about your relationship with him. How could I not intervene?"

Ariana awkwardly scratched her cheek. “It's all fabricated, just clever editing and hype."

“Fabricated?" Holden dismissed her explanation with a scoff, his grip tightening around her waist. "The way he pursues you doesn't seem fabricated to me."

With a resigned sigh, Ariana said, "There's truly nothing between me and Mitchel, you know that. Please, stop causing a scene and leave."

"I won't leave," Holden asserted, pulling her closer, his tone tinged with reproach. “Instead of me, why don't you send him away? Besides, you're still here; I'm not going anywhere.”

Ariana maintained her composure, patiently explaining, “I made a commitment to finish shooting, and I was originally scheduled as a guest. Leaving now would create complications for the director."

Holden gazed at her. After a while, he said, “Fine, I'll leave, but not before you kiss me."

Ariana believed his words instantly. She acquiesced, tiptoeing to peck him on the cheek.

However, Holden seized the moment, pressing her against the wall and initiating a passionate kiss brimming with possessiveness.

Caught off guard, Ariana struggled to catch her breath. Amidst brief gasps for air, she protested, “That's enough; my makeup will smudge."

Ignoring her pleas, Holden persisted until he was satisfied, leaving behind a trail of crimson marks on Ariana's collarbone.

Just then, a knock echoed on the bathroom door, followed by the sound of approaching footsteps.

Panicking, Ariana tried to push Holden away, her heart racing as she struggled to maintain silence.

However, Holden seemed unfazed by the potential intrusion, enveloping Ariana in a tighter embrace despite the noise outside.

Blushing deeply, Ariana became increasingly concerned about being overheard, instinctively covering her mouth with her hand.

Only when the footsteps faded into the distance did Holden finally release Ariana. His touch was gentle as he kissed her cheek and straightened her disheveled clothes. With a satisfied smile, he leaned in to nuzzle Ariana's neck, whispering, “Let's head back to the show."

Ariana, still trying to catch her breath, shot Holden a glare before catching onto his words. “Aren't you supposed to be leaving?" she questioned, puzzled by his sudden change of heart.