A wave of embarrassment swept over her, as she realized that she had unknowingly set herself up for this situation. It was like lifting a rock, only to drop it on her own feet.

Meanwhile, Tyler, who had been standing quietly to the side, couldn't help but steal a glance at Theodore. The man exuded a powerful aura, commanding the attention of all those around him.

The truth was, Tyler had felt a jolt of recognition run through him when Theodore spoke. It was the voice of the person who had answered Ariana's phone the previous night.

The man from the other end of the line demanded to know Tyler's identity, but Tyler held his tongue as he recalled Ariana's warning to keep quiet before signing the contract. So, he only managed to blurt out that he needed to speak with Ariana.

However, the man hung up without another word.

Little did Tyler know that the person he spoke to the previous night was none other than the formidable Theodore Anderson, the mastermind behind the Anderson Group.

The way Theodore spoke, it was evident that he had a special relationship with Ariana—a connection that piqued Tyler's curiosity.

Why were they pretending not to know each other now?

A realization struck Tyler, and he found himself lost in thought.

The hostility he saw in Theodore's eyes was not a figment of his imagination. It was real, raw, and undeniable. It was like the King of Wolves, who would not tolerate any intrusion into his territory or his partner.

Theodore had laid claim to Ariana, and Tyler had unwittingly trespassed into his domain by making that call last night.

Tyler's heart sank, and he couldn't help but feel a little down. He tried to push the idea away, but it kept creeping back into his mind.

A few moments of awkward silence passed before Theodore spoke up in his deep, commanding voice.

“If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

“Goodbye, Mr. Anderson!" Ariana smiled.

She let out a sigh of relief, eager to put some distance between herself and the overbearing man. Her eagerness at his departure annoyed Theodore, inviting a disdainful glare in her direction.

Tyler let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, glad to see Theodore finally leaving. He turned his gaze to Ariana, her beautiful face calming him down, and couldn't resist the urge to call out in a sweet voice, "Ariana."

At this moment, Theodore's wheelchair abruptly halted, eliciting an ominous creak.

He turned to face the younger man with a cold stare, his voice laced with a warming, “Do not address her in such a familiar way. You must be mindful of the rumors that could spread between actors and their agents."

Tyler was feeling uneasy, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts, but he knew better than to show any of it on his face.