Defying Fate: The Unstoppable Eileen novel Chapter 401

Backstage, in the production team’s lounge, chaos was already brewing.

Galen had barely warmed his seat before word came in: Eileen Lopez, trailing just behind them earlier, had stirred up trouble—again.

“What? She picked a fight with a reporter? What reporter? What did she say now? Can’t that little firecracker give me a moment’s peace?”

The staffer sent to deliver the news hurried to clarify, “It wasn’t anyone big, just one of those small-time online journalists lurking by the red carpet. Ms. Lopez was happily posing for photos, waving to the cameras, when the reporter just wouldn’t let up—kept pushing her with one aggressive question after another…”

Galen groaned, feeling a headache coming on. “She could’ve just ignored him! It’s a nobody from a gossip site—just keep walking, there’s no need to get into it!”

The staffer shot Galen a look, as if to say, “Easy for you to say.” He sneered, “Maybe most people could let it go, but you know Ms. Lopez’s temper. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten?”

Galen fell silent.

Salome, standing nearby, piped up helpfully, “Just a word of advice—maybe don’t call her a ‘firecracker’ to her face.”

The staffer bristled, “Obviously not. We only talk about her behind her back!”

Salome just shrugged.

Galen pressed on, “Where’s Egbert Reed? Didn’t he try to stop her?”

The staffer burst out laughing. “Stop her? Not a chance.”

Galen could only sigh.

The staffer added, “Besides, Mr. Reed didn’t join in when Ms. Lopez snapped at the reporter. Isn’t that enough for you?”

Galen blinked, then nodded wearily. “Fair point, I suppose.”

Salome interjected, “Where are they now?”

“Out in the lobby,” the staffer replied.

Galen leapt up from the couch, finally sensing the gravity of the situation. “Wait, don’t tell me they got thrown out of the opening ceremony?”

“Oh, no,” the staffer said quickly. “Ms. Lopez just complained she was still hungry after the airplane food. She dragged Mr. Reed off to raid the dessert table in the buffet area.”

Galen clenched his jaw so tight he thought his teeth might crack. “She has the nerve to eat after picking a fight with the press? Bring her here. Now.”

The staffer hesitated. “Right now?”

Galen barked, “What, should I wait until tomorrow?”

The staffer eyed the door cautiously. “But if I interrupt her mid-bite, what if she bites me instead?”

Galen was so furious he could barely speak.

Was Eileen some kind of wild animal?

In the end, he could only grind out, “Fine, wait until she’s finished.”

While Galen was stewing and plotting a stern lecture for Eileen, the story had already exploded online. News of Eileen insulting a reporter was now front and center on USA’s biggest video platform.

The video had been posted by the very same online journalist Eileen had snapped at. Enraged and ignoring his colleagues’ advice, he’d uploaded the entire unedited clip, eager to expose this “nobody actress from Crestonia” to the world.

Who did she think she was—coming to the States and mouthing off to an American reporter? Didn’t she know whose turf this was?

Within ten minutes, the comments section had blown up, with over a thousand furious replies, all taking shots at Eileen.

Meanwhile, Eileen was blissfully unaware of her newfound online infamy.

After polishing off her cake, she strolled back to the lounge with Egbert, looking thoroughly pleased with herself.

The moment she walked in, she spotted Galen, face thunderous, eyes fixed on her like a hawk.

Not sure what she’d done wrong, Eileen quickly let go of Egbert’s hand and slunk to the farthest corner, trying to make herself invisible.

An awkward silence hung in the air until a staffer piped up, “There’s an interview coming up. The crew will be here any minute.”

Eileen meekly asked, “Are there cue cards?”

Usually, to avoid unexpected or out-of-bounds questions, the team would agree on cue cards with the interviewer.

But Galen snapped, “Cue cards? What good are cue cards? You think cue cards are going to stop you from causing trouble?”

Eileen blinked, bewildered. “What did I do wrong this time?”

Egbert, who had already guessed the reason for Galen’s rage, went over and sat beside Eileen. He gently ruffled her hair before looking up at Galen. “Honestly, that reporter was asking for it.”

Galen glared. “Of course you’d take her side! You keep this up and she’s going to be the death of us.”

Egbert just stayed silent.

Galen rounded on Eileen. “Well? Don’t you have anything to say for yourself?”

Eileen twisted her hands, sneaking a glance at Galen. After a moment’s hesitation, she finally muttered, “I’m sorry, Galen. I made you upset. To make it up to you, I’ve arranged a special Oscar film festival in your honor—today at noon, over in Ironhaven’s West End. Hope that helps you forgive me.”