The CEO's Unplanned Heir novel Chapter 868

"You gotta take dinner plans seriously. Once you're back in Elysium, hit me up."

"We'll play it by ear," Marianne replied before hanging up, fully aware that Quentin was more trouble than he was worth.

Quentin was just sniffing around for a chance to cozy up to the Hawthorne family and nab an investment.

Paparazzi had the nose of a bloodhound when it came to celebrity gossip.

Hyvin’s gesture of dropping off a present at the set for Leah had been caught. By the next day, it was the hottest topic online.

"Hyvin gifts Avery’s assistant a couple-style artifact."

"Rumors of Hyvin dating Avery's assistant."

The gossipmongers were having a field day.

"I feel like someone’s stealing Avery's thunder?"

"Maybe Avery's got a thing with the new makeup artist, and Leah got jealous and pretended to date Hyvin."

"Didn’t Hyvin say in an interview he likes curvy and slightly chubby girls? He seemed to send Leah love signals from afar!"

"What if Leah ditches Avery to be Hyvin’s assistant?"

"I kinda ship Leah and Avery, though. They always look so matching."

Onlookers were unfolding their guesses heatedly.

The speculation was rampant, imaginations running wild.

Leah, exasperated, rushed to post a clarification on her blog that she and Hyvin were just friends.

Hyvin, not to be left out, tweeted his side, admitting he did gift Leah an artifact he'd picked up abroad, a token for his close friends. He appreciated Leah's help in the past and confirmed they were nothing but buddies.

Leah shot her a warning glance. "Don’t start rumors, Marianne. We’re in the showbiz. A casual joke can become tomorrow's headline."

Marianne zipped her lips with her fingers. "Mum’s the word, promise. But you have to admit, Hyvin is handsome as a rare gem in this industry and comes from a good family. If he's into you, would you consider it?"

Leah was adamant. "No way. I'm not dating until I'm twenty-five. I’m all about the job right now."

A sly twinkle in Marianne's eye, she pressed on, voice even lower, "Got a crush on an idol, huh?"

Leah countered, "Seems like you're quite taken with Avery. Out of all the stars, why apply to be his makeup artist?"

Marianne shrugged playfully. "Sure, I'm a fan. But that's a fan's adoration after all. Working as his makeup artist just means I get to be close to my idol."

Marianne admired Avery, and she wanted to get to the bottom of his relationship with Leah. If they weren't secretly together, or if Leah's feelings were unrequited, Marianne was ready to throw her hat in the ring.

Fair game until wedding bells ring. No one could call it homewrecking when it was just competing for the lover.