A Film Queen

Chapter 410

Oliver tousled his hair and started, “My initial meeting with the new sect leader happened at the gateway of

Crestwood High. | messaged you right then, and upon learning the update, you cback to Halturia.”

Leon nodded, remembering the incident clearly.

It was the first the had learned that the new sect leader had already been chosen and was in Halturia.

Coincidentally, he had to return hto see Milly, so he promptly headed back.

They knew about the new sect leader's presence then but didn’t know who it was yet.

Oliver continued, “After that, | encountered the new sect leader on the filming set...”

Upon hearing this, Leon and King exchanged a startled look. On the filming set?

Did this mean that the new sect leader was also connected to the entertainment industry?

Having been in that industry and having worked with Oliver...

Remembering the project Oliver collaborated on would make it easy to identify the person.

However, Oliver appeared to sense their thoughts and suddenly stopped his story, declining to reveal any more

information. He said, “I regret that | can’t share further details.”

He felt he had already revealed sufficient information.

Growing frustrated, King stood up suddenly and said, “You talk about our friendship, yet you always protect

outsiders. Now we can’t even ask a question? Remember when you were in the Ghost Sect, it was Leon and |

who stood by you during tough times.

“Once, you nearly died in prison on a mission, and it was Leon who took the risk of exposure to save you. Have

you forgotten all of that? You keep offering your help, but in the end, you're supporting a traitor! What has the

new sect leader done to you? Or were you only concerned about your own status and wealth from the

beginning?”

“I didn’t!” Oliver nearly shouted, his voice thick with emotion as he went on, “I really didn’t. How could | betray

my friends...”

Oliver, usually relaxed and emotionally distant, rarely showed such vulnerability. They had never seen him cry

until now.

His gaze shimmered with a touch of crimson, and he battled to restrain his feelings. Despite his persistent

refusals, tears started to stream uncontrollably.

Feeling ashamed, he quickly brushed aside the tears, bowed his head, and stood up from his chair. “Do not

worry, | vowed to keep it confidential, and I will. | always honour my promises.”

This was the initial occasion King had observed him in such a condition, leaving a sour feeling in his mouth.

Still, he continued, “Hmm, who can say? Either way, you know our strategy already. Even if you betray us, we

won't be clueless.”

In this instance, Oliver chose not to explain further. He stiffened briefly, pivoted on his heel, and left without

retrieving the phone he had thrown onto the couch.

Bam! The door slammed closed.

King was so enraged that he knocked over a nearby chair. “D*mn it!”

Leon frowned, watching King stand there in frustration, and spoke with a hint of helplessness, “You know deep

down he’s not like that, so why say such hurtful things?”

King, still fuming, let out a disdainful snort, and spoke confrontationally, “Who says | don’t think that way deep

down? I do! If he doesn’t see us as friends, then | won't consider him a friend either. What a joke!

“For the sake of a new sect leader whom he has only recently met, he betrays years of our relationship. What

else can he be but a traitor?

“And he has the nerve to call us buddies? Is this how buddies treat each other? Real buddies would sacrifice

anything for each other, but he stabs his friends in the back.”

King was boiling with rage, openly criticising Oliver. Yet, when he faced Leon, he saw that Leon stayed serene

and collected, appearing unaffected by the turmoil.

Approaching him with a puzzled expression, King asked, “Aren't you bothered at all? Look at what he’s done!”

Arching an eyebrow, Leon responded with a touch of amusement, “What has he done?”

“He’s betrayed us!”

Leon chuckled softly and locked eyes with King. “In what way has he betrayed us? He's never leaked our

discussions, consistently led our operations, and endangered himself for our sake despite the tense relations

between the Four Branch Sect and us. If he didn’t regard us as his buddies, would he willingly face such

dangers?’

King stared at Leon incredulously. “But withholding the news about the new sect leader from us, isn’t that a form

of betrayal?”

With a faint grin, Leon clarified, “He withheld it because he gave his word to the new sect leader. He can’t go

back on his promise. If he had agreed casually and then disclosed the information with us later, wouldn't that

make him even less reliable?”

King continued to wrestle with acceptance, “But...”

Cutting him off, Leon raised his hand. “Are you upset that he didn’t notify you about the new sect leader, or

because he prioritises the new sect leader over you?”

King lapsed into silence.

In truth, after saying so much, he realised he hadn't truly blamed Oliver in his heart. It was mere anger-pure and

simple anger. Yet, when pressed about the reason for his anger, he found himself unable to articulate a clear

answer.

He was just upset!

Giving King’s shoulder a reassuring pat, Leon rose and counselled, “Your earlier words were really hurtful. I'm

certain Oliver is feeling terrible right now. Maybe you should talk to him again.”

With a serious tone, King asked, “Were my words really ... so hurtful?”

Leon nodded silently in affirmation.

Not only were they hurtful, but he was really letting loose just now, saying almost everything he could think of

that was hurtful. Considering Oliver's quick temper, holding back from a full-blown confrontation was quite

restrained.

“I... " King tugged at his hair in frustration, his already troubled face now even more so. Finally, he sat down

heavily on a nearby chair, giving up on the situation. “Never mind. He's the one who messed up. Why should |

apologise? Who knows if what he said about not revealing anything is true or just an act? He's such a good actor,

who could outplay him?”

Leon sighed softly as he listened to King’s defiant tone, choosing not to say anything further.

It's probably best not to meddle too much in their affairs. King knows what he’s doing, and it’s unlikely to

escalate into something major. Let them sort it out themselves.

After a brief struggle within himself, King opted to shift gears, saying, “Let’s not linger on that, Leon. Weren't you

the one who originally opposed taking on the role of sect leader? What prompted your change of heart?”