Watching You Burn In Regret novel Chapter 137

Just outside the set, a large oak tree stood, its thick trunk conveniently blocking part of the view.

Beneath its shade, Willa crossed her arms and eyed Seren with a smug tilt of her chin. She was the first to speak, her tone dripping with superiority. "Just say what you want to say, Miss Bradley."

Seren met Willa's gaze, calm and composed, her words measured and steady.

"The smear articles about me online—you're the one who ordered them."

The certainty in Seren's voice left no room for doubt. It was as if she saw right through everything Willa had done.

Willa's expression faltered for a split second.

When she'd arranged for those nasty pieces to be published, she'd been careful. She'd warned Marcus Sullivan—don't ever let her name get out. She couldn't have Sheridan tracing it back to her.

Yet here was Seren, seeing through it all in an instant.

As Willa struggled to mask her shock, she caught a familiar silhouette out of the corner of her eye.

Seren had come here to confirm her suspicions. Judging by the look on Willa's face, she was almost completely certain now.

There was no need for further words. The smear campaign—Willa was behind it.

Seren said nothing more, simply waiting for Willa to defend herself.

Willa's lips curled in a smirk, and after a brief pause, she spoke with sudden frankness.

"Yeah, those articles were my doing. Can you prove it? What are you going to do about it?"

Her voice was sharp, her attitude dismissive, as if daring Seren to make a move.

Seren knew exactly why Willa was provoking her—Sheridan had arrived.

But honestly, it didn't matter who was here. Least of all someone as irrelevant as Sheridan.

Willa had practically offered up her cheek. Why waste the opportunity?

Seren's palm landed against Willa's face with a crisp, unmistakable smack—a sound that drew plenty of attention. People passing by glanced over, curious or nosy, but the trunk of the oak hid most of what was happening.

"Willa."

Sheridan's voice rang out as he strode toward them.

From his angle, he could only see Willa standing beneath the tree. It wasn't until he came closer that he noticed Seren standing beside her.

Truth was, Sheridan had brought Willa to the set that morning hoping to see Seren. But by the time the show wrapped up, Seren had been nowhere in sight.

He'd finally let Willa leave first, then asked the director, only to learn Seren had only been filming the day before.

He'd been feeling downright lost—until he spotted Seren now, and his eyes lit up.

Sheridan was still a few steps away when Willa, one hand pressed dramatically to her reddened cheek, turned on the waterworks.

"She saw you coming and slapped herself. I'll give her this—she doesn't hold back, even with herself."

Willa's face turned bright red with fury. "You're lying! You hit me!"

Seren arched a brow, her voice icy.

"And who saw me do it? Can you name a single witness? If you can't, maybe you shouldn't go around making accusations."

"You—!"

Willa's face flushed and paled in turn, her expression twisting with frustration.

She wasn't stupid. She could hear Seren using her own words right back at her.

Seren looked on, her gaze cool and faintly mocking.

An eye for an eye, she thought. If Willa couldn't handle it, that was her problem.

As the two women stared each other down, Sheridan's voice cut through the tension.

"Seren. Don't take me for an idiot. I know you hit Willa."

"Just apologize to her, and we'll put this behind us."

In truth, a small, secret part of Sheridan felt oddly pleased. If Seren was fighting with Willa, even denying she'd slapped her, it meant she still cared about him—didn't it?