Penny sighed bitterly and took a few steps back. "I guess I was just too naive. All I want now is to expedite my exit from this industry. Once this film wraps up, I''ll do as my mother advised me to and get an ounting degree. I''m not going to delude myself into thinking about a career in the entertainment industry."


    Monica was rather surprised to see that Penny''s usual optimism had been recedpletely by pessimism. She held Penny''s arm and led her to a secluded spot.


    Once they were alone, Monica asked cautiously, "Okay, we''re alone now. There''s no one around. Now tell me the truth. Did you discover something?"All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    Penny trembled and nced at Monica with a panicked expression. "No!" she denied vehemently. "What are you talking about? I... I didn''t discover anything!"


    Monica narrowed her eyes. She did not expect to have pinpointed the source of Penny''s jitteriness, having asked the question offhandedly. "But if that''s the case, why are you being so defensive? You don''t seem like yourself today, and you''ve been spacing out for some reason too. We''re friends, aren''t we? You don''t have to keep everything to yourself when you''re with me."


    Penny forced a bitter smile. Monica was the only true friend she had in the crew. Though Monica was an actress and Penny was merely a crew member, Monica never saw her as anything less than a friend. They grew close, and one would be forgiven for thinking that they were friends during their school days. Monica frequently held Penny''s hands whenever they met on set. As a result, Monica was the only person she trusted, which was precisely why Penny could not bring herself to share what she had discovered. Otherwise, Monica would be pulled into the storm too.


    "Well, I trust you, and I''m willing to tell you anything, but we''re both neers to this industry. A lot of things are moreplex than we imagine. You understand that, don''t you? It''s not that I don''t want to tell you... Sometimes, ignorance can be a good thing!" Penny exined sincerely.


    Monica might decide to risk it all and confront those involved if the information was made known to her, and Penny wanted to avoid that.


    Monica and Penny exchanged silent nces, and Monica finally caved in.


    "Okay. I won''t pressure you. If you do decide to tell me one day, please don''t hesitate to talk to me about it. Don''t carry all the burden alone. I''m your friend. I know there are risks involved, but I''m willing to share the burden with you, okay?"


    Penny knew Monica was a woman of her word. Monica''s offer to share the burden was a genuine one. Penny was incredibly grateful to have such a reliable friend and found some sce within her challenging work environment.


    "Okay!"


    Monica smiled and hooked her arm-a sign of their tacit understanding.


    Unfortunately, disaster struck Penny shortly after they parted ways.


    Elsewhere, at the hospital, Melody closed her eyes even though she was struggling to sleep. She was waiting for Lucas, and she wondered why he had yet to arrive. He had promised to return within an hour, and his absence left her frowning dejectedly.


    She wondered if it was a little unbing of her to be so bitterly anticipating hispany. She missed him sorely as soon as she woke up. With no familiar faces around, the eerily quiet atmosphere in the vastly empty VIP ward exacerbated her loneliness.


    Melody sighed andforted herself by saying that it was time to rest. Perhaps Lucas would be by her side when she woke up.