The Greatest Showman - Chapter 1420: Everything is Fine

"...I don't want to go in." Melissa stood at the door of the "Pioneer Village," her legs and knees trembling uncontrollably.

She couldn't do it. She still couldn't bring herself to face it.

The nightmare had only happened 30 minutes ago, and every detail was still vivid in her mind. Now, she had to pretend that nothing had happened and show up in front of Renly. The thought of it made her want to turn around and leave, faster than she ever had.

Blake Jenner stood beside her. If he could, he would let Melissa handle this herself, hoping she would learn from the experience and take it as a lesson. But, deep down, he couldn't let her go through it alone.

Seeing the panic and fear in her eyes, his heart ached. This was the woman he loved deeply, the woman he'd promised to stand by for life.

Blake moved closer, pulling her into a comforting embrace, patting her back gently as he spoke. "Don't worry. Didn't Renly say he won't pursue it?"

"No, he said this was the last time." Melissa's voice trembled, remembering Renly's words.

Blake's expression faltered. Renly, with his current status, could easily crush third- or fourth-tier actors like them without a second thought. A single word from him could ruin their careers. Yet, Renly had given Melissa a "last" chance—a rare mercy amidst the storm. Blake had thought that, after the incident, Melissa would be fired immediately.

But that couldn't be said out loud. "So, does that mean you're planning to quit the crew?" Blake asked softly.

Melissa's eyes shot up, her lower lip quivering as she gazed at Blake, hurt.

Blake realized his mistake and quickly added, "Then we have only two choices: I go in there, punch Renly, and tell him not to mess with my woman; or we walk in, pretend nothing happened, and make the most of this opportunity."

Melissa opened her mouth, then hit Blake's chest with her fist. After a brief release of frustration, she paused, looking up at him in a moment of silent grief. She wiped the tears from her eyes, her voice filled with uncertainty. "Is it really okay? Will they see through me?"

"It's fine," Blake replied with a forced lightness, attempting to break the tension. "I'll tell them you just stubbed your toe or something. We had a little argument this morning, and I came here to support you. If it's not convenient, I'll wait for you to finish the script and pick you up afterward."

Melissa felt a little comforted and nodded in agreement. But as they approached the door, she hesitated, the weight of the moment settling over her again.

Blake took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. With one final glance at Melissa, he pushed the door open. The cool breeze that greeted them wasn't from the air conditioner but from the stone walls of the building, carrying with it the faint scent of the ocean and a calm that filled the space.

The crew was in full swing. Chatter filled the air, and no one seemed to notice Blake and Melissa's arrival. Melissa breathed a little easier, though a knot still tightened in her stomach. Her eyes scanned the room, cautiously avoiding anyone's gaze, especially Renly's. But he was nowhere to be seen. Her relief was short-lived, though—was he planning to talk to the director or producer instead?

Her nerves tightened again, and she instinctively grabbed Blake's arm, seeking comfort. He scanned the room, then nodded subtly, signaling to her. "There," he murmured.

Melissa followed Blake's gaze to the corner of the room, where Renly and Damien were seated. Renly was speaking passionately, his voice full of conviction, while Damien listened carefully, absorbing every word. Melissa's heart skipped a beat.

"He's complaining," she thought. "He's complaining about me! I can't do this. I'm leaving now!" In a panic, she tried to turn away, but Blake held her arm firmly.

"Running away won't solve anything," Blake said calmly. "Unless you're ready to quit the set, there's no point in running. Renly's a man of his word. He said it's the last time, and he'll keep his promise."

Melissa struggled with the thought, her mind racing with fear and doubt. She tried to escape, but Blake's grip was unwavering, his presence offering her a measure of calm. "Let's go over and say hello," he urged, his voice gentle. "I'll be with you, and if anything happens, I'll handle it."

Melissa bit her lip, her anxiety evident. She nodded reluctantly, but her body felt heavy with dread, as if each step weighed a thousand pounds. Together, they slowly walked toward Renly and Damien, their conversation growing clearer as they approached.

"...In my opinion, a mentor is more than just a teacher. It's a unique relationship. First, the mentor is a professional authority, whose abilities are unquestionable. You admire them not only for their skill but for their guidance. When they choose you, you feel a deep joy, and you begin to restrain yourself, unconsciously aligning your actions with their expectations."

Renly was speaking with great fervor, and despite Melissa and Blake's approach, his focus remained on the conversation. Damien seemed to glance around briefly but quickly returned his attention to Renly, who continued to share his thoughts.

"The mentor is also a figure of authority. Their temper is blunt, their character direct. There's no room for negotiation. It's either right or wrong—black or white. This dynamic presses down on you, shaping your behavior without compromise."

Melissa and Blake exchanged confused glances. They had no idea what Renly was talking about—Oedipus? Father-son complexes? The words felt like a distant riddle, completely disconnected from their reality. And yet, Renly was speaking with such intensity, as though every word held a deeper meaning.

As the two of them stood by, trying to comprehend Renly's words, the conversation seemed to grow even more abstract, more theoretical. It was as though Renly and Damien were discussing something far beyond the everyday.

Melissa clenched Blake's hand tightly, her mind swirling. She realized that Renly wasn't just ignoring her—he was making a point. He was deliberately distancing himself, leaving her in her own discomfort, perhaps even punishing her for what had happened earlier.

Escape. The thought lingered in her mind, but she couldn't. Blake was there, steadying her, keeping her grounded.

Renly and Damien's words blended into the background, and Melissa stood frozen, caught between fear and uncertainty. She couldn't escape—not yet. Not until she faced what was coming next.