Chapter 50: Romance Born from the Script

"Someone call for help!" a voice shouted.

Matthew turned his head and saw the crew's doctor rushing over with a medical kit. Filming on the pier had stopped completely. Britney Spears was sitting on the ground, clutching her ankle with both hands, her face twisted in pain.

It looked like Britney was injured.

Matthew quickly moved toward the scene. As he got closer, he could see tears welling up in Britney's eyes — the pain was real.

"Take her to the hospital!" the doctor shouted after a quick check. "Hurry!"

Britney's manager panicked instantly and shouted at two male dancers, "Move! Take her to the hospital, now!"

The dancers ran over to help, but Britney couldn't stand at all. She had twisted her ankle, and with those high heels, there was no way she could get up.

"Don't touch me!" Britney cried, two tears rolling down her cheeks. "It hurts! It hurts so much!"

"You idiots!" her manager exploded. "Useless fools!"

Hearing this, Matthew didn't say a word. He pushed through the people in front of him, walked over, and knelt down in front of Britney. "Let me carry you."

Britney looked up at him. Maybe the pain was too much because she didn't argue. She just bit her lip and nodded.

Matthew put one arm around her shoulders and the other under her knees, lifting her gently into his arms.

Her manager rushed ahead, clearing the path. "Move! Move aside! Let Britney through!"

Everyone stepped out of the way. Matthew walked quickly along the long pier toward the restaurant. He was wearing flip-flops for the shoot, but after a few steps, he realized they were slowing him down. So he kicked them off and continued barefoot, carrying Britney in his arms.

"Get up there and stop the reporters!" the manager shouted again.

There had already been a crowd of journalists watching from the cliff earlier that morning — now there were even more.

As the motion made her ankle throb again, Britney winced in pain, her eyes filling with tears.

Matthew entered the restaurant and whispered to her, "Stay strong, Britney."

She held onto him tightly, her tears ready to fall again.

"You want those reporters to get photos of you crying?" he asked softly. "You want Christina Aguilera to laugh at you?"

Britney immediately shook her head. "No! Never!"

She quickly wiped her tears away with one hand. Matthew gave her a small smile. "That's more like it. Tough girl."

Still holding her, Matthew passed through the restaurant, getting closer to the exit.

Outside, a van was already waiting. Reporters had gathered around the entrance, sensing something had happened.

Elena Boyar, camera in hand, had secured one of the best positions. She was tall and aggressive, standing just a meter from the van thanks to the crew's security team. Her angle was perfect.

Recently, thanks to a tip from Matthew Horner, she had written several explosive articles for The American News Report, revealing the hidden tension between Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera — a feud that now every American gossip reader knew about.

Now, Britney was her only focus.

Suddenly, someone burst out of the restaurant. Elena reflexively snapped a photo, but it was just some manager-looking guy.

"Quick! Open the door! Let Britney in!" the man shouted.

Wait—was it really Britney who got hurt?

Elena turned her lens back to the door. A tall man in a white T-shirt walked out, carrying a curvy blonde in his arms.

She hit the shutter again. Around her, camera clicks went off like fireworks.

"It's him?" Elena recognized the man immediately. It was Matthew Horner — they had just spoken face to face a while ago. But she didn't stop clicking. "Why is he carrying Britney?"

She watched as he put her into the van and climbed in after her. He didn't come back out. Clearly, he was going with her.

"Drive! Follow that van!" reporters shouted around her. "Who is that guy with Britney?"

Nobody seemed to recognize Matthew Horner.

Reporters made calls as they chased after the van. "Britney left with a guy. She looked very close to him. I've got photos. Find out who he is — fast!"

Elena followed in her yellow Chevy, staying far behind the van. She was already thinking. From what she had heard, no one else knew who Matthew was. That meant she had a scoop.

Of course, just saying "MV actor helps injured female lead" wouldn't be enough to go viral.

No. She needed a better story.

Something like: "Britney in love with music video co-star? Injured on set, cared for tenderly by mystery man…"

With a few carefully chosen photos of Matthew carrying Britney, the story would be golden.

She turned off early and drove straight to the newsroom — if she acted fast, it could go live online tonight and hit print by morning.

Meanwhile, at the restaurant, Helen Herman entered Matthew's private dressing room and picked up his clothes and shoes from the makeup artist. She put everything in a bag and drove to the hospital.

She had seen everything clearly.

Helen had complicated feelings about Matthew. He wasn't very smart or careful — the plan he made to get this role had obvious flaws. If it weren't for sheer luck…

But still, she respected one thing: Matthew knew how to seize an opportunity.

Even Britney's injury, and he managed to use it…

Was he finally doing what she had advised? If so, she needed to be ready.

At the hospital, the van stopped. Matthew jumped out barefoot and carried Britney into the emergency room.

"It's okay, Britney. You'll be fine," he whispered.

She nodded, totally trusting him.

An orderly came with a stretcher. Matthew gently placed her on it and followed closely.

He looked more like her manager than her actual manager.

The manager, walking behind them, kept watching. He looked at Britney, then at Matthew, frowning deeper by the minute.

He knew Britney well. Despite her sweet image, she was spoiled, proud, and difficult — just like any young celebrity who'd made it big too fast.

And yet here she was, being so close with a no-name actor?

He didn't like it. Something about it felt off.

He looked at Matthew's broad back and decided he needed to learn more about this "MV lead."

When they reached the ER doors, Matthew started to stop, but Britney looked back at him. He gave her a comforting nod. "Stay strong, Britney."

She bit her lip and nodded.

As the stretcher rolled in, Matthew sat down on a bench outside. Britney's manager was already on the phone, probably calling in a specialist.

Soon, more people arrived — Britney's assistant, some record label staff.

Matthew didn't say anything. He just sat there quietly, feeling a bit awkward in his costume.

He shook out his arms to get rid of the soreness and rubbed his face with his rough hands.

Just then, a bag appeared in front of him. He looked up — it was Helen Herman.

"Your clothes and shoes," she said.

"Thanks. I'll go change," Matthew replied.

She waved him off. He went to the men's restroom, wiped off the makeup, changed clothes, and came back. By then, Britney's father had arrived.

Helen sat apart from the crowd, clearly keeping her distance from Britney's entourage. Matthew sat beside her. She nodded toward a blond, middle-aged man.

"That's Jamie Spears," she said quietly. "Britney's dad. From what I hear, he treats her like a money-making machine. He controls her very strictly."

Matthew just shrugged. "What's that got to do with me?"

Soon after, the diagnosis came in — Britney had a sprained ankle. Filming would have to stop for now.