The following morning, Liam woke up feeling restless. Despite the warmth of the previous night with Ava, a nagging tension lingered in his mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was brewing beneath the surface, something he hadn't fully grasped yet.As he arrived at the studio, he noticed Jason deep in conversation with one of the crew members, his tone low and conspiratorial. The two of them exchanged furtive glances as Liam approached, and the moment Jason spotted him, the conversation abruptly ceased. The crew member quickly walked away, leaving a cloud of suspicion in the air."What were you two talking about?" Liam asked, trying to keep his voice steady."Just some industry stuff," Jason replied, an edge creeping into his tone. "You wouldn't be interested."Liam narrowed his eyes, sensing the hostility. "You know, if we're going to be working together, it'd be better if we kept things civil.""Civil?" Jason scoffed. "Maybe you should worry less about civility and more about your standing in this business. Things can change quickly in Hollywood."Liam took a step closer, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. "What's that supposed to mean?"But Jason only smirked, walking away without another word. The encounter left Liam unsettled, his instincts telling him that Jason was plotting something, and whatever it was, it wasn't good.Later that day, during rehearsals, Ava arrived, her face illuminated by a radiant smile that made Liam's heart skip a beat. But as the day wore on, he couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. The whispered conversation he had overheard still played in his mind."Ava, can we talk?" he asked during a break, pulling her aside."Of course! What's on your mind?" she replied, her enthusiasm unwavering."I just—" Liam hesitated, unsure how to bring it up. "I overheard Jason talking to someone. It sounded like they were planning something against me."Ava's brow furrowed in concern. "Are you sure? It could just be industry gossip. You know how these things go.""I don't know, Ava. He was acting suspiciously, and I can't help but feel like he's trying to sabotage me," Liam said, frustration spilling over."Maybe you're just reading too much into it. Jason has always been competitive," she said, trying to reassure him."But it's not just that. I feel like there's more at stake here—my career, my relationships. And if you think I'm overreacting, maybe you're not seeing things clearly," Liam snapped, unable to contain his frustration.Ava's expression shifted, hurt flashing across her features. "Liam, I'm just trying to be supportive. But you can't expect me to take your side blindly.""I'm not asking you to take sides! I'm trying to protect what we have!" Liam exclaimed, his voice rising.Ava stepped back, crossing her arms defensively. "It feels like you're pushing me away instead of letting me help. If you can't trust me, how can we move forward?"Liam's heart sank. He hadn't meant to push her away, but the mounting pressure felt overwhelming. "I just—"But before he could finish, Ava turned on her heel, walking away without another word. The moment hung heavily in the air, a chasm opening between them that felt impossible to bridge.That evening, as Liam sat alone in his apartment, he couldn't shake the feeling of isolation. His phone buzzed with a message from Lisa.Lisa: "How about we talk strategy? I can help you navigate the storm brewing with Jason."The temptation was strong. He could use guidance, but the thought of confiding in Lisa made him uneasy. He glanced at his phone again, hesitating. The last thing he wanted was to make matters worse with Ava by leaning on someone else.But the shadows of doubt began to creep in again. What if Jason was plotting something that could ruin him? What if Ava's loyalty wavered?With a heavy sigh, he pushed his phone aside, focusing instead on the script in front of him. He needed to prepare for the upcoming rehearsal and find a way to clear the air with Ava.The next day, the tension on set was palpable. Liam tried to concentrate on his lines, but the weight of his earlier confrontation with Ava loomed over him. Each glance at her only reminded him of their unresolved argument.Just as they finished a particularly intense scene, Jason approached, a cocky grin plastered on his face. "Nice work, Liam. I see you're still putting on a brave face. It must be exhausting, pretending everything's fine.""What do you want, Jason?" Liam replied, irritation flaring."Just checking in. Wouldn't want you to crack under pressure," Jason said, his tone dripping with insincerity. "Especially with all the rumors flying around."Liam clenched his jaw, fighting to keep his composure. "You don't know what you're talking about.""Don't I?" Jason leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Just remember, it only takes one slip-up, one mistake, and everything you've built can come crashing down."Before Liam could respond, Jason turned and walked away, leaving Liam seething with anger and confusion. It was clear that Jason was up to something, and as the day progressed, Liam felt a growing urgency to confront both Jason and Ava, to uncover the truth before it was too late.