The villainess of Hollywood

Chattering ensued as all eyes fell on Brianna, standing some distance from Adele and Elliot. Flashes of lights from cameras illuminated her face, voices yelling at her, asking if she'll accept Adele's apology.

Those who knew Adele couldn't help but wonder if the hotheaded woman would really apologize; they felt anxious to know what would happen next.

The crowd parted as Brianna walked forward, mouths agape and eyes wide in anticipation, but Adele and Elliot were yet to spare her a glance.

'Why won't he look at me?' Brianna frowned as she stared at the back of Elliot's head. 'Didn't he hear when I called him?' she thought.

"Adele," Brianna started, almost mockingly. "I was told you wanted to apologize?"

Adele kept a stern expression as she maintained eye contact with the handsome young man she had just met. She narrowed her eyes at Elliot, "Tell her I'm not apologizing."

Elliot exhaled slowly through his nose as he briefly tucked his bottom lip in his mouth. He only stared at her defiant expression for a moment before saying, "Stop being so stubborn."

"Stop trying to tell me what to do," Adele clapped back.

"I don't have all day," Brianna jeered, feeling especially irritated that Elliot still hadn't looked at her.

Adele averted her gaze from Elliot's silver eyes and looked at Brianna, who was still playing a damsel in distress for the camera. Her narrowed eyes held no emotion as she said in a monotone, "I'd rather keel over and die."

Adele was about to walk away when Elliot latched onto her wrist. "Where are you going?"

"That's none of your business, mom," Adele sarcastically responded as she rolled her eyes. "Now, let go of me before I kick you where it'll definitely hurt," she threatened.

Elliot ignored her threat and pulled her closer to him by her wrist. Adele released a small gasp when she lost her balance and fell into his chest.

The handsome, raven-haired prince wrapped an arm around her waist to support her and gently gripped her chin with his free hand, forcing her to look up at him.

Adele's cheeks inadvertently reddened as she met his silver eyes, but she quickly looked away when a strange, fluttery feeling invaded her stomach. "Your charms don't work on me."

"Oh?" Elliot's voice lowered as he asked, "Then why are you blushing?"

Brianna's blood was boiling with rage; she didn't come all the way back to the dining room of the hotel to watch Adele and Elliot flirt with each other. It made her sick; she was physically nauseous watching the both of them.

A huff left her pursed lips, and she crossed her arms across her chest as she said, "If Adele had no intention of apologizing, why did you ask me to come all the way down here?"

"I knew this would be a waste of time," she muttered.

Elliot was momentarily distracted by Brianna leaving and involuntarily let go of Adele. "No, Brianna...wait," he called out to the upset bride, not realizing that Adele was taking the opportunity to escape.

Brianna halted her steps, a smile on her lips and goosebumps lining her skin when she heard her name in his smooth, deep voice and British accent. Her pink lips were downturned into a frown as she turned to face him, feigning hurt.

"Ad-" When Elliot turned around, the beauty he held so closely just now was walking away. "Bloody hell," he muttered under his breath before calling out to her. "Adele!"

The raven-haired Brazillian-Italian turned around and sent him a wink before disappearing behind a large column.

Elliot returned his attention to Brianna. "Don't move, okay?" he told her. "I'll be right back." He didn't wait on the blushing bride to respond and jogged off after Adele.

Adele felt so happy to be free; she couldn't stop smiling as she neared one of the side exits of the dining room. However, the smile gradually fell from her lips when Brianna's brother and one of the bridesmaids appeared from the darkness at the exit.

Adele's steps slowed as she teased, "What were both of you doing alone in the darkness?" She smiled as she attempted to step past them, "Don't mind me; continue whatever the both of you were doing."

They weren't the least bit amused by Adele's insinuations; their faces were stern and void of humor and amusement as they crossed their arms while further blocking Adele's path.

Adele raised her hands in surrender as she took a few steps back. The amusement left her face as she narrowed her eyes at them. "The both of you aren't planning to beat me up or anything, right?"

Neither said anything, which scared Adele slightly, though she wouldn't dare admit it. She wasn't afraid very often since those who didn't fear her envied her for her fame or beauty.

Adele could tear anyone down to nothing with her words alone, but most didn't dare mess with her since her father is well known and respected in the Italian mafia.

Adele's reputation sucked, and she was constantly engulfed in bad press, but no director, movie producer, or actor would ever turn down an opportunity to work with an actress as phenomenal and beautiful as Adele Ricci.

"She's rude and incredibly problematic," anyone who met her would say. Most would call her the villainess of Hollywood.

"The both of you are starting to creep me out," Adele said as she stepped back.

"You ruined my sister's wedding," Brianna's brother finally spoke. "Did you really think you'd get away with it?"

Adele masked her uneasiness with an amused expression as she dared to jeer her stern-faced ex-boyfriend. "Is that really what you're upset with me for?" she questioned.

Her lips formed a pout as she feigned empathy, "I'm sorry, Brandon, but it's just as I told you the day you proposed to me; a lowly beggar cannot desire the hand of a goddess."

Brandon was always full of himself; those words from Adele were like a detrimental blow to his enormous ego.

"You little bitch!" he raged as he raised his hand to slap her.