Chapter 63
Tracy slipped to the side, cautiously pulling out her phone. But just as she opened the camera app, her hand suddenly felt
empty.
Ophelia had snatched the phone away in one swift move, She kiew Emily all too well.
Seeing her plan thwarted, Emily immediately jumped to her fee “Ophelia, what’s your problem?” she demanded. “I’ve never done anything to you. Why are you always getting in my way?”
Ophelia let out a cold laugh. “Never done anything? You sound so innocent.”
Emily sighed, “Why don’t you just name your price?” Her eyes unconsciously darted to the phone on the couch, its screen facing down.
“Seven million dollars.” Ophelia stated flady.
“Are you out of your mind?” Emily’s face contorted with anger.
First, Emily had to compensate seven million dollars for a single dress, and now Ophelia wanted another seven million dollars. She couldn’t help but think Ophelia must be obsessed with money
“I’m not finished,” Ophelia continued. “Besides the seven million dollars, you’ll need to clear things up online.”
‘Clear things up? Emily thought bitterly. “Wouldn’t that be like slapping myself in the face?’ People might even accuse her of staging the whole thing.
“That’s imposs-” Emily said, but the word died in her throat as she met Ophelia’s piercing gaze.
Ophelia’s voice turned icy. “You have five seconds to decide. Five, four…”
Each number hit Emily like a hammer blow as Ophelia counted down to “one”
Emily gritted her teeth. “Fine, I’ll clarify. I’ll do it. But… But seven million dollars is too much.”
“Then there’s nothing left to discuss,” Ophelia said, turning to leave.
Before her hand could touch the doorknob, Emily blocked her path. “Okay, I’ll pay. Just…give me some time.”
“Do you really think you’re in any position to negotiate with me” Ophelia smirked. Her piercing gaze made Emily squirm uncomfortably.
Without hesitation, Ophelia grabbed Tracy’s phone. She quickly typed out a message, uploaded an audio file, and added a photo of Emily’s current state.
The
post read: [Everyone, just to clear things up–1 let Ms. Campbell know in advance that this scene required real slaps. The mark on my face is just makeup.]
Ophelia thrust the phone screen in front of Emily’s face. I’ve given you plenty of face. Now post it.”
Emily clenched her fists, reluctantly hitting the send button.
Ophelia didn’t need to do anything else. Sharon’s PR team sprang into action immediately.
Within moments, netizens began reacting. One commented: [What the hell? Is this another publicity stunt?]
Another user mocked. (Emily’s life is just one big performance. She’s always putting on a show]
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Even Emily’s fans turned on her, saying things like: [Unfollowing right now. Can’t believe she’d pull this stunt for attention and then try to clear it up. We’ve seen this self–contradicting actoo many times.]
Other netizens chimed in: [Disgusting. This is absolutely disgusting.]
The comments kept pouring in, one after another.
“Send me the money before tonight, Ophelia said curtly and left with Sharon.
The break room was now empty except for Emily and Tracy. Emily’s troubled expression instantly vanished, replaced by a smug smile and eyes glinting with calculation.
“Emily, aren’t you worried?” Tracy asked, confusion evident in her voice.
In response, Emily picked up her phone from the couch, revealing the still–active recording screen. She could have easily used the photos of the old man at Rosewood Manor to bargain with Ophelia, but she decided not to. Instead, she wanted Ophelia to lay out her own terms.
“Does she think I’m stupid?” Emily mused. “Ophelia, do you even know how many years you could get for blackmail? Enjoy your time behind bars.”
Meanwhile, in another room, Sharon was carefully applying an ice pad, all while casting furtive glances at Ophelia. “Are you…short on cash?” she asked.
Ophelia turned to look at her, sensing that Sharon might view her direct request for seven million dollars as a bit excessive. “This is a personal matter between Emily and me.”
In truth, Ophelia wasn’t short on money. Her goal was to gradually deplete the Hastings family’s available funds, beyond. their existing loans,
She glanced at the time, wishing she’d stolen one more kiss from Kenneth earlier. Her rebirth in this life had altered many things. Surprisingly, Emily had become the lead in this show, a far cry from the original story. It was quite a waste of a good script.
Ophelia decided she needed to have a word with William first. Being late back could wait.
Meanwhile, William was shoveling down his boxed lunch while reviewing the morning’s footage. Of all the scenes, Sharon’s first take stood out as the best. The more he watched it, the more pleased he became.
As the camera focused on Emily, William furrowed his brow. He took a sip of water, holding his boxed lunch in one hand and the water bottle in the other, pressing his tongue against his teeth in thought.
“Too forced,” a voice behind him said, echoing William’s exact thoughts.
Indeed, this wasn’t how Gwen, the female lead, should react. Though Emily was following the script, herexpressions and demeanor seemed petty, lacking the inherent resilience of the character.
William turned, his previously dull eyes brightening as they landed on the girl bebind him. He narrowed his gaze, taking in her rebellious brow and cool, detached manner. This girl was the spitting image of Gwen as he’d imagined her.
Her looks alone could easily outshine half the starlets in the entertainment industry.
“If I’m not mistaken, you’re Sharon’s friend who came to visit the set?” William asked. Though not yet forty, his hair had already gone gray. The salt–and–pepper sideburns peeking out from under his hat made his tanned skin look even darker.
“You have an excellent memory,” Ophelia smiled.
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William, impressed by Opliclia’s candor, brushed off the previous incident and asked, “You mentioned forced. What did you mean by than
“Can’t you see it?” Ophelia replied frankly. “Her acting is completely superficial. She hasn’t truly connected with the character’s inner world. As a result, it comes across as forced and artificial. She can’t keep up with Sharon’s performance at all I wonder how you chose her for the role, Mr. Martin.”
Her words were sharp, but William didn’t find them off–putting, However, Nancy, standing nearby, was visibly annoyed and about to retort when William raised his hand to stop him, a hint of resignation in his eyes.
The truth was, just before filming began, their main investor had pulled out. It was Emily who had stepped in with funding and agreed to play the lead role without pay, which was how she’d secured the part.
Sensing William’s predicament, Ophelia spoke up. “Mr. Martin, could we speak privately for a moment?”
At that moment, a man’s voice, cold and magnetic, came from behind. “Who exactly did you want to talk to alone? Hm?”
Ophelia felt a shadow fall over her as a large hand gripped her head, forcing her to turn around. She found herself staring into a pair of sharp eyes beneath a black baseball cap. A chill ran down her spine. “What’s he doing here?‘ she thought, suddenly noticing how the crowd around them had thinned out
Kenneth’s eyes narrowed, his fierce expression hinting at barely contained fury. Ophelia realized Kenneth was on the verge of exploding.
Thinking quickly, she grasped Kenneth’s hand and flashed a smile at William. “Mind if my boyfriend joins us? The three of us can chat together.
As soon as Ophelia’s soft hand touched his, Kenneth’s demeanor changed. He instantly mellowed, like a Maine Coon cat that had just been stroked.
William eyed Kenneth’s attire – a black shirt, black slacks, and a long, ash–gray coat that accentuated his tall, slender frame. He had a hunch that the face hidden beneath the hat and mask must be equally attractive.
The man exuded a coolness entirely foreign to the entertainment industry. William concluded he couldn’t be from their circles–perhaps he was the boss of some financial group.
Without hesitation, William ushered Nancy and the others out, leaving just the three of them in the room.
Ophelia guided Kenneth to a comfortable seat, her manner slightly fawning.
Kenneth leaned back in his chair, legs crossed. His large hands, with their distinct knuckles, toyed with Ophelia’s delicate fingers, occasionally giving them a punishing squeeze. Observing Ophelia’s slightly furrowed brow, Kenneth felt his gloomy mood lift a little.
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