<b>Chapter </b><b>196 </b>
Tina’s expression instantly turned chilly, but a momentter she smoothed it over with a soft smile, her voice gentle as she said, <b>“</b>The set a húga, dont wander off and get lost<b>.</b>”
Her style was all soft elegance and warmth, a far cry from her real, proud personality.
She faked it so hard that Aria actually paused, giving her a look that all but said, “Who possessed you?”
<b>A </b>flush crept up Tina’s cheeks–how embarrassing.
She regretted calling out to Aria in the first ce.
The assistant director, Maximo Weaver, picked up on their history and asked tentatively, “Tina, do you two know each other?”
Tina, keeping her connections hidden, quickly replied, “We’ve only met a couple of times,”
Her cool tone left Maximo thinking their rtionship was frosty at best.
His own attitude toward Aria soured. “And who are you? <b>You </b>can’t just wander onto set. Security! Escort her out.”
A staff member blocked Aria’s way.
Not far off, Vanessa’s assistant came running, waving frantically. “She’s Vanessa’s friend, here to visit!”
Tina was the show’s leadingdy; Vanessa, the second female lead.
The two had butted heads on a reality show before, the falloutnding them at the top of the trending topics.
Truth be told, Vanessa had just been a target–she barely had any die–hard fans, but haters?
They were everywhere. The moment the casting list dropped, the drama’s poprity soared. The producers didn’t even need to buy publicity.
Still in character, Tina gave a sweet smile. “Oh, so you’re Vanessa’s friend. Aria, you’d better hurry up–don’t keep people waiting.”
Aria’s look grew even more peculiar.
Vanessa’s assistant M quickly ushered her away. “This way, Aria.”
Vanessa was signed to Starmon Films, the studio bankrolling the whole production. Starmon, incidentally, was a Stars Group subsidiary.
Tina’s lips curled in a sneer as she watched Aria go. “Here for a visit? More like here to get noticed–maybe she’s hoping Mr. Dawson Campbell spots her and brings her into the industry.”
Casting couch rumors ran rampant in the business, and after nine years, Tína had seen it all. She added in a low voice, “Starmon Films is owned by the
Stars Group.”
With that, she walked off.
Maximo, still puzzled, muttered, “Why does Tina always talk in riddles<b>?</b>”
A staffer shrugged. “Whatever–Dawson’s almost here. The director wants us to greet him and push Vanessa’s scenes back <b>a </b><b>bi </b>
“Fine.”
Tina sat for makeup, her assistant handing over her phone. She fired off a message to Derek:
Tina: [The exams are over–Lennox thinks he did pretty well. How about you?]
<b>Chapter </b>196
<b>Derek</b>: <b>[</b><b>Didn’t </b>bother checking my score<b>.</b><b>] </b>
He always left each exam behind him, neverparing answers.
Tina: [Don’t worry if it didn’t go well. Mandino U’s diploma is gold–just stay on the straight and narrow, Okay<b>?</b><b>] </b>
Derek: (What do you mean ‘crooked‘? Lennox told me Aria’s likely joining Mandino U as a professor, and you’re pretty close to her, aren’t your
As expected, they believed whatever Lennox said.
Derek: [None of your business.<b>] </b>
Tina remembered Aria’s words earlier and mmed the table. “That brat<b>!</b>”
Her makeup artist and assistant were both her p
or people; Tina wasn’t worried about her facade slipping.
Inside the trailer, Vanessa was working furiously at herptop. “They’re
every night.”
Aria asked, “How’s their skill?”
Fryderyk had offered to take care of it, but Aria trusted Vanessa more.
gutsy,
I’ll give them that–someone’s been remotely poking around your <b>phone </b>
Vanessa snorted. “Mediocre. Nowhere near me. I’ll sort it out in ten minutes.”
“Perfect.” Aria waited, calm as ever. Suddenly, there was <b>a </bmotion outside.
“Is Vanessa still resting? Dawson’s here–she needs toe out and greet him,” called Maximo.
M blocked the trailer door. “Sorry, Dawson, Aria’s busy. Give her a few more minutes.”
The rich kid’s expression soured at once. “What’s she busy with, besides resting?”
Vanessa was famously principled–courtesy earned respect, but cross the line, and she’d fight back, no matter who you were,
Dawson had a reputation: he loved “pursuing” his own actresses, and his “pursuit” usually meant harassment. Vanessa had pped him once for it, so now he loved to make trouble for her.
Everyone in the industry knew the story.
Maximo shot M a look. “The boss himself is here. Get Vanessa out here.”
M bowed in apology. “Sorry, Dawson, but-”
The trailer door swung open, but it wasn’t Vanessa who stepped out. It was <b>a </b>stunning young woman no one recognized.
Dawson slicked back his hair and whistled. “Hey gorgeous, are you an actress too?”
Maximo cut in, “She’s Vanessa’s friend, just visiting <i>the </i>set.”
He eyed Aria<b>, </b>figuring she must be angling for the producer’s attention.
Aria shut the trailer behind her and coolly asked, “You’re the producer for Starmon Films?<b>” </b>
“That’s right. This drama is a Starmon project. I gave Vanessa her role as the second female lead, and I can take it <b>away </b><b>just </b><b>as </b>easily<b>,</b><b>” </b><b>Dawson </b><b>said</b>, shing <b>a </b>cocky grin and stepping closer,
.
“Oh, is that so?” Aria leaned against the trailer, her posture casual, one leg crossed over the other, her voicezy<i>, </i>almost taunting. Then why are pus here during working hours? Shouldn’t you have somewhere better to be?”
“I’m here on behalf of Starmon Films, to check up on things.” Dawson smiled, moving in until the distance felt personal. “What’s your name? I could sign you on with Starmon right now–if, of course, you know how to behave.”
Everyone caught the sleazy undertone.
M quickly stepped in, murmuring something into Aria’s ear.
Aria caught on, her gaze suddenly sharp as a de. She stared Dawson down. “And who’s your daddy?<i>” </i>
Dawson’s face darkened. “Trying to hook up with my old man, huh?” Around them, people began to look at
Aria differently.
So, she was ambitious.
Aria didn’t miss a beat. “Tell your father to get over here and meet me himself.”
Dawson had grown up under a domineering father and couldn’t stand strong women–he only liked the obedient, cutesy type. With Aria, all his interest vanished, reced by icy disdain. “You want my dad toe see you? Who do you think you are? Get her out of here.”
Maximo stepped forward. “Miss, will you leave on your own, or do we need to help you?”
M quietly slipped away, sprinting to find the director. The director was just about to start filming when M burst in. “There’s trouble–Dawson’s starting something again!”
Dawson causing trouble wasn’t news, but for M to panic meant this was bigger than usual. The director immediately called for a halt. “Let’s go take <b>a </b>look.”
The male leads exchanged a nce.
“Should we go too?”
“Yeah, let’s see what’s up.”