Chapter 66

Chapter 66

"Ms. Collins! Ms. Collins!"

In a daze, it seemed like someone was calling her.

She struggled to open her eyes and saw a nurse looking at her with concern. Scarlett frowned and looked around, realizing she had fainted on the balcony.

She tried to get up but found herself too weak.

The young nurse quickly supported her arm, helping Scarlett to stand slowly. Her legs felt like jelly, and every step was painful.

The nurse couldn't help but scold her, "You're still sick. Why did you pull out your IV and run around?"

Scarlett forced a smile. "It was too stuffy inside. I felt uncomfortable."

The nurse helped her back to the hospital bed and glanced at the open window in silence.

Following her gaze, Scarlett sheepishly touched her hair. "By the way, can you keep this a secret for me?"

She smiled ingratiatingly.

The nurse's lips curled into a smile. "Alright, but you have to promise not to move around anymore. Get some rest."

Scarlett nodded obediently.

She curled up under the covers and closed her eyes, feeling the emptiness of the hospital room, which now seemed a bit frightening.

Her mind kept circling back to the details of the "Prosperous Age" project, but the final image always turned into Alexander.

Scarlett was extremely annoyed.

She decided to pull the covers over her head and sleep.

But it seemed Alexander wouldn't leave her alone even in her dreams.

She was back three years ago, at the time when she and Alexander broke up.

But this time, Alexander didn't leave in a fit of rage with a twisted expression.

He just sat calmly across from her, nodding after she finished speaking.

He said, "Scarlett, it's time for us to end this."

Scarlett woke up abruptly.

It was still dark, and her phone showed it was only 5 AM.

She couldn't fall back asleep.

She stared blankly at the ceiling, finally accepting the fact that she and Alexander had long drifted apart.

Her phone buzzed with a new message.

Scarlett grabbed it, and the screen clearly displayed: [Ms. Collins, when will this month's payment be made?]

She had been so busy lately that she had forgotten about it.

Scarlett rubbed her temples wearily, immediately made the transfer, and then replied: [Sorry, I've already sent it.]

She was utterly fed up with such days.

She needed to escape, and fast, to find relief.

Scarlett exhaled softly.

The opening ceremony for "Prosperous Age" was scheduled for Thursday at 10 AM.

Scarlett's body hadn't fully recovered yet. Due to her actions that night, she had a low fever the next day, which only stabilized by Wednesday afternoon.

Moira initially didn't want her to attend.

But Scarlett was adamant. "This is very important to me. I'll go back to the hospital right after it's over."

Once Scarlett set her mind on something, no one could change it. Moira knew this well, so she reluctantly agreed.

Scarlett arrived at the filming location at 8:30 AM. Unable to sit still, she helped Tammy check the preparations.

Tammy looked at her haggard face with concern. "Scarlett, don't worry. I've got this. You should go rest."

Scarlett had no choice but to sit aside and watch her work.

By 9:20, the actors and director started arriving.

Scarlett greeted each one and then went to chat with the director.

The director, Ryan Martin, was a big name in the industry, known for his string of successful projects. Scarlett had visited him countless times to persuade him to join "Prosperous Age."

Ryan was meticulous, still going over the script during the opening ceremony. When Scarlett approached, he immediately started discussing scene details with her.

Scarlett was listening intently when Tammy suddenly tugged at her sleeve. "Scarlett, it's 9:50, and Emma still isn't here."

Scarlett felt a headache coming on.

Emma again.

If it weren't for Sebastian's investment, she would never have agreed to let Emma join the cast.

It was unbelievable that Emma was late on the first day of filming!

She apologized to Ryan. "Mr. Martin, I need to handle something."

Turning away, she immediately started making calls.

After the music, she was met with a voicemail. Scarlett grew increasingly frustrated.

Technically, Emma's absence from the opening ceremony wasn't a big deal given her role, but Sebastian had insisted on her inclusion.

Sebastian's demands were minimal.

When he pushed Emma into the project, he didn't ask for specific roles or screen time, which was already a significant concession.

So, as a partner in the project, Scarlett naturally had to follow the sponsor's wishes and ensure that Emma gained as much benefit as possible from the project, such as exposure.

The "Prosperous Age" project had garnered attention since the Black Group's investment, and Scarlett had even managed to bring in a big name like Ryan.

Thus, the opening ceremony was a prime opportunity for exposure.

Tammy was worried. "Scarlett, what do we do?"

Scarlett's mind buzzed. She looked towards the entrance.

It was 9:58, and there was still no sign of Emma.

They couldn't wait any longer.

Scarlett made a quick decision. "Proceed as planned. If Emma doesn't show, find another popular actor to fill in. When she arrives, we'll take a group photo."

Tammy was anxious.

She was worried, but delaying the ceremony for Emma wasn't worth it.

Scarlett rubbed her temples, exhausted. "It's about to start. You go ahead. I'll be right there."

There were two minutes left.

If Emma arrived, everything would proceed as planned.

The two minutes passed quickly. Scarlett watched the quiet entrance, ready to face Sebastian's questions. 

She couldn't help but curse him silently. If he had just given Emma a heads-up, she wouldn't be this outrageous.

The ceremony proceeded, and Emma finally arrived during the photo session.

She wore a strapless red dress, as striking as fire, with a scarf around her neck, hinting at something.

Emma sauntered over, yawning lazily, and smiled. "Sorry, Ms. Collins, I'm late."

Scarlett was annoyed. "Late? I think you're early. Another twenty minutes, and it would be over."

Emma wasn't fazed. She stopped in front of Scarlett, lightly tapping her shoulder, speaking just loud enough for everyone to hear. "Ms. Collins, I didn't mean to. I just couldn't get up."

Her words were loaded with meaning.

She looked around, ensuring she was the center of attention, then lowered her head shyly. "Blame Sebastian. He was too wild last night. I told him about the ceremony, but he wouldn't listen."

The industry insiders present looked at Scarlett with mixed emotions. After all, Scarlett and Sebastian's engagement had been online for days back then.

Some were entertained, some sympathetic, others indifferent.

Though Scarlett didn't care about how they were intimate, being the center of attention now made her uncomfortable. 

She retorted, "Really? Should I call and ask him?"