Chapter 64. Raphael Confused as Jacintha Leaves
The director hurried over, blocking her path, lowering his voice in persuasion, "Why are you being so stubborn? Just one word of apology and it’s all over. Jacintha, you're still so young."
Jacintha remained silent, lips pressed into a thin line.
The director continued gently, "You have to understand, sometimes right and wrong don't matter as much as the outcome. Your acting is excellent, once this show airs, it’s bound to become a hit. If you walk away now, wouldn’t all your past efforts be wasted?"
Jacintha shook her head. "It’s not that I want to leave. Raphael told me to get out."
Thinking she was finally backing down, the director quickly added, "He was just angry, harsh words are to be expected. But he’s the investor. Without him, how could we shoot the film? Just go apologize to him, and say a quick sorry to Sharon too. Let’s put this whole thing behind us."
Jacintha shook her head again. "I won’t apologize..."
"I already kicked her out. Why are you still keeping her here?" Raphael finally exploded at the director from the side, his fury spilling over. "Are you telling me this film can’t go on without her?"
The director thought silently: Am I not just trying to hold onto a true talent? I’m only thinking of what’s best for the film. But even if we find a replacement, who’s to say they’ll have the same spark Jacintha brings?
However, he couldn't refute Raphael either, so he could only say, "Of course we can keep filming. But we’ll need a bit more time to find someone more suitable than her."
Raphael gave a cold laugh. "The moral character of an actor is more important than acting skills. Just don’t bring in another scheming and vicious woman like her next time!"
Those words from Raphael were like a knife to Jacintha’s heart!
Jacintha bit her lip hard and quickly walked out. The moment she stepped out of the studio, tears began pouring down like a stream, rolling down her cheeks. People around her stared with startled, puzzled expressions. She looked like someone who had just endured a terrible heartbreak.
Inside the studio, Raphael stared fixedly in the direction Jacintha had gone. His gaze was cold and composed, a chilling frost settled between his brows, making everyone too frightened to even breathe loudly.
The entire film crew was dead silent; not a soul dared to make a sound. Sharon quietly gestured to Lily, then closed her eyes and let herself slump limply against Raphael’s chest, pretending to have lost consciousness.
Lily immediately cried out in panic, "Sharon fainted!"
Raphael snapped back to alertness, his anger toward Jacintha gone in an instant. He no longer cared about her defiance and quickly carried Sharon to his car, rushing her to a private high-end hospital.
He had called the hospital ahead of time, so when Sharon arrived, she was immediately given a full medical check-up. The entire floor was sealed off by Raphael’s people to prevent the media or reporters from sneaking in for photos.
Very soon, Sharon’s examination results came back. There was no internal bleeding or bone fractures, and her eye was not injured. Only the corner of her eye had some superficial scratches. Sharon said she felt dizzy and nauseous, so the doctor diagnosed her with a mild concussion.
“Thank goodness you’re okay.” Lily let out a sigh of relief, looking at Sharon as though she’d just survived a major disaster. “I knew it, someone as cruel as Jacintha could never harm a kind person like you!”
"Lily, stop talking nonsense." Sharon scolded Lily sternly, though her eyes quietly glanced at Raphael. "I'm sure Jacintha didn't mean to hurt me."
"Sharon, you're too kind. You always think the best of people, and that’s exactly why Jacintha can take advantage of you. I’ve known for a long time she’s not a good person. She flirts with the director every single day..."
Raphael's face suddenly darkened. He coldly interrupted, "Shut up!"
Lily flinched, unsure which of her words had provoked Raphael’s anger. She could only look at Sharon in panic, silently pleading for help.
Sharon softened her voice. "Lily, could you get me a bowl of seafood soup?"
"Yes, of course." Lily quickly retreated.
Raphael pulled a chair over and sat down beside the hospital bed. "Just stay in the hospital for a few days and don’t listen to her nonsense. It’ll only make you more upset."
Sharon gave a helpless smile. "If I take a few days off, it’ll definitely delay the film schedule. Raphael, you're the main investor in this film. Every day we fall behind means another day of expenses for you."
Raphael replied, "Don’t worry about one day. Even if production is delayed by a whole month, I can handle it. Just focus on getting better. I’ll take care of everything else."
Sharon’s lips curved into a radiant smile, her eyes gentle and captivating. "You’ve helped me so much. I really don’t know how to thank you properly."
Normally, if Sharon said something like that, Raphael would joke, “Then spend the rest of your life repaying me.” But this time, he wasn’t in the mood for jokes.
Raphael felt an inexplicable frustration stirring inside him. The image of Jacintha leaving the studio - determined yet lonely - kept flashing through his mind. She seemed truly heartbroken.
But what did Jacintha’s heartbreak have to do with him? Why should he care about her feelings?
Even though Raphael tried to convince himself of that, he still felt unsettled. He was no longer in the mood to banter with Sharon. After a few comforting words, he stood up and said, "I’m stepping out to make a call."
Sharon smiled and nodded. "Alright."
Raphael had barely left when Lily returned with the seafood soup for Sharon.
Sharon asked, "Have you paid the hush money to those staff members yet?"
"Yes." A smug expression spread across Lily’s face. "Sharon, don’t worry. I gave each of them five thousand dollars. They’ll definitely keep the secret."
Only then did Sharon feel at ease. She had gone to considerable lengths this time to drive Jacintha off the film crew. For example, bribing a few staff members to slander Jacintha, stirring up trouble, and making Raphael lose his trust in her.