Chapter 40 The Private Investigator
"I am listening?" Bryce said, and Angela's head remained lowered. "Start talking. I don't have all day," he said, raising his voice when Angela remained silent.
"I picked some portions of the movie script and gave it out to the characters the team had selected. During the cast selection, we allowed each team member to audition for the role. They all put their hearts into it, and the performance was amazing, but we still needed to select people for the roles. So Don and I made the selections based on the outstanding performance, where we looked at people who brought the characters to life in the most natural way," Angela began. "When we announced the results, Aaron Gregson was not happy that I made him a standby support to the chosen male lead. He called me out, and I don't know how he found out about my college education. He announced it in front of all. I defended myself to retain my respect. I later had a conversation with Mr Don, and Aaron became the male lead for the movie," she went on.
"And today?" Angela began and went ahead to narrate everything that happened on the set, from Aaron's apology and the gift to Aaron getting stabbed with a real knife on set.
"Angela, in as much as defending yourself is a good thing. Know when to defend yourself and know when to stamp your authority with a simple silence," Bryce said. "By silence, I mean you don't reply to whatever the person said. Continue with what matters; in your case, you could have just said, "Mr Gregson, thank you for your opinion." I appreciate it, but I was given this position for a reason, and that reason is what I am executing. I would appreciate it if you respected my position and what I am doing. If you have any concerns, you can see me after this, and we can talk about it. That will tell everyone you are the boss, but he pushed a button, and you started talking like a tape playing," he said, and Angela felt offended by the name-calling.
"You are better than this, Angela. Stop putting yourself out there," Bryce added. "I know you didn't do anything, but you make it easy for them to frame you each time. And that must stop," he chided. "Do you understand? It has to stop," he questioned, and Angela just nodded, listening to him raise his voice at her.
Angela was not happy with the way Bryce was talking to her. He was right, but she didn't like him yelling at her like she was a little child.
"You can go back to the set and finish what you were doing there," Bryce said in a low voice.
Angela just nodded and got out of the car. Bryce watched her head back to the set from the rolled-down window. He didn't like how people treated her, but he was not happy with how easy she made it for them to treat her that way. He had not cared about any woman before, but for Angela, he could sit back and watch them bully her.
He retrieved his phone from his pocket and dialled a number. He brought the phone to his ear and waited for the person to answer.
"Hello, boss," came a male voice.
"Something happened at Don Entertainment. I want you to look into it and also get me everything on Aaron Gregson," Bryce said.
"Yes, boss," the man acknowledged, and Bryce ended the call.
He called his driver and the guards in. They had come in two cars. Two of the guards sat next to each other with Bryce in the back seat of the car, and the remaining two occupied another car.
"Michael," Bryce called one of the guards. "You two stay here. This would take the whole day. Once Angela is done, take her back to the apartment," he instructed.
"Yes, Mr President," Michael acknowledged and headed for the second car.
"We are going for the 11 am," Bryce said, and the driver understood they were going to the location for a scheduled meeting.
Angela returned to the set and inhaled deeply. She didn't like Bryce yelling at her, but she realised her emotion was more of a hurt than anger. She put herself together, not understanding why she was hurt and not angry with him.
"Since Aaron is injured, we will skip all his scenes for today and will focus on the other scenes," Angela said.
Don shot her a look, but she ignored him. She moved to her seat, and the production team went back on set. Angela called out the scene, and the characters got on set.
Bryce, on the other hand, after his meeting decided to return to the office. On his way back to the office, the guy he tasked to do an investigation for him called.
"Okay, what do you have?" Bryce asked.
"Well, Aaron Gregson, joined Don Entertainment Industry, the day your team, including your secretary, did the staff screening. It appeared he was planted there. I am still investigating to find out who put him there. Whoever put him there intends to use him to get this secretary's contract terminated just like in the past," the man said.
"And the stabbing at the set?" Bryce asked.
"Okay, the data I have is a little blurry. Give me time to work on it, and I will have an answer. Mr Don is being used too. His daughter has gone missing for some days now. I guess someone is blackmailing him to make your secretary look bad," he added.
"Find out who is behind this," Bryce said and ended the call.
"Turn around. We are going to the set," Bryce said to the driver and he made the turn on the next turn and started heading in the direction of Don Entertainment.
They soon arrived, and Bryce got out of the car and headed for the place where they were shooting the movie. He buttoned his jacket as he walked onto the set. Angela paused the scene in motion when she saw Bryce coming in.
"Now listen up, everyone. Angela Anderson, here is my secretary. I would not accept anyone disrespecting her because that would mean disrespecting me. She is here by my orders. Starting today, Aaron Gregson will no longer play the male lead role. Angela brings in the chosen male lead, and Mr Don, ensure you terminate whatever agreement you have with Aaron Gregson immediately. He is a fraud. He was set here on purpose. Mr Don, meet me in your office now," Bryce said and headed for the door.
Aaron was lying on a stretcher with a bandage around his waist, where he was stabbed inside one of the rooms. He was not aware he had been taken off the movie cast.
Inside Don's office, Bryce went straight to the point.
"I am aware your daughter has been kidnapped, and she is being used to blackmail you. You will have your daughter back by nightfall," Bryce said, and Mr Don felt grateful.
"Is Aaron Gregson an employee here?" Bryce asked.
"Yes. He was employed on the day of the staff screening," Don replied.
"Terminate his contract immediately and have the police on standby to pick him up. This should be tomorrow after your daughter's return," Bryce said, and Don appreciated it.