Chapter 340 Slightly Inferior to You
"Brace yourself—the director is shooting a contemporary drama this time, and the location is the Mitchell Group."
The person getting their makeup done pushed the makeup artist's hand away, turned to look at Layla, somewhat surprised. "Who?"
"The Mitchell Group, Eleanor."
"Why?"
"According to the director, they couldn't secure the Celestia Group, so they went with the Mitchell Group instead." As Layla spoke, she waved her hand to dismiss the makeup artist. After closing the door, she pulled up a chair and sat down next to Thalia, looking at her earnestly. "I know you and Eleanor don't get along, but work is work. Don't be too impulsive. The shooting location is the director's decision—don't go causing trouble and get a reputation for being difficult. Your reputation could be ruined before the show even airs."
"Just behave yourself."
Thalia pouted. "But what if William agreed to it..."
"Don't even think about it. If the production team has already decided, they've already paid. Just do your job properly."
Over the years, Thalia had been in the entertainment industry, and if Layla hadn't kept her in check, she would have caused chaos long ago with that hot temper of hers.
There was no guarantee she wouldn't cause trouble.
"I'm staying with you throughout this whole shoot. Behave yourself and don't look for trouble. Don't end up fighting with Eleanor instead of fighting with people in the entertainment industry."
Thalia pouted, not wanting to talk.
When William picked her up after work, Thalia hadn't had time to remove her makeup yet. As soon as she got in the car, she looked at him with a face full of complaints and displeasure.
"Did I do something to upset you?" William was perceptive—better to ask honestly than get scolded.
"Our drama's shooting location is at the Mitchell Group."
William straightened up and looked at Thalia, turning toward her. "So?"
Knowing she didn't get along with Eleanor, shooting at the Mitchell Group would definitely mean running into her. If she was unhappy about this, it was understandable.
"The production team said they chose the Mitchell Group because negotiations with you guys fell through."
William set down his iPad, placing it in the pocket behind the passenger seat, then reached out to hold Thalia's hand, gently rubbing it. "The Mitchell Group and the Celestia Group are different. The Celestia Group building currently handles mostly legal business. Letting you shoot there wouldn't be a problem, but if confidential case information got leaked during filming because of too many people around, that would be a loss for us."
Thalia's palm tickled as he rubbed it, like a feather brushing across, smoothing out the ripples and anger in her heart.
Thalia turned the tables, grabbing William's palm and scratching it with her fingertips.
The man chuckled softly, catching her hand. "Quite the temper you have."
"Can't I?"
"You can."
"Good to know."
She'd lived for decades this way. If William tried to control her before they were even together, that would be pretty bold.
"Where to?"
"The hospital."
Around six o'clock, Thalia, wearing a mask and hat, followed William upstairs. Just as they arrived, they saw Fallon leaving with servants after delivering a meal.
At another hospital room door, two groups of people were still in a standoff.
When Thalia saw them, her first reaction was: they still haven't left?
Eileen was quite persistent—she still hadn't left? Could it be that Stefan had something she needed?
Seeing Thalia dawdling, her eyes fixed on the other side the whole time, William reached out and pulled her into the hospital room.
"Being this persistent, all for a butler? Isn't that making a big fuss over nothing?"
"Stefan is Steven's right-hand man. He handles a lot of things. It's not unusual for Eileen to want to see him at a time like this. What if he dies? Then she'd have nothing."
Thinking about it this way, Thalia took off her mask while looking at William. "So if you suddenly died someday, could I follow her example?"
"I don't know anything." William quickly explained.
Thalia clicked her tongue. "I don't believe you."
........
"Madam, these are all William's people. Even if we come here and wait every day, if they don't give in, we can't get in."
"This is outrageous! Is there no justice left?" Eileen was so angry that she came out with that line.
When a nurse's disdainful look swept over Eileen, she turned pale with anger.
"Stop right there."
"Are you calling me?"
"What was that look just now?"
The nurse looked confused. "What did I do? What are you trying to do?"
"You just rolled your eyes at me, didn't you?"
"Madam, I'm wearing contact lenses. My eyes are uncomfortable—am I not allowed to move my eyeballs?"
"You're young, but you've got quite a mouth on you."
"Compared to you, I'm still lacking."
"You..."
"Forget it." Seeing more and more people gathering around, someone beside Eileen pulled her arm.
They didn't want to cause a scene.
"Call the police. Say someone is holding a person captive."
Eileen had reached her limit. She'd been here for days without even seeing the person. At her age, she'd never been treated this way. She could have endured it, but being confronted by a young nurse just now made her face turn white with anger.
Soon, the police arrived.
They wanted to question the nurse, but everyone at the nurses' station had gotten busy, leaving it completely empty.
"Who called the police?" the officer asked.
"We did," Eileen replied.
"What's the problem?"
"Someone is holding our family member captive."
The police looked at the security guard standing at the door and tried to negotiate. "Could you let them go in and take a look? That way, they can know for themselves whether it's their person or not."
The security guard replied, "Why should we let strangers see our own family member?"
"Better to avoid trouble, right? A hospital isn't the right place for commotion. How about you make an exception?"
"They can go in, but what if they find out the person inside isn't theirs?"
"That's impossible. If the person inside isn't ours, why would you repeatedly block us and prevent us from going in to find out?" Eileen interjected. "If it really isn't our person, you wouldn't be doing this."
"You can't even provide evidence—aren't you just messing with us?" the security guard laughed. "If I let you in and you find out it's not your person, shouldn't you apologize?"
"Fine," Eileen promised.
"I hope you'll keep your word."