Chapter 484 Do You Want to Ask Who I Am?
Rainey immediately put on a flattering smile. “Of course.”
What a complete miscalculation. The news had been circulating for days. Yet people waited and watched because no one from Celestia Group had confirmed anything, which naturally made everyone think it was just idle gossip as no one could verify the truth. But now it appeared to be true.
William had appeared at the film set in the middle of the night. if anyone still claimed Thalia had nothing to do with him, nobody would believe it.
“I just returned from overseas,” Rainey continued politely. “When I heard about the situation here, I rushed over immediately.”
“Is Ms. Smith alright? If necessary, I can arrange a car to take her back to the hotel.”
Amara laughed when she heard this. So this was what people meant when they said businessmen were good at reading the room. They could say something completely ridiculous with a straight face.
Did they lack cars? Or doctors?
Thinking this, Amara glanced at William.
Seeing his dark expression, she immediately understood that this matter was far from over. William had only just publicly revealed his secret marriage. Now someone had bullied his wife right under his nose. How could he possibly let it slide? If anything, he would probably make a spectacle out of it.
"I didn't know Mr. Ward had become so considerate."
This sarcastic remark made Rainey shudder.
"My woman…”
His voice was low and icy. “…is she someone you think you can bully?”
"Know your place."
The man's cold, angry tone was even more chilling than the freezing mountain air.
When his phoenix-like eyes swept over everyone present, the oppressive authority radiating from him made people instinctively shrink back.
Not a single person dared make a sound. Finally, the director mustered up the courage to speak, "We were just following normal filming procedures. How is that making things difficult? Besides, today’s scene was always in the script. The actors knew about it before accepting their roles. How has it suddenly become us deliberately making things difficult for her?"
"Finn!"
At William's cold call, Finn stepped forward immediately, holding a phone.
"But according to the schedule released by your production team…”
He glanced at the screen.
“…this scene was supposed to be filmed at 8 o'clock, and it's almost midnight now."
The director's face stiffened. It was true.
He had been unhappy with Thalia recently because of the scandal surrounding her. So, he had intentionally made filming difficult for her. He only wanted to teach her a small lesson. Otherwise, with someone like her, by the time they finished filming and before it even aired, if the actor got into trouble, all their hard work would be wasted.
Were they supposed to let the hard work of the entire crew collapse because of one actress?
He snorted lightly.
"Reasonable adjustments based on weather and timing is normal in this industry. It’s done for the sake of the show’s quality. You're making a big deal over this one detail - why don't you go ask around in the entertainment industry who I am ?"
William suddenly laughed. But the laughter held no warmth. He shifted Thalia in his arms, changing from holding her horizontally to supporting her bottom with one hand, letting her sit on his arm like holding a child. "Why don't you ask first who I am?"
"You..." The other person choked, wanting to say more, but was blocked by Rainey.
"Mr. Brown, my staff are ignorant. I'll educate them. In this freezing weather, leave this to me. I promise you’ll receive a satisfactory explanation.”
After William left, Rainey immediately turned around and exploded at the director. "Who do you think you are? He's Emerald City's new richest man, and you're just a director. You dare argue with him to his face—do you have a death wish?”
The director looked stunned.
Rainey continued angrily.
“Among all the investors backing your drama, not a single one of them is qualified to even carry his shoes!”
"Mr. Ward,the director has always been known for his professionalism. He focuses entirely on his work and rarely socializes. This matter..."
Rainey cut him off with a sneer."Are you saying he’s so focused on work that he never pays attention to the outside world? If he's really that focused on his work, how does he still have time to drink with you all at dinner tables? Don't use that as an excuse. Even without William, it's not your place to make things difficult for Thalia. The Smith family behind her is not something you can look down on."
“You bully someone and don’t even have the courage to admit it, yet you call that professionalism? If you were really that focused on your craft, would you make things difficult for a young woman? Does he think everyone in the crew is blind?"
"If you still want to keep working in this industry, think carefully about how to apologize."
Rainey was terrified. If William directed his anger at him, he would probably lose everything he had worked for his whole life.
...
Inside the business van.
“Let me see where you’re hurt.” William crouched in front of Thalia, his warm palm gently rested against her ankle. Just as he was about to lift it to look, Thalia pulled back.
She said coldly, "Putting on a show."
His hand was left hanging in midair, yet William showed no sign of irritation. He naturally rested it on the armrest. "Wrong choice of words. This is called deep concern."
"You always only care about whether your goals are achieved, never considering others' situations or feelings. And you call that deep concern?"
"My fault. I apologize. I was indeed too anxious about this matter and didn't think it hrough carefully. It won't happen again."
"You've already achieved your goal, of course, there won't be a next time," Thalia couldn't help glaring at him.
This man William - once his goal is achieved, everything's fine. He looked almost apologetic. "I've already dealt with those people who didn't know better. Don't be angry, be good and let me take a look first."
Seeing William still wanting to touch her feet, Thalia quickly pulled both legs back and wrapped them tightly in the blanket.
Her posture was completely defensive.
"When I asked you to help me deal with them earlier, you refused. Now you're suddenly rushing to do it like you care? Have you heard this saying? Late concern is worse than no concern at all."
"I have," William nodded seriously.
His expression now was completely different from the flattering one he had used earlier in front of others. Thalia had never seen this kind of expression on his face before.
"Do you know what you look like right now, shamelessly trying to please me?"
"Someone who made a mistake."
Thalia was speechless. Her expression didn't look too good. "At least you're self-aware."
A voice sounded from outside the van.
“Mr. Brown, Rainey is here with the director.”
Outside the van, Finn, Amara, and others were waiting. Finn, being a man, could handle the cold better. Amara stood outside the van, hugging her arms, shivering from the cold.
William pulled the blanket over Thalia, sat back in his seat, and lowered the window slightly.
His face remained hidden in the dim light, but the cold, lethal gaze in his eyes was clearly visible.
The director stepped forward nervously.
"Mr. Brown, today's incident was indeed my mistake. I'm very sorry about it. I guarantee that such a mistake will never happen again.”
"Are you apologizing to me?" William’s tone was flat and emotionless. As it flowed out through the window gap, it was like a hand gripping the director's throat.
The director swallowed and realized his mistake. His gaze fell on Thalia. "Ms. Smith, this matter was indeed my oversight. Everyone in the crew knows your acting skills are excellent. I only pushed things because I was worried about the quality of the show. That’s why I ended up making things difficult for you. I hope you can forgive me and not hold it against me."