Chapter 487: Mrs. Carter
"Last night, when the director was giving everyone such a hard time, not a single person dared to speak up."“Now, today they’re all acting like bullies, using someone else’s power. Isn’t that just pathetic?” John sat in the driver’s seat and glanced outside. "During the past few days of filming, everyone knew the director was making things difficult for Thalia, and they all kept their distance."
"Afraid the director's anger would spill over onto them, today they were all trying to get close to her. 'Disgusting.'"
"Having spent some time with Thalia, Isla had seen the dark side of both the entertainment industry and high society."
"After Thalia finished her scene, Isla came over with a down jacket to wrap around her, while John handed her a thermos. 'Get in the car quickly.'"
"It was early December, and the cold wind was biting. Even in the city, they could feel the chill, let alone by the riverside—where the wind cut right through to the bone."
"Thalia, my agent made some ginger soup. Want some?"
"Thalia had just gotten into the car when Max Hill, the actor who played the third male lead in the show, came over with a thermos."
"Inside was freshly made honey ginger tea. Even with the lid on, Thalia could smell the sharp scent of ginger. 'Isla, get a cup.'"
"Isla instinctively thought Thalia would refuse. When she heard her say this, she hesitated for a moment before reacting."
"When the hot honey ginger tea was poured into the cup, its aroma alone made you feel warm. 'I've got more, Thalia. If you need a refill, just come over.'"
"Thanks."
Max had just sat down in his van when his agent Vida, leaned over. "So? Did Thalia take it?"
"She did."
"See, I told you going over there now to make a good impression was the right move,
"Vida let out a big sigh of relief upon hearing that Thalia had accepted. 'Are you sure last night’s rumor is true? Thalia and Mr. Brown are really married?'"
"Would news from the higher-ups be wrong?"
"Max’s role as the third male lead was secured by an investor—otherwise, how could a newcomer with barely any experience land a role in such a big production?"
The investor had been there last night and seen it with their own eyes.
"Vida was about to say something when, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a black sedan stop outside the set."
"The driver said something, and the security let the car through. It parked in a spot, and a well-dressed, middle-aged couple got out, carrying gift bags."
"Vida tugged at Max. 'Look, do you know who that is?'
'Rainey, Emerald City's top entertainment investor.'
'That producer Rainey?'"
Anyone in the entertainment industry knew Rainey's name. Even if they'd never met him in person, it constantly appeared in the producer credits of TV shows and movies.
"Who's that next to him?"
"His wife."
"What are they doing here?"
"They're here for Thalia."
Max held his cup and looked outside. "Do you know something else?"
"I'm guessing that after last night, Mr. Brown took it out on Mr. Ward, and now they're here to apologize."
"She had made Emerald City's biggest entertainment investor apologize: that was quite something for Thalia."
"So do you think Thalia will see him?"
Max asked. "That I don't know."
"The two sat in the car, observing the scene until Isla finally emerged."
She said something, and from a distance, they saw Rainey's back stiffen. "What do you think Isla said to him?"
"How would I know? But looking at Mr. Ward's reaction, probably nothing good."
Isla sent Rainey away with just a few words.
When she got back in the car, Isla noticed the ginger tea Thalia had been holding was now sitting on the console beside her.
"What? Don't want to drink it?"
"Would I dare drink something someone else gave me?"
"I was just wondering why you'd accept it from them in the first place."
Thalia uncapped her own thermos and sipped the plain water. "I was worried the crew would be useless. Glad someone proved me wrong so quickly."
Isla didn't understand what Thalia meant. She looked at John, who shook his head to show he didn't know either. Thalia had always been sharp.
Growing up around Hayden, she'd picked up some real skills through exposure—she had all the schemes and tactics, just hidden beneath her innocent actress appearance.
For several days in a row, Thalia's treatment on set improved dramatically. The director surprisingly started finishing her scenes first each time,
trying to complete all scenes at one location in a single day.
When everyone else was still on set, the director would have the crew tell her she could go home and rest.
This blatant preferential treatment left everyone on the crew confused. "What's up with the director? Didn't he used to save Thalia's scenes for last?"
"Isn't this just wasting our time so she can enjoy herself?"
"Who can figure out what the director's thinking? I figured her scandals would throw off the whole schedule, but nothing."
When disaster wasn't at their doorstep, everyone watched with amusement. When disaster arrived, they started claiming they were the victims.
Someone saw Thalia leaving after her scene, walking past them, and muttered, "What makes her so special?"
Thalia heard this and stopped, turning to look at the disgruntled person. "I'm curious about that too! Why don't you go ask the director for me?"
"Don't get cocky."
"Am I?" Thalia shrugged with an innocent look that made people's teeth itch with frustration.
Getting in the car, Thalia wrapped herself in a blanket as John drove the van away.
"Why even acknowledge them? They only talk when you're within earshot. Not one of them would dare approach the director."
"Spineless."
"They're not ready to mess with me yet."
..........
"Evelyn."
At the spa, Thalia was on her way when she noticed someone who'd arrived first was looking at work messages on her phone. Walking in with her head down,
she was called out to. Looking up, she froze for a moment.
She switched off her phone, slipping it into her bag as she looked up. "I knew that face! Hello, Mrs. Carter."
"What a coincidence! Here alone? You're still newlyweds—doesn't Raymond know to keep you company?"
"You sure have time on your hands, getting involved in our marriage."
Evelyn shrugged. "Can't help it. I love gossip."
"Is the thing about Thalia and William true?"
"That!" Evelyn spoke mysteriously, looking at her with narrowed eyes. "Guess!"