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The next day on set, Eloise contacted Tania and asked if there was any update on the doctor.
Tania was surprised, but clearly pleased. “You didn’t seem to care much about Cosmo’s leg before. Even when he was still okay, you barely paid attention to him. But now, you’re the first to ask. Looks like you really want him to get better.”
Eloise smiled. “I’ve wanted him to get better for a long time. This isn’t something new.”
As she said that, she thought about what Tania had just pointed out. Had she really changed?
She didn’t feel like she had changed much, but people around her were beginning to notice something different.
Tania sighed. “That old healer we were recommended still can’t be reached. He’s often out doing free clinics in rural areas, so he’s hard to track down.”
Eloise suddenly remembered the healer who had once taught her some acupuncture, almost like a mentor to her.
Back then, while Eloise was with an outreach team in a southern mountain region, the same healer happened to be there helping the locals. She had gotten sick and ended up going to him for treatment. She hadn’t expected to feel so at ease with him. In less than two weeks, they felt like longtime friends. He even praised her for being a fast learner and taught her some basic acupuncture techniques, for pain and for sleep issues.
After a short conversation with Tania, Eloise noticed Chloe standing nearby, seemingly waiting for her.
She approached her and smiled. “Were you looking for me, Director Chloe?”
Chloe nodded and handed her a small bag. “Just a little something. Thank you for coming with me to the hospital the other day.”
Eloise was surprised by her kindness. “Oh, you didn’t have to. It was really nothing.”
Chloe extended her hand, urging Eloise to take it. “Go on, take it. I’m not the type to leave a debt unpaid.”
Eloise had no choice but to accept the gift. “You didn’t even want to be escorted at first, and now you’re giving me a gift? I feel kind of embarrassed.”
Chloe smiled. “It’s just a small thing, really. Don’t be shy.”
Eloise politely thanked her. “Thank you so much!”
Chloe gave a small nod and turned to leave. “Alright, I’ll get back to work now.”
Eloise nodded back. “Okay.”
After Chloe left, Eloise brought the gift over to Sasha.
Sasha was busy reading her script, polishing her lines for the next scene. She looked up when she saw Eloise carrying something. “Hey, what’s that?”
Eloise told her the story about helping Chloe and how she’d given her a gift. “She’s so kind. I didn’t expect her to be that considerate.”
Sasha was delighted. “Open it! I always thought Director Chloe was kind of cold, but maybe she’s actually nice.”
Eloise opened the box and found a silver bracelet, simple, but elegant. It perfectly matched her style.
Sasha picked up the bracelet and slipped it onto Eloise’s wrist. “It’s beautiful. Director Chloe has good taste. I know this brand, they make such lovely designs.”
She fastened the clasp and held Eloise’s hand. “There you go. Wear it. It’s not super expensive, but it’s classy.”
Sasha had always been more into accessories, so she was more familiar with brands like this.
Eloise wore the bracelet and didn’t take it off. While Sasha kept memorizing her lines, she’d occasionally pull Eloise over to practice with her.
Once filming began, Eloise took charge of Sasha’s things. While waiting, she scrolled through her phone and caught up on some showbiz news.
Later that afternoon, Sasha had a scene where she had to jump into the water. The first take went wrong because she messed up her line. The second time, her facial expression was off. The third, her fall into the water didn’t look natural. So they had to keep redoing it.
They went through seven or eight takes. On the ninth, Sasha suddenly screamed, “There’s a snake!”
Ivan quickly jumped into the water to get her. She had been bitten on the leg, and no one knew if it was venomous.
Eloise rushed her to the hospital. They examined her, gave her anti-venom, and the doctor said she needed to be confined for observation. She was also ordered to rest for a week before returning to work.
Sasha lay in bed, looking weak, her voice slightly sulky. “I’ve never been bitten by a snake in my life. Why now, of all times? Just my luck! How could there be a snake in that lotus pond?”
Falling into water was common in costume dramas, especially into lotus ponds. That area was part of the film set, so it should’ve been cleaned thoroughly before use. It really was strange that a snake got in.
Eloise gently stroked Sasha’s head. “Poor thing! Don’t worry, they’ll definitely investigate this.”
Sasha laughed at her dramatic tone. “You sound like my mom! Careful, I might start believing you. But seriously, do you think someone did this on purpose? What if someone wants to cause trouble or hurt me?”
So far, everyone on the production team had been getting along. But maybe, since the shoot had just started, people were still hiding their true colors?
“But if someone really is trying to cause trouble, isn’t it a bit early for that? It’s only the second day,” Eloise thought.
If Sasha was already thinking that possibility, Eloise couldn’t help but wonder too. Still, she gently reassured her, “Don’t overthink it. Just rest and focus on getting better.”
Sasha was the lead actress in the film, so because of what happened, her scenes had to be postponed. The production would shoot other actors’ scenes in the meantime so filming wouldn't come to a halt.
Later that day, Lander arrived at the hospital after hearing the news. “I’ve already started an investigation about the snake in the lotus pond. Once I find out who’s behind it, I’ll let you know right away.”
Sasha rolled her eyes. “Someone’s probably jealous of me, that’s why they did this.”
Lander smirked. “Who’d be jealous of you? And what would they be getting back at you for? You’re too full of yourself.”
Sasha had never liked Lander, and now she was even more annoyed. “Can you leave? You’re stressing me out, and that’s not helping me recover.”
Lander shook his head. “Like I’m dying to be here. If you weren’t the lead actress, I wouldn’t even bother with you.”
Sasha glared at him. If she wasn’t so weak, she might’ve tried to strangle him out of pure irritation.
While the two bickered, Eloise quietly peeled and sliced an apple for Sasha. Once she was done cutting it into small pieces, she stuck them with toothpicks and handed the plate to her friend.
Sasha’s mood instantly changed. She smiled as she ate the apple.
Lander shook his head. “Eloise, you’re spoiling her too much. Look at her, she’s getting even more bratty.”
But Sasha just grinned, and while chewing, she suddenly fed a slice of apple to Lander, as if saying, “You’re just jealous.”
Eloise laughed. “Once she’s recovered, she’ll be back on set. For now, why don’t you get back to your work?”
Her tone was calm and polite, but Lander could feel the distance in her voice. It was actually one of the reasons he had dropped by the hospital, he wanted to see Eloise too.
But now that it felt like she was politely asking him to leave, he didn’t push it.
“Alright, fine. I’m going. Just text me if you need anything,” he said, shaking his head slightly as he turned to leave.
After he left, Sasha said right away, “Lander seems different now. He’s not like before, so impulsive. He’s calmer.”
Eloise’s expression didn’t change. “People mature. He’s running his company now, so that reckless attitude he had before doesn’t really fit him anymore.”
And to be honest, that was a good thing. They could still be friends, but there was no need to be super close. If she ever needed help, Lander would be there. And if he needed help, she’d do the same for him.
Around ten that night, Lander finally received the results of the investigation. They’d caught the person who released the snake. It turned out he was just paid off to do it in exchange for money.
Lander tracked the man down at a bar and pulled him aside to a quiet spot outside.
His voice was sharp with anger. “Caroline, were you behind the snake incident? Did you really want to hurt Sasha?”
When Caroline saw how furious he was, she seemed to already guess what it was about. But instead of confessing, she looked away and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Sasha got bitten by a snake? What’s that got to do with me?”
Lander could see it in her eyes, she was hiding something. She looked guilty, but refused to admit it. He let out a cold smile.
“You still won’t admit it? Why did you do it? What did she ever do to you? Nothing, right?”
Caroline looked back at him, a mix of defensiveness and sadness in her eyes. She bit her lip and said softly, “Do you really think I’m the one who did that?”
Lander shook his head and said, “We already caught the crew member you paid. And the money he got? It came from a bank account linked to your friend.”