Lauren approached with perfect poise and a sharp smile.
“Look at you—holding everyone up again. If you don’t want to act, don’t show up.”
Lexi straightened.
“Thanks for the advice. I love acting. I’ll be staying.”
The sarcasm wasn’t subtle.
Lauren’s jaw tightened.
No matter what she did—reporters, publicity, staged appearances—Sebastian’s attention had shifted.
It rested on Lexi now, guarded and deliberate.
For this New York shoot, Lauren hadn’t planned to bring her.
Sebastian had made sure she did.
The contract he’d handed Lauren made one thing clear: Lexi was under Blackwood protection.
Her success—or failure—reflected on him.
On the private jet, the director tossed Lexi the script.
The setting: a post-war city.
Riots.
Military factions.
Constant danger.
The heroine would be kidnapped by a cruel merchant and abused until rescued.
Lexi’s role?
The heroine’s pampered friend—used as a shield.
Beaten.
Tortured.
Threatened.
All to protect Lauren’s character. Find the original chapter at g.com.
Lexi nearly laughed.
Lauren’s creativity had no limits.
On set, the contrast was obvious.
Lauren arrived radiant in a fitted dress.
Lexi wore coarse gray fabric and tight braids—plain and forgettable.
The actor cast as the merchant looked intentionally grotesque.
Of course.
The first scene began.
Lauren’s character refused marriage and was punished with hunger.
Lexi’s character tried to sneak her food and was caught—tied up for whipping.
When the merchant grabbed her, Lexi bit his arm and broke free.
“Cut!” the director barked.
“What are you doing? Follow the script!”
Lexi nodded mildly.
Next take, she did it again.
After the third ruined scene, the director exploded.
“Are you sabotaging this?”
“I think the script needs adjustments,” Lexi said calmly.
“Could the writer revise it?”
“Who are you to demand rewrites?”
The director’s behavior toward Lexi stemmed less from her and more from his reluctance to offend Lauren, whose influence in the room outweighed everything else.
Lauren drifted over, standing next to the director.
“Exactly. You’re a newcomer. Know your place.”
Lexi folded her arms.
“Then I’ll step aside. Please continue.”
She couldn’t win by fighting directly.
But she wouldn’t humiliate herself either.
“And Director,” she added lightly, “I am signed under Blackwood. If I walk off, I’m not sure Sebastian will be pleased.”
Lauren’s eyes sharpened.
“I’m Sebastian’s girlfriend. If I tell you to leave, what can you do?”
Lexi smiled.
“Of course. Since you’re the lead, these scenes should belong to you anyway. More screen time. I’m sure Sebastian will appreciate that.”
Lauren froze.
“Everyone!” Lexi called brightly.
“Watch closely. This is a challenging scene—learn from the best.”
All attention shifted.
Lauren had no choice but to perform.
She delivered flawlessly.
Years in the industry showed.
Her presence commanded the camera.
Lexi stepped aside, unbothered.
A small hand offered her a milk tea.
Lexi turned.
A petite girl with a bob haircut smiled shyly.
“Thank you.”
“I just joined today,” the girl whispered.
“You’re brave. I never speak to Lauren.”
“Your role?”
“Vanessa. The sixth female—Lauren’s sister.”
Lexi nodded, mentally noting the oversight.
She needed to pay more attention.
The girl leaned closer.
“You know this location isn’t clean, right? Strange things keep happening here.”
Lexi frowned.
“What do you mean?”