Upon seeing Patrick’s expression, Jane had a strange feeling in her heart. “Is there something wrong?” she asked.
Patrick’s eyes flickered slightly, but he shook his head and said, “It’s nothing. I just remembered wrong.”
Naturally, Jane believed him and nodded. The two of them left the restaurant side by side.
When they got home, Jane received a call from Maria.
“Jane, I’ve made up my mind. I’m not quitting the entertainment industry,” Maria said firmly over the phone. Jane wasn’t too surprised to hear this.
“But didn’t you cry and tell me not to stay in the entertainment industry before? Why did you suddenly change your mind?”
Jane smiled slightly; she didn’t want to lose such an excellent actress as Maria.
“I think if I quit because of these things, wouldn’t that be exactly what those people want? So now I have to work even harder and show those people who are trying to mess with me that I am not someone they can mess with.”
Maria paused for a moment here.
“And who says we don’t have someone in our family who is also a psychologist on the side?”
Maria was actually very grateful that Kim was always by her side during her most difficult times.
It seemed like there was some pride in her tone when she spoke; Jane couldn’t help but say helplessly, “Okay, okay big star. But last time’s incident might still have some negative impact on your new drama.”
“What should we do?” Maria asked worriedly.
“It’s okay; the company will handle it. But ultimately speaking even if the company tries its best, it won’t be able to completely erase all negative comments about you.”
Jane pinched her nose bridge.
“Is there any way we can make up for it?” Maria quickly asked again as regret surged back into her heart.
“There’s currently a new movie being offered; do you want to take it?”
Maria immediately agreed, “Of course! What kind of movie is it?”
While listening intently on the phone call with Maria, Jane walked over towards her computer and said, “I’ll send you the file right now – this is from a very famous director.”
Maria responded and quickly opened the email, unable to help but exclaim, “It’s actually Director Lenny Peg! Jane, are you sure you didn’t send me the wrong script? I must take this role.”
Lenny was a very famous director in the film industry. Three years ago, with just one film, he won numerous international awards, and the actors who worked under him became incredibly popular, too numerous to count.
Maria had never imagined that she would have the opportunity to work with such a renowned director.
“Don’t get too excited just yet. Take a good look at this film. I know that there won’t be any pay for this project.”
“No pay?” Maria paused upon hearing this.
“And do you know where the filming will take place? In the mountains of Southwest. This film will require at least two to three months of shooting, and you may have to cut off all contact with the outside world.”
When Jane first saw Lenny’s name as the director in the script, she was also thrilled. However, she hesitated when she read the requirements below.
This film was Lenny’s bold attempt to start over and was made for the country. Pay and other matters were unlikely to be negotiable.
Moreover, shooting in the harsh environment of the Southwest mountains was a challenge that many seasoned actors might not accept, let alone someone like Maria who was relatively new to the entertainment industry.
What was more, Lenny was known for his strict demands on actors, which was well-known in the industry. Although many of his films were famous, there weren’t many newly emerging actors willing to collaborate with Lenny.
“You can think about it. If you don’t want to, you don’t have to force yourself to accept,” Jane said slowly when she heard Maria’s silence.
However, on Maria’s end, she chuckled lightly and said, “Jane, are you underestimating me a little too much?”
Jane didn’t say anything, but she was eager to hear what Maria would say next. She only heard Maria’s voice firm and without any hesitation, “Jane, I want to take this film.”
“I am an actress, and filming is what I should do. What needs to be chosen is a good script, not high pay or superior conditions.”
When Maria entered the entertainment industry, she had already considered these situations. She didn’t come to the industry to make crazy money or be worshipped by fans. She came to fulfill her dreams.
And now, there was such a great opportunity in front of her. How could Maria not seize it?
“Jane, please contact Lenny immediately and tell him that I have accepted this role. He must not look for anyone else.”
Upon hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Jane’s face. She knew Maria would say exactly that.
“Don’t worry, I’ll contact Lenny tomorrow and make sure you get this role. But are you sure you won’t be worried about your significant other during the three months of being out of contact?”
Jane deliberately teased.
“I’m making a career effort here. He will understand. Plus, not contacting each other for three months can be seen as a test for him.”
“What if you come back and find him with someone else? Don’t come crying to me,” Jane jokingly responded, which made Maria so angry that she couldn’t help but shout.
“Jane, what do you mean by that?”
“What’s with that expression, Kim? Whoa! Could it be that Jane guessed right? Are you really going to do something while I’m away for three months shooting?”
Maria suddenly questioned through the phone.
“Don’t accuse me like that. I wouldn’t do such a thing; I just can’t bear to be without you.”
Suddenly, Kim’s voice came through as well. It seemed like the two of them were sitting together.
Jane knew it was time to stop and instructed Maria to come to the company to pick up the script tomorrow before hanging up the phone.
She looked up but didn’t see Patrick’s figure. Thinking that he had gone into the study when he came back, perhaps he was busy with something.
With that in mind, Jane made a cup of coffee for Patrick and prepared to bring it over.
However, just as she reached the entrance of the study, Jane’s phone rang with a message notification.
Jane glanced at it and saw an unfamiliar number.
She felt a bit puzzled and opened her phone to see a photo. But as she saw the content of the photo, Jane’s pupils suddenly contracted, causing the coffee she was holding in her hand to slip and shatter on the floor.
Patrick, who was on the phone in the study, heard the commotion outside. He quickly opened the door and saw Jane standing there in a daze, with broken pieces of the cup at her feet.
Patrick rushed forward, intending to ask if Jane was hurt, but suddenly Jane lifted her eyes abruptly.