Amelia held the script, gazing arrogantly at Elisa on the stage. “I wonder if young people nowadays think that the threshold for actors is very low. It seems like anyone can join in. I originally thought this show was meant to inspire and validate real actors. I didn’t expect that the ones invited are of such poor quality. I think the netizens nowadays are too open-minded. Low-quality artists should be boycotted and banned by the public. It’s unbelievable that they act recklessly on stage, arbitrarily changing the script without an ounce of respect…” Before Amelia could finish her sentence, she suddenly fell silent. There was no particular reason, just a sense of someone nearby exuding an overpowering aura, overshadowing everyone else.
That someone was Louis. When Amelia used the term “poor quality” to describe Elisa, his face darkened, and an aura of hostility surrounded him like a gathering storm.
Louis glared at her, his sharp, narrow eyes carrying a hint of menace. Amelia’s breath hitched, and she almost lost her balance.
Elisa on the stage broke the silence, “Teacher White, I want to ask why I made changes to the script?”
Amelia swallowed hard, her momentum clearly not as strong as before, feeling uncomfortable as if being pricked by thorns, but she had to speak up.
“We left the script for your performance in front of our mentors. From the moment Sebastian raised the gun, you arbitrarily changed the script and the lines.”
“Is that so?” Elisa’s lips curled into a smile. She first glanced soothingly at Louis, then slowly turned her gaze to Sebastian and Filippa, who were standing next to her, their faces not looking good.
“I’d like to ask the two of you, what was the original script you had set for yourselves?”
There was no response from the audience. Elisa’s presence was no less powerful than Louis’s.
Elowen, with the least presence, explained, “The script in front of us had Ezra shooting Brigitta in the shoulder, not killing her, just making her feel scared and regretful, and finally, Brigitta would admit her mistake and repent. But Ezra wouldn’t give her a chance, ultimately shooting her several times to kill her…”
But when Sebastian raised the gun, and the sound of the gunshot was heard, Elisa clutched her chest, then fell to the ground, completely deviating from the character’s portrayal in the script.
Elisa furrowed her brow slightly, then relaxed it, and sarcastically asked, “Is this the original script you had in mind?”
Filippa spoke up, “Elisa, don’t pretend you don’t know. We gave you the script from the beginning. You took it upon yourself to change the lines, disrupting our rhythm. What’s the meaning of questioning us as if you don’t know?”
After saying this, she teared up, lowering her head to wipe her tears discreetly, all captured vividly by the cameras.
The audience immediately seemed to have an “aha” moment, and the live chat burst with reactions.
“I used to think Elisa’s acting was good, turns out she arbitrarily changed the script to overshadow Filippa and Sebastian. What a schemer.”
“The rain has stopped, the sky has cleared, and Elisa has started causing trouble again.”
“No wonder I felt something was off in the later part of the plot, especially Sebastian’s final lines. Turns out it was because Elisa changed the script.”
“This kind of unauthorized script changing is truly nauseating. Amelia Teacher White is right. Elisa, this kind of poor quality artist should be banned from society.”
“Are there still people like Amelia who speak the truth so boldly? Artists like Elisa should be socially banned.”
“Actors are tarnished by people like this, right?”
“Wasn’t Roman just praising Elisa a moment ago? Is he bought?”
“Unfollowing Roman.”
“Poor Xiuxiu, being bullied by a wicked woman until she cries. Don’t cry, darling, we’ll help you scold her!”
The scene was chaotic. Elisa stood alone on the stage, smiling, her gaze profound. She scanned the mouths of the audience below one by one, feeling as if there were two flies buzzing in her ears, disturbing her peace of mind.
Elisa’s personality wasn’t suited for the entertainment industry. She felt too lonely amidst the bustle, feeling like she didn’t belong, just like now, the surrounding loneliness seemed to engulf her.
A person might be without money, but they couldn’t be without dignity and pride, especially under the premise of having a “normal” reputation.
When her gaze landed on the group of mentors, Elisa’s eyes paused. She saw Louis’ concerned gaze, as if telling her, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”
Elisa wasn’t afraid. She used to fear loneliness, the absence ofpeople around her, but after experiencing death once, she realized… there wasn’t much to fear.
She tilted her head, “I’d like to ask where the script you gave me is?”
Sebastian remained silent, and Filippa, standing behind Sebastian, said with a sense of grievance, “Of course, we gave it to your agent. We don’t have your Facebook or email. Don’t think you can use not receiving the script as an excuse, Elisa. You keep pushing my limits, stealing my role is one thing, but using such despicable means to advance in a variety show!”
Their microphones were still on, and the conversation between Elisa and Filippa was clearly audible to both the audience in the venue and those watching on screen.
The emotions of all the live audience were incited by Filippa, and they all shouted in unison, “Boycott Elisa!”
Mr. Usoro was a bit bewildered. This turnaround was too quick. As a director who had been in the entertainment industry for so many years, he had never seen such antics. He wasn’t foolish. Thinking of the conflicts between Filippa and Elisa, he immediately understood that Elisa was being set up.
He had a keen eye for people. From the first day he met Elisa, he knew she wasn’t as disreputable as the internet made her out to be. Asher gave up his reputation for her. How bad could her acting be?
Moreover, considering Elisa’s performance just now, there was no need for her to change the script. Didn’t she just humiliate Filippa and Sebastian on stage as usual?
Mr. Usoro sighed. He could only say that Filippa was too good at inciting emotions. This time, Elisa seemed to be heading for trouble.
It might not be as simple as just affecting the “Revenge and Love” drama crew. Whether they could continue filming normally was now a difficult question.
Mr. Usoro picked up his walkie-talkie, preparing to pause the live filming, when he heard Elisa speak on stage again.
“There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask. Why can’t the ending in the script you’re holding be similar to the movie, or at least have some relevance?”
This time, Sebastian spoke up to explain, “It’s part of the show’s rules. Actors rated as S-level are allowed to make any changes to the script. When I was filming the movie, I wasn’t satisfied with the ending. After losing his loved one, how could Ezra, as a man, not seek revenge and kill Brigitta?”
However, he forgot that Ezra was a man of deep emotions, raised by his mother alone through hardship. How could he bear to see his mother suffer?
Yet, the woman he loved died because of him. He couldn’t live a life of compromise. He couldn’t let Brigitta dictate his life.
So, Ezra chose to commit suicide in front of Brigitta. He knew Brigitta loved him, and he wanted her to regret, to feel guilty, to treat his mother well after his death, and to live in remorse and condemnation. And indeed, in the years that followed, Brigitta lived a life worse than death, which was the essence of the movie “Years.”
Filippa chimed in, “The movie is nearly two hours long. To condense the entire plot into half an hour naturally requires changes. Elisa, don’t talk nonsense. We gave you the script through your agent. You never sought to rehearse with us, yet you have the nerve to argue?”
“I’ve never sought to rehearse with you?” Elisa smiled playfully.
Filippa’s expression showed clear signs of evasion, but with her back to the camera, she was unafraid of being seen. She asserted, “All the actors who participate in this variety show are here based on their real skills, unlike some people. They lack acting talent and rely on underhanded means, using backdoor methods. Did you also use such despicable means to secure the role of the second female lead in ‘Revenge and Love’?”
Elisa casually adjusted the hairpin on her head, “The brain is a good thing, you still have time to develop yours.” She directed this at Sebastian.
Then, she changed the subject, walking over to Filippa in her high heels. “Congratulations on successfully angering me. I want to lash out at you now, but rest assured, I won’t.”
Filippa didn’t react for a while, only coming to her senses after Elisa was escorted away by the staff.
“The meaning of what Elisa said before leaving, wasn’t it an insult to her as a person?!”
After Elisa left the stage, Sebastian gained a bit of confidence, “Xiuxiu, are we sure nothing will go wrong with what we’ve done?”
“What could go wrong? We’ve done it all. Are you afraid Elisa will make a fuss? Don’t worry. Not only will she not make a fuss, she won’t even have a chance. We did give the script to her agent. There’s no need to fear her biting back at us.”
“I’m just a little worried…”
“Brother, using these tactics is necessary to establish yourself in the entertainment industry. Aren’t you afraid of being compared to a low-quality female artist in the entertainment news? She has only acted in an online drama, and you? Since we stand on the same stage, it’s either her downfall or yours. Don’t you understand such a simple truth?” Filippa looked down on him a little. She wasn’t afraid at all. A man was still hesitating, whereas she had just confronted Elisa alone earlier. If it hadn’t been for her, their scheme might have been exposed.
Sebastian was good at everything except for being too soft-hearted and easily swayed. He was reluctant to engage in such underhanded activities, but he couldn’t resist Filippa’s persuasion. He had always liked this junior sister of his.
Before going on stage, Sebastian was very confident in his acting skills. He even looked down on Elisa’s acting in web dramas. But reality dealt him a harsh blow. His arrogance and blind confidence nearly ruined his acting career on this stage.
…
After returning to the backstage, Elisa sent a message to Louis on Facebook, telling him not to worry.
She then called Thomas directly, “Did Filippa send you the script?”
“Filippa?” Thomas’ voice came through, feigning confusion from the other end. “Oh, the variety show you participated in, right? There was a script for you, but I was too busy that day, and I forgot about it among the many files in my email. I only sorted it out today. But I assume since you met at the scene, you wouldn’t need me to forward it to you again. Besides, don’t you still have rehearsals to attend?”
Elisa wasn’t surprised by Thomas’ response. These people never change. Once they found an opportunity to drag her through the mud, they wouldn’t hesitate.
“Alright, I understand.”
“You’re not trying to shift the blame onto me, are you? The audience isn’t foolish,” Thomas warned.
“Don’t worry, I’m not foolish either.”
Filippa had perfectly shifted the blame onto Thomas. In the eyes of outsiders, Thomas was her agent, so naturally, they were in cahoots and wouldn’t “trick” her.
If she issued a statement, the audience’s thoughts would align with what Thomas said. She and Filippa had appeared together on the show, and they could communicate about the script. Moreover, Filippa had already firmly stated that Elisa hadn’t attended the rehearsal, shaping the impression among netizens that Elisa lacked professional ethics.
Outside, chaos reigned. Paparazzi sniffed out the opportunity to make the headlines and swiftly gathered, turning the area into a mess. Filippa was outside, loudly condemning Elisa.
With tearful eyes, she evoked sorrow and pity in those who heard her, making people feel sorry for her. Online, Elisa was being slammed and vilified.
Louis messaged Elisa on Facebook, asking if she had made any alterations to the script. After all, they had rehearsed several scenes together, but not daring to make assumptions, he awaited her response.
Upon receiving Elisa’s message, Louis went straight to the rehearsal room. Elisa was sitting on the railing by the window, her slender legs swinging.
It was drizzling outside. In Bankshire, once it started raining, it seemed it would never stop. The summer was supposed to be good, but it was as cold as autumn, exuding a chill in every corner.
Watching her slim figure, Louis felt a wave of loneliness. She had changed into her costume, wearing a white chiffon shirt, looking as if she were almost translucent, about to disappear.