Joan went outside Ivy’s room and typed on her phone.
* I have no idea what she is planning to do. Currently, she is waiting for the right time to clarify herself, but I don’t know when.*
Shortly she received a reply,
*When the situation intensifies even more, Ethan will hand you something of use.* Joan frowned, ‘Who is Ethan?’ Whoever he was, he was definitely an ally. It seems Ivy will be in trouble soon, not that she cared. Shrugging, she returned to Ivy’s room.
Director Tim asked to see Ivy at the hotel’s restaurant. Ivy and Susan went down to the ground floor where she found Tim sitting alone. Ivy thought she would also find Producer Stephen, but she didn’t. It seems Stephen was fed up with the film’s delay.
“Why is your face so gloomy, Director Tim?” Ivy asked.
“You know the reason, stop pretending to be clueless,” he spat and averted his eyes.
Ivy chuckled. Isabelle really had her way, turning the production crew against her. Even Director Tim was slowly slipping away from her side.
Susan on the other hand, had enough of his frowning.
“To be honest, Director Tim, it’s your fault,” Susan stated.
Director Tim was surprised by her claim. “How?”
“If you had looked into the actress properly, we all wouldn’t have been in this mess.”
Ivy stepped on Susan’s foot. Why did she have to say that out loud? “No, Ivy, let me speak. If he had found a decent actress for the role, maybe the film would have made progress.”
Director Tim looked at Susan in disbelief. “Are you blaming me?”
Ivy didn’t want to say it, but Susan did have a point. Susan did some research about Isabelle, and Isabelle really isn’t decent.
“I’m just saying,” Susan replied casually, relaxing her arm on the table. The situation was riling her up.
“Ivy, listen, the situation is getting out of hand. Investors threatened to withdraw their investment if we don’t replace you. Stephen hasn’t made his decision, though, but he would very soon.” Ivy forced a smile without looking at Director Tim. ‘Tomboy Donna’ was supposed to be the film to announce her comeback, but many people refused to let her have her way. She wasn’t giving up, though; she was just waiting for the right time.
“Director Tim, be honest with me. Do you believe I am behind everything?” Ivy smiled, steadying her gaze on him.
Ivy was proving really difficult to understand. Looking at her facial expression, he couldn’t grasp what was going on in her mind. But whatever the case, he refused to allow the film to be dragged down because of her mess.
“I don’t know what to believe,” he stated truthfully. Even if Isabelle really faked her own attack, she was clearly on the winning side, unlike Ivy, who had no backing nor was she signed under a management agency that could help her contain the situation.
“Then tell Stephen to give us a few days to prove our innocence, if that’s okay with him,” Susan said and stood up, the same with Ivy. “Don’t worry, ‘Tomboy Donna’ won’t suffer because of what I’m about to do. Better find a new replacement for the antagonist,” Ivy said with a smirk on her face.
After Ivy and Susan left, Director Tim was in a state of indecision. Both actresses wanted him to find a new replacement. Were they planning an all-out war? Whatever it was, he didn’t want the film to be dragged into the mist.
Joan was waiting for both of them at the front of the elevator. The moment they arrived at the third floor, Ivy bumped into a stranger. “I’m sorry,” she apologized and carried on walking. As the stranger passed Joan, he brushed his hands on hers before stepping into the elevator. Joan turned to look at him and caught a glimpse of his face. Then, she received a text.
*His name is Ethan, he will text you what to do. Make sure you do according to what he tells you.* Joan felt the sender of the text was nearby, so she scanned her surroundings, but she found no trace of them. Yet, she couldn’t push the feeling, so she turned around to enter the elevator. As she took a step forward, she received another text.
*You fool, don’t think of following him, or you will raise suspicion. Follow Ivy and don’t look back. That woman is very observant. I learned that the hard way, so don’t let her suspect you.*
“Joan,” Ivy’s voice made her jolt. “Yes,” she smiled, trying to act normal.
“Why were you just standing there?”
Joan bit her lip; ‘she is right, she really is observant.’ “My stomach hurts, I’ll go to my room and lie down for a bit.” That was the excuse she could come up with. Clutching her stomach, she walked past Ivy sluggishly.
“Is it that bad?” Ivy asked, concerned, holding her shoulders.
“Yes, but I’ll be fine; you don’t need to worry.” Joan gave a slight smile and scurried to her room.
*That was a smart move; don’t make that mistake again. She isn’t as dumb as she appears.*
Joan was almost replying to the text but stopped halfway. *Don’t reply to my text from now on.* Since she specifically told her not to, she gave up on the question she wanted to ask. She sighed and tossed her phone. If not for the instructions, she would want to ask about her whereabouts. She seemed to be lurking close by.
Her phone dinged.
*I’m Ethan, save this number in her phone. And don’t reply to my message.* ‘Her.’ She frowned. How was she going to save a strange number in Ivy’s phone without her knowing? Her job was proving to be more difficult.
****
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Isabelle regained consciousness. Her PA immediately informed her manager, and he hurried to meet her.
“Are you alright?”
Isabelle didn’t reply. She sat on the bed, covered with thick layers of bandages. Her face was unrecognizable.
“Isabelle, answer me.”
Isabelle remained quiet, scrunching her face as Ivy’s image appeared in her head. Her lips quivered, as her gaze was fixed on the wall. “I’ll make her pay!” Her manager had to cover his ears from her loud outburst. He too hated Ivy, so he would surely execute her wish. He patted her on the back.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get justice for you. I will help you get revenge for hurting you like this,” he declared with resolve in his voice.