After sharing her backstory, Susan departed the set to attend to a pressing commitment. Meanwhile, Jake’s influence had pressured Stephen to consider replacing Anna, but with Jake no longer present, filming resumed its normal schedule. Anna completed her solo scenes until noon, at which point Ivy joined her to film their joint scene.
George arrived on set with the dramatic scene between him and Zack and the humiliation he received; he avoided everyone’s gaze. But there were certainly whispers behind him.
“I know he won’t dare offend Ivy again after what happened last time.”
“How did he even offend Ivy?”
“Zack Anderson caught his hands on her wrist; he must have been trying to have his way with her, you know he is a womanizer.”
“He wanted to add her to his collection.”
He bore through all the provocative whispers of the gossipers and walked past them without a word. His personal assistant sighed.
“If you had taken my warnings earlier…”
“Just shut up…” George cut him off abruptly with a glare. “I don’t want to hear you say that again.”
He was damn tired of him repeating the same thing over and over. He was right though; he had indeed warned him but he was just too stubborn.
He stood by the sideline watching the shoot of the two actresses.
Immediately, when he and Ivy’s eyes locked, he quickly averted them. Zack Anderson’s aura inspired fear in him and what he experienced was still fresh in his mind, so he tried as much as possible to avoid her eyes or any part of her that would raise his infatuation towards her again.
He had heard about Zack Anderson’s cold and frightening aura; he thought they were exaggerated but now he knew he had been drowning in his own illusion.
Amiable was not an adjective made for Zack Anderson.
His gaze fell on Anna; she would make a good bed warmer, but he never expected her to spice up the drama by breaking up with him in front of everyone.
“You know, if you need a woman, we can go somewhere later…” His PA’s interruption broke through his thoughts.
“I don’t need a woman,” he spat.
His PA’s eyes gleamed in surprise, and he said in a whisper, “This is actually the first time you’ve said that.”
After filming for the day, Ivy’s body felt sore with ache and pain radiating from her core. The arduous shoots were getting intense by the day, though the film hadn’t neared the climax; the fight scenes were exhausting.
She was given a bottle of water from the production assistant, and she took a chug, extremely thirsty.
After changing out of her costume, Edmond arrived to take her back to the hotel.
Noticing Ivy was without her personal assistant by her side, he asked.
“Ma’am, I don’t see your personal assistant around.”
“She had a family emergency, and I granted her the day off,” Ivy responded.
“Ooh,” he just smiled tersely.
Ivy observed his expression through the front view mirror, wondering what he was interested in knowing her whereabouts. “Is there something you want to tell me?”
The blonde gave the same terse smile. “No, I was just curious.” Well, he had one order from Zack Anderson.
“Make sure she is safe and her needs get attended to.”
But there was still one more.
“Watch whoever comes in contact with her closely.”
There was just something strange about that woman…
When they got to the hotel, it was already 5 pm in the evening, so after she had dinner, she rested in her room.
While she rested, her lookalike was receiving flowers from the crew for ‘Wedding Catastrophe’.
“Well done, Ivy.”
“You did great.”
“Congratulations on your successful role completion.”
The so-called Ivy smiled in return, collecting all their gifts. “Thank you.”
“Your acting was so good.”
“Good job.”
All the thumbs-up and praises were causing the lead character to fume inwardly. The kind of attention and compliments the newbie actress has been receiving suppressed her. In fact, she was small compared to the supporting actress who elevated her fame with someone else’s.
To not raise gossip for the gossipers, she approached her to offer her a gift.
“Here, congratulations.” She presented a bunch of roses with a wide smile that was almost reaching her ears.
Irene chuckled as she saw through her facade; though she collected the roses, with a curtly, “… thank you,” and then tossed the flower to Kate.
Her facade dropped instantly. She frowned, seemingly displeased, and walked away with heavy footsteps.
Irene smiled because that was the reaction she wanted to pull out of her.
“Ivy, congratulations.” Director Scott appeared behind her and offered his spray of brightly colorful flowers. “You rocked it.”
“Thank you, Director Scott,” she smiled softly.
After all the gift presentations were done, she and Kate left the set.
A black fancy car was parked outside waiting for them.
“Have you found anything yet?” Irene first hurled a question to Ethan seated in the driver’s seat.
He shrugged, “yep.”
“I hope I won’t be involved this time,” Kate blurted out. She was damn tired of all the errands they made her run; it was frustrating her.
Irene didn’t reply; it actually wasn’t the first time she saw that. She knew whether Kate liked it or not, she would have to do whatever she says. After all, she was paying her mother’s hospital bills.
“I didn’t force you to get involved, did I?” She finally spoke up, and her reply made Kate sigh in defeat, unable to refute.
“What did you find?” Irene asked. “I hope it will be useful this time.”
***
At one of the police station headquarters, Jake Black was released on bail under surveillance awaiting DNA analysis results and further legal proceedings.
The evidence found wasn’t enough to prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt; still, the multiple footage found suggests he had come in contact with the child before.
As he exited the station, his friend James was already waiting to pick him up. “Hey, cheer up, at least you’re not held in custody.”
Jake ignored him and angrily slammed the door. “I’m definitely sure my face is plastered on the newspapers. And you expect me to cheer up. If my DNA found on her skin is confirmed, I’ll be done for.”
James let him let out his frustration before getting in the driver’s seat. “Who do you think ratted you out? So we can deal with this before it gets out of hand.”
Jake scowled as he recalled the smug smile on Ivy’s face. “That woman, I suspect she has something to do with this…”