Outside the set.
Emily and Nathan walked side by side. Nathan lowered his head, staring for a long time at their shadows connected under the sunlight. Without realizing it, he took out his phone and, while Emily was still looking up at the blue sky and drifting clouds, captured a scene he hadn't seen in years.
"Click—" The crisp shutter sound rang between them.
"Hm?" Emily quickly lowered her head, her bright eyes blinking as she looked at Nathan.
Nathan hurriedly slipped his phone into his pocket with one hand. Leaning closer, his breath brushed past her ear. "What's wrong?"
Emily glanced around before patting her chest lightly, muttering to herself, "No one."
"Hm?" Nathan's voice brushed lightly against her ear.
Emily's cheeks flushed red. She quickly stepped back, covering her ears tightly. "Y-you… don't come near me."
Nathan raised an eyebrow. "What? Afraid of me?"
"Who's afraid of you!" Emily quickly walked toward her trailer, still muttering, "What's wrong with you."
"Bang—" The trailer door slammed shut.
Nathan was left standing outside, hands awkwardly raised for a moment as he stared at the closed door. In the end, he let out a helpless smile, slipped his hands into his pockets, and walked away.
Emily watched Nathan leave through the peephole, letting out several relieved breaths.
"Tap—"
Emily's body stiffened. She glanced back, quickly closing her slightly open mouth. "Ms. Yu…"
Yvonne Yu lightly traced her finger along the rim of a teacup, her cold gaze scrolling through her phone. Her voice was icy. "What's your relationship with Nathan Reed?"
Her chilling tone and overwhelming presence pressed heavily on Emily.
Emily stammered, her eyes darting around as if searching for something to rely on. Unfortunately, the trailer was so quiet that only the faint sound of water remained.
Emily tightened her lips and met Yvonne's gaze. "We don't have any relationship at all."
After speaking, she lowered her head even further, her hands rubbing against each other.
"No relationship…" Yvonne repeated softly, stepping closer bit by bit. "So you're telling me that the so-called 'King of Hell' in the voice acting world—someone who can make a director rewrite a script with just a few words—cut your scenes before even seeing you, and then added scenes back after meeting you?"
"Emily, do you think I'm stupid?"
Each word from Yvonne felt like it was peeling apart Emily's already fragile heart.
Tears gradually filled Emily's eyes. "There's really nothing between us anymore…"
"Then there was something before." Yvonne rebutted calmly.
Emily looked up at Yvonne as she returned to her seat, then lowered her head again.
"Ex-boyfriend?" Yvonne's cool voice sounded once more.
Emily didn't deny it, and Yvonne took that as confirmation.
The hum of the trailer echoed softly as Emily kept staring at the shadows on the floor.
"Click—"
A beam of glaring sunlight shot toward Emily's eyes. She turned her head slightly away.
"Emily… should we… head back…" Judy Lin held a cold drink, her eyes fixed on Yvonne sitting quietly. Her voice trembled slightly. "Ms. Yu… you're here."
Yvonne glanced at Judy and said flatly, "Noisy."
Judy lowered her head deeply, slowly stepping behind Emily.
Yvonne watched Judy disappear from view, then lifted her gaze to Emily. "Looks like you and Nathan really do have some personal history."
She stood up slowly, walked over, and placed a gold card against Emily's clothing. "7 pm tonight. Private room at Imperial Court. Don't be late."
Emily's pale fingers brushed against the edge of the card as she watched Yvonne walk down the steps. "Ms. Yu, I…"
"Nathan will be there tonight," Yvonne said casually. "You know me, I won't do something wrong. Trust me—you'll be fine."
With that, she left, casually swinging her handbag, driving her Maserati away from the set.
"Emily… are you really going tonight…" Judy frowned at the name on the card. "This Director Chen is known in the industry for…"
Emily pressed her lips together, her gaze cold as she stared at the name Victor Chen on the card. A director infamous in the entertainment industry for casting through unspoken rules—many actresses had relied on their bodies to make it onto the screen under him.
"I'm going." Emily slid the card behind her phone case and sat where Yvonne had been earlier. "We don't have much time. We still have to come back here tonight."
"Here?" Judy scratched her head, confused. "Emily, you remembered wrong again. Today was your last scene."
Emily picked up an empty cup and poured half a glass of water. "We'll probably have to stay here a few more days. The director said there are still scenes to add for me."
Judy nodded and sat beside her. "By the way… Emily…"
"Just ask. Stop beating around the bush." Emily took a sip of water, her gaze drifting toward the window.
"Well… earlier I heard Ms. Yu mention something about an ex-boyfriend… what was that about?"
Emily's hand paused slightly, her pupils shrinking. She cleared her throat before speaking, "Nathan… is my ex-boyfriend."
Judy turned her head stiffly to look at Emily. "Emily… you're joking, right?"
Emily's fingers turned pale, but her voice remained calm. "I'm serious."
The bracelet in Judy's hand slipped to the floor as she stared down in shock.
"Pack up. We're leaving immediately." Emily stood up and began removing her hair accessories one by one. "Put the clothes and accessories back in the dressing room."
Judy picked up the box and nodded. "Okay. You should rest for a bit."
Emily leaned back on the sofa, her head resting against the wall as she scrolled through her phone. The screen flickered past scene after scene until her eyes slowly closed, and she collapsed into sleep on the couch.
When Judy returned, she was smiling, carrying a bag of milk tea and barbecue.
"Emily, look what I brought back…"
Seeing Emily asleep, her smile softened. She set the bag down, picked up a coat, and gently draped it over Emily.
Judy took out her phone and dialed the driver. "Uncle Wu, we're ready to go."
Imperial Court.
"Emily, we're here." Judy gently shook her awake, barbecue sauce still at the corner of her lips.
Emily stirred, opening her eyes groggily as she looked out at the building. Her voice was hoarse. "We're here?"
"Yeah, we're here." Judy handed her the prepared outfit.
Emily took it and went into the restroom to change.
She emerged in a simple black evening gown, her straight hair falling neatly down. Her makeup highlighted her already striking features, and the subtle shimmer of the dress glowed under the lights.
"Emily, I won't go up with you. Ms. Yu asked me to go back to the company to get a new script." Judy typed on her phone, her expression serious.
Emily glanced at the message on the screen and sighed. After a brief pause, she nodded.
She opened the car door and looked at the dazzling hotel ahead. Inside, lights glowed as people mingled, each wearing polite smiles.
Taking a deep breath, Emily stepped out and walked into the hotel. She rubbed her arms as she watched the elevator slowly arrive, her hands unconsciously clenching.
"Ding—"
The corridor was silent, dimly lit with a dull yellow glow.
Emily tightened her grip and walked to the private room door, taking a deep breath.
Knock, knock—
She gently pushed the door open, scanning the room filled with influential figures from various industries. Her gaze swept across them before settling on the empty chair in the center.
Forcing a smile, Emily respectfully greeted each of them.
After several drinks, her mind began to blur. Holding her forehead, she discreetly pinched the little flesh on her arm, trying to stay awake.
"Emily…"
Director Chen held her slender arm, his face slightly flushed as he leaned closer. "Keep drinking. Don't stop."
His hand began to slide along her arm. Emily stepped back, but couldn't break free.
"Director Chen, my stomach isn't feeling well. I'll stop drinking." Emily forced a smile.
A grin slowly spread across his face as his hand moved toward her stomach. "That's serious. Come, let me check."
Emily shifted aside, trying to avoid him.
But he pulled her back, locking eyes with her. "I've been thinking about shooting a new project. The female lead hasn't been decided yet. Emily… who do you think I should choose?"
Emily's pupils shrank as she looked at the man before her, her lips pressing downward. She said nothing.