Chapter 196

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Tina’s expression instantly turned chilly , but a moment later she smoothed it over with a soft smile , her voice gentle as she said , “ The set a húga , dont wander off and get lost . ”
Her style was all soft elegance and warmth , a far cry from her real , proud personality .
She faked it so hard that Aria actually paused , giving her a look that all but said , “ Who possessed you ? ”
A flush crept up Tina’s cheeks – how embarrassing .
She regretted calling out to Aria in the first place .
The assistant director , Maximo Weaver , picked up on their history and asked tentatively , “ Tina , do you two know each other ? ”
Tina , keeping her connections hidden , quickly replied , “ We’ve only met a couple of times , ”
Her cool tone left Maximo thinking their relationship was frosty at best .
His own attitude toward Aria soured . “ And who are you ? You can’t just wander onto set . Security ! Escort her out . ”
A staff member blocked Aria’s way .
Not far off , Vanessa’s assistant came running , waving frantically . “ She’s Vanessa’s friend , here to visit ! ”
Tina was the show’s leading lady ; Vanessa , the second female lead .
The two had butted heads on a reality show before , the fallout landing them at the top of the trending topics .
Truth be told , Vanessa had just been a target – she barely had any die – hard fans , but haters ?
They were everywhere . The moment the casting list dropped , the drama’s popularity soared . The producers didn’t even need to buy publicity .
Still in character , Tina gave a sweet smile . “ Oh , so you’re Vanessa’s friend . Aria , you’d better hurry up – don’t keep people waiting . ”
Aria’s look grew even more peculiar .
Vanessa’s assistant Myla quickly ushered her away . “ This way , Aria .”
Vanessa was signed to Starmon Films , the studio bankrolling the whole production . Starmon , incidentally , was a Stars Group subsidiary .
Tina’s lips curled in a sneer as she watched Aria go . “ Here for a visit ? More like here to get noticed – maybe she’s hoping Mr. Dawson Campbell spots her and brings her into the industry . ”
Casting couch rumors ran rampant in the business , and after nine years , Tína had seen it all . She added in a low voice , “ Starmon Films is owned by the
Stars Group . ”
With that , she walked off .
Maximo , still puzzled , muttered , “ Why does Tina always talk in riddles ? ”
A staffer shrugged . “ Whatever – Dawson’s almost here . The director wants us to greet him and push Vanessa’s scenes back a bi
“ Fine . ”
Tina sat for makeup , her assistant handing over her phone . She fired off a message to Derek :
Tina : [ The exams are over – Lennox thinks he did pretty well . How about you ? ]
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Derek : [ Didn’t bother checking my score . ]
He always left each exam behind him , never comparing answers .
Tina : [ Don’t worry if it didn’t go well . Mandino U’s diploma is gold – just stay on the straight and narrow , Okay ? ]
Derek : ( What do you mean ‘ crooked ‘ ? Lennox told me Aria’s likely joining Mandino U as a professor , and you’re pretty close to her , aren’t your
As expected , they believed whatever Lennox said .
Derek : [ None of your business . ]
Tina remembered Aria’s words earlier and slammed the table . “ That brat ! ”
Her makeup artist and assistant were both her p
or people ; Tina wasn’t worried about her facade slipping .
Inside the trailer , Vanessa was working furiously at her laptop . “ They’re
every night .”
Aria asked , “ How’s their skill ? ”
Fryderyk had offered to take care of it , but Aria trusted Vanessa more .
gutsy ,
I’ll give them that – someone’s been remotely poking around your phone
Vanessa snorted . “ Mediocre . Nowhere near me . I’ll sort it out in ten minutes . ”
“ Perfect . ” Aria waited , calm as ever . Suddenly , there was a commotion outside .
“ Is Vanessa still resting ? Dawson’s here – she needs to come out and greet him ,” called Maximo .
Myla blocked the trailer door . “ Sorry , Dawson , Aria’s busy . Give her a few more minutes . ”
The rich kid’s expression soured at once . “ What’s she busy with , besides resting ? ”
Vanessa was famously principled – courtesy earned respect , but cross the line , and she’d fight back , no matter who you were ,
Dawson had a reputation : he loved “ pursuing ” his own actresses , and his “ pursuit ” usually meant harassment . Vanessa had slapped him once for it , so now he loved to make trouble for her .
Everyone in the industry knew the story .
Maximo shot Myla a look . “ The boss himself is here . Get Vanessa out here . ”
Myla bowed in apology . “ Sorry , Dawson , but- ”
The trailer door swung open , but it wasn’t Vanessa who stepped out . It was a stunning young woman no one recognized .
Dawson slicked back his hair and whistled . “ Hey gorgeous , are you an actress too ? ”
Maximo cut in , “ She’s Vanessa’s friend , just visiting the set . ”
He eyed Aria , figuring she must be angling for the producer’s attention .
Aria shut the trailer behind her and coolly asked , “ You’re the producer for Starmon Films ? ”
“ That’s right . This drama is a Starmon project . I gave Vanessa her role as the second female lead , and I can take it away just as easily , ” Dawson said , flashing a cocky grin and stepping closer ,
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“ Oh , is that so ? ” Aria leaned against the trailer , her posture casual , one leg crossed over the other , her voice lazy , almost taunting . Then why are pus here during working hours ? Shouldn’t you have somewhere better to be ? ”
“I’m here on behalf of Starmon Films , to check up on things . ” Dawson smiled , moving in until the distance felt personal . “ What’s your name ? I could sign you on with Starmon right now – if , of course , you know how to behave . ”
Everyone caught the sleazy undertone .
Myla quickly stepped in , murmuring something into Aria’s ear .
Aria caught on , her gaze suddenly sharp as a blade . She stared Dawson down . “ And who’s your daddy ? ”
Dawson’s face darkened . “ Trying to hook up with my old man , huh ? ” Around them , people began to look at
Aria differently .
So , she was ambitious .
Aria didn’t miss a beat . “ Tell your father to get over here and meet me himself .”
Dawson had grown up under a domineering father and couldn’t stand strong women – he only liked the obedient , cutesy type . With Aria , all his interest vanished , replaced by icy disdain . “ You want my dad to come see you ? Who do you think you are ? Get her out of here . ”
Maximo stepped forward . “ Miss , will you leave on your own , or do we need to help you? ”
Myla quietly slipped away , sprinting to find the director . The director was just about to start filming when Myla burst in . “ There’s trouble – Dawson’s starting something again ! ”
Dawson causing trouble wasn’t news , but for Myla to panic meant this was bigger than usual . The director immediately called for a halt . “ Let’s go take a look . ”
The male leads exchanged a glance .
“ Should we go too ? ”
“ Yeah , let’s see what’s up . ”