Chapter


    63


    Tracy slipped to the side, cautiously pulling out her phone. But just as she opened the camera app, her hand suddenly felt


    empty.


    Ophelia had snatched the phone away in one swift move, She kiew Emily all too well.


    Seeing her n thwarted, Emily immediately jumped to her fee "Ophelia, what''s your problem?" she demanded. "I''ve never done anything to you. Why are you always getting in my way?" Ophelia let out a coldugh. "Never done anything? You sound so innocent."


    Emily sighed, "Why don''t you just name your price?" Her eyes unconsciously darted to the phone on the couch, its screen facing down.


    "Seven million dors." Ophelia stated dy.


    "Are you out of your mind?" Emily''s face contorted with anger.


    First, Emily had topensate seven million dors for a single dress, and now Ophelia wanted another seven million dors. She couldn''t help but think Ophelia must be obsessed with money "I''m not finished," Ophelia continued. "Besides the seven million dors, you''ll need to clear things up online."


    ''Clear things up? Emily thought bitterly. "Wouldn''t that be like pping myself in the face?'' People might even use her of staging the whole thing.


    "That''s imposs-" Emily said, but the word died in her throat as she met Ophelia''s piercing gaze.


    Ophelia''s voice turned icy. "You have five seconds to decide. Five, four..."Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Each number hit Emily like a hammer blow as Ophelia counted down to "one"


    Emily gritted her teeth. "Fine, I''ll rify. I''ll do it. But... But seven million dors is too much."


    "Then there''s nothing left to discuss," Ophelia said, turning to leave.


    Before her hand could touch the doorknob, Emily blocked her path. "Okay, I''ll pay. Just...give me some time."


    "Do you really think you''re in any position to negotiate with me" Ophelia smirked. Her piercing gaze made Emily squirm ufortably.


    Without hesitation, Ophelia grabbed Tracy''s phone. She quickly typed out a message, uploaded an audio file, and added a photo of Emily''s current state. The


    post read: [Everyone, just to clear things up-1 let Ms. Campbell know in advance that this scene required real ps. The mark on my face is just makeup.]


    Ophelia thrust the phone screen in front of Emily''s face. I''ve given you plenty of face. Now post it."


    Emily clenched her fists, reluctantly hitting the send button.


    Ophelia didn''t need to do anything else. Sharon''s PR team sprang into action immediately.


    Within moments,izens began reacting. Onemented: [What the hell? Is this another publicity stunt?]


    Another user mocked. (Emily''s life is just one big performance. She''s always putting on a show]


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    Mon, Nov


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    Even Emily''s fans turned on her, saying things like: [Unfollowing right now. Can''t believe she''d pull this stunt for attention and then try to clear it up. We''ve seen this self-contradicting actoo many times.] Otherizens chimed in: [Disgusting. This is absolutely disgusting.]


    Thements kept pouring in, one after another.


    "Send me the money before tonight, Ophelia said curtly and left with Sharon.


    The break room was now empty except for Emily and Tracy. Emily''s troubled expression instantly vanished, reced by a smug smile and eyes glinting with calction.


    "Emily, aren''t you worried?" Tracy asked, confusion evident in her voice.


    In response, Emily picked up her phone from the couch, revealing the still-active recording screen. She could have easily used the photos of the old man at Rosewood Manor to bargain with Ophelia, but she decided not to. Instead, she wanted Ophelia toy out her own terms.


    "Does she think I''m stupid?" Emily mused. "Ophelia, do you even know how many years you could get for ckmail? Enjoy your time behind bars."


    Meanwhile, in another room, Sharon was carefully applying an ice pad, all while casting furtive nces at Ophelia. "Are you...short on cash?" she asked.


    Ophelia turned to look at her, sensing that Sharon might view her direct request for seven million dors as a bit excessive. "This is a personal matter between Emily and me."


    In truth, Ophelia wasn''t short on money. Her goal was to gradually deplete the Hastings family''s avable funds, beyond. their existing loans,


    She nced at the time, wishing she''d stolen one more kiss from Keh earlier. Her rebirth in this life had altered many things. Surprisingly, Emily had be the lead in this show, a far cry from the original story. It was quite a waste of a good script. Ophelia decided she needed to have a word with William first. Beingte back could wait.


    Meanwhile, William was shoveling down his boxed lunch while reviewing the morning''s footage. Of all the scenes, Sharon''s first take stood out as the best. The more he watched it, the more pleased he became.


    As the camera focused on Emily, William furrowed his brow. He took a sip of water, holding his boxed lunch in one hand and the water bottle in the other, pressing his tongue against his teeth in thought.


    "Too forced," a voice behind him said, echoing William''s exact thoughts.


    Indeed, this wasn''t how Gwen, the female lead, should react. Though Emily was following the script, herexpressions and demeanor seemed petty,cking the inherent resilience of the character.


    William turned, his previously dull eyes brightening as theynded on the girl bebind him. He narrowed his gaze, taking in her rebellious brow and cool, detached manner. This girl was the spitting image of Gwen as he''d imagined her. Her looks alone could easily outshine half the starlets in the entertainment industry.


    "If I''m not mistaken, you''re Sharon''s friend who came to visit the set?" William asked. Though not yet forty, his hair had already gone gray. The salt-and-pepper sideburns peeking out from under his hat made his tanned skin look even darker.


    "You have an excellent memory," Ophelia smiled.


    Mon, Nov


    William, impressed by Opliclia''s candor, brushed off the previous incident and asked, "You mentioned forced. What did you mean by than


    "Can''t you see it?" Ophelia replied frankly. "Her acting ispletely superficial. She hasn''t truly connected with the character''s inner world. As a result, ites across as forced and artificial. She can''t keep up with Sharon''s performance at all I wonder how you chose her for the role, Mr. Martin."


    Her words were sharp, but William didn''t find them off-putting, However, Nancy, standing nearby, was visibly annoyed and about to retort when William raised his hand to stop him, a hint of resignation in his eyes.


    The truth was, just before filming began, their main investor had pulled out. It was Emily who had stepped in with funding and agreed to y the lead role without pay, which was how she''d secured the part.


    Sensing William''s predicament, Ophelia spoke up. "Mr. Martin, could we speak privately for a moment?"


    At that moment, a man''s voice, cold and maic, came from behind. "Who exactly did you want to talk to alone? Hm?"


    Ophelia felt a shadow fall over her as arge hand gripped her head, forcing her to turn around. She found herself staring into a pair of sharp eyes beneath a ck baseball cap. A chill ran down her spine. "What''s he doing here?'' she thought, suddenly noticing how the crowd around them had thinned out


    Keh''s eyes narrowed, his fierce expression hinting at barely contained fury. Ophelia realized Keh was on the verge of exploding.


    Thinking quickly, she grasped Keh''s hand and shed a smile at William. "Mind if my boyfriend joins us? The three of us can chat together.


    As soon as Ophelia''s soft hand touched his, Keh''s demeanor changed. He instantly mellowed, like a Maine Coon cat that had just been stroked.


    William eyed Keh''s attire - a ck shirt, ck cks, and a long, ash-gray coat that entuated his tall, slender frame. He had a hunch that the face hidden beneath the hat and mask must be equally attractive.


    The man exuded a coolness entirely foreign to the entertainment industry. William concluded he couldn''t be from their circles-perhaps he was the boss of some financial group.


    Without hesitation, William ushered Nancy and the others out, leaving just the three of them in the room.


    Ophelia guided Keh to afortable seat, her manner slightly fawning.


    Keh leaned back in his chair, legs crossed. Hisrge hands, with their distinct knuckles, toyed with Ophelia''s delicate fingers, asionally giving them a punishing squeeze. Observing Ophelia''s slightly furrowed brow, Keh felt his gloomy mood lift a little.