Chapter 19

Time seems to be like something that’s been enchanted. In the blink of an eye, it’s already time to wrap things up.

To be honest, such a long period of filming also had a profound impact on Simone Milton.

Although she hasn’t had much interaction with the crew members these days, she has still received their care and attention.

So, on the day of the shoot’s completion, Simone Milton specifically called her agent and asked her to buy a few more small gifts to distribute among the crew members on set.

Although the gift is small, it’s still a gesture of thoughtfulness.

Since Simone Milton arrived at the set very early in the morning, her agent was also very helpful. They brought the prepared gifts in advance and distributed them first.

The staff who received the gifts were all overjoyed.

In fact, it wasn’t just Simone Milton. All the well-known stars in the cast bought gifts to show their appreciation for the crew members.

No matter what these people think in their hearts, overall, everyone appears to get along well on the surface, as if everyone in the crew has a good relationship with each other.

After the official end of filming, there’s a celebration party in the evening.

The current progress is a bit faster than expected. On top of that, we’ve discovered Simone Milton, a talented actress. The director was so pleased that he chose a luxury hotel to host a celebration party for the completion of filming.

Upon hearing this, Tan Wen, while complaining with Simone Milton, even said that the director was truly generous for once. It was really unusual of him to choose such a luxurious hotel.

Yes, in the original plan, the director would definitely choose a place like a roadside stall to hold the celebration party.

There’s nothing you can do about it – the director’s stinginess is well-known throughout the crew.

All the props in the crew are reused over and over again. Not to mention the sets themselves, which are constantly repaired and put back together again. There’s absolutely no waste of resources at all.

It’s really hard to imagine that a director could be that generous on a single day.

Anyway, time had passed to evening, and the closing banquet was about to begin.

Actually, when Simone Milton arrived at the party to celebrate the end of filming, she was a little nervous. After all, she hadn’t been able to bring her boyfriend along, as agreed.

It’s easy to imagine how bored those in the crew must be who’ve heard the news. Seeing her like this, they’ll surely be gossiping about her behind her back.

And with Donna Walpole, it certainly won’t be easy to get away with anything.

But in reality, as she stepped into the banquet hall, Simone Milton’s previously restless heart suddenly became calm.

Anyway, things have come to this point anyway. I just didn’t bring my boyfriend with me. So what? I simply don’t have a boyfriend. And what then?

Even if Donna Walpole is a movie star, there’s no reason for her to try to set me up with someone. She really insists that I find a boyfriend!

With these thoughts in mind, Simone Milton became completely calm. Even when the director introduced her to other people in the film industry, she maintained a polite and composed attitude, which won everyone’s favor.

Finally free from the director’s ostentatious presence, Simone Milton took a breath of relief. She picked up a glass of champagne and headed to a quiet corner to wait for the party to end.

Her plans were doomed to fail. After all, at the banquet, there was someone who kept an eye on her every moment.

This person definitely won’t let her get through so easily.

“Miss Milton, didn’t you say that you’d bring your boyfriend to this wrap-party? Where’s your boyfriend then? I’d really like to meet him too.” Katie Adams had somehow arrived beside Simone Milton, asking her with a smile.

She carefully examined Simone Milton. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Donna Walpole passing by with Tan Wen. Immediately, she raised her voice and asked in a feignedly surprised tone, “So, Miss Milton, you actually don’t have a boyfriend at all? Those were all lies then!”

As she said this, she added, somewhat worriedly, “Could it be, Miss Milton, that you still have feelings for Alberta?”

Simone Milton was completely speechless upon hearing what Katie Adams said.

She noticed that this woman would inevitably bring up Alberta Arthur in every few words she said. It was as though she couldn’t even speak without mentioning Alberta Arthur.

Moreover, if I remember correctly, I’ve already made it clear on many occasions that I have no interest in Alberta Arthur at all.

I don’t know whether Katie Adams did it on purpose or not. She’s clearly denied it many times, but I still feel like she has feelings for Alberta Arthur.

“Miss Wen, let me clarify once again: I really have no improper thoughts about your boyfriend. So, you really don’t need to imagine all those things!” Simone Milton said helplessly.

But as soon as she said those words, Donna Walpole, who had been standing there listening for some time, stepped forward.

“What you’re saying is that you feel nothing for Alberta Arthur, so you’ve set your sights on Tan Wen instead?” Donna Walpole crossed her arms and stared coldly at Simone Milton.

Watching Donna Walpole suddenly appear, Simone Milton thought to herself that she had fallen for a trick.

No wonder Katie Adams said those things before!

That woman was clearly trying to trick her into falling for the trap, thereby making Donna Walpole, who was already suspicious by nature, even more suspicious of her ulterior motives.

“Walpole, that’s not what I meant. I have no improper thoughts about your boyfriend at all. Tan Wen and I are simply friends.” Simone Milton said helplessly.

“You say the two of you are just friends. I believe you. But for me to trust you, you need to be single! Okay, you tell me you have a boyfriend, and I believe you again! But where is your boyfriend now?” Donna Walpole asked Simone Milton in a cold and stern tone.

Such a profound question left Simone Milton momentarily unsure of how to respond.

Judging by Donna Walpole’s current insane behavior, it’s likely that no matter how she tries to explain herself, the other person won’t be able to understand.

After all, Donna Walpole was determined that only when she was single, and only when she appeared with a boyfriend, could she truly feel at ease.

“What, you can’t say anything now, can you? It seems like your true nature won’t change no matter what. You let go of Katie Adams’ boyfriend, so now you’ve turned your attention to me!” Donna Walpole said this, raising her voice suddenly.

The actors who happened to be nearby began whispering among themselves after hearing Donna Walpole’s voice.

“What happened? Why does Walpole seem so angry?”

“It seems like they’re arguing. I wasn’t paying attention here earlier. Could you tell me what happened?”

Such discussions were constantly on everyone’s lips, as if they were putting pressure on Simone Milton’s mind.

“There’s no such thing at all, Walpole. I respect you as a senior, so I’ve been tolerating your behavior. But don’t go too far!” Simone Milton said sternly.

“Huh? I must have heard that wrong. You actually think I’m being excessive? Well, I’d be happy to argue with you and figure out who’s really being excessive!” Donna Walpole said, taking a deep breath.

“Let me ask you, have you been pestering Alberta Arthur all along? And maybe even framing Katie Adams?” Donna Walpole asked.

With a gut feeling that there was something fishy here, Simone Milton actually didn’t want to answer the question at all.

But she also knew that if she didn’t answer or gave a negative response, it would only make things worse for her.

So, she nodded and said, “Yes, I admit it. I did have such thoughts before! But ever since I came out of the hospital, I’ve come to my senses!”

“Okay, you admit that at least! Then do you also admit that during filming, you spent a lot of time with Tan Wen outside of the set?” Donna Walpole asked again.

Tan Wen, who was standing nearby, couldn’t stand to listen any longer. Frowning, he said, “Of course. My acting skills aren’t very good. It was only because of the senior’s help that I was able to keep up with the rhythm! But when the two of us are together, it’s always in a proper manner, and there’s always a third person present! So, what do you want to ask?”

The actors who were eavesdropping nearby immediately nodded. Many of the actors present had witnessed this incident to some extent.

In fact, many actors were precisely motivated by Tan Wen’s actions to muster the courage to seek help from Simone Milton.

Donna Walpole frowned when Tan Wen undermined her. She glared at Tan Wen, then tried to remain calm and asked again, “So do you admit that you said you wanted your boyfriend to bring it here, all because of my feelings?”

After saying this, she glanced at the actors present, then spoke again: “You said your boyfriend wasn’t part of the industry, but you’ll bring him here for us to see. Is that true?”

“I was just saying ‘as much as possible’. He’s so busy with work all day that he can’t find time to come. There’s nothing I can do about it! After all, you didn’t force me to bring him along either, did you?” Simone Milton heard that Donna Walpole had deliberately distorted what she had said earlier, so she quickly tried to correct the mistake.

She certainly didn’t want others to think she was lying. After all, she hadn’t used any affirmative statements earlier.

“You must have misunderstood me. What I meant was to bring your boyfriend along with you! If you don’t bring him, unless you’re trying to deceive me, it must be that your boyfriend’s appearance is so terrible that you’re too embarrassed to bring him out in public.” Donna Walpole said this with a teasing smile on her face.

She even went so far as to say hypocritically, “Oh, if you’d just told me earlier that your boyfriend was ugly, I wouldn’t have forced you to bring him along! After all, being blind is a condition that deserves sympathy.”

“You!” Simone Milton became immediately angry upon hearing those words.

It’s confirmed: Donna Walpole is clearly trying to annoy her on purpose! This woman is completely unacceptable!

And to outsiders, her reaction seemed like she had been caught with her thoughts exposed, just like a cat with its tail stepped on.

So, those with great curiosity began to discuss the matter. They wondered just how ugly Simonne Milton’s boyfriend must be to provoke such a reaction from her.

Of course, some people think that Simone Milton might not have a boyfriend, which is why she couldn’t bring anyone along.

No matter what outsiders think, Simone Milton simply doesn’t want to go on with this situation any longer.

She took a deep breath, then decided to be blunt and sarcastic. “Senior, since you’re so interested in my private life, may I ask? Is it because your own private life is chaotic that you keep looking for trouble?”

“What nonsense is that?” Donna Walpole frowned when she heard Simone Milton say that. “When have I ever cared about your private life? All I want is what’s rightfully mine!”

“But you know very well that such promises are nothing but something you forced upon me! As for wanting to see my boyfriend… Senior, if you really want to act as my ‘procurer’, then just say so!” Simone Milton glared angrily at Donna Walpole.

The word “prostitution” was mentioned, and instantly, all the actors present fell silent. It was a very serious word indeed! Everyone in the industry knew what it meant.

Looking at Donna Walpole’s pale, bluish complexion, and Simone Milton’s defiant expression, the onlookers couldn’t help but wonder whether what Simone Milton said was true.

If this is true, then the implications are quite serious.

The most important point is that once Simone Milton says something like that, it means she’s bound to become enemies with Donna Walpole. The chances of reconciliation are slim.

Goodness, Simone Milton really has a lot of nerve!

“Stop talking nonsense. When did I ever… I’m just concerned about the younger generation. I wanted to introduce you to some talented young people. If you refuse, that’s fine. Why do you have to slander me?” Donna Walpole frowned and snorted coldly.

Regardless of whether anyone believes her words or not, since she’s said them, at least on the surface, everyone pretends to believe her.

“Since I don’t have a boyfriend, then I certainly don’t have one. Yet you still claim to have a boyfriend. Your ability to shift the blame is quite impressive, must I say!” Donna Walpole snorted coldly, her face fully expressing her disdain.

“Well then, sir, what if I say that I don’t have a boyfriend? Would you let me go then? Of course not. Your attitude was quite clear earlier. How dare I say otherwise?” Simone Milton retorted once again.

At this point, she had completely forgotten that, in reality, she didn’t have Donna Walpole’s strength behind her at all. In fact, her connections weren’t even as extensive as Donna Walpole’s.

If the other party gets angry and wants to block her, it takes just one sentence to do that.

She had endured for so long, and now she’s finally exploded. She really doesn’t want to endure any longer.

Perhaps the arguments on this side have finally affected the other side as well. The people who are discussing the film’s director and investors have also become distracted by the commotion.

“What happened? Why are you all gathered here?” The assistant director approached, looking displeased.

“Do you even realize that this is a celebration for the end of filming? Isn’t it rude to start arguing here? If you insist on continuing to argue, then leave now!” The assistant director warned them in a stern tone.

Of course, his rudeness wasn’t directed at Donna Walpole at all. It was completely aimed at Simone Milton. After all, Simone Milton was the one with the lower status between the two of them.

Everyone knows that you need to squeeze soft persimmons.

Simone Milton took a deep breath. She almost rushed out of the party scene right away. If it weren’t for not wanting to embarrass the director, she wouldn’t have had to endure all this.

Most importantly, she calmed down and realized just how foolish it was of her to confront people in such a reckless manner earlier.

She wanted to make amends, but it was already too late. From now on, she could only try to strengthen herself and use the connections she had to counter Donna Walpole.