Chapter 75

As all the actors arrived one after another, many more actors went in and out of the makeup rooms, getting ready for their roles.

Since the first scene is a group scene with no special shots of the lead characters, it’s quite simple.

But it was precisely this simple shot that drove Director Pond crazy.

“No, no! Shoot it again! What kind of performance is this? Get your act together! Where’s your enthusiasm? Show some drive!” The director, standing backstage, was extremely dissatisfied with the extras’ performance. He shouted loudly through a megaphone.

What else could the extras on stage say? Of course, they just smiled and did it again.

Finally, the first scene was over. Just as the second scene was about to begin, the director, looking at the camera, frowned.

By this time, Simone Milton had already put on her wire rigging and was ready to go on stage for the second scene.

The second scene is an aerial battle. It’s easy in theory, but difficult in practice. The main issue is that the actors are suspended by wires, making it hard to perform certain movements.

The director, who had watched the entire footage, indeed noticed some aspects that didn’t seem right to him. He immediately shouted “Cut!” to the crew on set.

“Wait, I think there’s room for changes in the first scene. The second scene should be moved later in the play!” Director Pond immediately spoke up.

The prop master, who was about to bring Simone Milton on stage, turned a grim expression upon hearing Director Pond say that.

He said, a bit nervously, “Director, we’re short on time. How about we shoot the second scene first? The actors are already dressed. It would be quite troublesome to have them take their clothes off again.”

His tone was rapid and urgent, as if he were worried about the progress of the filming crew.

In fact, these words from the prop master indeed made Director Pond think deeply. After pondering for a while, he decided to shoot the first scene properly anyway.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s troublesome. Since you’re so afraid of trouble, then get your act together and shoot the first scene properly! Understand?” Director Pond was firm in his decision. Completely unmoved by the propsman’s resentful expression, he went ahead with his plan.

The director took a deep breath, then gave the signal to start, and began the final reshoots of the first scene.

And Simone Milton, who had already put on the wire rigging, naturally had to remove it from her body as well.

After all, there were also wire-action scenes in the first act. Logically speaking, it wouldn’t be fair for her to monopolize all the wire-action effects for herself.

Soon, the wire rope attached to her body was replaced by another young celebrity.

Scene one: shooting resumes.

This time, the director who was responsible for the problems last time was found. He kept talking non-stop about his own ideas and concepts.

The extras also did their best to cooperate with the director’s directions.

And then, at that very moment, the little actor wearing the wires that were originally meant for Simone Milton suddenly fell to the ground as he tried to rise into the air.

Fortunately, at that moment, the prop team hadn’t raised the wires too high, preventing the young actor from dying from a fall from the tall building.

But even so, the little actor was still badly injured from the fall. His limbs became completely immobile at that moment.

Such a sudden turn of events is truly astonishing.

The entire scene became chaotic instantly. Some people called the police and ambulances right away, while others tried to help the little actor feel better.

But since the young actor fell quite heavily, no one around dared to get close to him.

I was afraid that, if I accidentally touched the little actress, it might worsen her injuries.

Director Pond, who never imagined that such a horrible incident could happen within his own crew, immediately started cursing loudly.

“What on earth is the problem with your prop team? Don’t you ever check the props before each shoot? What exactly did I tell you before? Have you forgotten everything I said?”

Director Pond kept roaring, wishing he could tear to shreds the members of the props team responsible for the props.

The members of the props team also deeply sympathize with the current situation, while at the same time trying their best to deny any negligence on their part.

“This… We always check these things thoroughly before each shoot. Logically, something like this shouldn’t happen at all…” The prop team leader stammered out these words.

But in Director Pound’s view, such an excuse was nothing more than a pretense.

“But now there’s a problem, isn’t there? At this point, you still want to shirk your responsibilities. What on earth are you thinking?” Director Pond was furious.

It was at this moment that a prop master, who wanted to clear himself of any suspicion, noticed something unusual with the wires attached to the young actor, as he was positioned quite close to the actor who had fallen to the ground.

“Director… it seems like the wire rope was deliberately cut. It’s not a problem with our product quality!” The prop master, who had noticed something was wrong, spoke in a sharp voice.

He pointed at that half of the rope, hoping that the director would exonerate them.

Upon hearing these words, Director Pond’s face turned even darker, as if ink could drip from it.

He asked his assistant to check the cross-section of the rope. After going to the island to examine the rope and receiving an accurate report from him, Director Pond successfully transformed into a Tyrannosaurus.

After the medical staff rushed to carry the young actor away, Director Pond immediately gathered everyone on the set in the central area.

“I suppose you’ve all heard about what just happened. I won’t go into details here. But what I want to say is that those who resort to underhanded tactics and take lives should come forward and admit their guilt!” Director Pond said, scanning the crowd with narrowed eyes.

If he doesn’t bring this life-threatening scoundrel to justice, he’ll never be at peace. He absolutely won’t allow such a menace to exist within his field of expertise.

The people gathered there were talking animatedly. They were also very shocked by what Director Pond said.

They thought it might have been an accident, but they never considered that it could have been deliberately created.

And Simone Milton thought even more.

You see, before the little actress put on this wire rigging, it was supposed to be her who wore it.

Even at the beginning, when filming the first scene, there was absolutely no problem with the wires at all.

It was as though, after she passed through, something indescribable happened to that wire rope.

If anyone claimed this plot wasn’t aimed at her, Simone Milton would be the first to disbelieve it.

Even subconsciously, Simone Milton turned her head to look at Katie Adams.

As a result, I saw Katie Adams’ worried expression. On the surface, such an expression from Katie Adams seemed normal, as if she really had nothing to do with this matter at all.

Moreover, Simone Milton really has no evidence to suggest that this incident was orchestrated by Katie Adams or targeting her in any way.

All she had was that inexplicable intuition, which couldn’t possibly be used as evidence at all.

This doesn’t help her expose Katie Adams’s tricks at all.

She couldn’t even resist turning her head to the side to see Katie Adams’s reaction.

But it’s obvious that no matter how carefully she observes Katie Adams, it’s impossible to tell anything from her current reaction.

Just as she had expected, Katie Adams acted completely normally. Whether it was surprise or worry, her reactions seemed entirely normal for a human being.

Simone Milton took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. Her heart was filled with anger at that moment.

But she also knew that her current anger wasn’t capable of achieving anything. In fact, excessive anger might lead her to say things that would harm her own interests.

Just as Simone Milton turned her gaze away, trying not to think about Katie Adams’s reaction or the impact this incident would have on the crew, Katie Adams spoke up.

It’s not clear whether Katie Adams did it on purpose. She pretended to look worried at Simone Milton, with no trace of genuine concern on her face. But her words didn’t sound very sincere at all.

“Oh, thankfully nothing happened. Simone Milton, you’re really lucky. If the director hadn’t decided to reshoot the first scene, or if you hadn’t worn those wires, then it could have been you who got hurt!”

When she said this, her face showed relief. But something about her words just didn’t seem right.

Originally, no one present thought about Simone Milton. Even when some people did think of the actress Simone Milton, they simply thought she was very lucky.

Yet, Katie Adams said those things in such a straightforward manner that it was impossible not to follow her rhythm.

It’s hard not to wonder how it could be such a coincidence.

After saying those words, Katie Adams pretended to look around casually, covering her mouth as if by accident.

“I’m truly sorry. I just thought you were extremely lucky. I wasn’t questioning anything about you at all! Please don’t take it to heart!”

Katie Adams said this, blinking her big eyes, trying to appear harmless and gentle.

The actors around them had mixed thoughts upon hearing Katie Adams say that, but at least on the surface, they all appeared very tolerant.

“You can’t be blamed for this either!”

“That’s right! Simone Milton is indeed very lucky. Maybe this conspiracy is actually aimed at her!”

“That’s right, I agree too!”

……Everyone says these things, and it seems like they’re actually trying to defend Simone Milton.

It should have ended there, but Katie Adams went a step too far and added, “You wouldn’t mind me saying this about Simone Milton, would you?”

Such a simple sentence instantly overturned the meaning of everything she had said before.

The atmosphere instantly became tense. The actors present didn’t dare to make a sound, fearing they might be caught up in this invisible battle between the two people.

Truda Lambert was careless and oblivious to the underlying tension between the two of them.

“Heh…” Simone Milton was just about to respond to Katie Adams’ words when she let out a cold laugh. But Truda Lambert interrupted her before she could finish.

Truda Lambert said to Katie Adams in a very friendly manner, “Don’t worry, Katie Adams. Simone won’t mind you at all.”

“If that’s the case, then that would be wonderful!” Upon hearing these words, Katie Adams immediately broke into a bright smile.

Of course, this smile wasn’t meant for Simone Milton, but for Truda Lambert.

Simona Milton, who was completely ignored, couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of the two of them.

She truly felt displeased. Although she got along well with Truda Lambert, she simply couldn’t tolerate Truda Lambert’s arbitrary behavior.

Seeing that these three people were about to get trapped in a chaotic situation, Director Pond, who was standing ahead, couldn’t hold back any longer. With a expressionless face, he said to the three of them, “You can discuss whatever you have to discuss later. For now, let’s focus on the issue with the wires!”

The director has spoken. Even if these three people have something to say, they must stay silent and not talk at all.

The scene returned to silence for a moment.

Director Pond, who was very satisfied with the current situation, clapped his hands and called over the person in charge of the props department. He ordered that the culprit who had tampered with the props must be found.

“These props were carefully instructed to be handled with utmost care. No mistakes were allowed at all. Since there’s a problem with the wires now, I’ll hold you responsible,” Director Pond said expressionlessly to the props supervisor.

Upon hearing this, the team leader immediately wore a bitter smile. Of course, he didn’t dare to argue anything. All he could do was nod obsequiously and promise that he would do his best to find out who was responsible for causing trouble.

Considering the fairly decent attitude of the props supervisor, Director Pond decided to let him go for now. “If you don’t hand over the suspect within the allotted time, don’t blame me if I take action against you! After all, you’re the only person among the crew who has access to all the props.”

Such words undoubtedly serve to show one’s attitude toward others. At the same time, they make those actors who have ulterior motives feel uneasy.

Without going into further details, at least the director’s attitude makes it impossible for them to even think of causing any trouble.

The director definitely won’t take this matter lightly!

This is the consensus of everyone.

After clearly communicating his attitude to everyone, and informing them that work would not begin today, Director Pond finally announced that the meeting was over.

After the , the actors and crew members gathered in small groups, discussing various things with each other.

Since Truda Lambert was taken away by Katie Adams first, Simone Milton can now only talk with Joanne Caroline.

The scene has been secured, but even so, it’s still possible to see the blood that has turned black on the floor.

Standing outside the fence, Simone Milton looked at the pool of blood and felt extremely distressed.

She knew very well in her heart that, in reality, it was the young actor who had taken the punishment for her.

Meanwhile, Joanne Caroline, who was standing nearby, couldn’t help but take a step forward after seeing how depressed Simone Milton seemed. She patted Simone Milton on the shoulder to comfort her.

“Please, don’t say that. No one among us wanted such a tragedy to happen…” Joanne Caroline didn’t know what else to say, so she could only try to comfort Simone Milton, who was clearly very upset.

Blinking her eyes, Simone Milton managed to hold back the tears welling up in her eyes. She took a deep breath and shook her head helplessly at Joanne Caroline.

“That’s not the same. If I had been more careful and attentive at that time, perhaps this tragedy wouldn’t have happened… In the end, it’s simply because I didn’t pay any attention to these things at all. Otherwise…” By the end, Simone Milton couldn’t go on speaking.

She couldn’t help but wonder: How can people be so cruel?

“No, this has nothing to do with you. Don’t blame yourself for other people’s mistakes,” said Joanne Caroline.