âWhoâs the makeup artist botching the job this time?â
Colton had not even fully entered the makeup trailer when his irritated voice cut through the air.
He burst through the door, visibly upset, âDo you have any idea weâre all waiting on Ivy? The whole crew is held up because you canât find a damn eyeshadow palette?â
The makeup artist, already on edge from the missing item, was pushed over the edge by Coltonâs words, âBut Colton, this particular palette is what weâve used for her look from the start. Without it, the continuity will be off.â
âSo, youâre telling me weâre all supposed to stand around twiddling our thumbs for your eyeshadow palette?â Coltonâs anger escalated. âDo you have any clue how much money is going down the drain every minute weâre not shooting?â
His outburst was the final straw, and tears began streaming down the makeup artistâs face.
Sensing an impending showdown, Ivy quickly stepped in to console the makeup artist, âThe directorâs just a little on edge. If the paletteâs gone, why donât we pop over to the nearest store and grab a new one?â
The makeup artist, who was not Ivyâs biggest fan on a good day and was now being reprimanded because of her, shoved Ivy aside. âThis palette is a limited edition; you canât just pick it up at any store.
I pulled strings to get it, and now itâs just vanished.â
At that moment, Giselle slipped through the crowd to Coltonâs side, âColton, letâs just chill out a bit. The makeup artist is obviously stressed. Itâs not like she lost it on purpose.â
Her eyes kept darting to Ivyâs purse, and she reached back and tugged at it with a sly movement.
The purse fell to the floor, and a round container rolled out.
The sound of the fall drew everyoneâs attention.
âThatâsâ¦â The makeup artist locked eyes with the container on the floor, recognizing it instantly. She picked it up, âIsnât this my missing eyeshadow palette? How did it end up in this bag?â
She lifted the purse from the floor, holding it up for all to see, âWhose bag is this?â
âGreat, itâs found. Now, letâs get moving. Time to start rolling,â Colton urged, desperate to get Ivyâs makeup finished and the cameras rolling again.
But the makeup artist, already upset from being yelled at, was not ready to let it go now that the palette had turned up, âDirector, this palette was hidden in this bag, which means it wasnât just lost-it was swiped, with the intent of being taken.â
Hoisting the bag higher, she demanded, âWhoever the thief is, own up. Whose is it?â.
Colton, seeing she was not going to drop it, sighed resignedly. âWhoever it is, own up. Letâs not waste more time.â Ivy, who had been silent up until now, slowly raised her hand, âThe bagâs mine, but I swear I didnât take that thing.â
âYou?â The makeup artistâs eyebrows knit together in contempt, âFigures. A rookie actress like you, probably never seen anything nice before, pinching my top-notch eyeshadow seems about right.â
âIvy?â Colton could not believe Ivy would stoop to stealing the palette. After all, she was Mrs. Howard and could get her hands on any limited edition eyeshadow she wanted. Why would she take a used one? âIvy, have you had your bag with you the whole time?â