The stage manager looked troubled because he was not the one who could grant her absent, âYouâll have to talk to Colton. We have a lot of things to shoot today and youâve got a ton of scenes before noonâ¦â
She just nodded and turned to seek out Colton, but inside, she was cursing the stage manager to high heaven. The guy usually strutted around like he owned the place, and now he couldnât even approve a simple day off. What a joke!
When she told the director about needing time off, he wasnât thrilled either. But seeing her in a hurried state and her flushed, swelled, and sweaty face, he eventually caved with a reluctant wave of his hand, âAlright, go. Iâll rearrange the scenes. But donât let it happen again. If everyone starts coming to me with sob stories, weâll never get this film done.â
Giselle nodded profusely but she didnât forget to make her lies come round, âDonât worry, as soon as I sort the company issue out, Iâll be back faster than a New York minute. Really sorry for the trouble.â
Since Ivy had joined the cast, she had been totally absorbed. Her mind was only filled with her lines.
But Giselleâs hasty departure had caught her attention.
She drove straight to the police station, determined to see Clara in person. Whatever it took to keep her name clear was on the table.
Expecting to see Ivyâs tall, handsome young man, Claraâs face fell evidently when Giselle walked in.
Giselle scoffed and tossed her bag on the table with a clatter, âMs. Dunhill, only you could land yourself in the slammer in such a short time. Quite the talent!â
Giselleâs words were very upsetting to Clara, who was already so irate.
The woman in front of her was exactly the reason for her custody! If the woman hadnât stirred up trouble, she wouldnât arrange for the three thugs to go after Ivy in a moment of anger.
Clara lowered her voice to confront her, âOh, please. As if lounging in a cell myself is my accomplishment. But when the youngest award-winning actress joins me behind bars, that will be something to brag about.â
Giselle narrowed her eyes, âWhat are you implying?â
âWhatever youâre thinking, Giselle, thatâs exactly it. Donât think youâre untouchable.â
Clara clenched her teeth, desperate to drag someone down with her. If Ivy had her man to protect her, then Giselle would be the perfect company.
She needed to drag someone down to the hell with her!
Giselle glared back, âHuh. Who do you think you are? Got any proof? Who here will believe your nonsense? Youâre just a lowly actress, a doormat for everyone else. How dare you compare yourself to a star like me? Everyone will think Iâm just being charitable and trying to save a clueless newbie as they see what I did. You really think you can drag me down with your half-baked schemes?â
Giselle had years of acting under her belt, so putting on a show of confidence in front of Clara was easy for her.
âOh really? If thatâs what you believe, then why donât you just walk out the door? Why bother coming all this way to put on this charade? Donât think I donât know your game. Youâre the one who incited me against Ivy and used me as a pawn in your little plot.â Clara was ready to play hardball. She leaned back confidently in her chair.
âAnd how do you know I donât have some damning evidence right here? It might not mean much to you, but even a whisper of it could stir up a storm. The beloved actress whoâs crafting an image of beauty and kindness is actually jealous of newbies, scheming and venomous at heart!â