Abel wanted to bring up the friend request he had sent Emmeline on social media, but somehow, the words stuck in his throat and he couldnât get them out.
Actually, the same thought had occurred to Emmeline as well, but since Abel hadnât mentioned it, she didnât bring it up either.
Who asked you to delete me off your friends list? All I did was block you; I can unblock you anytime, but you wanted to be melodramatic! Well, Iâm not going to add you, so there! You can be anxious all you want; serve you right!
She shoved Abel aside and rushed out the door, running downstairs.
Abel stood at the window and watched as the proud, petite little figure hurried out the gate, got into the car, and sped off to the film set.
He immediately picked up the phone and called Adrien. âAdrien, how can you live with yourself? If you canât even financially support your own children, you shouldnât be sowing wild oats everywhere. You tell me, what can I even say about that?â
On the other end of the receiver, Adrien blinked in confusion as Abel chastised him.
âAbel, what on earth is going on? Whatâs got you so hot under the collar? And who says I canât financially support my kids?â
âYou have the gall to say that to me?â Abel sounded furious. âAre you aware that Emmelineâs working as a stunt performer on a film set now? Itâs a grueling, dangerous job. Have you ever considered that? She wouldnât take any money from me, even though I offered it to her, but youâll likely have more success if you try. After all, she canât very well decline. Donât forget, youâre the father of those boys!â
Adrien stood stock-still, dumbstruck. Emmeline was working as a stunt performer on that film set?
When he met her the other day, he had assumed she was just there as a curious visitor; it had never occurred to him that she was actually there as part of the crew!
A cold hand clutched at his heart. âD*mn it!â He slapped himself. The boys werenât in such dirt-poor straits that they would actually be reduced to eating dirt, would they?
He thought about calling Emmeline right away but paused. No, he couldnât have this conversation with her over the phone. Abel had said that she was doing stunts on the film set, so she would probably come over later.
Then again, perhaps it might be better On second thoughts, that wouldnât do. He couldnât go there unprepared; a certain decorum had to be observed.
âCarry on first,â Adrien instructed his employees with a wave. âIâll be back soon.â
âYes, Mr. Adrien.â The employees waved back at him.
During this period, Adrien had been very conscientious, keeping an eagle eye on their work progress.
They couldnât slack off even if they wanted to. Why was he so interested in the progress of the new film anyway? It was like he wanted to get into the Golden Camel Television and Film Festival or something.
Adrien drove over to Adelmar Studios and went to a jewelerâs store nearby. Women loved diamonds and jewelry. Emmeline was a beautiful woman and likely no exception. Upon the jewelerâs recommendation, Adrien finally purchased a diamond necklace worth over two hundred thousand dollars. Gleefully bearing the wine- red velvet box with him, he headed back to Adelmar Studios.
By this time Emmeline had already arrived at the set. What she hadnât expected was that she would bump into Janie Eastwood, Benâs secretary, and a senior Adelmar Studios executive.
âEmmeline Louise, you must really be strapped for cash!â Janie sashayed over and looked Emmeline up and down. âAfter working in that coffee shop, youâre here to do stunts? Youâre nuts. Weâre not a charity, you know.â
Emmeline was too busy changing into her costume to reply.
Janie quirked a brow. âIf you ask me nicely, maybe Iâll ask the company to give you a raise!â
âWow! You can do that?â Emmeline prétended to be shocked, swiveling around to face her.
âOf course I can!â Janie boasted. âAdelmar Studios is funding this project and Iâm a senior executive in the company. What do you think?â
âWell, wellâ¦â Emmeline chuekted. âYouâre extremely capable, Ms. Eastwood!â
âDonât you forget it!â Janie replied haughtily. âMy cousinâs one of the main cast; I was the one who got her the part. If you beg me really, really nicely, who knows, you might even land an important role er two!â
âSo what are you asking me to do, Ms. Eastwood?â Ãmmeline finished changing into her costume, then picked up one of the nylon prop longswords.
âOh, nothing much. Just get down on your knees and say âUncleâ as prettily as you can and keep your distance from Mr. Benjamin. That will do.â Janie folded her arms and tilted her head, watching Emmeline smugly.
âI see. But thenâ¦â Emmeline suddenly thrust the longsword right underneath Janieâs chin. âI think the tables have turned now, Ms. Eastwood. Get out of my sight, or Iâll beat the crap out of you!â
âHow dare you!â Janieâs face paled. She recognized that Emmeline had some acting ability, or she would not have been able to be a stunt double. However, in her mind, an insignificant actress wanna-
be like this would never dare to offend an Adelmar Studios senior executive.
âSay that again?â
âI said, how dare you!â
Whap! Emmeline smacked Janie across the face with the hilt of her sword.