Chapter 76
Merryâs eyes were bloodshot from crying, her finger pointed accusingly toward the classroom door as she screamed, âGet out! Just get out
Leila sauntering out with a provoking smile, tossed back, âWell, I took the day off because the director and Bland have a scene to run through with me. So, Iâll be on my way.â
At the mention of Bland running through a scene, Merry froze.
Once Leila had left, Merry couldnât hold back longer. She buried her face in her arms on the desk and sobbed.
Cordelia, strolling down the hallway, tucked her baseball cap into her bag before poking Merryâs shoulder. asking, âWhatâs up?â
Merry turned around, her hand wrapped in gauze, and choked out, âLia, my luckâs rotten. On my way to school, some jerk on bike knocked into me and scraped my hand.â
That hand was supposed to in the spotlight during filming
Sheâd suffered such a nasty injury that the director had scrapped her from the role giving it to Leila instead.
Cordelia was taken aback, feeling it was too much of a coincidence, âWho did that?â she asked.
Merry hung her head dejectedly. âSome stranger, I guess. Itâs not a bad wound, but the skin broke. They helped me bandage it up and then took off.â
It all seemed like streak of bad luck.
Merry was down all day. During the lunch break, Latham came into the classroom to console her. âItâs a bummer this time, but you mentioned applying to the Ontoky City Film and Animation Academy. Thatâs a good path too. Hang in there.â
Merry nodded.
The film crew had booked the school for a week, so every afternoon, students had the chance to be extras.
After classes, Cordelia, engrossed in a physics problem set, glanced up as Merry turned to her and muttered, âLia, heading to the set?â
Cordelia gave her a look.
Merry was in evidently low mood, her shoulders slumped. âIâve thought it through. I canât out on seeing my idol because of Leila. Who knows if Iâll ever get another chance?â
Cordelia reluctantly eyed her physics paper, then sighed, âLetâs go then.â
She couldnât leave Merry alone, especially if she might break down again.
The scene they were shooting today was Bland and his onâscreen sweetheart at piano lessons, so the crew
used the schoolâs music room..
By the time they arrived, a crowd of students had gathered.
Leila spotted Merry and chirped, âHey, perfect timing! Could you help me find which costume size fits me? Weâre pretty much the same size, and Iâm running late with makeup!â
Merry stiffened.
As Cordelia anticipated a refusal, Merry took a deep breath and agreed, âOkay.â
Following her into the makeshift dressing room, Cordelia couldnât help but ask, âWhy help her?â
Merryâs eyes brimmed with unshed tears as she rummaged through the costumes, trying them against her frame. âHelping her helps my idol. If we get this scene done faster, he can rest sooner. You donât get it, they
Chapter 76
shoot for 18 hours straight sometimes, with only four hours to sleep. Itâs brutal.â
Cordelia remained silent, not quite grasping Merryâs devotion.
After finding the right costume, Leila strolled in. The dressing room was reduced to just the three of them.
Slipping on a wig, Lella transformed into a longâhaired version of herself, a spitting image of Merry. She began changing into the school uniform prepared for scene.
Suddenly, Merryâs phone pinged.
Glancing down, she found a photo from an unknown number. It showed Leila with short hair, talking to a .
Merryâs hands trembled as she looked Leila, disbelief etched across her face. âYou did this?!â she heckled.
Leila, halfâdressed, responded with feigned confusion, âWhat are you on about now?â
Merry shoved the phone in her face. âExplain this! This guy is the one who hit me with his bike today!â
Leila contracted her pupils, denying everything, âYouâre accusing me over a picture? Merry, youâre naive. This proves nothing.â
Enraged and shaking, Merry realized her once âaâlifetime chance to be close to her idol was ruined by Leila.
She lunged forward, ignoring her wounded hand, and grabbed Leilaâs arm. âBecause of my injury, you got your chance! Leila, Iâm too familiar with these tricks!â
Leila kept up her denial, smirking. âMerry, I suggest you let go. Your bloodâs seeping through the bandage, youâll stain the costume. What happens if I canât film either? Think about what that means!â
It meant Bland would have to film for an additional day.
Leila knew damn well what Bland meant to Merry, her beacon of hope for all these years.
Merry would concede anything when it came to Bland. She released her grip, biting down on her lip hard.
Leila dusted off her sleeve, leaning in close to Merry with a lowered voice. âAbout the bike accident, youâve got no proof, tough luck. Merry after all these years, youâre still so rash.â
She headed to the door, but then turned back with a taunt. âDonât worry, Iâll work well with your idol.â
Her hand reached for the doorknob.
But in an instant, her hair was yanked back with force, pulling her backward. Cordelia executed a swift over-theâshoulder throw, and Leilaâs face smashed onto the floor!
Cordelia pinned her down by the back with a knee, immobilizing her. With a cold expression, Cordelia gripped Leilaâs wrists.
Leila panicked, feeling the rough texture of the concrete beneath her palms. âYou canât hurt my hands! If you do, whoâs going to act?â
Cordelia was unfazed as she dragged Leilaâs palms backward, causing them to scrape against the floor and
bleed.
Leilaâs scream pierced the , a sharp, âAh! Help!!â
Cordelia let go, smoothly standing up before the staff burst into the room.
âWhat happened here?â one of the staff exclaimed, eyeing Leila with concern.
The pain had stolen Leilaâs voice, leaving her unable to articulate her agony. Cordelia, with feigned innocence, replied, âShe took a nasty fall.â
Through gritted teeth, Leila accused, âIt was you! You hurt me!â
Cordelia retorted, âDo you have any proof?â
Chapter 76
Before Leila could muster another word, Merry, who had been startled into silence, found her voice and chimed in, âI can vouch for Cordelia. Leila fell all by herself!â
The dressing room was devoid of cameras. Leila struck by an invisible blow, was left with a bitter taste in her mouth, unable to express her torment.
The staff, rather uninterested in the squabbles, had only one pressing concern.
âSo, whoâs taking the stage now?â
With two of three potential leads nursing injured hands, the choice had unwittingly been narrowed down to the last one standing
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