"Cut! No, it's not working. Do it again."
The director's voice boomed through the microphone, his face dark with frustration.
"Feifei, can you even act? I'm looking for seductive energyâdo you even understand what that means? Your expression looks more like you're teasing a dog than trying to seduce someone!"
Avril's face fell with disappointment.
Despite her extensive acting experience, she really wasn't good at playing the role of a promiscuous woman.
"Sorry, Director," she muttered softly.
"Sorry, my ass! You've wasted everyone's entire morning. Do you think everyone's time, wages, and the set are free?"
Someoneâeither a cameraman or stagehandâgrumbled loudly, and with that one complaint, others quickly chimed in.
"She's failed ten takes already. Can she even act?"
"No wonder she's a washed-up star. Her acting skills are hopeless."
"What a shameâso pretty, but just a vase with no substance."
"Sure, she could pull off playing young girls before, but now that she's older, she's got nothing left to offer."
The room descended into a flurry of criticism.
Standing in the center of it all, Avril felt utterly humiliated.
Her role was that of a courtesan in a brothelâa character who needed to exude sensuality.
But she couldn't imagine how to embody such a persona, and the frustration left her cheeks flushed red.
"Take a break and adjust your mindset. We'll try again later. If you still can't do it, we'll replace you," the director's cold voice rang out through the microphone.
Avril lowered her head and quietly stepped off the stage.
This was a low-budget production, and she wasn't doing it for the paycheck.
She wanted to improve her acting skills.
If she could nail this role, it might shatter people's preconceived notions about her.
Directors and audiences alike might see her growth and start to view her differently.
But the constant rejection was beginning to drain her confidence. She felt disheartened.
At that moment, her assistant, He Xiaojing, ran over to comfort her.
"Avril, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Avril replied softly.
"Don't take it to heart. The director's just being strictâI think you're doing great!"
"Mm-hmm."
"By the way, King is here to see you," He Xiaojing added.
Avril looked up in surprise and saw James standing nearby, looking relaxed.
"You? What are you doing here?" she asked, her tone a mix of shock and confusion.
James smiled and replied, "Why can't I be here?"
"That's not what I meant. Why are you here?"
"I'm here to play games with you. I got my mic fixed," James said nonchalantly.
"Uncle, come on, I'm busy! Can't you find someone else to play with?"
Avril was clearly upset, her brows furrowed in frustration.
Couldn't this guy see that she'd just been scolded?
Didn't he have any sympathy?
All he cared about was gaming and ranking up.
"My other supports are terribleâI keep losing without you. You're the best," James said, his straightforward flattery easing Avril's mood slightly.
"Of course you're losing. You're a Silver player trying to rank in Gold," she said with a huff.
"Exactly! Only the Platinum Goddess can carry me. I can only win when you're around."
"Hmph, as if you could win without me playing ADC," she said, her tone softening.
In moments of self-doubt, being praised and acknowledged made her lips curve into a slight smile.
James grinned. "This crew doesn't seem very welcoming to you. How about we head back and discuss the price for in-person game sessions?"
"No way."
Avril shoved him toward the door, trying to get him to leave.
"I'm busy right now. Come back tonight."
"Why put up with all this nonsense? I'll just compensate you for today's losses," James said casually.
He stood firmly, unmoved, and Avril couldn't push him any further.
"It's not about the money. I need to prove my ability," Avril said seriously.
James nodded thoughtfully. "Fine. Then I'll stay and watch you prove yourself."
"You're not allowed to watch! It's embarrassing!"
Avril used all her strength but still couldn't budge him. She was so frustrated she wanted to scream.
"What's there to be embarrassed about? I've seen people get yelled at way worse than this."
"I said no! Xiaojing, help me!" Avril called out to her assistant.
If she embarrassed herself in front of James, it would be harder to scam him for money in the future.
He Xiaojing hesitated, torn between helping Avril and respecting the man who had just sent her $2,000. Slowly, she walked over and said,
"Mr. King, maybe you should step outside for now?"
James smirked. "You can call for help, and so can I. Jay Johnson, block her for me."
Jay Johnson, unsure of how to proceed, stepped forward awkwardly and spread his arms like a giant bird trying to corral chicks, standing in front of James.
"You're bullying a girl. Is that what a real man does?" Avril huffed.
The two men and two women started a comedic back-and-forth, attracting the attention of most of the crew.
For the rest of the team, there was no sympathy for Avril, who had been scolded earlier.
The director, in particular, was furious.
He had intended to use the break to coach her, but here she was, flirting and arguing with her boyfriend.
Where does a washed-up actress get the nerve?
Storming over, the director scolded angrily,
"Avril, we're here to work. Can you please take this seriously? You even brought your boyfriend here to play around. Do you think this is your home? If you don't want to act, leave. No one's begging you to stay."
Avril lowered her head, nodding meekly as the director berated her.
But James wasn't having it. What was wrong with taking a break to have a little fun?
"Hey," James said coolly, "you're scolding my girl in front of me. Aren't you being a little disrespectful?"
Avril tugged nervously at James's sleeve, signaling him to let it go.
"And who are you?" the director asked, puzzled.
"Never mind who I am. Apologize to Avril, or I'll make trouble for you," James said, his tone full of arrogant confidence.
The director, having dealt with his fair share of cocky rich kids, recognized that this man probably had the means to back up his words.
Holding back his anger, the director said calmly,
"Fine. I admit my words earlier were harsh. But my point still standsâif you don't want to act, leave now. Stop wasting everyone's time."
He assumed James was just another spoiled rich guy trying to impress his girlfriend.
Such people didn't scare him too muchâthey weren't in the same industry, and there wasn't much they could do to him. But if he could avoid provoking James, he would.
"Uncle, please leave," Avril whispered, trying to defuse the situation. "Don't interfere with our work."
James chuckled and turned to the director.
"You know, I like your straightforward personality. Want to come work for me?"
The director blinked, confused. "You're a director too?"
"No, I'm an investor," James replied.
The director frowned. "We're a small production. We don't have money to waste."
"How about thisâ$10,000 for an hour of your time. Does that sound fair?" James said, his voice calm and collected.
The moment James named his price,
the director's expression transformed from cold to warm in less than a second.
Actors may put on a façade, but money talks louder than dignity.
With a bright smile, the director said,
"Young Master, what's your surname? Let me know your requests, and I'll see to it personally."