Chapter 4
772 Words
'Huh? Another blame game?'
I quickly sat up straight and offered my boss a bright, accommodating smile. "Angry? Not at all. You've given me both a major role and extra compensation. I'm thrilled, if anything."
"You…"
Zachary looked genuinely frustrated. He grabbed my wrist firmly and pulled me closer until our faces were inches apart, forcing me to meet his gaze.
"You're actually happy about this?"
So being upset was wrong, but being happy was wrong too? This boss was impossible to please.
I switched into full flattery mode. "Of course I am! What employee wouldn't be happy with a boss as generous as you, Mr. Kane?"
Zachary narrowed his eyes, studying me intently, and tightened his grip just enough to make his point.
"What did you just call me?"
"Boss…"
That did it. His expression turned icy, his eyes hard and unreadable. He held my gaze for a long moment, as if searching for something hidden behind my eyes.
I felt my skin prickle under his scrutiny and quickly lowered my head.
Before I could react, a strong arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me down flat against the mattress. Zachary shifted over me, leaning in until his lips brushed my ear, his voice low and sharp as a blade.
"Very well. Then you'll work overtime tonight."
I had no idea what had gotten into him. All I remembered was that he lost himself completely, demanding and relentless, leaving me sore and aching all over the next morning.
Even while going through the script, I could barely keep my eyes open, yawning every few minutes.
Filming was set to begin in three months, so I needed to be fully prepared. There was no way I was going to ruin this high‑profile project, the same one that had turned Mia White into a star in my past life.
Even during breaks between commercial shoots, I studied the character's motivations and memorized my lines.
My agent, Ms. Hazel Carter, leaned over and said, "Adeline, you've been different lately."
"How so?"
"Well… much easier to get along with."
I had never liked the entertainment industry. It had destroyed the young woman I used to be, the one who once held pure dreams of acting.
Back in my previous life, I'd grown to resent every part of this job.
If a director with a bad temper yelled at me, I'd throw a fit and walk off set, relying on Zachary's influence to get away with it, often shutting down an entire production.
If paparazzi tried to snap photos, I'd storm over and smash their cameras to pieces, then follow up with a threatening legal notice.
If a young actress on set tried to bring Zachary a cake during his visit, I'd have her removed from the cast immediately and call her out publicly on social media.
Everyone knew I had a small reputation but a massive ego. My public image had been terrible. And when my protection was gone, I was left vulnerable. Eventually meeting my end at the hands of someone I'd wronged.
But this time around, I had no intention of making enemies left and right.
If a director raised his voice, I'd clasp my hands together and apologize right away. "My mistake, sir... shall we try that again?"
If paparazzi appeared, I'd walk over with a cup of coffee and offer it with a smile. "Thanks for your hard work. Just make sure you use the best filter, okay?"
If a young actress brought treats for Zachary, I'd even give her a helpful tip. "He prefers lime‑flavored desserts, you know. Keep that in mind next time."
Slowly but surely, my reputation began to climb.
Feeling pleased with myself, I opened the trending list on social media to see what people were saying. But the very first headline stopped me cold: "Adeline Reed Steals Role"
The entire post was filled with accusations from Mia's fans.
All the goodwill I'd built up vanished in an instant. Even before filming had started, comments were already flooding in, calling for a boycott of the series.
Seeing the controversy spiral out of control, I hurried straight to the company building to find Zachary.
His secretary, who remembered my former temper, hesitated but didn't dare stop me.
"Miss Reed… Miss White is in there with him right now."
'Oh, is she?'
That only made me more determined to walk right in.
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