CHAPTER 278: CHAPTER 279: TEN SLAPS (2)

"I’m sorry."

Vera Wave hung her head, continually apologizing.

Irene Spencer, standing nearby, chuckled smugly to herself; she actually thought one slap had made Vera so compliant.

"Vera, why don’t you just really act it out? This is dragging on, and we’re running out of time. I have activities during the day I need to attend."

"Well..." Vera Wave said, nodding. "I’ll give it another try!"

Everyone prepared for another take.

Vera Wave braced herself, took a deep breath, and returned to her spot in the house. After reciting her previous lines, she narrowed her eyes, aimed at Irene Spencer’s face, and raised her hand, letting the slap fall.

The worst that can happen is I apologize to her later, Vera thought. If this keeps dragging on, the entire crew will suffer, and that’s not a solution.

This time, the whole scene was successfully shot. When the director yelled "cut," Anabel Wilton immediately rushed over, applying an ice pack to Irene Spencer’s face.

"Irene," Vera Wave also hurried over to check on her, "are you alright?"

Irene Spencer blinked, and tears began to fall.

"You slapped so hard, how could I possibly be alright?" Anabel Wilton brusquely pushed Vera away and helped Irene up from the chair. "Let’s go, Irene. We should get in the car and ice your face... You have events this afternoon. With your face swollen like this, how can you attend?"

"Irene!"

Vera Wave followed, her face full of guilt.

Tears welled in Irene Spencer’s eyes, but she managed a smile at Vera. "It’s fine. Go on with your work."

"Playing the gracious one, huh!"

Anabel Wilton huffed coldly and helped Irene Spencer into the nanny van. Vera Wave remained in place, looking helpless.

I’ve made up my mind, Vera thought. Once this film is wrapped, I’ll never take a role like this again. Acting really isn’t for everyone.

The moment she got into the nanny van, Irene Spencer dropped her pained expression and asked softly, "Did you get that recorded?"

Anabel Wilton took out her phone and handed it over. Irene Spencer looked at the photos on it and smirked.

"Hmph. Upload these pictures along with yesterday’s photos to the internet. Get my fans riled up... This time, I’ll make sure Vera Wave drowns in their hate!"

"Don’t worry, I’m on it." Anabel Wilton took out an ice pack. "You’d better ice your face. We have the Ashton event this afternoon!"

"No need!" Irene Spencer brushed her hand away. "I want Kris Cooper to see Vera Wave’s true colors."

Anabel Wilton paused for a moment, then a grin spread across her face as she flattered, "Irene, this ’play the victim’ scheme of yours to kill two birds with one stone is truly brilliant."

Turning to glance out the van window, Irene Spencer leaned back indolently against her seat.

"It’s not about killing two birds with one stone; it’s about killing three."

Besides making Vera the target of public outrage and restoring my image as a goddess, I’ll also use this opportunity to make her suffer a significant blow.

The nanny van started up, leaving the film set. Watching Vera Wave still bustling about on set, Irene Spencer chuckled coldly.

Trying to compete with me? You’re far too inexperienced!

...

...

That afternoon, the foundation-laying ceremony for Ashton’s new project was officially held in the northwest development zone of Imperial City.

In addition to several senior executives, Kris Cooper, the new head of Ashton, also appeared at the ceremony. The moment this young man, hailed by the outside world as a "dual-god of real estate and gaming," appeared, he was met by a flurry of camera shutters from countless journalists.

"Kris!"

Irene Spencer, who had been waiting at the sign-in table, immediately smiled and greeted him. Kris Cooper nodded at her briefly, took the pen she offered, and signed his name.

He then turned to allow the photographers to take pictures. Irene Spencer stepped forward, inconspicuously positioning herself by his side and casually placing her hand on his shoulder.