CHAPTER 27: CHAPTER 26: HORIZON

It’s now 7:40 in the morning, and Elliana Lyle just got into the car to go to the film set. Norman Bennett wasn’t able to accompany her due to some matters.

She quickly sent Luna a message about rescheduling for another day, and unsurprisingly, Luna started asking for money again.

This time it wasn’t much, just 79 bucks, claiming it was for accommodation. Elliana didn’t hesitate and directly sent over a hundred, after all, Luna had shown some skills this month.

"Miss Lyle, here’s the script and cast information. You can have a look." Victor King said as he handed her the materials.

Victor King is the agent Norman Bennett found for her, a twenty-seven-year-old woman with short hair.

She was sitting next to Elliana.

Perhaps due to long-term lack of sleep, her eyes often carried a dark gray hue. Her features were symmetrical, and her eyebrows were sharply arched, giving her a rather strict appearance.

"Thanks." Elliana took the materials and script. She couldn’t help but internally remark: That Norman Bennett, preparing so thoroughly, might have long wanted her to take on this role.

She first glanced at the actor files. Many of them she recognized, having seen them on the big screen.

Elliana up till now hadn’t felt nervous; on the contrary, she saw this as an interesting challenge.

Joy Lyle had mentioned before that some areas of the entertainment industry were quite chaotic, advising her to be careful.

She felt there was nothing to fear, as with Norman Bennett backing her, no one would dare bully her.

Currently still far from the film set, after finishing the materials, she began flipping through the script for South Wind Song.

The original novel for South Wind Song is called "Searching for the Lychee Pavilion," authored by the now Southland. She had glimpsed it before, as it’s a time-travel fiction.

AM.

Arrived at the film set located in Horizon Film City, where various film crews shoot, known as the film capital.

Near an ancient gate stood a man in a vest holding a communication device and a script, who immediately approached Elliana as she arrived.

"Ah, Miss Lyle is here. Have you read the script I sent you?" Director Thomas Lee personally came to greet her, his attitude very courteous.

Originally, Thomas Lee wasn’t keen on swapping actors, but had it not been for meeting Elliana, he might not have agreed.

Elliana, aside from not meeting the height requirement, matched the novel character in other ways — vivacious.

But considering the character development of the female lead, Thomas Lee merely promised Elliana a trial; if it didn’t work out, they’d seek another actor.

"Hello, Director Lee." Elliana politely extended her hand.

Other actors had long been in position, having photographed their styling. They were either memorizing lines or practicing scenes.

When Thomas Lee led Elliana in, it garnered everyone’s attention.

Everyone thought similarly: So this is the new lead actress. She looks fine and quite well-known, but Miss Lyle has never acted before. This film might flop.

Before Elliana could acquaint herself with these people, Thomas Lee was eager to have her taken to an antique-styled room, to have her makeup and styling done.

There wasn’t any shooting on the first day, just styling and makeup, and getting acquainted with everyone, considered making connections.

Some of these people were currently popular stars, and the male lead Yates Zander frequently ranked first on trending lists.

People referred to him as Brother Zander.

Elliana got along smoothly with them. Initially, everyone expected her to have a diva temperament, but she surprisingly had a pleasant personality.

Just then, Yates Zander approached as Elliana was chatting with two actresses playing the female lead’s maids.

The slimmer, more intellectual-looking one was Lily White, and the lively, spirited one was named Liu Lianlian.

"Elliana, shall we run through Scene 26?" Yates spoke by her side, his terms of address somewhat intimate.

Her first meeting with Yates was back at Norman Bennett’s company, and it was a striking moment.

"Huh? But... I haven’t seen Scene 26 yet." Elliana said, quickly flipping through the script.

Scene 26 is the male lead’s first appearance at a poetry gathering, but seemingly... the male lead doesn’t interact much with the female lead during the poetry event.

Most of it involves acting with eye expressions.

Usually, film sets shoot scenes with the least screen time first; once filmed, that person’s part is wrapped up.

"No worries, let’s try it first—this is our first collaboration." Yates’s voice always carried an aura of a refined gentleman, making one feel at ease, and naturally, Elliana found it hard to refuse.

But this genteel, eye shade warm as jade man really fit the role of the cold, iceberg male lead Timmothy?

At least Elliana had this doubt.

However, truth proved her overthinking; once in character, Yates’s face shed all smiles, as if exuding coldness from within.

Elliana briefly felt an urge to ask how he managed it.

Minutes later, they finished a round.

"Elliana, you did great; we got it in one take." After the scene practice, Yates returned to his gentle demeanor, generously praised her.

Honestly, Elliana seemed as if she had a knack for it, having genuinely assumed the role of female lead Christine Grey a moment ago.

Maybe it was the setting and attire; after all, today Yates indeed looked like an ancient gentleman.

"Yes indeed, Elliana, your performance was impressive just now," Liu Lianlian’s eyes curved into crescents with a smile, a very endearing young lady.

Some rejoiced while others fretted.

―――Central Hospital in North City.

It was 4 PM, Eleanor Llyod had heard the news and came to the hospital.

On Twitter, Shane Southwell’s statement was already released, followed by a top-trending video of Shane, the favored ’national husband’, getting injured saving a kitten.

Netizens split into two factions, a fierce debate was on the verge of erupting.

However, Eleanor Llyod knew deep-down what kind of person Shane really was.

"Brother Shane, the riverside is so dangerous. You could have asked the firefighters for help with the kitten rescue. You getting injured pains me," Eleanor’s worried voice quivered slightly, directly softening Shane’s heart.

Mrs. Yi, after mourning the ordeal in the morning, returned to the hotel to rest, leaving Eleanor and Shane alone, while Cari sensibly stood guard at the door.

"Eleanor, it’s alright. It’s I who caused you to lose the opportunity," Shane spoke indistinctly; listening closely, one could barely grasp the gist.

Eleanor gently held the bandage resembling a hand, with tears perched on her long lashes. She shook her head, saying, "It’s not Brother Shane’s fault; Eleanor is just worried for Brother Shane right now."

Eleanor continued, "Brother Shane, I’m not upset. Joy hasn’t been affected at all; I can’t be petty. I’ve heard the new female lead for South Wind Song is Miss Elliana Lyle, apparently Joy’s cousin."

Seemingly mentioned in passing, Eleanor already had plans to take advantage of this chance to remove Joy Lyle from Roland.

Among Roland Company’s female artists, Joy Lyle outranked her in fan base and company favoritism.

"Joy Lyle?" At this, Shane felt something was amiss, immediately retorting furiously, "Ungrateful swine."

"Huh? Brother Shane, what did you say?"

"Nothing... Eleanor, you go back first. I’ll keep you company once I’m better." Shane spoke with difficulty, but his face showed signs of improvement, at least revealing his original features.

"Alright, then Eleanor is heading back. The assistant arranged a variety show appearance; I should prepare for that." With these words, Eleanor left a gentle kiss on Shane’s forehead, then left with flushed cheeks.

Cari didn’t overhear anything, but Eleanor surely had more motives than merely checking on Shane.

"Vice President, would you like some water?" Cari noticed Shane slightly raised his hand, and quickly inquired.

"Come over here."

Cari obediently walked to the bedside.

"Terminate Joy Lyle’s contract for me!"

"What? Vice President, that’s not possible." Cari knew Eleanor’s visit spelled trouble.

She advised, "Vice President, even though Joy Lyle’s recent online reputation isn’t great, she still has a substantial fan base. Perhaps let her take a break for a while?"