Chapter 275 - 273: Mind Your Own Business

The next day, Cecilia Sterling got up early and started helping her mother pack.

She had already bought a plane ticket for noon, planning to take her mother back to Lorcain today.

"These are still wearable. It’s a shame to throw them out."

Jasmine Sterling pulled two pieces of clothing from the "trash" pile her daughter had sorted and was about to fold them to take with her.

But her daughter snatched them away and tossed them back into the cardboard box. "Mom, you’ve been wearing these two pieces since I was in elementary school. How many years has it been?"

"They’re not worn out, and I still quite like the style," Jasmine Sterling said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. But she knew her daughter didn’t want her to be so frugal, so she didn’t insist.

"Once we get to Lorcain, I’ll buy you more clothes. The climates are so different, you’ll have to get new ones when you get there anyway."

Jasmine Sterling nodded, letting her daughter have her way.

"I was originally planning to go next week."

"I wasn’t planning on rushing you, either." Cecilia Sterling looked up at her mother and said helplessly, "But with the way things are now, I’m worried the Fulton Family will come back and harass you if they can’t find Ethan. I can’t rest easy not knowing what they’re after."

"Yes, I know. Anyway, if there’s anything I’ve forgotten here, I can just let your aunt know."

Just as they were speaking, Yvonne Sterling and Brendan Harris arrived.

They were both carrying things—dried abalone, vacuum-sealed scallops, sea cucumbers, and other seafood. Even in a coastal city like Veridia, these items weren’t cheap.

"Oh dear, why would you spend money on all this?"

Seeing this, Jasmine Sterling couldn’t help but complain, "This is all so expensive. What’s all this for?"

"Take them for Cecilia. Now that you’re going to Lorcain too, I’m the only one who can send you these things if you get a craving. They’re more expensive in Lorcain, and the quality might not be as good as Veridia’s," Yvonne Sterling said.

Brendan Harris also handed over his gift: four boxes of high-quality tea.

Although they weren’t originally from the area, having lived in Veridia for so long, they had all grown accustomed to drinking tea daily. Otherwise, it felt like something was missing.

Cecilia Sterling, however, didn’t refuse. She smiled at the two of them and said, "Thank you, Aunt, Uncle."

Yvonne Sterling’s lips twitched into a smile, but before she could speak, tears started to fall. She quickly turned away to wipe them.

"Didn’t we agree not to cry? Look at you..." Brendan Harris stepped forward to comfort her softly. But everyone knew Yvonne Sterling’s personality. She appeared strong and fiery on the outside, but she was actually the most soft-hearted and emotional person on the inside.

Growing up, the person Cecilia had seen cry the most was her aunt. When they watched *My Fair Princess*, she would cry right along with Violet.

Seeing her younger sister cry, Jasmine Sterling felt her heart ache as well. For so many years, the two sisters had weathered every storm together, leaning on each other for support. The bond between them was second to none.

"Alright, we can talk about whether you want to move to Lorcain later. After Ronald finishes his college entrance exams, your family can come visit Lorcain for a couple of months first," Jasmine Sterling said, patting her sister’s shoulder.

Yvonne Sterling dried her tears, her lips pursed. "With the scores he gets, you think I’ll be in any mood to travel?"

"It’s normal for him to do poorly. If he does even a little better, that’s an extraordinary performance. What’s there to be angry about?" Brendan Harris said, looking at her as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Hearing this, Yvonne Sterling wasn’t angry at all. Instead, she nodded. "That’s true. I never expected him to get good grades anyway."

"Then you have to come. Come right after the exams," Cecilia said.

Yvonne Sterling finally smiled and nodded. "Alright, we’ll all go then. We’ll stay in Cecilia’s huge villa!"

*

「Redwood Village. The Film Set.」

Lily’s scene was first thing in the morning.

She was holding a solid wood basin, washing clothes in the icy morning river water. This scene was incredibly difficult for Lily Sterling.

She had never washed clothes on a stone slab by a river before. It was something completely outside her life experience, and not a skill she could learn just by watching videos.

The small river in the village flowed gently, its water crystal clear, but in the morning, it was bone-chillingly cold. After just one retake, Lily Sterling’s hands were already numb and frozen, devoid of feeling.

"It’s not working, Director. Her movements are still awkward. The acting is too forced."

Before Director Titus Ashton could yell "Cut," Jade Smithson, who was standing nearby, spoke up first. She had offered her opinion on Lily Sterling’s performance many times before without a response from the director, but this time, Lily’s take was clearly no good. She knew the director would never use this one.

Sure enough, Titus sighed softly but didn’t lose his temper. He knew this was a bit too difficult for Lily, and that she had done her best.

CUT!

He called a halt to Lily’s performance, shaking his head at her from a distance.

Lily was also dejected. She could clearly feel how much she was struggling during the performance. ’When acting feels like a struggle, it’s definitely wrong.’

"Director, Lily’s hands are frozen red. Maybe we should let her take a break?" another actress nearby said, looking on with concern and venturing to make the suggestion.

Lily had walked closer by then, just in time to hear Jade Smithson look at her and ask, "Lily, you’ve never done this kind of work before, have you?"

Lily looked at her but said nothing.

She was already disappointed in her own performance, and the moment Jade Smithson opened her mouth, a wave of irritation washed over Lily.

Unlike the sprawling film studios at Starwood, this movie’s production crew was small, so everyone was together almost every day. Lily had heard rumors about what Jade had said about her to the director. That, combined with Jade’s attitude on the first day of filming, had already given Lily a very bad impression of the woman.

But the woman seemed to have no self-awareness, always rushing to speak before the director after every one of Lily’s takes.

"Can you keep shooting?"

Titus Ashton looked at Lily and asked tentatively.

But Lily didn’t try to act tough. She shook her head. "Director, can we push this scene back a bit? I’m too awkward with it, but this is the kind of thing where practice makes perfect. I can learn it if I practice more."

She understood very well that forcing retakes wouldn’t satisfy the director, so there was no need to waste everyone’s time.

"Director, why don’t we just find a body double for Lily in the village? There are plenty of girls here with a similar build," Jade Smithson piped up again, self-importantly.

Unexpectedly, Lily’s expression turned icy as she looked at her. "When did I say I wanted a body double?"

Lily, who was always good-natured and seen by everyone as gentle and soft, had suddenly turned cold. It stunned everyone for a moment.

Jade Smithson blinked her wide, innocent eyes, then let out a soft laugh. "I was just worried you wouldn’t be able to do it."

"And how would you know I can’t do it?" Lily stared at her. Her voice was quiet, but it was clearly a challenge.

As if not expecting Lily to have such an aggressive side, Jade Smithson scoffed after a moment. "What’s with you? I was just trying to be nice!"

"I don’t need it!" Lily said coldly. "Mind your own business!"