Chapter 497 - 493: What Bullshit Rules

The screenwriter thought for a moment but couldn’t resist leaning in to remind him in a low voice, "Director, you know what Teacher Lowe is like. We can’t afford to offend him. If we really make him angry, getting us blacklisted in the industry would only take a word from him."

Upon hearing this, the director looked at the screenwriter. The more he thought about it, the more something felt off. He’d given George Lowe a very minor supporting role in his show; at the time, he had even wondered why the man had agreed to it.

Now, it suddenly dawned on him. It was because this was a modern young-adult drama, and his cast was full of young actresses!

George Lowe’s sordid affairs were an open secret in the industry. ’How could I have not been more careful back then?’

Filming was now more than halfway complete, and he’d heard plenty of gossip on set. There were already four or five actresses who had gone to George Lowe’s room for "tutoring."

But he was still not satisfied and now dared to make a move on a lead actress. Lily Sterling was the second female lead, a highly-watched rising star in the industry.

But George Lowe, of course, wasn’t afraid. Given his status, it was nearly impossible for the actresses he took advantage of to speak out.

Seeing the director’s hesitation and apparent conflict, the screenwriter chimed in again. "It’s just a little more interaction, a hug at most. With so many people on set, even if Teacher Lowe has something on his mind, he wouldn’t dare actually do anything, would he?"

His words sounded like a suggestion, but they were really just meant to get the director to condone George Lowe’s behavior.

The director weighed his options. In the end, he had to admit the screenwriter had a point. With cameras and so many pairs of eyes on them, the man probably wouldn’t dare to be too brazen.

He gave a silent nod, then turned and walked back to Lily Sterling, pulling the corners of his mouth into a strained smile.

The moment Lily Sterling saw that smile, she had a bad feeling.

Then she heard the director whisper, "Lily, here’s the thing. The screenwriter and I were just discussing it. He said this change is to lay the groundwork for a later plot point and to give Teacher Lowe’s character more depth."

"Don’t worry, it’s a very simple scene. With your skill, you’ll nail it in one take."

"Director, are you serious? I’ve always considered you to be extremely professional, but do you really think we need to add more weight to Teacher Lowe’s role for the sake of the plot? His character wraps up in just eight more scenes. What is the point of this?" Lily Sterling argued her case forcefully. From her perspective, it was clear the director and the screenwriter had both sided with George Lowe.

’Right. On one side, you have an industry mogul who’s been around for decades and is now a financial backer in his own right. On the other, there’s me: a rookie actress fresh out of drama school with only two or three projects under my belt. It’s obvious who they’re going to side with!’

’But I can’t just give in!’

’What other people do is their business, their choice. But I will absolutely not let this old bastard get his way with me.’

’No way. I have to fight back!’

"Oh, come on, Lily, don’t be so stubborn. Look..."

"Director!" Lily Sterling cut him off. The anxiety and apprehension in her heart had been completely replaced by courage and fury. She stared straight at the director and declared, word by word, "If we don’t follow the original script, then I’m not filming this scene today."

"You’re refusing to film?" the director asked, stunned.

Lily Sterling nodded fearlessly. "That’s right. You and I both know what a certain someone is up to. If you force me to do this, you’re just helping a predator. You might as well just replace me. I won’t ask for a single cent in compensation!"

The screenwriter, who was standing nearby, couldn’t help but cut in. "Lily, get your facts straight. If you refuse to film, you’re the one who has to compensate the production."

But Lily Sterling wasn’t intimidated. Since it had come to this, she shot a cold glare at the screenwriter—a man cut from the same cloth as old man Lowe—and said, "Then you can talk to my agent!"

With that, Lily Sterling turned on her heel and stormed away.

The director opened his mouth to speak, but in the end, just kicked over a nearby stool in a fit of anger.

"Dammit, what a fucking mess! That goddamn old bastard!"

"Hey, Director, don’t be angry," the screenwriter said, hurrying over to placate him. "That Lily Sterling is just too young and naive. She doesn’t understand the rules of the industry."

"Rules? What fucking bullshit rules!" the director roared. "It’s nothing but the powerful manipulating everyone else! They call that rules? Just a bunch of high-and-mighty excuses for their own disgusting behavior!"

"Right, right," the screenwriter said, his forehead beaded with sweat as he offered an awkward smile. "But we still have to keep filming, don’t we? The production is already halfway done. Replacing her isn’t practical!"

The director let out a deep sigh.

It was true. No matter how angry he got, the show had to go on.

"Go talk to that old... to Teacher Lowe. Tell him the final hug is cut. He can change the rest as he sees fit."

"I’ll go talk to Lily."

The screenwriter nodded and walked away.

But just then, several delivery drivers on scooters pulled up outside the set’s perimeter, their hands full of drinks.

"Excuse me, is this the film set? A customer named Lily Sterling ordered cooling herbal tea for the whole crew to beat the heat!"

"I’ve got some heat-relief medicine, too!"

Hearing this, a crew member jogged over cheerfully to collect the order. "Yes, that’s us! Thanks so much for your hard work."

"It’s from Lily again! How many times has she done this?"

"Lily is as kind as she is beautiful. She always looks out for us!"

Watching this from a distance, the director felt a complicated mix of emotions.

The man who should have been a respected elder was acting lecherously in his old age, while a girl so young was trying her best to spread a little kindness in this snobbish, filthy industry.

"Here you go, Director. It’s the cooling tea Lily ordered for everyone!"

A cup of tea was held out to him. The director glanced at it, took it, and walked toward Lily Sterling’s dressing room without a word.

Lily Sterling was sitting on the sofa, trying to calm her nerves. Threatening to refuse to film had just been a bluff, something she’d said in a fit of anger.

’Everyone had been working so hard for months in this blistering heat. I’d feel guilty making the crew stand in the sun for even an extra second, so how could I really walk off the set?’

Yuna and Finn had no idea what had just happened, but they had never seen Lily Sterling this angry before.

Yuna quietly pulled out her phone. ’Should I message Lily’s sister?’ she wondered.

She had no idea that Cecilia Sterling was already at the airport.

Estelle Goodman pulled the group together for a photo. "Come on, let’s get a picture to remember our first trip together! Wyatt, could you take it for us?"

Wyatt Sherman was there to see them off, so he quickly pulled out his phone.

Jane Sterling, Estelle, Cecilia Sterling, and Blair lined up, standing close together. The four young women, each beautiful in her own distinct way, drew frequent glances from passersby.

"Got it!" Wyatt Sherman gave an okay sign and looked at Cecilia Sterling. "You guys should head inside. It’s almost time."

Cecilia Sterling said, "Thanks for seeing us off. When I get back, I’ll bring you a signed photo of my sister. I guarantee it’ll be worth a lot someday!"