Chapter 474: Such Unsightly Greed
Cecilia Vaughn heard the phone ring and was slightly taken aback. Seeing Mona Summers’ name displayed, she immediately pressed the answer button.
"Hey, Mona, what’s up?"
Mona Summers’ indignant tone sounded like her hair was on fire.
"Cecilia, have you seen those press releases about Fiona Vaughn on Weibo? How shameless can she be? Not only did she deliberately follow you, but now she’s letting people believe that the female lead role in ’There are branches on the mountain’ is going to her!"
"Oh, and she even approached Director Chapman’s company trying to get your personal information. I blocked her, but I’m really worried she might pull some dirty trick later on. Today was supposed to be a great day with the male lead’s character photo release, but now all the buzz has been stolen by this white lotus. Just thinking about it makes me angry..."
Cecilia Vaughn seeing Mona Summers so angry, almost imagined her friend with her hands on her hips in a huffy manner.
She couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
"Pfft..."
"How can you still laugh? That white lotus is riding on your popularity. Cecilia, can you at least take this seriously?"
"How can I take it seriously? Am I supposed to clarify now that the female lead isn’t her, but an art school freshman who doesn’t even have a tenth of her buzz?"
"What about Claire Sinclair? If Fiona Vaughn uses Claire’s newcomer status to make herself look better, it could harm not just Claire herself, but also Director Chapman’s movie greatly."
Cecilia Vaughn chuckled. Just a couple of simple sentences rendered Mona Summers speechless.
Yeah, actually, everyone wants to use the fact that Director Chapman chose Claire Sinclair to slap Fiona Vaughn in the face.
But Claire Sinclair, unfortunately, has no splash in the entertainment industry, having not debuted before, so how can she have any work buzz?
...
Mona Summers is straightforward and blunt, but that doesn’t mean she’s dumb.
After Cecilia Vaughn’s hint, Mona Summers also came to her senses and sighed.
"Yeah, Claire is great, but it’s a pity she has no presence in the entertainment industry. Yet she’s starting off with such a heavyweight director and production..."
Mona Summers blinked lightly, her voice tinged with a sigh.
"If it’s rumored that there was a casting conspiracy, Director Chapman has works to stand on so he has nothing to fear. People might talk and eventually let it go, but Claire, being unknown with no clout, might become a target for hate..."
Fiona Vaughn’s big break was largely attributed to her first debut role as a very charming girl-next-door character.
That campus youthful idol drama was a huge hit, and Fiona Vaughn benefited the most, earning her the title of ’Nation’s First Love.’ Just with nostalgia alone, she could perpetually trend.
Everyone was thinking that Claire Sinclair is both beautiful and talented, waiting for the broadcast and letting her skill win over fans would be ideal. But if this leaks, this young lady’s reputation might be destroyed.
People say even negative fame is still fame, but to most, the first impression of a star is crucial, and getting a positive impression is obviously better. Haven’t you seen how many stars were driven to depression by cyberbullying?
...
Mona Summers already understood this principle, but watching Fiona Vaughn’s army jump around online made her really unwilling.
"Cecilia, just because of the confidentiality agreement, do we have to watch helplessly as Fiona Vaughn constantly tries to leech off your works? Honestly, reading those rave reviews praising her suitability one after another makes me wanna puke up my dinner."
Cecilia Vaughn thoughtfully glanced at Weibo, her voice confident and calm.
"Don’t worry, they’re just some clowns. Truth can’t be false, and false can’t become true. Look at it positively, trying to hop on such buzz shows she’s not looking good."
Mona Summers, hearing Cecilia Vaughn’s words, still didn’t feel much comfort.
She resentfully disdained Fiona Vaughn for a couple more sentences, then finally addressed the main issue with Cecilia Vaughn.
"Okay, Cecilia, let’s forget those unpleasant people. Now that the male lead Kane Hale’s character photos are released, Claire also took several sets. I think they’re pretty good. I’ll send them to your email soon, and Director Chapman wants to see if you have any modification suggestions."
"Sure, I’ll check them out later."
"Also! You might not have participated in entertainment industry’s filming activities before. This time’s start-of-filming ceremony is very low-key, but there’s one procedure that’s unavoidable: going to Sage’s Mercy Temple to burn incense and pray for the movie’s success. It’s happening this weekend."
Mona Summers paused, her tone growing more solemn.
"Nowadays in the entertainment industry, many kind of believe in this. As both the screenwriter and original author, you have to go."
Cecilia Vaughn felt quite troubled hearing this.
"Ah, do I have to go too? I’d much rather watch them filming on set than go burn incense. Mona, you know I don’t believe in this stuff."
"Oh, come on, you have to go. I have other things so I can’t attend, but your role is much more important than mine, and Director Chapman specifically mentioned you; you can’t decline, okay, I’m hanging up."
...
Cecilia Vaughn put her phone away speechlessly. She’s purely non-religious, believes success depends on human effort, and the thought of praying to gods for movie success makes her temple throb.
But Arthur Chapman is her favorite director, so she couldn’t turn down the favor.
Just as Cecilia Vaughn’s mind wandered, a soft knock on the door brought her back.
"Cecilia, have you changed your clothes yet? Don’t forget grandma invited us to have dinner together today."
Cecilia Vaughn looked up and saw Adrian Law’s handsome and dignified face.
"Oh, oh, I’m almost ready."
Cecilia Vaughn smiled lightly, quickly found her dark coffee-colored shearling coat, seeing as New Year’s is around the corner. She thought for a moment and added a red scarf to her outfit.
Stacy Summers, an elderly person, loved such festive colors.
When Cecilia Vaughn initially bought two scarves, she got another one in a men’s style, which was also red.
With a mischievous smile, she raised the scarf and tiptoed, slipping it around the man’s neck.
"Adrian, will you wear a matching couple scarf with me?"
The girl’s shining eyes were like the brightest star in the sky.
Adrian Law was stunned. As he looked down at the vivid red color, his hand subconsciously trembled slightly.
"Does it have to be this one?"
"Don’t you like red?"
Cecilia Vaughn was surprised, but quickly tied the scarf on the man first, making a beautiful knot.
"First time wearing a red scarf, huh? Come on, indulge me. You look great with it."
The man was silent for a moment, gazing deeply at Cecilia Vaughn, his brows gradually easing.
"Okay, what you like is always good."
...
Twenty minutes later, Adrian Law drove to the Law Family’s old house.
Stacy Summers stood in the cold wind, eagerly waiting.
Upon seeing the two get out of the car, she was instantly shocked, her mouth wide open.
"Adrian, why are you wearing a red scarf?"