Reborn Rich: Prices Dropped, My Savings Didn't

A few crew members and Suzanne Sawyer’s assistant were gathered around her, trying to console her, but she seemed very emotional, crying and shouting that she wanted to call the police.

A lot of people had gathered on set—not just crew members and actors, but also many extras.

The assistant director, holding a rolled-up script, was clearing the area. "Everyone, stop crowding around. Disperse for now and wait for the notice for the next scene."

Meanwhile, the director had finished watching the playback. In the footage, the male actor’s hand did indeed touch the actress’s chest, but this kind of thing was very difficult to judge during filming.

Director Cole had been filming for many years and had shot every genre imaginable. During passionate scenes, actors often got lost in their roles, producing clips just like this one. No one could say for sure if the actor was genuinely immersed in his part or intentionally taking advantage. However, it was these kinds of moments that often appeared most authentic in art-house films and realistic dramas.

The actress always ended up on the losing end in scenes like this. But under normal circumstances, an experienced actress would make sacrifices for the character and the plot, separating herself from her role.

Today’s script called for Suzanne Sawyer’s character, Jade, to be turned by a villain using a handsome man as a "honey trap." In a side room, their passion ignited like a tinderbox as they tasted the forbidden fruit. During the scene, the male actor, using both his hands and mouth, had briefly and unintentionally touched Suzanne Sawyer’s chest. You couldn’t just say he did it on purpose.

The people on set had seen all kinds of filming situations. Most of them felt Suzanne Sawyer was making a mountain out of a molehill. ’If he doesn’t touch you during an intimate scene, won’t it look fake?’

’If you don’t even have the dedication to make that small sacrifice for a role, what’s the point of being an actor?’

But Suzanne Sawyer was crying so hysterically it got on everyone’s nerves, and she kept shouting about calling the police. If she actually did, it would be a massive scandal for the production. Netizens wouldn’t care about who was right or wrong, or what the truth was.

They would just call the production crew degenerate and accuse them of bullying a newcomer actress.

Lily Sterling didn’t get too close. Suzanne Sawyer was already hostile toward her, and going over would only make Suzanne think she was there to gloat over her misfortune.

Just then, someone suddenly came to a stop beside her. Lily Sterling turned her head to look and was surprised to see it was Yuna Sutton.

"Yuna!"

Lily Sterling’s face lit up, and she quickly greeted her.

Yuna Sutton gave her a small smile, then looked ahead. "First time seeing something like this, huh?"

Lily Sterling nodded. Then she heard Yuna Sutton say with a resigned tone, "This kind of thing always happens on set. Once you’ve been on a few more productions, you’ll get used to it. It’s never a clear-cut issue."

"Yeah." Just then, Jessica Reynolds also sauntered over from the side, sighing as she spoke. "There are always those sleazy male actors who use these kinds of scenes to take advantage, using ’getting into character’ as an excuse. If you get upset, you’re the one being unprofessional."

As if on cue, the male actor said exactly that. "Director Cole, it’s not wrong for me to get into character, is it? If I can’t touch her or kiss her, who’s going to believe it when this show airs?"

"If she really can’t shoot the scene, then get a body double. I refuse to believe everyone is as prissy as she is."

Hearing this, the assistant director said helplessly, "Who uses a body double for a handmaiden role?"

Director Cole was also speechless, but the situation couldn’t stay deadlocked like this. "Henry Marshall, how about you apologize to her? Just say it wasn’t intentional."

"M-me, apologize?" The actor named Henry Marshall looked astonished. "Wouldn’t that be the same as admitting I did it on purpose?"

After all, Suzanne Sawyer was an investor’s daughter.

But Henry Marshall had also brought his own funding to the production.

"I’ll go."

Just then, Connie, who had been sitting off to the side, slowly stood up. "The young woman has never experienced something like this, so it’s normal for her to have a stress reaction. I’ll go have a talk with her, that should sort it out."

"Oh, Connie, she’ll definitely listen to you." Director Cole quickly stood up to thank her. "Thank you so much. I’m really at my wit’s end with these new actors nowadays. If they were all like your Lily, my life would be so much easier."

Connie smiled and waved her hand. "In that case, Director Cole, you have to promise me what I just asked you about."

"No problem. Since you’re the one asking, Connie, of course it’s no problem."

Then, Connie slowly made her way toward Suzanne Sawyer.

"Well, well, Connie’s stepping in." Jessica Reynolds raised an eyebrow at the sight. Because she was familiar with Connie, she also went over to get a closer look.

Lily Sterling didn’t move. After Jessica Reynolds left, she looked at Yuna Sutton and asked, "Yuna, if you encounter something like this, what should you do?"

Yuna Sutton looked at Lily Sterling. Seeing how seriously she was asking, she couldn’t help but raise a hand and gently pat her shoulder. "If you’re uncomfortable with it, you can communicate with the male actor beforehand. Giving him a heads-up means that even if he has such intentions, he won’t dare to go too far."

"If you’re not uncomfortable with it, then cooperate. Fully immerse yourself in the character."

"Actually, experienced male actors know their limits and can still give a great performance while respecting boundaries. But actors who are that considerate of their female co-stars are rare. We girls have to learn to look out for ourselves."

Lily Sterling nodded lightly. Her mind subconsciously began to imagine what she would think if she had to shoot a scene like that.

’I’d be a bit nervous, but I think I could do it. If the script requires it, I can do it.’

Connie talked to her for a while, and sure enough, Suzanne Sawyer calmed down. She also said she could reshoot the scene they just did, but she needed to rest and compose herself for a bit.

Director Cole immediately switched to a different scene, pushing that one to be filmed in the afternoon.

Henry Marshall didn’t apologize either. Perhaps only he knew whether it was intentional or not. He was seen walking to the edge of the set with a seemingly indignant expression and sitting down. His assistant quickly went to his side. "Do you want to go back to the hotel for a nap? We can come back this afternoon."

This Henry Marshall was the son of a wealthy businessman from Lorcain and had just joined the cast today.

He hadn’t graduated from a professional acting academy, nor had he ever studied acting. He chose this dissolute character role after joining the production just for the novelty of it.

In real life, he’d seen and played around with plenty of minor celebrities and online influencers; he wouldn’t spare a second glance for someone like Suzanne Sawyer.

He snorted disdainfully and said, "I’m staying here. I haven’t seen Sophie Grant yet. I want to see if she’s as pretty in person as she is on TV."

As he spoke, he subconsciously glanced up and happened to spot Lily Sterling standing in a shady spot not far away.

She had fair, delicate skin and looked soft and gentle. Her watery eyes were large and bright, exceptionally clear.

"Huh? Isn’t that Lily Sterling, the one who was trending a while ago?" Henry Marshall seemed to recognize her.

The assistant beside him also looked over, then nodded. "That’s her. She’s also a newcomer who just entered the industry."

"She’s even prettier in person." Interest filled Henry Marshall’s eyes. "She’s got the goods, all right. No wonder she could land such a good role right after starting out. Way better than that handmaiden just now."

Lily Sterling seemed to feel someone’s gaze on her. She subconsciously turned her head and met Henry Marshall’s eyes, which were filled with naked, lecherous intent.

Her face instantly flushed red. Flustered, she turned her head away, pulled Yuna, who was standing beside her, and walked off.

Watching her retreating back, which looked as if she were fleeing, Henry Marshall laughed even more brazenly. He said in a dazed, obsessive tone, "They should have just given me Andrew Sutton’s role."