Ch 6 - A Disheartening Encounter

Dario let go of her arms, watching her weep with his indifferent gaze. He wanted to see how long she would continue crying.

Just when Jade was about to run out of tears, a call came in and saved her life!

Dario went to the bathroom to answer his phone, maybe because he didn’t want her to overhear the confidential conversation. Jade took the opportunity to search for her clothes, but she couldn’t find them.

She vaguely remembered vomiting on the bed last night…

At last, she found an extravagant dress on the table. She put on the dress and ran out of the room without any hesitation despite hearing some strange sounds coming out from the bathroom.

When she reached the door, she thought for a moment and then left something behind. She then felt a chill and immediately ran out of the room after hearing the footsteps coming from the bathroom.

By the time he came out from the bathroom, the room was empty. He saw a twenty-dollar bill on the bed along with a note that said "money for the ointment."

Dario stared at the twenty-dollar bill, and smoldering anger filled his eyes. "Trying to escape? Dream on!"

She had actually left a twenty-dollar note for him! This woman, what did she think he was? A gigolo?! Besides, he could close down any big corporation just by snapping his fingers!

A night for just twenty dollars? That's ridiculous.

Dario's dark, cold eyes trembled with fury.

"Hey, Mr. Foster, are you going to meet Miss Monica now? Are you listening, Mr. Foster?"

"Right." Dario hung up the phone without a second thought.

The assistant on the other end was confused. What? So, is he going? Forget it, I’ll just pick him up for now. His thoughts are too difficult to figure out.

After Jade ran out of the hotel, she immediately hopped on a taxi and turned off the flight mode on her phone. Instantly, she received a call.

"Hey J, where are you? I've been calling and calling!" It was Jade's best friend, Kelly.

"What's the matter?"

"There's a production team that urgently needs a group of background actors, only for one scene. Do you want to come?"

"Of course, I'll be right there! Send me the location."

Jade immediately rushed to the shoot. She was willing to take any job because that was the only way to pay for her grandma’s medical fees and free herself from her uncle's family.

She thought she would just be an extra in the background. But as it turned out, it was a  fighting scene.

That's right, the scene of getting beat up.

"All right, stay in position. Action!" The director ordered.

"You bitch! How dare you seduce my husband!"

Slap.

The actress standing before Jade gave her a slap on the face.

"I didn't… I'm innocent." Jade covered her face with her hands, tears of grievance rolling down from her cheeks with a heartbreaking expression on her face.

"Slut, are you not going to admit it?"

The actress's slap was as loud as a clap and stung Jade’s face.

"Okay, cut." The director nodded with satisfaction.

"Director, I feel like I didn't do it well that time. I'd like to reshoot it. Would it be better if I really slap her this time? It should be more heartfelt." The actress smiled at the director.

Jade was shocked when the director agreed after thinking a while.

"It makes sense. Let's film it again."

"I'm sorry, Jade. I'm doing it to have a better stage effect, not against you." The actress acted like she was innocent. Her acting skill off-camera was more impressive than on-camera.

"It's fine, it’s for the show." Jade said indifferently, walking back to her spot.

The woman standing before Jade was her classmate from her acting course. Her name was Rosie, and she had always hated Jade just because their professor said Jade was the better actor. Although Jade knew Rosie wanted to hurt her, she would have to tolerate it for the money. At that moment, she really needed money.

"I didn't expect Rosie to be so professional,” said the director approvingly. “All right, let's film it again. Action!"

Rosie threw her hand forward as hard as she could, whipping it across Jade's face. The crack of skin contacting skin echoed off the walls, and Jade’s face immediately turned red. Everyone there was stunned.

Jade bore the pain, and once again read out the lines with luminous, teary eyes.

However, Rosie was not satisfied.

"You bitch. Oops, what's next? I've forgotten my lines. Sorry about that, director. Can we do it again?" Rosie glanced at the director wearing a remorseful expression.

"This will be the last time," the director warned her harshly.

"Yes, got it, director, I'll definitely do well this time."

Jade clenched her fists and remained silent, knowing that Rosie was looking for trouble. Still, there was nothing she could do since Rosie was the second female lead. Even if they started a fight, no one would help her.

Three times. 

Rosie slapped Jade three times, harder and harder each time. Finally, it was over. Although the director did not know Jade's name, he still grinned at her and said, "You did well."

Jade nodded to the director and left after thanking him.

After Rosie walked out of the filming area, she put her hands on her slim waist, retouched her makeup, and said, "I'm sorry, Jade. I didn't do it on purpose. It was to give the audience a better performance. Don't be mad."

But Jade could still see jealousy and cunning in Rosie's eyes. Rosie was a successful actress, and the director had actually praised a background actress right in front of her?! Jade was such a seductress!

"It's just an act, why should I be mad?" Jade spoke in an indifferent voice. She was in no mood for an argument.

"Anyway,” said Rosie after a pause, “I think you're good enough for that role. Even the director praised your acting skill. Don't worry—since we're classmates, I'll hit you up if there's another scene like that in the future." Rosie said, pretending to be kind.

Kelly defended Jade right away after hearing what Rosie said.

"Rosie, you've gone too far. We're all classmates. How could you do that?!" Kelly stood in front of Jade and protected her with her arms. She looked at Rosie with a plaintive expression.

Rosie met her gaze with disdain. "Who do you think you are to talk to me like that?" An extra didn’t even deserve to carry her shoes.

"You!" Just as Kelly was about to teach her a lesson, Jade whispered to her, "Kelly, forget it. Let's leave."

“Hmph,” said Rosie as she put on her sunglasses. “Talking to you is degrading. See you later, extra." She walked away with her hands on her hips.

Kelly shouted after her, "Damn it! What are you so proud of? Wearing a plastic face! I wonder how many times you were rejected before you became such a fancy actress! Jade is prettier than you and she’s a better actor too!"

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