Chapter 361
Far away on a film set in another province, Zelena watched the trending topics on Facebook and thought that Hattie had dropped the ball this time.
Hattie had also attended the Clio Charity Night, yet her presence caused barely a ripple.
While her name did appear in the trending searches, it was quickly overshadowed by the uproar over Violeta.
It was evident that Hattie couldn’t compete with Violeta.
Hattie might have had a fighting chance before Violeta’s return to the White family. But now?
The odds were slim.
Meanwhile, on another set, Tracy was seething with envy upon hearing that Violeta had won the endorsement of a top luxury brand.
“This is so unfair! The company gave Violeta such a huge deal, and I got nothing!” she fumed.
Winnie responded, “Hold on, that might not be the company’s doing it for Violeta.”
Tracy looked puzzled. “What do you mean, Winnie?”
Winnie explained, “I think the brand approached Violeta directly. The company wouldn’t dare pitch a top luxury brand to a newcomer.”
It was obvious that the powerful family behind Violeta was pulling strings.
After all, she was indeed a daughter of a wealthy family.
She could navigate the high society world with ease, so why wouldn’t she excel in the entertainment industry?
Winnie felt a pang of regret for not securing the role of Violeta’s agent.
However, she suddenly recalled that the higher-ups had already assigned Eugene to Violeta, leaving no opportunity for her.
Nevertheless, Tracy still had a hopeful career ahead.
Patting her shoulder, Winnie said, “Tracy, don’t think too much about it. Sure, Violeta’s top luxury endorsement looks impressive now, but that could be a double-edged sword.”
“She’s riding high on the success of ‘A Quiet Ode’ for now. But once the hype dies down and if Violeta doesn’t produce another hit, even the best endorsements won’t stick around.”
Securing a top luxury brand wasn’t the real achievement.
Yet, maintaining a long-term partnership was the real skill.
Even though Violeta had a powerful family backing, brands weren’t fools. If public opinion overwhelmingly condemns Violeta as unworthy, even a luxury brand will struggle to withstand the backlash.
Luxury brands are not the White family’s playground; they must consider the commercial value of their endorsements.
Signing an artist who attracts controversy puts immense pressure on the brand.
“Winnie, do you think Violeta can’t hold onto this endorsement?” Tracy inquired.
Winnie smiled smugly. “Tracy, resources in this industry are limited, even for top-tier artists. Do you think Violeta can become a superstar in just one year?”
The industry is full of fleeting stars.
Simply being seen on screen is an achievement, but such good fortune doesn’t come often.
The success of ‘A Quiet Ode’ was largely due to Wade Howell’s influence.
Firstly, it’s a spin-off of Wade Howell’s classic works from previous years.
Secondly, it was his first venture into a web series, which drew significant attention.
Thirdly, the cast, aside from the newcomer Violeta, consisted of seasoned actors.
The show’s success was almost guaranteed with such a lineup.
Encountering such an opportunity once is a stroke of incredible luck; twice is nearly impossible unless Violeta is destined for extraordinary fortune.
Winnie bet that Violeta wouldn’t land another hit show within a year.
“Jealousy runs wild in our industry. Nobody wants Violeta to soar any higher than she did when she first arrived. The real drama is yet to unfold. Just wait and see.”
Tracy felt a bit more at ease after hearing Winnie’s analysis.
“Alright, Winnie, I’ll listen to you. I’ll focus on finishing this drama first.”
“Exactly, Tracy. We need to advance steadily. Cutting corners might be fast, but it also comes with high risks.”
A week after the promotional video was edited and released, it caused a stir online, solidifying Violeta’s reputation as the year’s most controversial newcomer.
Her schedule included more offline business engagements, but many more were reduced or canceled.
合
Chapter 362
A few endorsement deals started rolling in after Violeta signed a contract with SEVITL.
However, Eugene wasn’t about to let Violeta accept just any offer.
Back then, Violeta might have taken on anything as long as the money was good. But now, with SEVITL on board, her profile had risen.
Accepting lower-tier gigs could tarnish SEVITL’s image along with her own.
The brands would also be dissatisfied.
It was a trade-off: the higher she climbed, the more selective she had to be.
They had some free time on their hands, so Eugene arranged for Violeta to undergo specialised training which focused on posture and expression management.
“We’ve swooped in and taken a lot of opportunities from others,” Eugene said, “so it’s best to lay low for a while.”
Violeta nodded in agreement, “Fine.”
Eugene’s tone turned stern, “Beauty, for the next year, we also need to solidify your position. No mistakes that could harm your commercial value. We need at least one hit drama to secure our endorsements.”
Aster agreed, “Sure. Since Ms. White signed SEVITL’s spokesperson contract, everyone is envious. Even though it’s just for a year, they’re all hoping for a failure.”
Eugene continued, “I’ll push for a top-tier scriptwriter. Emilie Robinson has some promising material. She’s a top-tier writer who wrote the wildly successful ‘Winter Kingdom Trilogy’. I’ve heard she’s about to start a new project…”
“No need, Mr. Scott,” Violeta interrupted.
Eugene looked surprised. “What’s wrong?”
Violeta lowered her head before declaring firmly, “I want to star in Danielle’s drama.”
Eugene was speechless.
The room fell silent for a few seconds.
Eugene frowned. “Do you mean ‘Nirvana and Rebirth’?”
Aster chimed in, “Ms. White, have you thought this through? Danielle is just an intern scriptwriter. I heard she struggled to find work after graduating and spent years mooching off her family before finally landing an internship. Choosing her is a huge risk!”
“If she were capable, she wouldn’t have been living off her family,” Aster added disdainfully.
She looked down at Danielle, who lived off her parents.
Mooched off one’s parents was indeed a disgraceful act that anyone with a sense of integrity would look down upon.
However, Danielle’s situation wasn’t as simple as it seemed.
While some might call it “mooching off her family,” a kinder way to put it was that she was taking time to recover.
Danielle suffered from severe depression, a condition rooted in her naturally sensitive and emotional disposition.
Danielle’s personality made her a pushover in school.
Her struggles began during school, where her soft and vulnerable nature made her an easy target for verbal bullying. Fortunately, her family was deeply supportive, which kept the bullying at bay.
Still, Danielle developed a serious case of depression.
After graduation, the stress only worsened her condition, forcing her to stay home and recuperate.
The play ‘Nirvana and Rebirth’ was born during those years of recovery as a form of self-redemption for Danielle.
Everything she couldn’t confront in reality, she poured into her writing.
This wasn’t merely a script from an intern; it was the product of years of her life and emotional turmoil.
Despite her “intern” label, the script was a masterpiece honed over several years.
Danielle’s talent shone through, especially in her profound depiction of human nature.
The play had already become a sensation abroad, though it remained undiscovered for years due to her status as a mere intern.
Under normal circumstances, ‘Nirvana and Rebirth’ would have taken another two years to start securing investment and casting.
However, with Violeta’s interest, it was fast-tracked, offering a solution to her current predicament while giving a deserving writer a chance. It was a win-win situation.
Violeta was resolute about taking on ‘Nirvana and Rebirth’.
Eugene was puzzled. “Beauty, why are you so confident in this play?”
Violeta replied, “Because it might be the first dark revenge drama in film history. It will undoubtedly be rated ‘R’.”
Aster’s eyes widened. “R-rated? Doesn’t that mean it can’t be shown domestically?”
Violeta nodded. “It might be a problem, but there’s always a way to work around it.”
It just means we’ll need to double the budget.
Violeta had long been prepared to tackle this challenge.
Chapter 363
The classic scenes from ‘Nirvana and Rebirth’ were not 18+ content that couldn’t be broadcast but lines that revealed human nature’s darkness.
It was the highlight of the drama.
What couldn’t be broadcast domestically would be released in full overseas.
What could be broadcast domestically within the red line would be edited with double the budget and released as an edited version domestically.
Overall, Violeta would not miss this script.
It would become her second representative work.
Violeta looked at Eugene and said, “Mr. Scott, do you trust me? I won’t ruin my future.”
Eugene was silent for a moment.
If it were before signing with SEVITL, Violeta could still be capricious in choosing scripts, but now she had become SEVITL’s brand ambassador.
Too many people in the industry were watching their every move.
Eugene was also very career-oriented. How could he allow Violeta to become a laughingstock in the industry?
There was only one year.
Filming a drama could take as little as three to four months or several years.
They might only produce just one drama in a year.
It was a gamble they couldn’t afford to take!
Eugene didn’t trust Danielle, but Violeta had complete faith in her.
Seeing Violeta’s unwavering gaze, Eugene nodded and said, “Since you have such high hopes for this drama, there must be a reason for it. As your manager, who else should I support if I don’t support you?”
Seeing Eugene agree, Violeta smiled and said, “Mr. Scott, don’t worry. This drama will not disappoint you.”
Eugene said, “But, just our belief isn’t enough. Danielle has no reputation and only has been in the industry for a short time. No production company will trust a newcomer screenwriter, and no director would be willing to shoot this script. Getting this drama made is extremely challenging.”
Indeed.
What Eugene said was exactly what Danielle faced in the previous lifetime.
Despite the numerous difficulties, Danielle ultimately succeeded in producing the drama.
In the previous lifetime, Danielle overcame the difficulty without Violeta’s help. Now, with Violeta’s assistance, the challenges should be much easier to overcome.
Soon, Eugene went to inform Danielle that Violeta had taken an interest in her script, ‘Nirvana and Rebirth’, and wanted it to be made into a production.
When Danielle heard the news, she was completely stunned.
Perhaps she never expected that her script would be turned into a production one day, and she certainly didn’t think that day would come so soon!
Moreover, Violeta was currently a skyrocketing newcomer in the entertainment industry.
If she was willing to star in the drama, it would automatically bring high viewership to the show.
Danielle happily slapped herself on the cheek.
Eugene asked, “What’s wrong with you?”
Danielle, grinning foolishly, said, “I thought I was dreaming. My face hurts, so it looks like I’m not dreaming after all.”
Eugene was dumbfounded.
Seeing the goofy grin on the young woman before him, he grew even more doubtful.
Why did Violeta choose to bet on her?
I couldn’t make sense of it at all.
“Alright, stop doubting yourself. This is real. Here’s Violeta’s contact number. Add each other on WhatsApp, and she will discuss the details later.”
“Oh, okay.”
After delivering the news, Eugene left.
Danielle added Violeta on WhatsApp.
Violeta was attending an offline brand event.
After the event concluded, Violeta returned to the car and, upon seeing Danielle’s message notifications, she read it.
Danielle must have been watching her phone, waiting for Violeta to respond to her message.
She sent two messages.
‘Hello, Violeta. I’m Danielle Wilmore.’
‘Thank you so much for taking an interest in my work. However, I’m curious. Why did you choose to pick up this script of mine?’
Danielle knew that she had no background and no reputation in the industry.
She was just an ordinary intern screenwriter.
Being noticed by Violeta was like receiving a stroke of first-rate fortune.
Violeta sat in the car and replied to Danielle.
‘Hello, I’m Violeta White. First, I’m very pleased to work with you in the future.’
‘A talented person’s day will come. I hope you won’t doubt yourself.’
Violeta’s words ignited Danielle’s previously lacking confidence.
Chapter 364
‘Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome. Let’s meet up this weekend. I’ll send you the address later.”
‘Okay.’
News spreads quickly in the industry.
Eugene had only contacted Danielle about the matter in the morning, and it rapidly circulated through the industry.
Soon followed by everyone’s doubts and ridicule.
“Has Eugene gone mad after all these years in the industry? At such a crucial time for Violeta, he contacts an obscure intern screenwriter instead of reaching out to a top-notch screenwriter. What’s the name of this intern screenwriter again?”
“Danielle Wilmore.”
“Heh, even an old hand like Eugene can make mistakes.”
“Well, you can’t say that. What if this is an unexpected move? Violeta could successfully renew her contract with SEVITL if they produce another drama within a year. All of you mocking her might end up with eggs on your faces.”
“You make a good point. Let’s hope you’re not among those with eggs on their faces.”
“Hahahahaha.”
On the weekend.
In Knightsbridge Private Manor.
Nolan drove quietly, got out of the car, went around to the back to retrieve a box of pre-ordered chess sets, and then rang the doorbell on the iron gate.
The butler, with silver streaks in his black hair, smiled as he approached to open the door.
“Nolan, you’re here. Mr. Howell is taking a nap. Should I go wake him up?”
Nolan stepped inside and smiled, “No need. I’ll wait for him in the backyard.”
As he spoke, Nolan patted the chess set he had brought.
“These are newly purchased top-quality ivory chess pieces. I’ll give him a surprise later.”
The butler nodded. “Alright, then I’ll prepare some tea for you.”
He stepped inside the house.
Nolan went to the backyard to watch the fish and drink tea, placing the new chess set on the chess table.
When he was still in school, Nolan often played chess with Wade.
The two were chess friends and could be considered lifelong friends despite their age difference.
After entering the industry, they had less time for each other.
But Nolan would still visit Wade and keep him company whenever he had free time.
Half an hour later.
Wade woke up, put on his jacket, and left the room.
The butler said, “Mr. Howell, Nolan is waiting for you in the backyard.”
“Oh, Nolan is here?”
Wade headed towards the backyard.
“Nolan.”
Hearing the sound, Nolan stood up from his seat and said, “Mr. Howell, you’re awake. It must have been enjoyable to nap in this weather, neither cold nor warm.”
Wade replied, “Ah, as you get older, you can’t sleep well at night, so you end up feeling drowsy in the afternoon.”
As he walked over, he immediately noticed the chess box on the table.
“What’s this?”
Nolan smiled and said, “I brought a new set of chess pieces. I noticed you were missing a set of ivory ones, so I thought I’d bring this for you.”
Wade sat across from Nolan, reached out to open the box, and saw the warm white chess pieces made from natural ivory inside. They gleamed with a lustrous sheen.
He took out a piece and felt it. The texture was delicate, and the touch was exceptionally smooth.
“Where did you get these? They must have been quite expensive.”
“A friend bought them. The price doesn’t matter. What’s important is that you like them.”
Wade smiled and said, “Very nice. Let’s play two games.”
Nolan replied, “Okay.”
The butler brought a pot of freshly brewed tea and poured some for both.
In a short while, the two games were completed.
Nolan offered to let Wade win and lost both games.
Wade took a sip from his teacup. He knew full well that Nolan had let him win. With a serious look, he asked, “What are you after? I don’t like this roundabout approach.”
Nolan lowered his eyelashes slightly and stated his intentions straightforwardly, “It’s true I haven’t played chess in a long time and wanted to have a few games with you. However, I also have a personal reason. I want to ask about the news regarding ‘Spring in Moon City!.”
Wade set down his teacup and spoke in a deep, measured tone, “Do you want to act in ‘Spring in Moon City’? Didn’t you just finish filming, and it performed quite well at the box office? Why the sudden push?”
Nolan hesitated momentarily and said, “It’s not for me. I’m asking on behalf of a friend.”
Wade’s gaze settled on Nolan’s face, and he raised an eyebrow
with a smile. “Oh, and which friend might that be?”
Since he had already spoken up, Nolan decided to be straightforward.
“Violeta White.”
After all, Wade had mentored quite a few actresses.
Chapter 365
However, Wade didn’t have a habit of consistently working with the same actress.
Many actresses mentored by directors were often given nicknames like “so-and-so’s girl” or “so-and-so’s leading lady.”
Some screenwriters working long-term with a particular actress would also have that actress dubbed “the screenwriter’s exclusive actress” or similar.
But Wade did not have this habit.
He did not want to be associated with any particular actress.
Firstly, after living for most of his life, he understood that in the world of fame and fortune, nine out of ten people had their share of scandals, and the chances of things going wrong were high.
He was inherently low-key, and aside from being willing to discuss his work, Wade did not want to become a topic of gossip.
Secondly, Wade selected actors based on their suitability for the role rather than their personal connections or networks.
In his productions, he would not use even top international actors if they didn’t meet the role criteria.
Wade said, “You’re not the first person to come to me asking for a role for her.”
Nolan was slightly taken aback. “Who else has asked?”
Wade said, “Uhm, let’s not discuss that for now. Since you’ve come to ask, I’ll be honest with you. I do have the intention to revive ‘Spring in Moon City’.
“The script isn’t fully developed yet, and it’s only been a short time since ‘The Quiet Ode’ wrapped up. As you know, I prefer to take a few years off after finishing a project.
“I’m getting on in years and just want to enjoy a peaceful life without exhausting myself.”
Nolan, of course, knew that Wade had this habit.
He didn’t have high hopes before inquiring, so he wasn’t too disappointed now.
He nodded and said, “I understand.”
Wade looked at Nolan’s expression, sighed, and continued, “I’ve never had the habit of using the same actress in consecutive projects, but Violeta is indeed a good actress. She is on my shortlist for the female lead role.”
Upon hearing this, Nolan’s eyes brightened.
It wasn’t just empty talk when Wade said he would consider it. He had weighed it carefully in his mind.
Unless a more suitable candidate than Violeta emerges before the script is completed, she’ll likely be the female lead’s top choice.
It’s uncertain whether there would be enough time by then.
After all, Violeta’s current situation isn’t ideal.
This trip wasn’t in vain.
Wade instructed the butler to put away the chess set on the table.
“Let’s eat.”
Nolan stood up and responded, “Okay.”
Wade’s residence has only one butler responsible for his daily meals.
The butler’s meals were just everyday dishes.
It wasn’t the first time Nolan had come to Wade’s place for a meal.
At the dining table, Wade inquired about Violeta’s current situation. He had always been indifferent to the entertainment industry, so he wasn’t aware of Violeta’s recent developments.
But given the positive reception of ‘The Quiet Ode’, it was likely that Violeta’s development wouldn’t be too bad.
“She’s been too high-profile lately, and many people in the industry watch her every move. The coming year is crucial for her. Her situation could become quite awkward if she doesn’t follow up with outstanding work.”
“Oh, so you want to help her?”
Nolan chuckled softly, “After all, she’s a junior. If I can help, why wouldn’t I?”
Wade immediately saw through Nolan’s intentions and said, “I’m afraid it’s not just that.”
Nolan was silent momentarily and then admitted, “Alright, the truth is, I want to collaborate with her.”
Wade shook his head as he ate, sighing, “You youngsters.
“I see Violeta’s potential. I will consider her for the female lead in ‘Spring in Moon City’, but it’s unrelated to personal connections.
“The rules of the industry are what they are. Everyone is equal. Some people might take years to get a standout opportunity. Why should she be expected to shine brightly from the start? Nolan, everyone has to walk their path. What they become is up to their fate.”
In other words, he wouldn’t be giving Violeta any special favours.
Violeta’s role as the lead in ‘The Quiet Ode’ was due to something other than Niall’s favour.
It was because the script was completed, and Violeta was a fitting choice.
As they say, it was a matter of timing, location, and the right person.
And since the script for ‘Spring in Moon City’ wasn’t finished yet, Wade would follow his own pace and wouldn’t easily let anyone disrupt his rhythm.
Chapter 366
Nolan understood Wade’s point.
So, he didn’t press the issue.
After finishing the meal, Nolan prepared to leave.
He remembered something and asked, “Mr. Howell, who else
has come to advocate for Violeta before?”
Wade hummed thoughtfully.
“Quite a few. Her brother, and also Hayden.”
The final meeting place with Danielle was at Apex Entertainment.
Given the media’s scrutiny of Violeta, they decided to set the meeting address at the company for greater security to avoid unwanted attention or photos.
Danielle arrived nervously at the entrance of Apex Entertainment.
Aster came down to greet her.
Once in the lounge, Danielle finally met Violeta in person.
“Hi, Vio… Violeta.”
Danielle was struck by Violeta’s beauty and found herself a bit tongue-tied.
Aster said, “Ms. White, the guest has arrived.”
Violeta stood up from her chair and shook hands with Danielle, saying, “Hello, Ms. Wilmore, the scriptwriter.”
Danielle shyly smiled. “No, I don’t dare to call myself a scriptwriter. I’m still an intern and haven’t been officially promoted yet.”
Violeta said, “It’s okay. After this project, you’ll become a sought-after top scriptwriter.”
A top scriptwriter?
Danielle couldn’t even imagine it, but hearing Violeta say that made her very happy.
“Let’s get started. Let’s talk about the script first.”
Danielle, who was usually shy and introverted, became much more open and enthusiastic when discussing her script.
Violeta shared her thoughts with her, but the overall direction still followed Danielle’s creative vision.
Danielle hadn’t expected that the script would be adapted into a film so quickly.
Although she enjoyed the conversation with Violeta, the crucial issue was that turning the script into a film would require a substantial amount of money.
Violeta reassured, “Don’t worry about that. I have the funds.”
Danielle’s eyes widened in surprise. “Huh? Violeta, are you investing yourself?”
Violeta said, “Not exactly. I’m having my dad invest in it.”
Danielle asked, “Your dad?”
Violeta smiled and said, “You can rest assured. Oh, and I’d also like you to write a clean script version.”
Danielle inquired, “Why?”
Violeta explained, “If we shoot according to the full version of the script, it won’t pass the domestic censorship.”
Danielle nodded, a bit delayed in response, “That’s true. You’ve contemplated this. I’ll go back and revise the script accordingly. Let’s do this. I’ll have the revised draft ready for you by the end of the month.”
Eugene, sitting quietly, said, “The end of the month won’t work. We’ll be flying to Glorialand for the shoot.”
Danielle said, “Then … “
Violeta suggested, “Just send it to me via WhatsApp. We won’t
need to meet again for now. Once my schedule clears up, we can have a proper discussion.”
Danielle responded, “Okay.”
After the discussion, Aster personally saw Danielle out.
As Danielle stepped out of Apex Entertainment, she glanced back at the building.
She would never have imagined that her life would be completely rewritten because of that afternoon.
At the end of the month, Violeta flew to Newham.
With artist flights being quite transparent now, there were quite a few fans at the airport to welcome her.
The number of fans greeting her at the airport increased with each trip.
And the number of familiar fans among the crowd was also increasing.
She knew she had a major fan on Facebook named The Violet Land.
As Violeta got into the car and rolled down the window, she asked the fans outside, “Who is The Violet Land?”
The crowd of fans on the sidewalk turned their attention to a chubby young man standing further back.
Violeta’s gaze met his, and she smiled, asking, “Are you The Violet Land?”
The chubby young man blushed instantly and shyly replied, “Yes, that’s me.”
Violeta reached out her hand to him. The young man hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and gently shaking her hand.
“Thank you for your support. See you next time.”
The black Alphard moved forward, driving away.
Violeta waved to them as the car window slowly rolled up.
The fans lingered, reluctant to leave.
The man with whom he had shaken hands stared dazedly at his hand, feeling as though something was leaping out of his heart.
During the week of filming in Newham, fans visited the set daily.
Chapter 367
Violeta would sign autographs for the fans every day after work before returning to the hotel.
When Zoren found out that Violeta had gone to Newham, she messaged her on WhatsApp.
‘Vio, you’re in Newham. Why not take the opportunity to visit Hade as well?’
Oh, right, Hayden is also in Newham.
Violeta realized this only later.
She replied to the message: ‘I’ve been quite busy lately. He should be busy too, right?’
Zoren: ‘I don’t know how busy he is, but he should have time for a meal.’
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Hayden.
Violeta hesitated for a moment.
After returning to the hotel, she sent a text message to Hayden.
‘Are you busy? I’m in Newham now. Want to treat me?’
Only someone like her would say that.
She was going out of her way to ask someone to treat her. Violeta, though, didn’t sense anything was off. After all, Hayden had previously promised to treat her to fondue.
This isn’t considered begging, right?
After Violeta sent the message, she removed her makeup and showered.
Twenty minutes had passed since she’d finished her shower and exited the bathroom with Hayden’s response.
There were two very brief messages.
‘Okay.’
‘Address?’
Violeta didn’t reply in time. By now, twenty minutes had passed.
It was inconvenient to type a message with one hand while drying her hair, so she decided to call Hayden instead.
She placed the phone on the table, originally thinking it wouldn’t connect so quickly.
But unexpectedly, as soon as she had just put the phone down, the voice call was connected immediately.
“Hello.”
Violeta was caught off guard. “Wow, how did you pick up so quickly?”
On the other end of the line, Hayden paused momentarily before replying in a somewhat subdued voice, “I happened to be looking at some documents.”
“Uh, I’m in Newham. Are there any good fondue places here? Treat me to a meal.”
“Okay.”
“Then send me the address of the fondue place, and I’ll go there myself later.”
“No need. I’ll wait for you downstairs at the hotel.”
Violeta paused her motion of drying her hair. “You know which hotel I’m staying at?”
“Yeah, I just checked. Get ready and come down. I’ll be waiting for you in a black Volkswagen Passat at the hotel’s back door.”
“Okay.”
The call ended.
Violeta didn’t have time to wonder how Hayden found out which hotel she stayed at. She quickly dried her hair, changed her clothes, and put on a cap before heading downstairs.
As she stepped out the back entrance of the hotel, she noticed the subdued black Passat hidden behind some shrubs in the parking lot’s corner. She approached, opened the car door, and entered.
The space inside the car was not large, and Hayden was seated on the left side.
After getting into the car, Violeta didn’t have time to greet Hayden and instead first scanned outside for any suspicious vehicles.
ال
After all, the last time she went out for a meal with Zoren, she was photographed without permission. She definitely didn’t want that to happen again this time.
The driver in the front politely said, “Ms. White, don’t worry. There are no cars following us.”
Hearing this, Violeta said, “That’s good. I was worried about paparazzi.”
Taking off her mask, she looked directly at Hayden, her stunning eyes meeting his long, narrow ones.
“How did you know I was at this hotel?”
Hayden was dressed in black casual wear, with a cool and distant demeanour, looking much the same as before.
The only difference was that he now wore silver-framed glasses on his nose. The lenses added a layer of depth, making his dark eyes appear even more obscure, and his presence seemed much more composed.
He leaned back against the seat, his voice clearer and more measured than it had been over the phone.
“I looked it up.”
How else would you have found out if not by looking it up?
Violeta responded, “Alright, you’re pretty quick with the updates.”
The Passat left the parking lot and merged into the flow of traffic.
Soon, they arrived at a fondue restaurant with a bright sign and yellow lights hanging on the side.
By the time they left the hotel, Hayden had already made arrangements.
The fondue base was prepared in the private room, and all the dishes were laid out. The attendant who guided them upstairs didn’t glance at Violeta once throughout the process. After closing the door, they left.
Once inside, Hayden removed his coat and hung it on a nearby seat, revealing a light brown sweater underneath. His back was very straight.
“The tender beef here is a signature dish and very famous.”
Violeta removed her hat, revealing her fair face and sleek black hair draped over her shoulders. “Mm, this cheese fondue smells fragrant. Do you come here often? You even know their signature dish.”
Chapter 368
“Not very often, but I come here with colleagues for gatherings.”
“I see.”
Hayden came to dine with people from the Political Department who all held official titles.
The owner of the fondue restaurant was an acquaintance, and the waitstaff was well-trained, knowing what to observe and ignore.
The surface of the cheese fondue bubbled and boiled. Eager to start, Violeta rolled up her sleeves and began cooking chorizo.
“Is it alright to eat something this cheesy at night?”
“It’s fine. I have at most two such meals a month.”
Violeta was an artist, but she was also a person. Her aesthetic benchmark was to stay well and have a flawless body. She would never starve herself to death, though.
Of course, if a role required it, she could do it.
“Alright, enjoy it.”
“Are you doing well in Newham?”
“Not bad. How about you?”
Violeta dipped a piece of chorizo in the bowl without looking up and said, “Haven’t you seen the news online? I’ve become famous.”
“I saw it. Your performance in ‘The Quiet Ode’ was really excellent.”
“Isn’t it?” After blowing on the chorizo and biting, Violeta thought of something. She asked, “The filming location for ‘The Quiet Ode’ was in Veilmist Lake. The scenery there is truly beautiful, with ancient and picturesque villas. No wonder it’s become the filming site for many period martial arts dramas.
“Hayden, the villa in Veilmist Lake is also part of your family’s property, right?”
“Yes.”
Violeta raised her eyes and said, “I heard from Mr. Howell that you lent it for free?”
“Yes.”
Violeta smiled with a twinkle in her eye. “You’re quite generous. How about being even more generous and helping me with something?”
Hayden placed the cooked chorizo on a small plate and set it in front of Violeta. The fondue’s steam was thick, so he took off his glasses and set them aside, then asked slowly, “What is it?”
Violeta replied, “It’s not urgent right now. I’ll tell you about it later.”
Even though it was a clean version, ‘Nirvana and Rebirth’ might have trouble passing the review after they were filmed.
Without connections, it was tough to get things done.
Violeta wanted to ask Hayden for help, thinking taking advantage of his connections was best.
Although Hayden didn’t know what Violeta wanted to ask him, he agreed to help.
“Alright, let me know when you’re ready to talk. The beef is done. Bring the plate over, and I’ll help you serve it.”
“Here you go.”
Violeta was full when it came time to pay and depart, but Hayden had largely concentrated on serving her and hadn’t eaten much himself.
The driver brought the car over, and Hayden opened the door, allowing Violeta to get in first.
Violeta said, “The tender beef is really delicious. No wonder it’s their signature dish.”
Hayden replied, “If it’s good, we’ll come again next time.”
Violeta responded, “Next time? I’m not sure when that will be.”
Hayden asked, “How long will you stay in Newham?”
Violeta replied, “Two days.”
After finishing in Newham, she would head to Glorialand, as her schedule was quite tight.
There was not much time left, so Violeta would have to start looking for someone to film ‘Nirvana and Rebirth’ once her present schedule was over.
The driver drove the car back to the hotel.
As Violeta got out of the car and closed the door, she rested her elbow on the car window, bent down, and said to Hayden, “Don’t forget about what you promised me tonight.”
“I won’t forget, but if I help you, how will you repay me?”
Hayden adjusted his glasses, looking like a cunning guy.
“Wow, you dare negotiating terms with me now?” Violeta said, wiggling her finger at him. “You can set whatever conditions you want. Alright, I really need to head back to the hotel now. Bye-bye, let’s keep in touch on WhatsApp.”
“Bye.”
Violeta lowered the brim of her cap and walked towards the hotel.
Hayden’s gaze followed her until she was out of sight, and then he rolled up the car window.
The driver then glanced at the rearview mirror and said, “Sir, over there.”
Looking in the direction the driver had pointed, Hayden noticed a black car parked nearby.
He took off his glasses and wiped them, then calmly said, “Take care of it.”
The next day, Violeta continued with her usual filming schedule.
When she finished work and was leaving in the evening, fans caught up with her and asked for autographs.
Violeta made a halt to grab the book and autograph it for the fans. But one of the pens a fan gave her ran out of ink as she was signing.
“It’s out of ink.”
The fan was disappointed and said, “Oh, I don’t have another pen.”
Violeta glanced at the assistant beside her and asked, “Aster, do you have a pen?”
Aster looked through her bag, but there was no pen. For some reason, there wasn’t the one that was supposed to be there today. It might have been left somewhere else.
Chapter 369
“I don’t have it, Ms. White.”
The fans’ faces showed their disappointment.
Right when Violeta was contemplating whether to use lip gloss, a somewhat plump hand extended from behind, offering a white fountain pen. “Here, take this.”
Violeta turned to see it was her major fan, The Violet Land.
After taking the pen and signing her name, the other fans started handing her various items to autograph. Once Violeta finished, she spotted the chubby guy and walked over to return the pen.
“Thanks! May I know your name?”
“Armand Shephard.”
The chubby guy was wearing a pale yellow hoodie.
Though he was a big fan, he was pretty shy. Unlike the others who would rush over to block Violeta, he always just watched quietly and left without a word.
Violeta said, “I’ll remember that. Head back early and get some rest. Thanks for sticking around with me.”
Armand felt thrilled talking to Violeta.
Once she was out of sight, he grabbed his high-end camera and left too, excitedly editing pictures to upload on Facebook when he got to his hotel.
He planned to go to bed early to catch his morning flight to Glorialand and wait at the airport.
The thought of it made him giggle with joy.
After wrapping up the shoot in Newham, Violeta hopped on a pre-dawn flight to Glorialand to make the most of the good weather.
Just before getting on the plane, Violeta responded to Danielle’s message on WhatsApp.
‘Hey, Danielle, I found the perfect director for the shoot. If she agrees, I’ll introduce you to her when I return from Glorialand.’
Danielle replied, ‘Sounds good.’
Meanwhile, Lydia’s vacation has ended, and she’s ready to start working officially.
It’s been quite a while since she joined a film crew, and her fans on Facebook are eagerly waiting.
Although Lydia wants to act, she’s tired of those typical youthful idol dramas.
She’s looking to make a change!
However, mainstream local directors aren’t interested in working with her, so she’s turned her focus to international directors, hoping to secure roles in global films.
Lydia is now focused on the rising international Artean director, Wendy Stokes.
Wendy, who is of Chesian-Glorian heritage, moved to Poresaint when she was six and went back to Glorialand at eighteen to attend college. While in university, she won a Golden Sun Award for a short film she directed.
After graduating, she kept making films and made a big comeback last year with a unique project, earning the Golden Horizon Award for best director.
Wendy has a reputation among global filmmakers for preferring Artean actors in her films.
Being of Chesian-Glorian heritage and having faced “racial prejudice” during her education in the Poresaint, she resolved to elevate Artean representation to global prominence in her directorial career.
Additionally, Wendy has frequently voiced her stance against racial and skin colour discrimination on her social media accounts.
This is what attracts Lydia to her.
“Wendy is working on a new movie, and it’s supposed to focus on women in the workplace. I need to land a part in this film to make a breakthrough.”
“Lydia, we’ve been reaching out to her for ages, and Wendy’s studio still hasn’t responded. Isn’t it a bit discouraging?” her assistant said.
Lydia smirked, “It’s expected they wouldn’t answer. Do you have any idea how many junk emails the studio’s public inbox gets daily?”
The assistant was speechless.
They likely assumed the emails were just more spam.
Lydia grabbed her phone with a smug look on her face and said joyfully, “In this industry, you need connections to succeed.
“I got a friend to reach out to Wendy for me. She has already looked over my resume and suggested I audition in Glorialand next week.”
The assistant’s eyes lit up with excitement.
“For real? Wow, that’s fantastic!!”
Lydia was thrilled too, though she couldn’t help but think that while she now had her studio, the skill level of her current employees wasn’t on par with Eugene.
If they were, she wouldn’t have had to contact Wendy herself.
But you can’t have everything.
Lydia understood that with every gain comes some loss, so she couldn’t demand perfection.
“By the way, have we checked into Violeta’s background?”
The assistant nodded. “Yes, it’s all done.”
Chapter 370
The assistant pulled out the gathered documents and said seriously, “It’s no surprise Violeta snagged the SEVITL endorsement. She’s actually from the White family.”
Lydia was taken aback. “What do you mean?”
The assistant elaborated, “Violeta is a graduate of Toland University. Her surname is White, just like Anton, the Chancellor of Toland University and the chairman of the White Group. Before she graduated, she was quite famous on the university’s forum. Now, everyone at Toland University knows she’s the Chancellor’s daughter.”
The White family is truly an aristocratic lineage.
Lydia’s face went still, then she gripped her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white.
No wonder Violeta secured the SEVITL endorsement so quickly. As a wealthy heiress, it was almost guaranteed.
The assistant continued, “I had someone look into SEVITL. Violeta’s endorsement was personally approved by the Artea- Pacifica head, bypassing market research. This head has a close relationship with Violeta’s mother, Irene Persley. Her mother’s influence must have played a role.”
Now the truth had been revealed.
Lydia felt both reluctant and powerless. In hindsight, it all adds up.
Violeta, a rookie, was instantly taken in by Eugene.
Eugene is incredibly talented, and a premier agent.
Even with Lydia’s departure, Eugene shouldn’t be managing a complete novice.
Lydia shut her eyes. Knowing Violeta’s background now, it was unwise to oppose her.
It was forgivable not to understand the situation earlier.
But now, it was smart to steer clear of her to avoid any issues.
After all, making an enemy of a rich girl is never a good plan.
“Forget it. Violeta’s career path doesn’t clash with mine. Since she’s from a wealthy family, she has some advantages we can’t ignore. Let’s focus on getting in touch with Wendy. I’ll head to Glorialand for the audition next week.”
The assistant replied, “Got it, I’ll book the flight right away.”
The plane touched down in Glorialand.
The car that Eugene had set up beforehand was waiting outside the airport.
There weren’t many fans following her overseas yet, and Violeta wasn’t famous internationally. So, there was no big fanfare when she arrived at the airport.
But Violeta did notice a few familiar faces.
One of them was Armand.
Armand stood outside the airport with his camera gear, taking pictures of her.
He didn’t approach to greet or bother her.
Violeta waved at him when she saw him. He responded with a shy smile and waved back as she got into the car.
“That Little Sheep is pretty nice. High-quality fans like him are hard to find in this industry,” Aster commented.
Violeta was confused. “Little Sheep?”
Aster grinned. “His name is Armand Shephard, so everyone called him Little Sheep. Even some of the major fans use that nickname. Oh, and earlier, while you were filming inside, he bought coffee for the fans outside.”
Violeta nodded in acknowledgment.
Looks like this Little Lamb is pretty well-off.
The camera he’s carrying is probably expensive, too.
They arrived at the hotel.
In the afternoon, they would need to go outside for the shoot.
Aster made sure to have plenty of sunscreen products ready for Violeta.
The UV rays in Glorialand are pretty intense.
When they reached the shoot location, Violeta was very accommodating, and everything went smoothly. The photographer mentioned that if they wrapped up the final set quickly, they could finish earlier than planned.
While taking a break under the sun umbrella, Violeta got a call from Eugene.
“Hey, I tracked down Wendy, but she’s tough to deal with. She hasn’t even looked at the script yet.”
Violeta frowned and said. “That doesn’t make sense. She should be interested in the script. Is it that she’s not interested, or has she just not seen it yet?”
Eugene replied, “It’s not about the script. I can’t even get in touch with her.”
“Considering Wendy just won the Golden Horizon Award, she’s probably swamped with requests. If everyone could see her, she’d be completely overwhelmed.”
Violeta said, “Mr. Scott, I’ll need you to find a way to solve this.”
Eugene agreed, “Alright, you finish up the shoot and head back to the hotel. I’ll figure out how to get the script to Wendy.”
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