RedNovelStewart didn't bat an eye. "You know perfectly well-your mother and I are business partners, nothing more." "Boring." Vernon's face was stone cold as he muttered, "Adults are all messed up. My mom's crazy, and so are you." Stewart frowned. "Watch your mouth." "I'm just telling the truth. My mom's nuts, Galen. If you let her get her hooks in you, you're doomed." With that, Vernon stalked off down the hall.
Stewart watched him go, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.
Back at Pearbrook Mansion, Briony handed Lori off to Marlene.
She and Maynard had to rush to Westerhaven on short notice.
Their latest investment a big-budget film-had run into trouble. The lead actress, a rising star from Starlight Studios, had been injured in an on-set stunt. Now she was in the hospital, and no one knew how serious it was yet.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThis movie was a major production. Starlight Studios was the primary investor, and their own rising star was the lead. Shooting was almost finished, but this kind of accident, so close to the end, was a disaster for the company.
If they couldn't handle it quickly, the losses would be massive.
Northborough and Westerhaven were several hours apart by car, so Maynard told his assistant to drive them straight there.
Three hours later, they arrived at the hospital in Westerhaven.
The actress's assistant had already called ahead: a fractured lower leg. She wouldn't be back on set anytsoon.
Fortunately, aside from the fracture, there were no catastrophic injuries.
Now the pressure was squarely on Starlight Studios and the other producers.
Replacing the lead at this stage would be outrageously expensive, and finding a suitable replacement on short notice was another headache entirely.
Briony and Maynard decided to organize an online meeting with the other producers.
Just then, an assistant approached. "Ms. Kensington, Mr. Maynard-Madeleine would like to see you." Briony and Maynard exchanged a glance.
Inside the VIP hospital room.
Briony and Maynard stepped in.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe assistant quickly brought over two chairs for them, but neither sat.
Madeleine Bradley, the injured actress, tried to sit up as soon as she saw them. Briony stopped her. "Don't move. Just talk from there." Madeleine looked at Briony, her eyes red-rimmed. "Ms. Kensington, I'm so sorry. I messed up. This is all my fault." "This was an accident, Madeleine. No one blames you." Briony had always liked this twenty-five-year-old- dedicated, talented, and humble.
Madeleine had thrown herself into preparing for the role, doing her homework long before filming began. Now, seeing her laid up like this, Briony felt a pang of regret.
But a broken bone takes months to heal. If they stopped production to wait for Madeleine's recovery, the costs would be astronomical, and the other actors' schedules simply couldn't be rearranged.
Watching Madeleine cry, insisting she didn't want to give up, Briony felt her resolve waver. She saw a reflection of Mary-their old friend-when she looked at her.
"Miss Bradley, we understand how you feel," Maynard said, his tone all business, "But a film isn't just about e ope person. There are a lot of people and a lot of money involved. It's not something any of us can decide on our own." sŵ He stood, giving Briony a gentle pat on the shoulder. "Bryn, our meeting is about to start. We should go." Briony nodded and stood. She looked at Madeleine. "Focus on getting better. We'll talk about the movie after the meeting." Madeleine nodded.
As soon as Maynard and Briony left the room, the vulnerability in Madeleine's eyes faded, replaced by a cold determination.
Didn't Maynard even recognize her? She had fought so hard to get to this point-how could he not see her at all? No, it wasn't that he didn't see her. He only had eyes for Briony.
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