Chapter 404 Had Enough of Acting
Joshua was totally speechless. He rushed over just as Hill was about to leave. "Hey, don't bounce. I'm just not used to sharing my grub. You're too sensitive. A dude's gotta be chill to attract the ladies. I didn't say anything wrong, you're just overthinking it like a chick."
Hill thought to herself, 'I am a chick!' But Joshua had her pegged as a dude.
"If you want it, it's yours. I'm not gonna fight you for it." Joshua handed Hill the pie she had already taken a bite of.
"Are you pitying me? I don't need your pity," Hill snapped.
Joshua rolled his eyes. "I apologize for what happened earlier. Is that okay?"
After they finished eating, Hill wandered around the house aimlessly. "Do your thing; don't mind me."
Joshua didn't need a second invitation and headed straight to the study with his briefcase.
After a bit, Hill pushed the door open and walked in. She saw Joshua glued to the computer, with a document spread out beside him.
She tiptoed over and took a peek, thinking, 'Luann actually trusts him with this? She must really want Joshua to succeed.'
Joshua didn't think Hill could understand, so he didn't bother hiding it from her.
Hill's eyes naturally drifted to the bookshelf. Suddenly, she spotted an interesting book. She reached for it, but the shelf was too high.
Just as Hill was about to jump, Joshua came up from behind. His long fingers landed on one of the books. "This one?"
Hill said, "The one next to it."
Joshua grabbed it. Hill turned around, finding herself trapped between him and the bookshelf.
Joshua placed the book on her head and couldn't resist teasing, "I don't know how you grew up. Not only are you short, but your arms and legs are so skinny. What girl would like you in the future?"
As a girl, Hill wasn't short at all. She was nearly six feet tall!
As Joshua spoke, his gaze drifted downward. Hill's legs were actually quite long, and her features were delicate.
"I'm not weak," Hill shot back.
Joshua remembered that when he tried to get Hill out before, he couldn't do anything to her. She probably had some serious skills.
In the dark, there was only a dim light in a hut. Inside, a woman's painful cries could be heard.
"Cut." With that word, everything went silent.
Juliet collapsed to the ground like a worn-out rag doll, looking terrible. Her mouth still had the foul taste of blood. Her body was covered in bruises and cuts. She had endured these for about a month, being beaten almost every day. But fortunately, these hard days were over because today was her last scene.
Adam said, "Alright, Juliet, your scenes are all done."
A few scattered claps sounded around.
Juliet forced a smile and struggled to stand up. "Adam, so now I just have to wait for the movie to be released?" It was her first time making a movie, and she didn't quite understand the process. Adam nodded.
Juliet breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks for looking out for me during this time. I hope our movie will be a big hit."
Adam said, "Yeah, you can bounce now."
Juliet's smile faltered a bit. She quickly packed her stuff and left the set. But as soon as she got in the car, she realized she had forgotten something and had to go back. To her shock, she found a hotshot actor doing the same scenes and role she had just finished.
Juliet's heart sank. She quietly grabbed her things and couldn't help but ask, "Adam, is this a screen test?"
Adam glanced at her, half-smiling. That look made Juliet's heart skip a beat. "Adam, what's going on? I finished shooting my scenes, and I didn't use a stunt double, so there's no need for reshoots, right?" Juliet asked.
"Ms. Weaver," Adam's voice was cold, "you might have misunderstood."
"What?"
"The role was never meant for you."
Juliet's mind buzzed. "What do you mean? I've been shooting for a month and just finished. Adam, you can't be thinking of replacing me now, right?"
Listening to Juliet's desperate screams, Adam couldn't help but rub his ears. "No manners at all. Who allowed you to speak to me like that?" He was a big-shot director, and even award-winning actors had to show him respect.
Juliet's heart sank, knowing she couldn't ruin her future out of impulsiveness. She suppressed her anger and kept telling herself there must be some misunderstanding. "Adam, I'm sorry. I got a bit too emotional, but any actress would find this hard to accept. Can you tell me why?"
"The reason is your acting sucked. I don't think you're right for the role. But I don't want to argue about the month you wasted, including the delays caused by your leave. I won't ask for the money back, but all the footage you shot will be deleted." Adam's words hit Juliet hard.
She thought, 'So what about my effort for the past month? What was the point of losing my child for this movie? What was the point of getting beaten up and bruised every day?'
"If you were going to replace me, you should have told me earlier." If she had known the outcome, Juliet wouldn't have endured the past month, which was just unnecessary suffering.
"Alright, I'm not withholding your pay. Just leave and stop wasting my time." Adam waved his hand impatiently, and someone immediately grabbed Juliet's arm and dragged her out.
Juliet's eyes filled with tears, full of anger and frustration. She had thought her bright future was just around the corner. But it turned out, it was all a lie.
After Juliet left, Adam picked up his phone and made a call. When the call connected, he smiled. "Mr. Curtis, everything is done as you instructed. Juliet's scenes just wrapped up today."
Myron responded coldly and hung up. In the dark room, his face was not visible. His cold voice carried a hint of sarcasm. "This time, you should have had enough of acting."
