Chapter 434 What You Fear Comes
Seraphina nervously clutched the hem of her dress, her small frame trembling slightly.
There was a long pause before Lyle's cool voice broke the silence, "Director, I want to use a stand-in for this kissing scene."
Seraphina froze, her carefully prepared emotions crumbling away.
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Was he rejecting her?
"Well..."
The director looked at Lyle, clearly troubled. "Mr. Pennington, this scene requires a lot of emotional depth. A real kiss is necessary to make the audience feel the connection. Using a stand-in won't achieve the same effect."
Despite this, Lyle remained firm in his decision.
Everyone present was puzzled. Lyle was a renowned Best Actor, and kissing scenes were usually a piece of cake for him. Why was this one different?
People began to glance at Seraphina, wondering if she was the reason Lyle was reluctant.
Seraphina, already sensitive, noticed all the looks and felt like crying.
In the end, the director compromised and agreed to use a stand-in.
But Seraphina couldn't get the scene right. She was so immersed in her sadness that she couldn't portray the joy of being confessed to by her beloved.
"Seraphina, what's going on?"
After another failed take, the director lost his patience, his tone growing harsh.
"I'm sorry, Director!" Seraphina quickly apologized, her head down, biting her lower lip as tears fell.
Margaret had heard the crew was filming a night scene and decided to check on the progress. She arrived just in time to witness the commotion.
She pulled aside the producer to inquire and learned that Lyle had insisted on being discharged from the hospital. She understood the situation immediately.
Margaret asked the director to pause filming and took Lyle aside to talk.
"Why aren't you resting and recovering? Do you have a death wish?"
Lyle, feeling guilty, avoided Margaret's gaze, looking at the tree behind her instead. "I don't want to hold up the production."
Seeing him like this, Margaret could only sigh and pat his shoulder.
He was being stubborn.
After a brief conversation, Lyle finally managed a small smile.
The director resumed filming, but Seraphina, having seen Lyle's gentle attitude towards Margaret, felt even more distraught and couldn't get into character.
"Cut!"
The director, frustrated, picked up the microphone. Margaret, sensing he was about to explode, quickly intervened. "Director, Seraphina might be struggling because she's young and lacks experience in romance. Let me demonstrate, and she'll get it."
The director couldn't refuse Margaret's suggestion and agreed.
Hearing that Margaret would be acting with her, Lyle's eyes flickered.
Seraphina saw this and felt her heart shatter into countless pieces, the pain overwhelming her. She could only stand by and watch as Margaret took her place.
"Alright, Seraphina, watch closely how to convey the emotions. You'll take over in a moment."
The director called out to the stunned Seraphina.
"Yes." Seraphina clenched her fists, suppressing her sorrow.
Margaret noticed her emotions and sighed inwardly, seeing that Lyle was completely indifferent to her.
She knew Lyle liked her, and Lyle knew she didn't love him, yet he accepted it. Seraphina felt the same way about him.
"Lyle, if you don't like her, you should be honest."
Margaret whispered, her voice only audible to the two of them.
Lyle's expression faltered, his gaze briefly shifting to Seraphina before quickly returning. "I know."
His heart ached. Was Margaret asking him to reject Seraphina as decisively as she had rejected him?
Margaret said no more.
"Let's begin."
Margaret's demeanor changed instantly, her expression and emotions perfectly capturing the moment. It was as if Lyle were the person she loved most.
Her clear, shining eyes fixed on Lyle, filled with a palpable sense of affection.
Lyle's throat tightened instinctively, his gaze following Margaret's. He slowly lowered his eyes to her small, joyfully upturned pink lips.
All his emotions peaked at that moment. He reached out, cupping Margaret's cheek, and leaned in to kiss her.
Margaret's eyes widened in shock, trying to pull away, but it was too late. Their lips touched briefly before she managed to escape.
"I'm sorry." Lyle quickly apologized, snapping back to reality.
"It's fine, it's just acting. I understand." Margaret masked her awkwardness swiftly.
Her nonchalance left Lyle feeling despondent.
"Seraphina, come over and continue the scene."
The director, sensing the tension, called Seraphina over to save the situation.
Seraphina, having wrinkled her dress in distress, immediately walked over when she heard the director.
Margaret stepped aside.
The final scene was completed with some effort. As soon as the director called "cut," Lyle scanned the room for Margaret.
But to his disappointment, Margaret had already left.
Seraphina watched Lyle's forlorn expression, hesitating before speaking, "Mr. Pennington, are you..."
"It has nothing to do with you."
Lyle's cold gaze silenced her, and he walked away.
Seraphina's eyes reddened. If it weren't for the many crew members present, she would have burst into tears.
Did he really hate her that much?
Margaret drove home, her mind replaying the kissing scene. She took a deep breath, knowing that if William found out, he might go after Lyle.
To avoid the awkwardness, she had left immediately after filming.
But fate had a way of playing tricks. What she feared most was about to happen.
Margaret arrived home, opening the door to find the living room in darkness.
She frowned, wondering why William wasn't back yet.
Margaret changed her shoes and prepared to go upstairs.
Suddenly, a cold, angry voice broke the silence.
"Margaret, I think you need to explain what you've been doing behind my back."
Margaret clutched her chest, startled.
She quickly turned on the living room light, seeing William sitting rigidly on the sofa, his suit wrinkled, and the ashtray on the coffee table filled with cigarette butts.
Had he been sitting like this for a long time?
"Why didn't you turn on the light? You scared me." Margaret sat across from him, glancing at the ashtray. "What's wrong? Did something happen at the company?"
William didn't move, slowly turning to look at Margaret, his lips curling slightly. "Answer my question. What have you been doing behind my back?"
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