- 3.
Ashley? Olivia knew, of course, that Ashley was out of prison. She hadn’t considered Ashley a threat before, but the past month had brought a creeping sense of unease. She’d heard whispers of the millions Ashley’s grandfather had left her, of the impenetrable presidential suite, the total seclusion that
even Ethan couldn’t penetrate. Lately, his rare visits had been distracted, filled with excuses
about work. Ashley… how had Ashley
managed to snag this role?
“Crack.” Olivia’s chest heaved as she flung
her phone against the wall, her face contorted
in fury.
Customarily, before filming began, there were
costume fittings and publicity photos. My
in fury.
D
Customarily, before filming began, there were
costume fittings and publicity photos. My
arrival on set caused a sensation. No one
expected Ashley Miller, the woman
imprisoned for hit–and–run five years ago, to play Seraphina. The crew was in disbelief. How could the director risk hiring someone
with a criminal record?
Ethan and Noah were there too. Unable to
reach me for a month, they were even more
shocked to learn I’d joined the cast. Upon discovering I’d secured the role, Ethan had called Benjamin, demanding my removal. He’d claimed I was being ridiculous, that I couldn’t act. Benjamin, of course, refused. He had no choice in the matter. I knew this because he
Immediately called me to tattle He’d initially
L
act. Benjamin, of course, refused. He had no
choice in the matter. I knew this because he
immediately called me to tattle. He’d initially
suspected Ethan’s involvement, harboring
resentment. Discovering Ethan’s ignorance
only amplified his fear of me.
Seeing Ethan and Noah wasn’t surprising. They both stared as I pulled up in my sports car. I wore a slinky sundress, my figure honed to perfection over the past month, the
absolute center of attention. Silence fell over the set. Even Olivia’s strained smile seemed pathetic. It was undeniable. I didn’t need to outshine Olivia. With me present, everyone else faded into the background.
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“Ash…ley?” Even Ethan seemed unsure.
I smiled at him, then turned to Benjamin. “Mr.
Carter, am I late?”
Benjamin’s lips twitched, masking his apprehension with a forced smile. “Not at all. Costume fittings and photos today. Go get changed.” If he weren’t such a scumbag, Benjamin could have been a force to be reckoned with. He was the only one to resist my allure, driven by a fear that kept him grounded. In other words, he was the only one who truly understood how dangerous I was.
As I headed to wardrobe, Ethan followed.
“Ashley.” He grabbed my arm. “We need to
talk. Five years ago… it was all a
talk. Five years ago… it was all a misunderstanding. It wasn’t Olivia’s idea. If
you want to blame someone, blame me.”
I wrenched free, recoiling, covering my nose, disgust evident in my eyes. “Of course, I blame you. I despise you, Ethan. Every
moment in prison, I wondered why you
weren’t dead, why Olivia wasn’t dead, why Noah wasn’t dead. Why did scum like you get to live?” These were Ashley’s true feelings. No one, faced with such betrayal, would
harbor sentimental feelings for Ethan. Just as she hadn’t hesitated to offer her soul for
vengeance. Her grandfather was gone, her family ruined, all because of Ethan.
Ethan flinched, a flicker of panic, and… hurt? in his eyes. My disgust was genuine. He saw
no trace of love, only revulsion. His heart
<
clenched, a new and unsettling fear gripping
him.
The wardrobe area was crowded. My voice
carried. Everyone stared. Even Benjamin was
shocked. They knew about Ashley’s
imprisonment, but no one expected her to
speak so openly. Many glanced at Olivia. Both
she and Noah, who hadn’t dared approach
me, paled, staring in disbelief.
“Don’t… don’t say these things here…”
Ethan’s remaining rationality urged him to
stop me. He reached for my arm, but I shoved
him away. “Get away from me, you piece of
trash.”
I pushed hard. Ethan stumbled, nearly falling.
A crew member caught him just in time. The
headlines if Redwood City’s golden boy had
<
A crew member caught him just in time. The
headlines if Redwood City’s golden boy had
been shoved to the ground by me… it would
have been a media frenzy.
Benjamin’s expression changed. He still
needed Ethan’s money. “Ashley, go get
changed. Mr. Parker and I have business to
discuss.”
I entered wardrobe. Benjamin pulled Ethan
away. Olivia stood frozen, unable to maintain
her usual composure. The atmosphere was
thick with tension. Everyone here knew Ethan
was her fiancé. They were about to be
married. Yet here he was, entangled with
Ashley.
The story of their broken engagement was
public knowledge, but after Ashley’s
く
imprisonment, Ethan had publicly disavowed
her, claiming she was unworthy. His growing
power and control over the internet had
silenced most discussions. But that didn’t
stop the crew from relishing the drama.
And Ashley had called Olivia scum? Was there
more to the story than they knew?
“Ashley Miller cast as Seraphina”
“Ashley Miller’s hit–and–run conviction”
“Ashley Miller joins ‘Eternal Tides‘ after
release”
“Eternal Tides‘ casting controversy”
As expected, my first day on set created a
storm. News of my casting spread, dredging
up old headlines.
[My beloved Seraphina plaved by a
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SLUTTE, INC my Casny spicau, ureuyny
up old headlines.
пу
【My beloved Seraphina played by a
criminal?! Is ‘Eternal Tides‘ insane?!]
【Ashley Miller, ex–heiress, still pulling
strings. Whose bed did she climb into to get
this role?]
【She publicly insulted Olivia on set! What a
bitch!]
【Boycott Ashley Miller! Boycott ‘Eternal
Tides‘!]
【If Ashley Miller isn’t fired, this will set a
terrible precedent. How could Benjamin
Carter, with his reputation, be so foolish?)
[Am I the only one who finds this
suspicious? Ethan built his empire on the
Millers‘ backs, then dumped Ashley the moment she got into trouble. Regardless of her guilt, he’s a spineless jerk.]
[What role did Olivi
علم
<
Millers‘ backs, then dumped Ashley the
moment she got into trouble. Regardless of her guilt, he’s a spineless jerk.】
【What role did Olivia play in all this? Something doesn’t add up.】
Perhaps Benjamin had given instructions. The
crew was surprisingly polite. The makeup artist, after transforming me, couldn’t help but gush, “Oh my god, Miss Miller, you’re
Seraphina incarnate.”
In the mirror, I saw my reflection, the
dramatic makeup accentuating my exotic
features. The elaborate costume, designed by
a renowned designer, was opulent, decadent,
a look few could carry off. I, however, wore it
flawlessly. A truly mesmerizing seductress.
Gasps rippled through the set as I emerged
<
from wardrobe. In contrast, Olivia, in a simple
white gown meant to convey the heroine’s
purity, seemed utterly bland, barely
registering in anyone’s awareness.
Olivia’s unease intensified. Even with her
shameless nature, she knew, in this moment,
she was utterly defeated. Once the show
aired, even if my acting was subpar, in any shared scene, all eyes would be on me.
Beauty was absolute power.
Watching her forced smile, my own
amusement grew. I was pushing her, deliberately, waiting for her to crack, to do something reckless. I knew she would. The more wicked the soul, the sweeter the reward.
Noah stood nearby, a mixture of infatuation
nearby, a mixture of infatuation
and despair in his eyes. He didn’t approach. I was different from the Ashley he
remembered. My disdainful gaze made him uncomfortable. He didn’t know what to say.
Ethan and Benjamin watched me, both captivated, but Ethan’s eyes held a growing desperation. He pressured Benjamin again, demanding my removal. Benjamin flatly refused.
Ethan’s face darkened. “Benjamin,” he said, his voice tight, “what is the meaning of this? Are you deliberately defying me?” He was used to getting his way in Redwood City. This public humiliation was a new experience.
Beniamin chuckled “I know what you’re
<
Benjamin chuckled. “I know what you’re
thinking, but you’re wrong. She earned this
role. You see it yourself. She’s…
breathtaking. She is Seraphina.” Emboldene
by my leverage over him, he’d found the
perfect excuse. “I’m a director. My legacy is
creating compelling television. This show ma
not be it, but Ashley Miller as Seraphina will
be a landmark performance. Your threats are
meaningless. This is non–negotiable.”
Ethan’s face was thunderous. He looked
ready to strangle Benjamin. But he knew
Benjamin’s reputation and the power of his
wife’s family. Focused on his craft, Benjamin
was impervious to threats. Unless, of course,
someone held a damaging secret, like the one
I knew.
Ethan and Benjamin parted on hostile terms My photo shoot with Olivia went equally poorly, or rather, poorly for her. I
overshadowed her completely. Even without
the photographer’s comments, her sensitivity to the lens told her he favored me. She faltered, unable to deliver what he wanted.
He, of course, wouldn’t criticize her
After numerous retakes and subtle
or me.
adjustments to Olivia’s positioning, the message was clear: the problem wasn’t the
camera.
Olivia, pampered and protected by Ethan for five years, had developed a fragile ego. She snapped. After the fourteenth unsatisfactory take, the photographer gently suggested, “Miss Hayes, perhaps a short break?”
<
Used to getting her way, Olivia was about
explode. I, however, calmly filed my nails,
said, “Olivia, I have a spa appointment at f
Don’t waste my time.”
The set went silent.
く
The set went silent.
