Chapter 209: This Is How You Want To Play It

“Watch out!!”

The shout rang through the set and in that split second, everything seemed to have suddenly slowed.

The metallic structure of the lights came crashing down at a terrifying speed, it’s brightness swallowing Celine entirely she was blinded by it.

Celine’s heart stopped in that moment, but her instinct awakened instantly. Being crushed by such a huge structure would cripple her if not completely kill her.

Her body reacted faster than anyone could have imagined. Having been shocked by the sudden accident no one had reacted swiftly enough to try and save her, yet no one expected she would escape the crash unscathed.

The equipment slammed into the ground with a deafening crash right where she had been standing and gasps of horror erupted across the set.

Having an accident of this magnitude on set on the first day of shooting was a terrible omen for any director, he instantly recovered from the shock and barked orders.

“Hurry up, save her!”

The crew rushed towards the wreck, no one could say anything other than mutter quiet prayers that there wouldn’t be a death here today.

“Oh God, Celine!” Lilian wailed rushing forward. “Help her, please help my sister!” Tears instantly streaked down her face as she urged the crew to be quick. She even pushed one of them forward like an agitated mother who couldn’t stand the thought of it’s cub being hurt but in reality, she couldn’t wait to witness that moment Celine’s bloodied figure would be dragged out of the ruble.

It was hard to tell if Celine had been crushed by it or not, but with such an impact, she would be severely injured at best or killed at worst.

The crew members were struggling with all their might to lift the equipment, but everyone froze when a soft, voice rang loud and clear.

“Enough of the drama Lilian, I’m fine.”

Lilian had fully expected this little hoax to succeed, so when she heard Celine’s voice, the first thought that settled in her mind was…ghost?

Her head whipped in the direction of the voice, just behind the huge equipment, Celine emerged dusting some dirt off her clothes. If there was any injury on her, it was a tiny scratch visible on her arm.

“Celine!”

“Are you okay?!” Director Thomas rushed forward. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say his heart had rushed up into his throat when he thought that thing had fallen on her.

“I’m fine,” she said calmly, dusting herself off as if nothing had happened. “Though I’m sure not everyone will be happy to hear that.” She added, her eyes fixated on Lilian who had been crying hysterically one second and frozen like a tree the next.

The entire crew rushed to her, fussing over her. It was such a close call, Celine had moved just before the equipment could fall and crush her in spot, honed by the training she had undergone several years ago, her survival instincts were sharp when danger came lurking close. With a swift, fluid motion, she had dropped low and rolled sharply to the side. The impact of the fall had resounded in her ears loudly.

There was one thing Celine knew about having enemies, they will seek every opportunity to tear you down. She had long gone past thinking Lilian wouldn’t harm her or go as far as wanting her dead because they were related…the girl might have been a little snake in the past, but years must have evolved her into something even more evil.

Lilian had tasted the prestige in the entertainment industry but she must have also tasted the dark parts of it too, and someone who had one foot in the devil’s den before, it would be a lot more easier to advance into the depths.

Celine might have a score to settle with Lilian but not once had she ever thought of doing anything to physically harm or even think about wanting her dead, but that also didn’t mean she would sit still and be slaughtered like a lamb by the other party.

Celine’s eyes narrowed onto Lilian, she definitely wouldn’t let this go.

Around her, the chaos continued, but slowly, it began to settle.

“I don’t think this was an accident director. The lights wouldn’t just fall without it being tampered with.”

Director Thomas was eager to please Celine at this moment, he didn’t want this incident to frighten her into backing out of the film. Though accidents happened, it wasn’t entirely unlikely that someone was behind it either.

“Do you suspect someone did this?” He asked Celine, picking up on what she was saying.

Celine nodded calmly, taking a sip of the water Elise quickly handed her.

Director Thomas ran a hand through his hair angrily and immediately addressed the crew. “Check everything! I want every piece of equipment inspected!”

The staff scrambled to obey.

Lilian stiffened witnessing that, but relaxed at the thought that they might find a few loose screws to prove the lights had been deliberately loosened but they wouldn’t be able to trace it back to her.

Meanwhile, whispers had already spread across the set. After they all confirmed that Celine was unharmed, the people who’d brought their phones out to record immediately posted them online. Something like this always sparked drama, and being the first to post it to the world would give them more engagement.

In no time, the incident had spread online.

_Celine Roberts narrowly escapes on-set accident!_

_Lead actress almost crushed during filming!_

Regardless of the fuss the incident had created, the shoot had to go on.

After a brief delay and thorough checks, filming resumed after Celine assured the director that she was unharmed.

Lilian wanted her to back out, it would be such a shame to give her what she wanted.

Throughout filming for the day, Celine delivered her parts flawlessly.

…..

Later, the set had begun to quiet down as people wrapped up for the day.

Celine finished changing out of her character’s constumes, a sharp ache all over her body, she had pushed through filming even though she wasn’t feeling a hundred percent well. Sighing to herself she grabbed her bag, swiping her finger across her phone screen when a call came in and made her way out of the changing rooms however, a body suddenly slammed into hers at the entrance.

“Oh!” The girl stumbled dramatically, nearly losing her balance.

Celine steadied herself, taking a small step back.

“Watch where you’re going,” the actress snapped, her tone sharp.

Celine blinked looking down at the familiar girl she’d just played a scene with not too long ago. If Celine remembered correctly, her name was Nicole, she was fairly new in the industry but her acting skills seemed quite good. But Celine didn’t understand the sudden hostility she was suddenly perceiving from this girl.

Despite the fact that the girl had been the one to bump into her, Celine didn’t think too much about it and muttered a quick apology making to walk past her but the girl scoffed loudly, making sure others nearby could hear.

“Just because you’re the lead actress doesn’t mean you can act however you like.”

“Excuse me?” Celine was stumped at her reaction for a moment before realization settled in her blue eyes. She shook her head and turned to leave.

She wasn’t interested in whatever games this woman wanted to play here right now, but just as she took a step the girl suddenly flung herself backward.

With a loud thud, she hit the floor and gasps echoed from the nearby co-stars.

“Why did you push me?” Nicole cried out instantly, clutching her arm as if in pain. “What did I do to you? Does being a minor actress mean I don’t deserve any respect?”

Celine stopped and slowly turned back, her expression remaining calm and unbothered, but before she could say anything, Lilian rushed forward.

It honestly felt like watching a nineties soap opera with too much drama and terrible acting.

“Oh my God!” she exclaimed, kneeling beside the girl. “Are you okay?”

Then she looked up at Celine, disappointment painted perfectly across her face.

“Celine… you shouldn’t treat others like this,” she said softly, her voice filled with feigned concern. “They’re just trying to do their jobs.”

“What does she think of herself hurting someone else just because she’s a minor actress…” Someone muttered, sending a hateful glance towards Celine.

“Does she even have the right to act so high and mighty? I heard she slept her way into roles…”

“I guess power got to her head after all and she thinks she owns this industry.”

The sharp, accusatory voices overlapped, growing louder every second. With Lilian there, no one thought Celine could harm them in any way, after all she wasn’t as influential in the industry as Lilian.

Celine stood in the middle of it all watching silently, her gaze swept across the group of actresses finally landing on Lilian.

’So this is how you want to play it?’

Celine thought, her lips curved slightly.

Without a word, she lifted her hand slightly in a subtle gesture. Across the room, Elise caught it immediately and recognized the clear signal Celine was sending her. Elise was more than happy to follow the quiet instructions, she brought out her phone and sent a text.

_Do it now._

Lilian watched Celine who said nothing and her lips raised in an imperceptible smirk.

At the end of the day, she still had the power and she could quietly influence a whole room of actresses to do her bidding even without her saying a word. The triumph hadn’t fully settled within her when something shifted in the hallway.

One of the actresses in the group suddenly froze looking down at her phone, she immediately looked up in Lilian’s direction, a hint of disgust in her eyes.

Lilian frowned. None of the minor actresses had looked at her like this before.

Another phone buzzed in that moment, then another. It was as if a hot topic was spreading all around them.

“What is this?” Someone muttered, she looked up at Lilian with revulsion.

“Miss Lilian, you need to see this, now.” Kelly, one of Lilian’s assistants came up to her.

Lilian frowned slightly, taking the phone, the moment her eyes landed on the screen, her expression shattered and color drained from her face instantly.

“…No…”

Something that was never meant to be seen was now public.

The video played vividly showing her face with full audio, she was knelt between a man’s knees in an office, her head buried in a space between his thighs.

“You like that?” She murmured seductively.

“Oh yes…” The man’s voice drifted out breathily.

“Then don’t forget the promise you made me.” She purred.

“Don’t worry Lily, that role is already yours. Now why don’t you focus on what you were doing…”

“No!!!” Lilian shrieked and the phone shattered to the floor.

All the actresses stepped backwards as Lilian turned around and rushed away, her assistants hurriedly following her.

“Oh my God… is this real?”

“Is that really her?”

“I can’t believe it…”

Celine lips curled as she watched Lilian run away. The best defense sometimes was a very good offense, she hadn’t meant to use this to attack Lilian so soon but the latter asked for it.

She could only blame herself for this…

At that instant, the commotion suddenly shifted from this newly released video of Lilian to something else as someone exclaimed,

“Oh my God, it’s Tristan Grayson!!!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep