"What are you saying?"
Michael furrowed his handsome brow, puzzled by her sudden change in demeanor.
Rianne met his gaze calmly and smiled, "I’m tired, Michael. Let’s get a divorce."
Without waiting for his face to darken further, she quickly left, slamming the door behind her.
Abigail secretly rejoiced, amazed that Rianne had given up on Michael so easily!
Feigning sympathy, she said, "Brother Michael, Rianne doesn’t know what’s good for her. She’s not worth your time."
"Get out!"
Michael didn’t even spare her a glance, his voice icy.
Terrified, Abigail hurriedly left, covering her burning face.
In the now-empty living room, Michael’s tall, solitary figure stood still. He deeply furrowed his brow, recalling Rianne’s parting words.
So, Rianne dared to divorce him!
"Mr. Palmer, please look at this."
The butler handed Michael a tablet showing a video of Abigail abusing a cat, then stepped back quickly. As expected, the next moment, a voice filled with rage echoed through the villa.
"Abigail, how dare you!"
Michael smashed the tablet onto the coffee table, his lips curling in anger. "Instruct the entire villa staff: if Abigail ever comes near again, throw her out!"
"Yes, Mr. Palmer," the butler bowed respectfully.
……
At Bossington Film City.
A tall man leaned against the wall, one foot propped up, listening intently as the director discussed his scenes.
The director glanced at the handsome man, internally raising his evaluation of him.
Cooper Winslow, the movie emperor, had burst onto the scene three years ago with a film that took the nation by storm, instantly becoming a sensation.
When everyone thought he would be a one-hit wonder, Cooper joined the National Theatre and starred in two more films, each grossing over a billion at the box office, cementing his unshakable status in the industry.
After discussing the scenes, the director remembered the new lead actress pushed by the investors and felt a headache coming on.
"It’s said she’s an unknown newcomer with a powerful background."
Cooper’s lips curled in indifference.
Noticing Rianne in the distance, he raised his hand, "Ms. Kroes."
Rianne approached, greeting them with a smile.
"Ms. Kroes, you’re here. The new lead actress chosen by the investors is arriving today. She has quite a background and many action scenes. As the stunt coordinator, I hope you can assist us."
Rianne, already having guessed who it might be, nodded calmly, "Sure, thanks for the heads-up."
The director nodded, patting Cooper on the shoulder, "Cooper, you should consult Ms. Kroes for any action-related issues."
With that, he left to attend to other matters.
Cooper’s gaze fell on Rianne, and he smiled warmly, "Ms. Kroes, sorry to trouble you."
"It’s no trouble at all. What issues does Mr. Winslow have?"
Rianne, a disciple of the martial arts master Vang, had gained fame even before Cooper. The National TV station had invited her multiple times to choreograph action scenes for major TV shows and blockbuster movies.
Now, she was working with a first-rate production team.
Cooper felt honored, as he held himself to high standards and was thrilled to receive guidance from Rianne.
After discussing Cooper’s concerns, Rianne fluidly demonstrated the complex moves.
Her actions were so graceful and elegant, akin to a heroic maiden of ancient times.
She then meticulously broke down the moves, explaining them to Cooper in detail.
Cooper quickly mastered the previously troublesome moves and couldn’t help but try to recruit her, "Our director has mentioned you several times, Ms. Kroes. You are more impressive than I imagined. Why do you settle for being a stunt coordinator? You could join the National Theatre and become a nationally recognized actor. The National TV station would surely promote you, and you would become famous in no time."
Rianne smiled gently, "I prefer the peace and quiet of doing what I love over being an actor."
"I see…" Cooper’s eyes showed a hint of regret, but he didn’t press further.
"Mr. Winslow , Ms. Kroes, the new lead actress has arrived. The director wants you to meet her," Cooper’s assistant announced.
Cooper tilted his head and invited Rianne, "Shall we?"
"Sure."
The original lead actress had left after a week due to an accident, and news of the new lead had only just arrived, making it seem like an airlifted replacement.
Rianne had her suspicions, but when she saw the new lead’s face, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes flickered with coldness.
It was Abigail, indeed!
She was like an indomitable ghost!
Abigail, trying to win people over, had instructed her assistant to buy the most expensive milk tea and cakes in the city, one for everyone.
With hundreds of people in the crew, it was a considerable expense.
Even if some disliked the idea of an unknown newbie bringing along over twenty staff members, they still maintained superficial politeness.
"Mr. Winslow, hello, I’m Abigail, the new lead actress for this film. I look forward to your guidance in the coming days."
To cover the marks on her face, Abigail had applied thick makeup, making her expression stiff.
Cooper, with a gentle demeanor, maintained a balance between warmth and detachment, "Hello, I’m the male lead, Cooper, and this is our stunt coordinator, Ms. Kroes."
"Ms. Kroes is a disciple of the martial arts master Vang. With her help, I’m sure we can complete this film perfectly."
Abigail was shocked, turning to Rianne in disbelief. She never imagined Rianne had such a significant background.
Vang’s disciples were globally renowned, often becoming top martial arts stars or elite bodyguards for world leaders.
The treatment they received was unprecedented.
Master Vang had even declared he would pass on his legacy to his disciple, and that person was Rianne!
Abigail’s smile turned sweet as she realized Rianne, despite her distinguished status, was still a stunt coordinator and thus under her command.
With newfound confidence, Abigail said, "I was worried about the difficult action scenes. Since Ms. Kroes is our stunt coordinator and our builds are similar, why not have Ms. Kroes be my dedicated stunt double?"
The director frowned, not liking this suggestion but hesitating because of the powerful families behind Abigail.
Cooper diplomatically replied, "Ms. Crowe, that might not be appropriate."
"Why not? Ms. Kroes is a professional. For the film’s sake, I’m sure she’ll agree," Abigail insisted.
Rianne’s almond eyes curved, her tone rebellious, "Even the National TV station director gives me some respect. How dare you ask me to be a stand-in for an unknown newbie?"
"You!"
Abigail gritted her teeth, unwilling to miss this rare chance to humiliate Rianne. "Name your price. How much for you to be my stunt double?"
"Any amount?"
"Of course!" Abigail’s head was held high, confident that Rianne couldn’t name an unreasonable price.
"Two hundred thousand—"
"I can afford a mere two hundred thousand—"
"Per hour."
Rianne’s red lips curled as she finished speaking.
"Two hundred thousand per hour?! Why don’t you just rob me?!" Abigail’s eyes widened in disbelief.
"Because I’m worth it," Rianne said, glancing at Cooper. "Isn’t that right, Mr. Winslow?"
Cooper found her smile dazzling and, after composing himself, said, "Two hundred thousand would still be an understatement for Ms. Kroes."
Rianne, appreciating Cooper’s cooperation, feigned surprise, "Oh, I remember now. Ms. Crowe isn’t as valued as her sister. She probably can’t afford that much."
Hiring a dedicated stunt double would involve under-the-table payments, and though Abigail was a member of the Crowe family, her allowance wasn’t enough to cover such an exorbitant fee.
Not to mention the insinuation that she was inferior to her sister!
Determined, Abigail clenched her fists, knowing that money would enable her to control and torment Rianne.
Even if she had to borrow money, she would make it happen!
Abigail reluctantly agreed, eagerly instructing her assistant to prepare the contract.
"Rianne, you’re truly pitiful, serving as my sister’s stand-in in reality and mine in the film."
As she signed the contract, Abigail taunted Rianne mercilessly.
"Indeed, I can’t compare to you, needing your sister’s help to catch Michael’s eye," Rianne retorted.
Abigail, stung by the truth, fumed and ordered her assistant, "Tell the director I want my first scene to be the most challenging one, the scene flipping off the wire harness in water!"