Chapter 4

It had taken everything in Paisley to steel herself and leave Serena behind. She rushed to the temporary studio she rented in Harrowfell for work. But as soon as she stepped inside, her assistant, Lucy Green, brought her some bad news with a grim expression.

"Mr. Anderson just texted me," Lucy said hesitantly. "The lead role in the new drama has been finalized. They picked Brittany Sullivan."

Paisley's brows furrowed sharply, her voice cold and resolute. "Absolutely not. We had an agreement before signing. Brittany Sullivan was never an option."

Although casting wasn't within her jurisdiction as the screenwriter, Paisley had made one thing crystal clear from the start-Brittany was not to be involved.

It wasn't just about this drama either. In every project Paisley had ever worked on, Brittany had been a hard no, no matter how insignificant the role was. It was an unspoken rule that every production team collaborating with her had agreed to respect.

"Get her replaced immediately," Paisley ordered, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Lucy hesitated, her unease evident as she pulled out her tablet and opened Instagram. "I think it might be too late for that... The production team's already announced it on Instagram."

Without a moment's pause, Paisley picked up her phone and dialed the director, Gary Anderson.

The first call went straight to voicemail, then the second. On her third attempt, he finally answered, his tone mockingly jovial, "Ms. Vaire, what a surprise to hear from you."

Her voice was sharp, every word striking with precision. "Spare me the pleasantries, Mr. Anderson. I don't approve of Brittany being cast in any role for this project. We discussed this and you agreed."

On the other end of the line, Gary's guilty chuckle betrayed his unease as he said in a dismissive voice, "Well, yes, we discussed it. But, you know, verbal agreements don't hold much weight in this business." Paisley let out a short, incredulous laugh, her tone biting. "If that's your stance, then don't blame me for what happens next."

"Wait, wait, Ms. Vaire. Let's not escalate things," Gary said hastily, his sigh heavy with frustration. "Look, it's not that I wanted this. If I had any say, Brittany wouldn't be anywhere near this project.

"But this isn't about creative control-it's about power. I won't stand a chance against them. The investors demanded her as the lead. If I refuse, they pull funding and blacklist me across the industry."

"What?" Paisley's breath hitched, her mind racing. She had encountered producers and investors who had tried to influence casting decisions, but never with this level of force. The audacity of it all took her completely by surprise.

could be swayed and threatened with his career

more was the fact that she knew the investors in this project. None of them had the

she might be able to go straight to the source, have a word with whoever had made this call. She

face of it all. "It's not just one.

knot of tension formed in her chest. The weight of the situation hit her hard. She

heavy with resignation, "Ms. Vaire, I'm sure you've figured it out by now. Brittany has someone powerful backing her-someone so influential that all the investors are simply following this mysterious figure's orders. Please, just take pity on me

Gary further. She understood that this was out of his hands now, no

Lucy asked, her confusion plain. "How could someone like her

starring in obscure soap operas. She had no

this slide? Really let Brittany take the lead role?" Lucy asked, unwilling to accept the situation.

that someone as insignificant as Brittany could land such a prestigious role felt like a slap in the face. Lucy thought

refused to let it end like this, but for now, she couldn't think of a way

so much? I get that she's not lead material, but she's harmless enough

parents are my biological parents." Lucy's eyes went wide with shock. "Wait...

seemed ripped straight from the pages of some tired soap opera, but that was the

had gone missing in an accident. By the time she was reunited with the

parents' beloved daughter, living under their

or lost daughters, Paisley's return wasn't met with joy but with hostility. The family had grown so attached to Brittany that they wished Paisley had never come

heated confrontations, Paisley cut

that turbulent time that she met Dominick. He'd

*****

on the plush couch in

the production team's official announcement. She quickly hit the like button, shared the post, and added a gleeful comment. "Mom, it's official. I'm finally

her face alight with pride and satisfaction. "This is wonderful

tone was dripping with triumph, her eyes gleaming as she reveled in her victory. "I don't know what

single one of her projects? Not even a bit part. But guess what?

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