The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Chapter 2067

Cicely glanced at the time on her phone, not bothering to feign ignorance. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs with a sly smile. "Look, I know our Crysti is from a rich family, which might suggest she's delicate, but she's as tough as the rest of 'em. The girl's been practicing fight scenes all afternoon. Sure, she could wait a couple more hours, but she won't be at her best. So, I propose we call it a day and let me take her home to rest up properly."

The director exhaled with relief. He had expected as much from Cicely. "You're right, Crysti has worked hard enough today."

Cicely stood, her pale pink dress accentuating her perfect complexion. With minimal makeup and a dab of lip balm, she looked as radiant as any of the heavily made-up actresses on set. "And Ms. Danielle's makeup alone will take a good two hours. Since everyone's just hanging around, why don't we all go grab a drink? Crysti's treating."

Crysti fell silent. When did she say that?!

The weary crew perked up at the promise of free drinks, already buzzing with anticipation. The director, seeing the mood, couldn't disagree. After all, the next scene was all Danielle's, and they'd all be waiting on her makeup anyway.

"Alright then, thanks in advance, Crysti."d2

Cheers went up from the crowd, but Danielle's face turned sour. Two hours of makeup meant she wouldn't start shooting until 8 PM, and wouldn't be done until after 10 PM. She had just offered to treat everyone to dinner as an apology, but clearly, she wouldn't have time now.

As the set cleared, leaving behind only her agent, a couple of assistants, and her makeup artists, Danielle clenched her fists, her face pale with fury. She knew the goings-on at the set even when she wasn't there. She had planned just to show up this afternoon, not to get into makeup or act.

Crysti, practicing all afternoon, wanted to seize the moment to shine, but it wasn't going to be that easy, not with Cicely as her agent.

Just for the slap that Cicely had delivered and the repeated humiliations that followed, Danielle couldn't act as if nothing had happened.

Danielle had wanted to provoke Cicely by mentioning Seth's indulgence and protection, but Cicely seemed unfazed.

Cicely had ordered a bunch of drinks and snacks in Crysti's name, but she didn't stick around to indulge. With a day's paycheck in hand, she still had time to earn extra money. She could thank Danielle for acting the diva.

She was off to No. 8 Mansion. Later that evening, she returned to the hotel booked by the crew.

The next day was business as usual on set, but Danielle was visibly upset, occasionally erupting in a low cough. With no scenes of her own, Crysti spent the day practicing. After lunch, Danielle's assistant came running, saying Danielle had caught a cold from working late on the chilly mountain and had to go down to the hospital for IV treatment. The afternoon and evening shoots were canceled.

Cicely glanced at Crysti, who was also losing her temper, and smirked as she looked over at the director, whose face had soured further. Clearly, the director was at a loss with Danielle. This wasn't a request for leave; it was an announcement, implying consent wasn't optional.

Closing her game app, Cicely stood and smoothed her hair. "Shall I take Crysti and head out?"

What else could the director say?

On the drive back to the city, even Crysti's usual patience was tested, and she couldn't help but swear. "She’s just relying on her connections, and blatantly throwing her weight around. Isn't she

taking things too far?"

Cicely chuckled, "Isn't it a waste of resources not to play the diva when you've got the clout? You should do it too."

Crysti took a deep breath, "That would drive the director insane. Besides, I just want to act, not get caught up in petty fights. It's harmful all around."

Laughing, Cicely teased, "Look how sensible you are. But I don't like you being like this. It's too tiring."

Crysti was speechless, "Why don't you just find a job where you can make money lying down?"

"Is there one?"

Crysti was speechless. Cicely was actually serious!

Back in the city, as usual, it was No. 8 Mansion for Cicely.

Danielle didn't return to the set the next day, and Cicely lingered in No. 8 Mansion.

On the third day, Chloe called directly. "Why aren't you on set?"

Cicely shrugged, "Ms. Danielle is under the weather, and Crysti has no scenes."

Clad in a radiation suit gifted by Damon, Chloe sat at the computer, smirking at the trending topics on the screen. "That serious? Hospitalized?"

Cicely scoffed, "Can't she be a delicate flower?"

"Sure, but who's she being delicate for?"

Cicely was silent.

Leaning back in her chair, Chloe gently caressed her belly, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I have a little mischief for you." Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

Cicely arched an eyebrow, "Isn't it better to use that time to make money?"

"If Crysti's popularity rises, a one percent bonus for the upcoming magazine shoots and endorsements."

"Deal."

Chloe chuckled softly as she hung up, receiving Cicely’s prompt agreement.

The next day, with media attention fixed on her, Danielle made a hurried exit from the hospital, full of remorse for the delays she had caused. On camera, she expressed her guilt for the inconvenience.

Arriving on set, Danielle was made up and ready, but Crysti was nowhere to be seen. Her assistant whispered that Crysti was feeling unwell and hadn't come. A crease formed in Danielle's brow. "So I've been made up for nothing?"

The assistant was at a loss.

After a moment's thought, Danielle said, "Get me my phone." She spoke with her agent, and within minutes of hanging up, the headlines were blazing across the internet.

"Danielle Got Stood Up"

"Crysti Plays Diva"

The top two trending stories were a cascade of one-sided comments.

Danielle's illness had caused a delay, and now she was seemingly being retaliated against by Crysti, who supposedly stood her up on purpose. With a few pictures of Danielle applying makeup looking like death warmed over, and her standing lost on set like a deer in headlights, the rumors were swirling.

The word on the street was that Crysti, though not famous, sure knew how to stir the pot. Despite Crysti came from a wealthy family, the fanbase didn't give a hoot about it. The insults thrown her way were as vile as they come.

The assistant, grinning ear to ear, was hugging her smartphone, watching the online drama unfold with glee, eagerly updating Danielle on the latest developments, but within minutes, the call from their agent came in.

The assistant quickly answered, "Hello."

"Who put us at the top of the trending list?" The agent's voice was stern.

"Uh?" The assistant was baffled for a moment, "Wasn't it you?"

There was a pause on the other end, "No, it wasn't. Something's off."