Elizabeth ended the call and slowly placed her phone down.

She had never confided in Elise about any of it. She knew William wasn't the type to gossip—or more accurately, William was far too preoccupied trying to win Elise's affection to bother with Elizabeth's personal dramas.

Which meant Elise was just that perceptive. She had noticed the subtle shifts in Elizabeth's demeanor.

Elise had deliberately held back from pressing further during their conversation. She understood that if Elizabeth wasn't ready to talk, she wouldn't. So, Elise chose silence, respecting her friend's boundaries.

Elizabeth felt a profound gratitude for having such a thoughtful and understanding friend like Elise.

Meanwhile, Sophia and Amanda constantly portrayed themselves as the ultimate best friends on Solo Show, even spending fortunes on scripts to reinforce their inseparable image. They became the envy of countless viewers, but the truth was, it was entirely one-sided for Amanda. She ended up getting a brutal slap in the face for her efforts!

noveldrama

Elizabeth truly believed she was blessed in every aspect of her life, except for matters of the heart.

Perhaps some higher power was envious of her seemingly perfect existence and decided she needed a little suffering. But she was convinced that once she overcame this hurdle, she would emerge transcendent!

A wry smile touched her lips, amused by her own resilient mindset.

Glancing at her watch, she turned to Penelope. "Isn't it time for the next scene? It's been quite a while—why hasn't anyone called for me?"

"My apologies, Elizabeth. I'll go check right away," Penelope replied promptly.

Elizabeth gave a curt nod.

The production had been postponing this particular scene for some time now—a bed scene.

In fact, she had completed all her other shots. She'd heard they were finally scheduling it for today.

However, when Penelope rushed back to the trailer a short while later, she was breathless. "E-Elizabeth… the director just said you have no scenes today… that you're free to go…"

Elizabeth's expression darkened instantly.

She had been mentally preparing herself for this bed scene for days, steeling her nerves each morning, only for the production to keep delaying!

And now this? Were they deliberately toying with her?!

She shot up from her reclining chair.

"Elizabeth? Where are you going?" Penelope asked, startled.

"To have a word with Ethan," she declared—to demand what the hell he thought he was playing at!

In Penelope's eyes, Elizabeth had always been a strong, composed person. This sudden outburst was unlike her.

But she couldn't blame her.

How could Ethan be so blind? To fall for a woman like Amanda and discard someone as exceptional as Elizabeth?!

At the film set, Ethan was seated behind the camera, issuing directives, when Elizabeth stormed over. Her rage was palpable as she snapped, "Ethan Parker! When exactly are we filming my bed scene?!"

"We haven't found a suitable body double yet. We'll inform you when we do," Ethan replied without looking up, his eyes fixed on the camera monitor.

"And who said I needed a body double?!" Elizabeth demanded, her voice sharp.

No one had informed her of this—not even her manager!

"I did," Ethan stated bluntly.

"I don't need one!" Elizabeth's words were clear and deliberate, her breath slightly ragged.

"It's the production studio's decision. Your opinion wasn't requested—you just have to accept it."

Elizabeth drew a sharp, controlled breath.

She knew all too well how impervious Ethan could be.

He wouldn't have been able to reject her advances for years otherwise.

"Fine," she said, her tone icy. "Then please enlighten me. What exactly makes me unsuitable for filming that scene? Why not give me a chance to perform it before deciding I can't, instead of unceremoniously kicking me to the curb?!"

Ethan finally lifted his gaze to meet hers. He swallowed, watching her visibly restrain her simmering anger. "The investors insisted the bed scene be mandatory, with multiple explicit close-ups. I have no guarantee it will pass the censorship board and be allowed to air, but I have to deliver something to the investors."