Chapter 1063: Caroline's Cunning
Little Bunny wanted to assert her independence, emphasizing that her career, not men, was her priority. She didn't argue with Theodore, but neither did she obey him.
He placed a boiled egg beside her mouth. "Open your mouth," he said.
She pursed her lips.
"Little Bunny, I don't want to repeat myself," Theodore warned, his voice sharp.
She glanced at him. "I only eat egg whites—" Before she could finish, he forced the egg into her mouth. She nearly choked, a wave of nausea rising.
"Don't you dare spit it out!" he threatened fiercely.
Her eyes flickered. She began to chew, though she'd already eaten two egg whites; any more would be excessive. Theodore watched intently, his gaze fixed on her small mouth as she struggled to chew.
A frustrated desire washed over him—to press her against the table and kiss her fiercely. He'd fought against his urges the previous night, believing she'd be tired from filming. He'd also respected her statement about not wanting to share a room. He secretly believed she wasn't intentionally lying to him.
He was surprised by his own restraint, his unexpected consideration for her feelings.
Finally, she finished the egg. He, too, managed to control himself.
She drank some water. "I'm going to film now," she announced.
"I'll accompany you."
"No need."
"Little Bunny," he began.
"I'll come find you after filming," she compromised, unwilling to risk a scene on set. His presence unnerved everyone, creating an oppressive atmosphere.
"Really?" he asked, looking at her.
She nodded. Resistance was futile; compromise was the only option. Theodore's impulsiveness was a known factor; this situation, she reasoned, wouldn't last beyond six months.
"Come back when you're finished. I don't want to wait too long," he said, his tone both overbearing and pleased. He suspected she was merely playing coy, still wanting to be with him.
"Okay," she agreed, and left smoothly.
She arrived early at the set with Tanya. Many crew members were still absent, so she waited in her dressing room for makeup. Then, she overheard a conversation from the next room—between Caroline's agent and Stord, the director.
Caroline, they discussed, planned a return to television, aiming for the lead in Stord's next project. Stord readily agreed, promising to work with her unless unforeseen circumstances arose. The agent expressed his joy, but voiced concern about Little Bunny, given her previous positive working relationship with Stord. With a touch of sarcasm, Stord attributed his decision to Little Bunny's ostentatious display by bringing Theodore to the set, thus ruling out any future collaborations with her.
Tanya was growing impatient, but Little Bunny stopped her. Theodore's behavior had been inappropriate, and she didn't feel the need to defend herself.
The makeup artist arrived. Little Bunny was filming a scene with Caroline, who was already costumed and, despite her occasional arrogance, well-regarded for her dedication.
The scene involved a quarrel, culminating in a slap. Initially planned as a fake slap, Caroline unexpectedly suggested, while smiling, "Just slap me. I want to give the audience what they want, and I don't want my fans to catch me faking it."
Little Bunny, recognizing Caroline's professionalism, agreed.
The slap was real, though Little Bunny hadn't used much force. Yet the sound was loud, and Caroline's reaction was over-the-top, as if she'd been struck with considerable force.
"Cut! Are you crazy, Little Bunny? We agreed on a fake slap!" the director shouted.
Before Little Bunny could explain, Caroline interjected, "It's fine. She probably thought a real fight would be better."
Caroline instantly adopted a victim's posture.
Little Bunny stared, but Caroline ignored her, adding, "It doesn't hurt that much," although her eyes welled up.
Caroline's agent then appeared and slapped Little Bunny hard—a powerful blow. Little Bunny, furious, covered her face and shouted at Caroline, "Caroline! Did you ask me to slap you for real? What are you pretending for?!"
"When did I say it was a real fight?" Caroline asked, eyes brimming with tears. "Little Bunny, do you hate me because I didn't help you get the supporting role in my last movie? I tried, but the director said you weren't suitable."
Tears streamed down Caroline's face, creating a convincingly aggrieved image.
Little Bunny glared. She knew Caroline was despicable, but this level of manipulation was shocking. The situation felt like something from a melodramatic television show.
Even in the notoriously hypocritical entertainment industry, such brazen dishonesty was rare. She'd underestimated Caroline's depths of depravity.
"Sorry, Little Bunny," Caroline mumbled apologetically, affecting a humble demeanor. Those in the industry knew of Caroline's professed gratitude toward Little Bunny, making her current behavior all the more egregious.
Little Bunny's reaction, however, was interpreted as ingratitude.
Little Bunny had never feared acting opposite Caroline; Caroline's talent couldn't compare to Little Bunny's natural ability. But Caroline's skill at framing others was something she undeniably admired.