Chapter 912

Vera's face paled. "That's impossible! Skylar must have cheated. Joe will see through her eventually. Besides, what advantage does she even have over me?"

Seeing Vera's stubbornness, Justin remained silent, realizing the futility of further argument. The Ruell family had instilled in her a proud and headstrong nature; she rarely heeded others' advice.

From Justin's observations at the restaurant, Skylar didn't seem the type to employ underhanded tactics. Skylar was undeniably attractive, possessing an alluring quality that intrigued men. Had he met her under different circumstances, Justin might have even sought her number. Vera, on the other hand, tended to create distance.

Meanwhile, Natalie returned to her Fachington hotel from the set, immediately heading for the shower; the heat had been unbearable. While she'd used an umbrella, Austin had spent the entire day filming under the blazing sun. She couldn't help but admire his dedication.

Showering, Natalie reflected on the day. She'd never endured such scorching conditions. The more she considered it, the more impressed she became with Austin's commitment.

After showering and applying a face mask, she settled into bed and chatted with Skylar on WhatsApp. "This weather is unbearable, and the food is terrible. I'm starting to miss Jipsburg. Skye, I miss you so much! But I have to say, Mr. Powell is incredibly dedicated. Even in this awful weather, he didn't take a single break filming. I really admire him."

She sent several voice messages, receiving no reply; Skylar must have been busy. After removing her face mask and completing her skincare routine, a knock came at the door. It was late; could it be Austin?

Peeking through the peephole, she saw Austin and quickly opened the door.

"Mr. Powell."

He stood there, in casual loungewear, his hair still damp from a shower.

"Do you have a moment?" His gaze lingered on her smiling face. Natalie possessed a vibrant energy that seemed to simplify even the most complex situations.

Without hesitation, she nodded. "I do. If you need anything, just ask, Mr. Powell. I'll do my best."

Austin studied her before smiling. "I'm struggling with the rhythm of tomorrow's two scenes. Could you help me rehearse them?"

"Me?" Natalie pointed at herself. "Are you sure I can handle it?" Helping Austin rehearse required acting skills, and she worried about making mistakes.

"Don't worry. You certainly can," he reassured her.

Taking a deep breath, Natalie steeled herself. "Alright, I'll give it a try. But if I mess up, you have to tell me."

"Deal."

A few minutes later, Natalie reviewed the scenes. The first, a simple dialogue between leads in a bar, seemed manageable. The second, however, was a full-on kissing scene—no dialogue—a scene guaranteed to quicken anyone's pulse.