Playing the Villainess, He Fell for Me

Joanna went out and briefly explained the situation to Walter Young. Walter grew angry. "I’ll go ask them what’s going on."

"There’s no need. If they’ve already found someone better, I can’t very well force them to hire me."

’Cooperation is a matter of mutual consent. I can’t just fly into a rage because they backed out at the last minute. If word got out, people would think I couldn’t get any roles.’

Joanna knew it would be useless for Walter to go. The production team’s stance was already obvious. She just didn’t know what had caused their sudden change of heart.

’They couldn’t just be messing with me, could they? That would be too childish. Anyone who’s made it in the entertainment industry wouldn’t do something so pointlessly antagonistic.’

’That only leaves one possibility: someone pulled some strings.’ Joanna thought about recent events and it all clicked. She asked, "Walter, do you know who’s backing Zachary Carter?"

Walter was a little confused but answered honestly, "I’m not sure, but I should be able to find out. Why do you ask?"

"Don’t tell me you suspect he’s the one who sabotaged you?" Walter recalled the reality show Joanna had been on; Zachary Carter was one of the permanent cast members.

But the show hadn’t aired yet, so he didn’t know what had transpired. From the way Joanna was talking, however, it was clear something unpleasant had occurred.

"It’s just a suspicion. I don’t have any proof yet," Joanna said, not wanting to state it as a fact. "But I’m almost certain Zachary Carter has something to do with this."

Walter’s expression grew serious. He said he would ask some of his friends in the industry. As he was leaving, he paused to ask Joanna, "If the production team has a change of heart and asks you to sign the contract after all, will you still take the role?"

"Turn it down for me," Joanna said, her tone flat.

Walter nodded. "Alright. It’s better to turn it down, anyway. It would just be awkward otherwise."

’Things had already turned sour. Forcing a collaboration would just make everyone miserable. A production team that caves to pressure from investors once will do it again.’

Joanna didn’t want to take that risk. As much as she loved the script, she had to let it go.

「A few days later」

The suspense web series cast a newcomer, while Joanna successfully auditioned for *Falling Osmanthus*, the film script she had been interested in from the start.

The day she signed the contract, Joanna discovered that the director behind the film was none other than Conor Archer.

Everyone, whether in the entertainment industry or not, had likely heard the name Conor Archer. He was a director of national renown, and every one of his works possessed both artistic merit and commercial appeal.

But he hadn’t released anything in the past two years. Industry rumors claimed the great director was ill and on the verge of retirement. No one expected him to be quietly directing *Falling Osmanthus*.

"Then why would Director Archer keep his involvement a secret until the contract was signed? If the news had gotten out earlier, tons of popular celebrities would have been begging for a part," Julie said, her initial excitement giving way to confusion.

What she left unsaid was that plenty of actors would have likely been willing to work for free. After all, a project by a director of his caliber was worth its weight in gold.

Joanna was also a little puzzled, but ’what the director was thinking was none of her business. The contract was signed. All she had to do was her job: act well.’

The film was a departure from Conor Archer’s usual grand, sweeping style; it was a bittersweet, coming-of-age art-house romance. And as luck would have it, the filming location was right there in Marinus.

With a month to go before filming began, Walter Young decided to strike while the iron was hot and solidify the buzz Joanna had gained from *The Awakening Petals*. He booked her for several special interviews and landed her an endorsement deal for a sparkling water brand.

And so, Joanna was once again caught up in a whirlwind of promotional events. The only downtime she had was at night, when she could video call Simon Lockwood.

The set for the sparkling water commercial, a practical build, was located just downstairs from their company building. It wasn’t until Joanna arrived that she saw Zachary Carter on another set nearby, doing a magazine photoshoot.

"Zachary Carter was named the primary brand ambassador for this beverage the day before yesterday," Julie whispered from the side.

’An endorsement he just got the day before yesterday?’ Joanna furrowed her brow. Something felt off.

’Why is it that as soon as I sign on for the sparkling water line, Zachary Carter turns around and nabs the main endorsement? It feels like he’s deliberately trying to one-up me.’

As it turned out, Joanna’s suspicions were correct. With her makeup and costume done, she was just about to head out for the shoot when Zachary Carter blocked her at the doorway.

"You finally managed to land an endorsement. Better make sure you shoot it well." Zachary Carter looked Joanna up and down, his tone laced with disdain.

Joanna’s expression remained neutral. "Of course."

"Hah. What a washed-up nobody. Getting this excited over a simple sparkling water ad." Seeing her calm demeanor, Zachary Carter’s expression grew even more contemptuous.

The thought that he was the primary brand ambassador made him feel even more superior. He leaned in closer, a flicker of smugness in his eyes. "You’d better do a good job in a little while. Don’t drag me down..."

’What does he mean, "drag him down"?’ Joanna frowned, confused. Having said his piece, Zachary Carter turned and walked away, his head held high in triumph.

Just as Zachary Carter left, Joanna received a call from her agent, Walter Young. His tone on the other end was grim. "I found out. Zachary Carter is one of Mr. Yates’s people at the Yates Company."

This sparkling water brand was one of the Yates Company’s own products.

’No wonder Zachary Carter managed to snag the primary endorsement. And no wonder he came over to spout all that nonsense. He’s probably trying to cause trouble for me. The shoot later is definitely going to be a setup.’

"I’m heading over to negotiate with the Yates Group’s senior management right now," Walter said, his voice low and serious. "If he wants to play dirty, he’d better see if he’s got what it takes."

The Yates Company was no match for Southland.

But Joanna just laughed. "Walter, you don’t have to come. I have a plan."

"Joanna, don’t worry about it. Someone is bullying you right to your face; there’s no reason to just take it," Walter said, assuming she just didn’t want to cause him any trouble.

"I’m serious. I really do have a plan."

"What kind of plan could you possibly have? That guy is treacherous. It would be a disaster if he managed to get you hurt during the shoot."

It wasn’t like Zachary Carter hadn’t done this kind of thing before. During one commercial shoot, he’d deliberately pushed his co-star into the water.

If anything happened to Joanna on his watch, Walter was genuinely afraid that the person in charge at Southland would skin Zachary Carter alive.

"Don’t worry. I’ll explain the situation to the Yates Group’s senior management. I won’t give Zachary Carter any opportunity to move against you."

"There’s really no need," Joanna said. "I can talk to them myself."

Faced with Walter’s continued confusion, Joanna had no choice but to explain, "The heiress of the Yates Company is a good friend of mine."

The Yates Group heiress? She had far more influence than any senior executive. Walter was finally reassured, though he still couldn’t help but add, "Be careful."

After hanging up, Walter didn’t hesitate for a moment. He immediately reported the matter to his own boss.

On her end, Joanna sent a text to Anna Yates. She didn’t go into detail, only mentioning that she was at her family’s company for a commercial shoot.

Upon hearing this, Anna Yates immediately and excitedly said she wanted to come and watch.

Her voice was brimming with excitement. Joanna sighed. After a moment’s thought, she added with concern, "There’s something I need to tell you when you get here. You should brace yourself."

"What is it?" Anna Yates asked, puzzled.

Joanna replied, "I’ll tell you when you get here."

’Otherwise,’ she thought, ’I’m worried she’ll get too worked up and it won’t be safe for her to drive.’