Playing the Villainess, He Fell for Me

The commercial shoot was about to begin. As expected, the company representative came over, an apologetic look on his face. "Miss Kennedy, Mr. Carter has requested to shoot this endorsement with you."

Generally, the main spokesperson and the series spokesperson shoot separately. Since they aren’t endorsing the exact same product, there’s no need for a joint shoot.

Joanna Kennedy remained composed, her tone flat. "That wasn’t in the contract."

The company representative was prepared. "Don’t worry, you’ll still have your solo shoot later. This doesn’t count as a breach of contract."

"And if I say no?"

Never expecting Joanna Kennedy to dare defy him, the representative was surprised. Realizing his authority was being challenged, he grew annoyed, and his tone hardened. "Miss Kennedy, the Yates Company has no shortage of spokespeople. If you refuse to cooperate, we’ll have to replace you."

He was the one exploiting a loophole in the contract, yet he framed Joanna Kennedy as the uncooperative one. If this really escalated to replacing her, they would probably demand she pay a penalty for breach of contract.

Joanna Kennedy was amused. "Fine. I’ll do it."

’Let’s see what Zachary Carter is planning. He can’t possibly start cursing or hitting me in front of all these people, can he?’

Hearing Joanna Kennedy’s concession, the representative sighed in relief. A flash of contempt crossed his eyes before he offered a few more pleasantries and then went to suck up to Zachary Carter.

The shoot began. The photographer directed from the side, "Ms. Kennedy, twist open the sparkling water and take a sip. Yes, just like that..."

The photographer watched the monitor, satisfied. The pure and beautiful girl in a lime-green dress, head slightly tilted back as she drank the sparkling water, was like a refreshing spring breeze that invigorated everyone who saw her.

’It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a photogenic actress.’

The next scene featured Joanna Kennedy on a swing against a backdrop of blue sky and green grass. Zachary Carter was to stand behind her and give the swing a gentle push, at which point Joanna would take a sip of her drink.

The entire scene was meant to evoke a feeling of freedom.

"Let’s do it again. I don’t think that last take was good enough," Zachary Carter said leisurely.

The photographer looked at the shot, confused. ’It looked great, though.’ But he didn’t dare say anything. If Zachary Carter said it was no good, all he could do was shoot it again.

Sitting on the swing, Joanna Kennedy heard Zachary Carter’s words. A cold glint flashed in her eyes as she discreetly tightened her grip on the ropes.

At the call of "Action!", Zachary Carter looked at the girl’s back, sneered, and then pushed with all his might.

The swing flew high into the air, far beyond what was needed for the shot. The other staff members were startled by this sudden turn of events and immediately looked toward the girl on the swing.

From that height, anyone unprepared would have fallen right off. Joanna Kennedy was an actress; if her face got scraped or bruised, it could very well end her career!

Everyone braced for the sight of Joanna Kennedy’s disastrous fall, but what they saw instead was something they never expected.

The girl’s lime-green dress swayed gently with the swing’s high arc. Her long, straight black hair also rose in a beautiful curve. She was unhurried, unbothered, like the free-spirited wind of nature.

The photographer, quick on the uptake, captured the moment. The flash fired several times in rapid succession, and he quickly called out, "Got it, got it! We got the shot!"

Hearing this, Julie rushed over. The other staff members also snapped out of it and helped steady the swing.

"Jo... Joanna, are you okay?" Julie was so scared she could barely speak.

Others also chimed in with concern. "Ms. Kennedy, you weren’t scared, were you?"

"Are you alright? Do you want to go to the dressing room and rest for a bit?"

Voices of concern, some genuine and some fake, filled the air around her. Joanna Kennedy kept her head down and didn’t say a word, looking as though she’d had a terrible fright.

Julie was on the verge of tears. She felt a squeeze on her arm, paused for a second, and then, as if she’d realized something, shouted, "Why would you push the swing that hard? That’s not a push, that’s attempted murder!"

Julie didn’t lower her voice, so almost everyone present heard her. The crew fell silent as they recalled that Zachary Carter’s push had clearly been delivered with malicious force.

The condemning stares from the crowd were palpable. Zachary Carter’s expression turned ugly. He was already furious that his plan had failed, and now everyone had seen right through him.

But he couldn’t admit it. He forced himself to say, "Joanna Kennedy, maybe it’s because you’re too light? I barely used any force just now."

"Yes, it’s my fault." Joanna Kennedy bit her lip and nodded, her pale face making her look even more fragile and pitiful.

Someone, feeling indignant, muttered under their breath, "The first push was perfectly fine, wasn’t it? Why didn’t he say she was too light then..."

Although the complaint was quiet, several people heard it. An awkward silence descended, and the looks directed at Zachary Carter grew even more strange.

Julie continued to loudly fuss over Joanna Kennedy, while also making passive-aggressive remarks about how ruthless Zachary Carter’s move was.

Zachary Carter’s face darkened with anger. Just as he was about to retort, Joanna Kennedy spoke up softly. "Julie, don’t say things like that. Carter wasn’t doing it on purpose..."

She was wearing light makeup today. With her gaze lowered and her voice frail, she was the very picture of pitiable weakness. But in a blind spot hidden from the crowd’s view, she curled her lips into a smirk at Zachary Carter.

Zachary Carter’s eyes widened. He instantly realized Joanna Kennedy was doing this on purpose!

He was seething. He took a few steps forward, about to say something, but Julie blocked his path, her expression cold. "Mr. Carter, what else do you think you’re doing?"

His revenge had failed, and Joanna Kennedy had turned the tables on him. Now even a lowly assistant dared to block his way. Ignoring the crew members still on set, a furious Zachary Carter reached out to shove Julie.

Julie didn’t have time to react and was nearly pushed over. Luckily, Joanna Kennedy pulled her back. As a result, Zachary Carter shoved nothing but air and stumbled a few steps, looking utterly pathetic.

Zachary Carter’s face was contorted with rage. After steadying himself, he tried to go after Joanna Kennedy again, but thankfully, the crew members came to their senses and held him back. The scene descended into chaos.

"Joanna Kennedy, apologize to Mr. Carter right now!" the company representative commanded in a low voice, turning to the silent girl as he held Zachary Carter back.

Of course, he knew whose fault it was. But Zachary Carter was one of Mr. Yates’s people, someone he couldn’t afford to offend. So, he could only throw a minor actress like Joanna Kennedy under the bus. It was her own fault for provoking someone she shouldn’t have.

"Why should I apologize?" Joanna Kennedy slowly raised her eyes, her tone puzzled. "He’s the one who pushed me, not the other way around."

"I don’t care about that," the representative said. "You created this scene, so you have to take responsibility for it. Otherwise, don’t blame our company for terminating your contract!"

"Is this how the Yates Company does business?" Joanna Kennedy actually laughed at the representative’s shameless words.

The company representative had never been contradicted so bluntly. His eyes widened, and he was about to say something when...

...a woman’s voice suddenly came from behind him. "Well, what’s all the commotion?"