Chapter 24

After wrapping up the final scene, Winnie, as the lead actress, officially marked the end of her work on the film. However, the crew still had a few miscellaneous scenes left to reshoot. David arrived on set just as Winnie had finished removing her makeup. She appeared barefaced, wearing an oversized cream-colored T-shirt paired with comfortable yoga shorts. The injuries on her body hadn't fully healed, particularly her knees, which had just begun to scab. Wearing the crew's form-fitting costumes every day had been torture. The main cast and extras gathered around her, asking for group photos. Winnie was approachable as always and didn't forget to remind the photographer, "Don't capture my knees." As the people around her came and went like a flowing stream, at some point, her co-star replaced the group. Her smile seemed forced. "Mina," David's assistant Nancy whispered in his ear, "she's Director Bramwell's mistress." David understood immediately. Mina, a musical theater graduate from the film academy, had a striking presence but couldn't compare to those from the acting department. No one knew why she had ended up with Director Bramwell. He had kept her for a few years, and she likely hadn't expected the aging director to be so vigorous, managing to get her pregnant twice. "She didn't land the lead role, but she sacrificed her womb twice," Nancy remarked, unsure whether she was being sarcastic or sympathetic. Sensing something off, David pondered for a moment. "She might release a press statement. Go, make her smile." Nancy didn't fully grasp what David meant by "release a press statement," but she acted quickly. Thinking on her feet, she made a witty comment that got everyone laughing. Even Winnie and Mina couldn't help but laugh, and the photographer furiously pressed the shutter, capturing a candid moment of the two laughing together. The next second, Mina's expression turned sour again. After the group photo and the formalities were done, they got into the Alphard. By then, night had fully fallen. Yulia applied ointment to Winnie's injuries to prevent scarring or pigmentation. Though not particularly clever, Yulia had a delicate touch and was patient, handling the task with the care of a jeweler polishing a gemstone. David, meanwhile, had just finished finalizing plans for next week's fashion gala and the Star Diamond Night event. He glanced at Yulia and brought up an old complaint. "Look around—out of all the celebrities at your level, you're the only one who only brings an assistant. It's like having no agent at all. I've told you to get someone sharper, but you just won't listen." Winnie had someone in mind and took the opportunity to mention it. "I know someone I'd like to poach, but I'm not sure if she'd agree." "Who?" "From the board office at Edison Group." David gasped. "You want to poach someone from him? And from the board office? OMG!" Winnie was quick to act. While packing her luggage back at the hotel, she had already pulled out Wendy's business card. It was a Friday evening, yet Wendy was still working overtime. When she heard Winnie's offer to recruit her, she chuckled in disbelief. "Miss Loxley, you flatter me." Her polite, slightly distant tone carried an air of refinement, making it feel oddly familiar. "You're refusing?" Winnie didn't avoid the topic, even with Yulia present. She spoke directly, "The salary and benefits are negotiable." "I'd love to, but…" Wendy thought for a moment. "I need to consult my family. I'll give you an answer tomorrow." Meanwhile, Yulia had neatly packed seven or eight suitcases, sorting everything into categories. She looked both happy and a little downcast. "You're looking for someone to replace me." Winnie glanced at her sideways. "I'm not asking you to leave." "Is she good with words? If she comes, I'll just take care of your daily life, which wouldn't be so bad," Yulia said, relieved. "Can I get a raise?" Winnie smirked at her. "Go on, how much?" Gathering her courage, Yulia held up three fingers and declared, "Three hundred dollars!" Winnie: "…I'll give you a three-thousand-dollar raise. Slightly less than Wendy's because her job requires more effort, but your work is also important—I can't do without you." Yulia was overjoyed and leapt up. "If you give me a three-thousand-dollar raise, I'll buy you a shawl! Hopefully, it won't cost more than three thousand!" "What shawl?" "The one you like," Yulia said, pulling out a separate paper bag. "You like it so much—you even drape it over your shoulders while reading at night. I'll get you a new one after I return it tomorrow. Mr. Marlowe probably wouldn't mind telling me the brand, would he?" The shawl had been washed and used a few times since, absorbing the hotel's laundry fragrance and mingling with Winnie's own perfume. The scent was like Eden. She wondered if Mr. Marlowe would be bothered. But when he'd handed it to her, it had carried his scent as well. She wanted a small semblance of fairness. Winnie lowered her eyelashes, smiling faintly. "Alright, go ahead and buy a new one."