The Trending Topic Herself: The Villainess is the Superstar!-Chapter 17: The Worse the Reputation, the Better

Chapter 17: Chapter 17: The Worse the Reputation, the Better

"Why hasn’t Maya Monroe arrived yet? It’s been over an hour past the scheduled time! I’ve heard she’s always like this on set!"

"I’ve long heard about Maya’s diva antics, and now I finally get to witness it! Who knows when she’ll finish her makeup?"

"I don’t understand how such people even get into the cast? Didn’t she get in through connections?"

...

Shane Morgan listened to the staff’s discussions nearby and slightly furrowed his brows. He instructed an assistant on set: "Try contacting Maya Monroe again."

The photographer, Heath Davis, came over: "Director Morgan, Maya’s been late for so long already. The rental of the venue has time constraints, are we just gonna wait here doing nothing?"

Shane Morgan glanced into the distance: "Wait a little longer; she might have been exhausted from reading the script yesterday! Let’s shoot scenes with other actors first, push Maya’s scenes to later!"

Heath Davis turned away angrily: "She really knows how to act arrogant. In this day and age, people still act like divas, not afraid of backlash..."

He suddenly realized, perhaps Maya really isn’t afraid of backlash.

Leo Lancaster finished filming his scene and came over. Looking at the situation, he instantly understood: "Director Morgan, Maya stayed up late with me yesterday studying the script; maybe that’s why she’s running late."

Toward Leo Lancaster, Shane Morgan was nearly always friendly: "I supposed so too. Why don’t you try contacting her as well?"

When Maya arrived, she saw all the equipment set up, with everyone waiting for her to film the last scene.

Scott urged her from behind: "Maya sis, walk a bit faster. You’re already late!"

Scott was quite used to Maya’s tardiness because it has become almost routine! So when he realized no one was answering the phone, he chose to stop trying, patiently waiting for Maya to wake up.

Maya had woken up this time.

Her tardiness this time was to follow the plot.

According to the book’s storyline, the original character got into the "Wandering Beyond the Horizon" cast through connections as the third female lead. Because she was late on the first day, Shane’s dissatisfaction with her intensified. The related gossip mushroomed while Kiki Monroe’s extraordinary performance on the same day highlighted the contrast, kicking off another round of dramatic face-slapping.

Although Maya inadvertently landed the role of Luna, as a qualified female antagonist, Maya decided she needed to follow through with this storyline.

Maya ignored those around her who were pointing fingers and headed straight for Shane Morgan: "Sorry, Director Morgan, I overslept."

With her head bowed, Shane Morgan couldn’t see her expression at all.

With the time now glaringly over budget, Shane was really unsure whether Maya could finish filming her scenes in what’s left of the limited rental period.

Shane was very optimistic about Maya, but even this incident wore on him: "Monroe, you should go for your makeup first."

When they were about to start filming after Maya’s makeup was done, she dropped another bombshell.

"Scott, bring me the script; let me see what’s up for filming today."

Scott handed it over, trembling; Maya’s acting had never been great, but she’d never acted this nonchalant either!

Shane Morgan was stunned by this statement: "You don’t know what we are filming today?"

The hot-tempered assistant director shouted directly: "How can you act without even looking at the script? How are we supposed to finish this scene? How is there a performer like you that’s so unprofessional!?"

The assistant director said to Shane Morgan: "Morgan, I advised you before, but you wouldn’t listen. Are you regretting it now? You insisted Maya Monroe had talent; well, she’s talented in slacking off! Such a person isn’t fit to be an actor! Her acting is bad and she won’t even strive to improve!!"

Being close to Shane Morgan privately, Assistant Director Raymond Miller spoke frankly.

Shane Morgan remained silent for a long time.

Maya quickly flipped through the script; her mind was racing.

Raymond Miller’s words didn’t bother her at all.

It’s the protagonist that needs to strive hard to show off, while antagonists take the opposite route—the worse the reputation, the better. A stark contrast enhances the protagonist’s awesomeness.

"Alright, I’ve got it, let’s start filming!"

"You remembered it in such a short time?"

Shane Morgan was slightly surprised.

Raymond Miller said: "How could you remember it in such a short time? Aren’t you pulling some trick again?"

Maya had great confidence in her memory; she only thought about completing the scene so she could go back and rest.

"No problem."

"All departments, positions... action!"

"Wandering Beyond the Horizon" tells the story of the male protagonist, Jackie Foley, growing up in a small village with a passionate love for martial arts. By chance, he acquires the lost secret manual "Heavenly Sword Technique" and becomes a disciple of the renowned martial arts sect, "The Startlecloud Clan," embarking on a legendary martial arts master journey. He is bold and chivalrous, with a knack for robbing the rich to aid the poor. His childhood sweetheart and first love, Luna, morphs into a villainous femme fatale. Jackie, full of reluctance, ultimately accepts the martial alliance’s nomination to ’rid evil.’ After Luna’s death, Jackie grieves for a long time but ultimately, with the devoted companionship of the Martial Arts Alliance Hierarch’s daughter, Ashley Shaw, he emerges from the gloom, abandoning worldly fame and fortune to retreat to the mountains with Ashley.

Today’s scene is where Jackie Foley is about to leave for the "The Startlecloud Sect" to learn martial arts, bidding farewell to Luna before his departure, as they exchange heartfelt sentiments.

The challenge is in the emotional delivery—expressing youthful yet intense emotions.

Luna sets down her back basket and turns to look at Jackie Foley, her beautiful face shy:

"Jackie, when did you come? I heard from Little Tiger and Chen San that you’ve been quite busy lately."

She smiles lightly, her smile as pristine as a crescent moon.

Jackie Foley dressed in a dark short jacket, his brow concealing youthful vigor.

He frowns slightly: "Did you go to sell herbal medicine again today? Still in the west of town?"

Luna’s eyes flicker with confusion, tightly pursing her tender lips: "Master Liu and the Flower Healer at Renwick Hall are regulars at the herb stall; people there buy the most..."

"You’ve forgotten the village’s bully, Seth Shelby, haven’t you? He comes to bother you every few days; if there ever comes a day I, I can’t..." Jackie Foley suddenly grows sentimental, unable to finish his sentence.

Luna pulls him into the house: "I know you worry about me, but Jackie, I can’t... Father’s legs aren’t working well, and mother hurt her foot recently, I..." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Luna’s eyes glisten red.

Jackie Foley takes a sachet out of his pocket and presses it into Luna’s hand: "Take this silver, make sure your harsh grandmother doesn’t find out!"

"I don’t want your silver; quickly take it back!"

Jackie Foley holds her hand firmly, silent without uttering a word.

"You’re always playful normally, but today..."

"Luna sis, I’m leaving for Veridia tomorrow!"