Chapter 380
The T Corporation advertising department buzzed with activity.
The set was meticulously designed for the shoot of their upcoming "Queen" perfume collection commercial. The luxurious fragrance line, set to launch after New Year's, promised intensity and timeless elegance with its signature notes of femininity and seduction.
This campaign's theme? "Obsession."
Evelyn Sinclair stepped onto the chaotic set where everyone moved with purpose.
Lillian Prescott stood center stage in a sheer ensemble, her eyes smoldering with heavy makeup. The crew swarmed around the actress like worker bees tending to their queen.
A brief intermission allowed the makeup artist to retouch Lillian's face before she returned to position.
Joseph Richter, the Oscar-winning director behind "A Beautiful Soul" and "Magic Arrow," adjusted his high-speed camera while barking orders through his headset. "Increase the backlight by twenty percent!"
After the lighting adjustment, he repositioned cameras one and two before announcing, "This take needs to be perfect. I want full cooperation from everyone!"
The crew responded in unison, "Copy that!"
"Action!" Joseph's command snapped the set to attention.
Three cameras simultaneously tracked Lillian's movements as she posed with the perfume bottle. She attempted various seductive positions - reclining on the floor, presenting her back to the camera, partially obscuring her face with her arm - each more awkward than the last.
Evelyn couldn't suppress an eye roll.
Lillian had built her career on an innocent girl-next-door image. This sudden shift to sultry temptress clearly didn't suit her. Every pose came across stiff and unnatural.
"Cut!" Joseph called barely five minutes in.
He fixed Lillian with a disappointed glare. "Ms. Prescott, you're completely missing the mark. Take ten to find your character. This is 'Obsession' - I need regal dominance, not wide-eyed innocence. Figure it out."
Lillian's shoulders slumped under the director's criticism.
She'd given everything to this shoot! Starving herself, practicing poses for hours, enduring this grueling day-long session. Normally her commercials wrapped in one take.
What more did this temperamental director want?
Biting back her frustration, she forced a smile. "Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Richter. I'll do better."
As Lillian retreated, Joseph muttered to his assistant, "She's beautiful but utterly soulless. That performance was wooden. Dominic usually has impeccable taste - why would he choose her as spokesperson?"
The crew flocked to comfort Lillian. An assistant offered water which she accepted with false cheer, silently cursing the director.
No one dared criticize Lillian's acting to her face - her political family connections ensured constant praise despite her mediocre skills. Joseph's blunt assessment stung her pride.
"Ms. Prescott." Evelyn approached calmly. "My department head said you specifically requested my assistance, yet the set appears fully staffed."
Lillian set down her water bottle. "My apologies for interrupting your work, Ms. Sinclair. My primary assistant had an accident at Blue Honors and returned home to recover. The other is on leave. Since we're acquainted, I thought having you nearby might ease my nerves in this unfamiliar environment. Surely you don't mind?"
The flimsy excuse came wrapped in humble sincerity, earning approving nods from nearby crew members. Lillian's political family background contrasted with her seemingly down-to-earth demeanor, making her popular among the staff.
Evelyn's smile didn't reach her eyes. "It's my privilege to assist you, Ms. Prescott. While this falls outside my design responsibilities, as a T Corporation employee, I follow orders."
Her words carried subtle barbs - this wasn't her job, and Lillian had overstepped by pulling strings to summon her.
Lillian caught the implication.
Her mind flashed to Blue Honors, where her scheme had nearly backfired. Preston Worthington had extorted a fortune from her - money she wouldn't have lost if not for Evelyn.
She'd planned to make Evelyn suffer during this shoot, but the designer's sharp tongue surprised her.
Beneath her polished smile, Lillian seethed. 'This nobody doesn't know her place. I'll break her.'