Shaun, with dark circles almost reaching his belly button, walked over, holding a cup of coffee. Early shoots like this were a challenge for everyone in the crew. "You must think it strange. Like, why does it seem that everyone except for you acts as if they don''t remember the previous day''s incident?" asked Shaun. Melody nodded.


    "Maybe they find it hard to process, too. I mean, the leading actress they''ve always believed in doing something so damaging to her reputation..."


    Melody''s tone was subdued. After Ste''s arrest, one would expect a sense of relief, but she was not particrly cheerful at all. Probably because of what happened with Lucas. However, the production crew should be able to catch up on lost time without Ste''s scheming.


    Shaun raised an eyebrow, finding Melody quiteposed. He had expected her to take advantage of this opportunity to bring Ste down, but Melody had done no such thing. It seemed she was indeed a neer, not tainted by the vices of the industry.


    Melody had the entire Rivera family behind her back. She could easily use the Riveras'' resources to ensure Ste would never have aeback if she wanted, yet that thought did not even cross her mind. "I thought you''d be happy with Ste''s arrest, but it seems like you''re not," remarked Shaun.


    Melody nced at him lightly and said with a sarcastic smile, "Why would you think that? Oh, I forgot, you all believe there must be some deep-seated hatred between Ste and me. Otherwise, why would she go to such lengths to harm me?


    "As the saying goes, there''s no smoke without a fire. Even though Ste has been arrested, everyone still thinks I must''ve done something horrible to her, or she wouldn''t have targeted me. Some people will always think that way, won''t they?"


    Melody had seen the crew''s true nature. She did not expect much out of them anymore. It was a good thing as well since she was not there to make friends.


    "You''re right, but the people working in the entertainment industry have long learned how to take sides. I''m not asking you to forgive them. I just hope you can be a bit more open-minded. This kind of situation is quitemon in the workce, and there''s no way around it."


    Melody nodded in understanding.


    Shaun gulped down his coffee in one go and said, "Pah! This coffee is so bitter! I''ve been drinking this coffee for so many years, and I still can''t understand why people say it''s good. Even so, I can''t do without this stuff. Otherwise, I wouldn''t have the energy to work! Then I wouldn''t be able to produce good films."


    Every director longed to create good films. They need both critical acim and box-office sess. A director would lose theirmercial value if they could not produce films that capture audiences'' attention. Melody nced at Shaun. She had never seen him so weary since joining the production. Despite having earned the reputation of a great director, it seemed like he was a bird trapped in a golden cage. Due to certain constraints, only about a tenth of his true talent was being showcased.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Shaun turned to meet Melody''s gaze. "Alright, get ready. We''ll be starting the shoot soon."


    Melody intended to ask the makeup artist to give her face a healthier glow. Having woken up so early and coupled with not being in the best mood, herplexion did not quite match the storyline. Surprisingly, Shaun told her that was unnecessary.


    "This morning scene will be usedter, especially for the scene where you know David is leaving."


    The actor ying Dieter was actually a local, a mixed-race individual with well-defined features that made him look somewhat foreign. When casting for the role, they had considered hiring a foreigner, but given the film''s extensive use of English dialogue, they eventually opted for a mixed-race actor.


    The actor portraying the male lead, Nathan Bryne, went through a series of challenges but eventually secured the role.