Twisted Ties of Love

Chapter 340

Connie held the script, looking arrogantly at Izabella on the stage.

"I don't know if young people nowadays think becoming an actor is a piece of cake. Seriously, everyone's trying it. I thought this show was supposed to inspire and clear the name for real actors. But instead, we get people like her. Netizens are just too forgiving. Trashy actors should be boycotted and banned by everyone. She even dared to go on stage, recklessly changing the script, with zero respect..." Connie's words were cut off abruptly as she felt an overwhelming presence beside her.

It came from Casey, who frowned at the mention of "people like her" describing Izabella. His aura became heavy.

He glanced at Connie, his eyes narrowing with a hint of murderous intent. Connie's breath hitched, almost losing her balance.

Izabella, on stage, broke the silence, "May I ask how I changed the script?"

Connie choked; her momentum significantly decreased, feeling like a thorn in her throat, but she had to speak.

"Our mentor had the script of your performance right in front of him. From the moment Harper raised the gun, you changed the script and lines."

"Really?" Izabella smirked. She first gave Casey a reassuring glance, then slowly turned her gaze to Harper and Ariana, who looked uneasy.

"What was the original script you guys came up with?"

No one responded; Izabella's aura was just as strong as Casey's.

Dorian explained, "The script in front of us shows that Federic shot Danielle in the shoulder but didn't kill her, only scaring and making her regretful. In the end, Danielle admits her mistake and repents, but Federic doesn't give her a chance and shoots her dead..."

But when Harper raised the gun, and the gunshot sounded, Izabella covered her chest and fell to her knees, which was very different from the script.

Izabella slightly furrowed her brows, then relaxed and asked sarcastically, "So that was the original script?"

Ariana said, "Izabella, don't pretend you don't know. We gave you the script from the beginning, and you changed the lines, messing up our rhythm. What's the point of questioning us like you're clueless?!" After saying this, she wiped away tears with reddened eyes, caught clearly on camera.

The audience suddenly had an "aha" moment.

"I thought Izabella was a good actress. She changed the script to make herself look better and bring down Ariana and Harper. So sneaky."

"No wonder the plot felt off, especially Harper's last lines. It was because Izabella changed the script."

"Changing the script like that is just disgusting. Connie's right in calling her out. How dare Izabella even come on this show?"

"Is there anyone as outspoken as Connie these days? Trashy actors like Izabella should be boycotted by society."

"Acting is tarnished by people like her."

"Gavin's praise for Izabella earlier made me sick. Did he take a bribe?"

"No more support for Gavin."

"The bad girl bullied poor Ariana until she cried. Don't cry; we'll help you scold her!"

The whole scene erupted, and Izabella stood alone on the stage, smiling. She scanned the audience's mouths, feeling like two buzzing flies had entered her ears, leaving her restless.

Izabella's personality wasn't suited for the entertainment industry, she was too lonely, and lively places made her feel out of place. Just like now, the loneliness coming from all directions threatened to swallow her.

People can be broke, but they can't lack pride and self-respect. And all of these are built on a "normal" reputation.

When her gaze swept over the mentors, Izabella's eyes lingered. She saw Casey's worried look, seemingly telling her not to be afraid; he had her back.

Izabella wasn't scared. She had been afraid of loneliness and having no one before, but after experiencing death once, she realized there was nothing to fear.

She tilted her head, asking, "Where's my script?"

Harper didn't speak; Ariana stood behind him, aggrieved, and said, "Of course, we gave it to your agent. We don't have your email. You're not trying to use not receiving the script as an excuse, are you? Izabella, you keep pushing my limits. You stole my role, and now you're using these tactics!"

Their microphones were still on, so everyone could hear the conversation between Izabella and Ariana on and off the screen.

Ariana stirred the audience's emotions, and they shouted in unison, "Boycott Izabella!"

Even director Mr. Kane was baffled by the sudden turn of events. He had seen a lot in his years as a director, but he wasn't stupid. Considering the grudge between Ariana and Izabella, he immediately realized Izabella had been set up.

He was good at observing people. From his first meeting with Izabella, he knew she wasn't the person the internet portrayed her as.

Brad York even sacrificed his reputation for her, so how bad could her acting be?

And her performance just now didn't need changing the script. She had outshined Ariana and Harper in the previous scene too, right?

Mr. Kane sighed; Ariana was just too good at stirring people's emotions. This time, Izabella was in trouble.

It might not just be about affecting the "Blood Ties" crew anymore, whether they could film normally was a question mark.

Mr. Kane was about to use his walkie-talkie to pause the shooting when he heard Izabella asking another question on stage.

"I've been wanting to ask a question, why does the script you guys have and the movie have nothing in common?"

This time Harper spoke up to explain, "The rules of the show say that actors ranked S-level can change the script as they please. I wasn't happy with the ending when I filmed this movie. Federic is a man; how could he not seek revenge after losing his lover, not kill Danielle?"

But he forgot that Federic is a devoted son, raised by his hardworking single mother – how could he stand to watch his mother die in pain?

But his beloved died because of him, and he, as a man, couldn't accept Danielle controlling his life.

So Federic chose to commit suicide in front of Danielle. He knew Danielle loved him and wanted her to regret and feel guilty. He hoped she would treat his mother well and live in pain, guilt, and condemnation.

Afterward, Danielle indeed lived a miserable life for a long time.

That's the true meaning behind the movie's title.

Ariana said, "The movie is nearly two hours long, and to condense the whole story smoothly into half an hour, we naturally had to make changes. Izabella, don't talk about these trivial things. We gave your agent the script, and you never rehearse. How can you still be so confident?"

"I never asked you guys to rehearse?" Izabella laughed.

Ariana's eyes were clearly evasive, but she didn't care about being caught on camera. She brazenly said, "All the actors participating in this variety show are here because of their real talent. Not like some people, not even trying to improve their acting skills, just relying on connections. Did Blood Ties choose you by using such despicable means?"

Izabella casually adjusted her hair and said, "A brain is a good thing, and it's not too late for you to develop yours now." She was talking to Harper.

Then, with a change of tone, she walked over to Ariana in her high heels and said, "Congratulations, you've successfully pissed me off and made me want to curse someone. But don't worry; I won't curse you."

It took Ariana a while to realize what had just happened, and it wasn't until Izabella had left with the staff that she snapped back to reality.

Wasn't that last comment from Izabella basically calling her less than human?

After Izabella left the stage, Harper finally breathed a sigh of relief: "Ariana, are you sure we won't get into trouble doing this?"

"What trouble could there be? We've already done it. Are we still scared of Izabella? Trust me; there's no way she can make a comeback. Besides, we gave her agent the script, so we're not afraid of her biting back."

"I'm just a little worried..."

"Harper, these tactics are necessary to survive in the entertainment industry. Aren't you afraid of seeing yourself lose to a low-quality actress in entertainment news? She's only been in one web series, what about you? Since you're on the same stage, either she fails, or you fail. Don't you understand this simple truth?" Ariana looked down on him a bit. She wasn't afraid, and yet a man like him was still hesitating. They might have been exposed if it weren't for her just now.

Harper was good in many ways but too kind and easily used. He didn't want to do these sneaky things but couldn't resist Ariana's persistence – he had always liked this woman.

Before going on stage, Harper was very confident in his acting skills and even looked down on Izabella's acting background in the web series. But reality slapped him hard in the face, and because of his contempt and blind confidence, he almost ruined his acting career on this stage.

Izabella returned backstage and sent Casey a message not to worry.

Then she called Graham directly: "Did Ariana send you the script?"

"Ariana?" Graham pretended to be confused. "Oh, you mean that variety shows you're in? There was a script for me to give you, but I was too busy that day and had too many files in my inbox, so I

forgot. I only sorted it out today, but I thought you guys would have already met on-site and wouldn't need me to forward it to you again. Plus, don't you guys have to rehearse your scenes together?"

Izabella wasn't surprised by Graham's response. These people just never change their bad habits, and once they find an opportunity to push her into the mud, they won't stop.

"Alright, I got it."

"You're not trying to push the blame onto me, are you? The audience isn't stupid." Graham reminded her.

"Don't worry, I'm not stupid either." Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

Ariana had already cleverly pushed the problem onto Graham. After all, to others, Graham was her agent and naturally wouldn't hurt her.

If she issued a statement, the audience would think just like Graham.

She and Ariana, Harper could have communicated about the script even if they didn't meet in the show. But Ariana had already insisted that she didn't go to rehearse. This created an impression that Izabella had no professional ethics.

Outside, everything was chaos and paparazzi smelling the hot news rushed over. Ariana was crying her eyes out, condemning Izabella.

Tears poured down, she looked pitiful, and everyone who saw her felt sorry for her. The internet was already cursing Izabella left and right.

Casey sent Izabella a message asking if she had changed the script, which he could vouch for since they had already done several scenes together. But Izabella didn't say anything, so he didn't dare make a decision on his own.

After receiving Izabella's message, Casey went straight to the rehearsal room. Izabella was sitting on a pole by the window, swinging her long legs.

It was drizzling outside, and R City's rain never seemed to stop. The summer felt like autumn, with a chill in the air everywhere.

Watching her thin and lonely figure, Casey felt a bit sad. She had already changed into her costume, wearing a white chiffon shirt, looking almost transparent as if she was about to disappear.