The Billionaire's Maid Bride novel Chapter 650

Aaron's attempt to break away from his usual composed demeanor to play a bumbling rookie cop was a bit of a stretch. His image didn't quite fit the bill, but his acting chops were expected to bridge the gap. After all, it was a Wade-directed piece. Let's wait and see. The man's got a good track record.

"I think Allison, though a newcomer, is the perfect fit for the role of Irene," one fan remarked. "She embodies that fresh-faced, pure-hearted vibe of a recent college grad just stepping into the corporate world. Aaron, on the other hand, despite his star power, doesn't quite match the jovial, greenhorn cop vibe. They should've cast someone younger."

"Totally agree," chimed in another. "Big-budget blockbusters like this should give new talent a chance. Allison's got the right look for the part, age-wise, anyway. The only drawback is she's too darn stunning. Our Irene isn't supposed to be a knockout; she's more of an everywoman clerk."

Online opinions were a mixed bag.

The production team monitored the feedback for a while, and overall, it was pretty on point, which was a relief.

But this time around, Valeria's reputation took a hit.

She had just splurged on influencers and trending spots to hype up her looks and on-screen chemistry with her co-star when the official promotional stills were released. They even included a photo of the leads shaking hands, a clear jab at her.

Valeria's image was taking consecutive nosedives.

Netizens even coined a nickname for her: "Green Tea Val."

Valeria scrolled through the trending topics, speechless.

And to top it off, she got a warning from producer Lucy.

"Come on, Lucy, how could it have been my team?" Valeria feigned innocence. "I hate leaks. Why would I have staff sneak out behind-the-scenes shots?"

Lucy had worked with Valeria before. The actress had previously starred as the second lead in a period drama Lucy produced, which was well-received. This time, her agency had pushed her to audition for the second lead again, and Lucy had supported her.

The current fiasco was all down to Valeria's envy.

Lucy was no fool. With years in the industry, she could see right through people. Watching Valeria's denials, Lucy simply said, "Val, I backed you for this role. This film's got a lot of buzz, a stellar cast. The lead actor is top-tier, and the lead actress is a rising star with deep-pocketed backers. You know this better than I do. It's wise not to burn bridges."

Valeria knew what Lucy was implying but continued to play dumb, "Lucy, I... I really didn't know anything about the leak."

Some things, if never admitted, could never be pinned down.

Lucy sighed and stood up, "If that's how you want to play it, there's nothing more to say. This movie is meant to boost Allison's career. Do you really think sweet-looking Allison is easy to push around? She's being gracious. She ignored this mess at the meeting today. As the female lead, the studio will back her to the hilt to protect her interests. We all know about your little stunts, and don't think we can't trace them. The surveillance cameras have it all, clear as day. Valeria, the pictures your crew took are all on camera. I'd advise you to lay low. Wade's made it clear—if you don't want to play ball, there's the door. There are a dozen others eager for your part."

Valeria's face turned pale.