The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 2009

The director was a well-known figure internationally, with the kind of pride you'd expect, but having been a player in the industry for so long, he wasn't one to easily offend any of the big-money backers.

He wouldn't personally dole out the flattery, but he tacitly allowed his team to do the schmoozing. He was well aware of Cicely Ellis, the heiress of the affluent Ellis family of P City.

She breezed through to the inner sanctum of the shoot, greeted with a smile by the director's assistant. "Ms. Cicely, what a surprise! What brings you to our set today?"

It was news to him that besides that young master from the Diaz family, she had an interest to acting too.

Cicely wore a pair of black fleece-lined jeans, a pure white down jacket on the upper body, and a scarf around her neck. In winter, because of static, she tied her hair up in a bun.

A simple and neat outfit might have looked ordinary, but on her, there was always a unique charm shining through. It was as if this plain and uncomplicated style in the world was specially tailored just for her.d2

She had the delicate beauty of a rich heiress, an ethereal presence that seemed almost too pure for this world, a delicate creation shaped by wealth.

"I've always adored this story, and when I heard about the adaptation, I just had to see what you'd turn my favorite character into."

As they walked, Cicely said, "Of course, I know with a director as talented as yours and the hefty investment behind this project, it's bound to be well-handled. My main concern is the casting. Will the looks, the aura, and the acting chops satisfy us hardcore fans?"

The assistant director chuckled. "Rest assured, Cicely, we've been very thorough in our casting process. Three months of auditions under the director's watchful eye. We've made every effort to please the fans."

He was confident on that front. After all, they weren't short on funds and were free to make the movie as they saw fit.

"Then I assume there won't be any last-minute cast changes due to investors meddling?"

"Absolutely not."

Cicely's lips curled into a smirk. "Then how come I've heard rumors that your carefully chosen cast had a last-minute substitution?"

In the past, they encountered situations like this too often during filming. For a drama, they had to cram in at least five or six amateur or internet influencers, to the extent that this particular drama became an exception with only one special case, which he subconsciously ignored.

Glancing at his somewhat awkward expression, Cicely stood outside the filming scene, where the staff were setting up the scene. The shoot took place indoors, with a backdrop of lush green surroundings.

"There was one change. A newcomer recommended by the president of C&P Entertainment. But the director had her audition, and since she had stage experience and a striking presence—superior to the previous choice—she got the part."

His voice trailed off as Cicely's piercing gaze turned to him, her eyes narrowing with a chill. "She has stage experience, you say?"

As he was about to elaborate, a shout interrupted him. The director was ready to shoot.

Cicely turned to see the actors taking their places. A man in a dark blue robe embroidered with gold threads was likely the male lead, followed by two women in men's garb, one in a richly embroidered waistcoat and the other in a green tunic.

She knew that face all too well.

"Who's playing Claudia?" Cicely's voice cut through the air, her tone icy.

Claudia—the role Emiliana had fought for and then lost to someone else.

The assistant director stated plainly, "Claudia? That's Danielle, your cousin."

At the end of the day, the usurper was still an Ellis, Cicely's own cousin. A happy coincidence for the family.

Despite her plain attire, Cicely stood out in the crowd. Danielle, preparing to get into character, caught sight of her and paused, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face before returning her focus to the scene.

A special favor. An actor handpicked by Seth himself.

How predictable.

She had suspected foul play the moment the original actor was replaced, but seeing it firsthand was almost laughable.

In Seth's eyes, just how naive did she have to be to let Danielle benefit from such nepotism without a word?

Theater was one thing, but acting was another. Even if Danielle was considered talented, the fact that she had caused six takes due to mistakes proved her inexperience in front of the camera.

She was just following the female lead as an attendant, simply standing there with few lines, and just putting on a poker face could get her so flustered. Was this considered good acting?

Everyone knew that Seth's recommendation wasn't based on pure talent. The director's hands were tied.