The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 2070

Cicely might not have been the sharpest tool in the shed, but even she could tell what was going on. At first, they had sweet-talked her into being a stand-in, and now, after a single phone call, they'd done a 180. It was obvious someone had put the squeeze on the director. Now, with Charlie standing there, it wasn't hard to guess who had been applying the pressure.

Cicely weighed whether to take the money. To accept it felt like selling out, but would pride help her son's failing eyesight?

"Forget it. I'll take the initial deal we agreed on – five times the rate. And I'll shoot this scene for you."

Worst case scenario, she could just hustle to land Crysti some more endorsements or publicity gigs.

The director and Charlie exchanged glances, both aware this wasn't going to be easy.

"Charlie, what are you doing here?" Danielle's puzzled voice made Charlie feel even more cornered.d2

"Ms. Danielle, I... Mr. Diaz sent me to check on the progress. We can't afford any more delays with this film."

Danielle's heart skipped a beat. Clearly, Seth must have caught wind of the buzz online, probably knew about her stalling tactics, which would explain why the director had been riding her hard to keep things moving the past few days.

But still...

"The thing is that I've injured my leg. I won't be able to shoot my scenes, so that's why we brought in a stand-in – to avoid any delays. Why won't you let her shoot?"

Charlie pursed his lips, pondering for a second. "Mr. Diaz holds this project in high regard and plans to push for awards. Naturally, he doesn't want an amateur ruining it. Besides, if word gets out you used a stand-in, it wouldn't look good for you."

He didn't mention Cicely directly, which made Danielle breathe a sigh of relief. She was in a bind. "But in my current condition..."

"Don't worry. Your injury is serious. If we have to delay a few days, so be it."

Cicely found the whole thing laughable. She was clearly a secret. They didn't want her as a stand-in, so they showered Danielle with compliments in front of everyone. Indeed, only that way would others, and Danielle herself, be more persuaded.

It was perfectly normal for Seth to openly favor Danielle. Seth couldn't very well say he was likely protecting a woman he was keeping on the down-low.

Besides, it could very well be just what Charlie said. Cicely wasn't professional enough, he feared she'd ruin his film, and it might damage Danielle's reputation.

Danielle, pleased, glanced at Cicely before asking Charlie, "Is Seth heading back home or to the office now?"

"I'm not sure..."

Charlie glanced at Cicely, who was fiddling with her clothes, paused, and then added, "He might even drop by here."

No sooner had Charlie finished speaking than the sound of a car door closing echoed in the distance, followed by one of Danielle's assistants exclaiming with glee, "Mr. Diaz is here!"

Cicely's brow twitched, and Charlie's scalp tightened. He quickly signaled the director with his eyes.

The director caught on and quickly spoke up, "I'll pay you. Tenfold. So please, come down from the wire rig. This scene is both exhausting and dangerous."

Cicely glanced at the cliffside nearby, biting her lip. To simply take the money at ten times the rate felt like a major score.

"Alright, transfer the funds to my account first."

"Absolutely! Doing it right now!"

As Mr. Diaz approached, the director's voice trembled.

Cicely remained silent, undoing the wire rig attached to her. Seth strode forward, his tall and lean figure wrapped in an expensive suit that exuded elegance and a chilling nobility. His dark, untroubled eyes seemed to focus directly on Cicely.

Danielle tensed up and, on instinct, glanced at Cicely. After a moment's thought, Danielle stepped in front of Cicely and said to the director, "If we're in such a rush, I should do the scene."

The director frowned, "But your knee injury..."

"It's fine."

Seth stopped in front of them, his towering height not preventing Cicely from his view.

"Seth, you're here." Danielle approached with a smile, and only then did Seth's gaze shift from Cicely to the director.

"What's she doing?"

The director's legs went weak. "This..."

Danielle quickly chimed in, "It's me. I got hurt while shooting, and the director didn't want to delay the schedule. Since Cicely here looks a bit like me, he thought of using her as my stand-in."

"Your stand-in?"

Seth gave her a sharp look, and Danielle suddenly felt a wash of shame. "Yes, but I've thought it over. Cicely is not a professional actress. It's better if I do it."

Seth looked at Cicely again, "You're told to act, and you just do it? Don't you know your own worth?"

Everyone's gaze shifted to Cicely. She paused, frowned at Seth, and retorted, "Seems Mr. Diaz is quite aware of my worth?"

Silence fell, and Cicely, realizing something was amiss, hurriedly unfastened the other shoulder strap.

Danielle, biting her lip, insisted, "Seth, I said I'd do it."

"Cicely." Seth's eyes stayed on her as he spoke again, disregarding Danielle's words. "Step back a bit. Don't just stand there."

Confused, the onlookers looked at Cicely, realizing she was on the edge of the cliff. Seth was warning her, or rather, he didn't want her to fall.

Danielle's face went pale. In a panic, she stumbled backward, straight into Cicely, who was caught off guard.

Cicely swayed, her face stiffening and paling instantly, and in a heart-stopping moment, she fell over the cliff's edge.