While Violet was celebrating with Pei Li and Wayne over the director's offer, on the way to the filming site, Sebastian made a move and filed a complaint with the agency against Fang Li's carelessness. To his surprise, the agency told him to live with it, just as he thought it was all a setup.
He was furious when he entered the makeup tent, and the vibe he gave made everyone suddenly tactful around him. However, Fang Li acted nonchalantly with him, which added more anger. Although so, he knew he had to conceal his true emotions from being used further as an advantage.
"Here's your meal… And there's already a schedule in place. You will need to attend a brand launch for the endorsement of the Caux velvet jacket this weekend." Before Fang Li could continue, Sebastian stopped her and took the tablet to check himself.
"Stay at the costume area. Get Violet here, now…" He said in annoyance as he scrolled the schedule himself. Confused but slowly reading his reaction, Fang Li began to understand the meaning of this.
"There's more. You need to report back to the company on the Sunday of that weekend. They want to discuss your contract." Fang Li continued, which made Sebastian lose his temper.
"I SAID GET VIOLET HERE! NOW!" He stood and bellowed, which frightened the makeup artist a bit, before Fang Li sighed inwardly and stormed out of the tent to fetch Violet.
Sebastian purposely dismissed the makeup artist first, with the disguise of him trying to stay composed. In fact, he just wanted to update Sam on the matter discreetly.
Sebastian: Back in the office on Sunday? To discuss the contract? Something is not right. I cannot get rid of this spy. Implement Violet's plan to frame her. I have an endorsement of Caux before the event you mention. Slight delay.
When Sam received the text, he was wary too about Sunday's plan. He needed to think of something to have Sebastian escape and perhaps push to Monday.
Sam: I have a plan, but you need to fake an injury. After the event.
Sebastian: Sounds good. Go ahead.
Sam smiled at his sneaky plans over the weekend. Meanwhile, Violet stepped into a sheepishly quiet makeup tent, knowing that Fang Li was reprimanded and Sebastian was in a bad mood.
She cleared her throat, standing by his side as he completed studying the next scheduled location of filming to be in a jungle area. They probably might need to endure harsh weather as rain was forecasted for next week's filming days.
"Study this and prep as usual." He said gently while passing Violet the tablet before she felt a vibration on her phone. Before she could read them, he gave his next request.
"Get my makeup artist back." He waved at her as she obediently obliged.
"Oh, and get rid of that! Fix something else…" He pointed at the sushi box with hatred. Violet could only nod before taking it away to study later.
While she was back in the corner of the staff resting tent, she checked her phone and saw Sebastian's message.
It's just an act. I cannot get rid of her. The management shrugged it away. Bear with it. Act like you're afraid, too.
Violet held her head in frustration as she quickly studied the meal and could smell the spiciness of the wasabi this time. She, too, was furious at these dirty attempts to get Sebastian into trouble.
An idea began to brew in her mind as she placed an order for stir-fried noodles for Sebastian instead and added a few orders of sushi for the crew using Sam's corporate credit card. She ensured she ordered one set with super extra wasabi.
Sam, who was busy sorting out matters with Maliwei's publication, was suspicious of the transaction when he received a notification from the bank for such a huge amount. He instantly knew it was Violet before giving her a call urgently.
While waiting for the order, Violet went up to Pei Li in the staff tent, but noticed Fang Li was typing away on her laptop. "Help me halt her from leaving here till I return," Violet whispered before rushing outside to pick up Sam's call. Pei Li couldn't react in time but could only oblige.
"Yes?" She said firmly.
"Did you make the wrong order?" Sam questioned worriedly. "No, I didn't," Violet said calmly.
"Then what's the order for?!" Sam bellowed. "Play along. The trap." She whispered briefly as she walked to the entrance and waited for the order to come.
Sam, upon hanging up, understood she planned to trap Fang Li. Though worried, he tried trusting Violet on this.
Once all her orders came, she quickly served the fried noodles to Sebastian first. She was glad to see him much more relaxed doing his makeup and seeing his favorite meal. Pei Li frowned when she met with Violet's gaze, as she had failed to prevent Fang Li from leaving the staff's tent.
Violet gave her a comforting smile and shook her head to tell Pei Li it was fine cause she had another plan in mind. Violet then went to the middle of the film set and announced it to everyone.
"Come, come, everyone! Sebastian treats everyone to lunch!" Violet set the orders on a side table and deliberately went up to Fang Li, who was standing in a corner, suspiciously eyeing the boxes of sushi.
"Fang Li! Here you are!" Violet purposely said loudly to gain some attention.
"Here, Sebastian had a special order for you to thank you!" Violet opened up the box and gave Fang Li her chopsticks.
Fang Li was weary, but there were many eyes around her. She could also hear them all envying her special treatment.
"Err… I will… I will have it later." She tried to reject, but Violet was persistent.
"Come on, try! Give it a bite! I have prepared for you… I know you have been very busy. Take a bite at least…" Violet was already feeding her at this rate.
Fang Li had no choice but to take a bite of the squid sushi Violet picked. The moment Fang Li bit into the sushi, she knew it was a trap, but there were so many eyes looking that she had no choice but to swallow the sushi piece and keep a straight face.
"Is it good?" Violet asked loudly on purpose as she noticed her fuming face at the wasabi spiciness. "Wow! You must love it very much, looking at how you are speechless." Violet said before making another move.
"Glad all of you love it, too! Come, Fang Li, have more, another bite!" Violet urged loudly, where it took everyone's attention. Fang Li had no choice but to play along as she glared at Violet discreetly, but there was nothing much she could do, knowing there were always behind-the-scenes cameras around the filming set.
"You're going to pay for this…" Fang Li told Violet through her gritted teeth. "Try me…" Violet maintained her smile while Fang Li tried to walk away.
"Fang Li! Here, take this with you! It's for your lunch!" Violet said loudly on purpose as Fang Li turned around and had no choice but to take it nicely from Violet before thanking her by force.
Sebastian caught the whole scene with Wayne on a different side as their gaze met with tacit understanding that Violet would be in danger and they needed to pay more attention.
"Vivi! Trouble!" Pei Li came alerting Violet with her mobile as Violet frowned.
The king of mystery movies found flaring staff on set while filming! Is he under stress from his divorce saga lately?
Violet's gaze searched the crowd, who were reading the latest tabloid news about Sebastian. She couldn't use Sam as a shield this time. She could only think of a way to protect Sebastian.
"What's the next scene?" Violet quickly checked with Pei Li as she read the summary of Wayne's character needing to collaborate with a child actor. Xing Xing came to the set amidst the tabloid news and instantly ran to find Sebastian.
"Sebby!!" Xing Xing hugged him excitedly as Sebastian squatted.
"Xing Xing! You're on set today!" Sebastian cheered happily, and Violet could see it was genuine. It was how he was when she first met him in Phut Bi… as Phor Tat.
All the other staff were amazed at their chemistry as they instantly caught up and laughed together as Sebastian introduced Wayne, who would be working with him closely today on set.
Violet quickly recorded their interaction and went into the forum where they were flaring Sebastian for his bad behaviour. She posted the video anonymously with a caption, "The King is so gentle with kids! Is he ready to be a dad next?"
The internet instantly went insane with Sebastian being a hot topic once again. It was also Violet's way of keeping him in the limelight and restricting harm from his agency.
The news reached Janice's attention. She hasn't been thinking much about Sebastian since the day they met at the cafe, as she was focusing her attention on her next content for her channel. Instead of focusing on viral, trendy videos, she was sourcing brands to collaborate with in marketing their products and services.
That's when she recalled that Sebastian was going to be at the Caux event this weekend. She would be there to do a coverage with her crew, too, and they would certainly be crossing paths. She wondered if he would be fine with it. Or rather, if she would be fine with it.
She sent a text to him asking about his situation being impacted by the news of his flaring, but also being friendly with his child actor. She didn't expect a reply at all, knowing it was just too slow to let go of the habit of checking on him as she continued planning for her next content.
PS: Will be travelling next week! Let's return to the next chapter after that :D