The next day, Amanda packed her bags, leaving her husband for a several-month filming schedule. Before she left, Quentin sat her down to discuss their upcoming plans, including a new decision: they would hold their formal wedding in early June. Immediately after wrapping Deep Friendship, she would step off the film set and straight into the wedding hall.
Amanda arrived at the filming location accompanied only by Winter. As for Vance, she quickly discovered he was the shadow Quentin had arranged to stay by her side. Considering Vance like a second brother, Amanda decided—in her typical dramatic fashion—to be "angry" with him for at least two months for spying on her.
Deep Friendship was a film heavy with military themes. To ensure authenticity, the director mandated a grueling fifteen-day military training camp for the lead actors. Amanda joined the group early, eager to immerse herself in the experience. However, she kept the rigors of the training a secret from Quentin; she knew that if he found out she was doing intensive drills so soon after her recovery, he would personally shut down the production.
Fifteen days was a short window, but Amanda possessed a natural discipline that allowed her to quickly adapt the posture and movements of a true soldier.
On the expansive shooting range, the rest of the group had already dispersed, but Amanda remained, standing straight and focused on the target. Several shots rang out—Bang! Bang!—but the bullets missed the bullseye. Her hands were shaking from the recoil and exhaustion, but she refused to lower her weapon.
Jasper, standing nearby with the drill instructor, watched her with mounting concern. "Amanda, if you can't handle it, just give up for today."
His words were like gasoline on a fire. Amanda turned and glared at him. "If you're so bored, go home!"
Jasper let out a frustrated hiss and looked away. He didn't know what had gotten into her, but she was obsessed with hitting that center mark. The instructor, seeing the tension between the two, stepped forward and spoke to Amanda with a stern but professional kindness.
"Comrade Solis, marksmanship is a lifelong process. For an actor, mastering the correct posture and safety is already a victory."
Amanda lowered her gaze, resting the gun on the table as she flexed her cramped fingers. "When you're aiming at a real person," she asked softly, "are you ever afraid?"
The soldier was stunned for a moment before he chuckled. "The people who require us to use these are not 'honest' people. In a soldier's heart, there is no room for fear."
Amanda's lips curled into a bright, knowing smile. "I understand. Thank you."
The soldier offered a crisp military salute to both her and Jasper before departing. Jasper, who had been listening intently, asked coldly, "Who exactly are you planning to shoot?"
Amanda turned and pouted at him. "Who would I shoot? Can I shoot you?" she asked with mock innocence.
Jasper couldn't help but laugh at her "evil" expression. He slung an arm around her shoulder and pulled her toward the barracks. "Wait until you can actually hit the bullseye, then you can try shooting me."
The Scandal Breaks
As they entered the temporary housing area, Winter and Jasper's manager rushed toward them, their faces pale with anxiety. They pulled the two actors into a quiet corner and thrust their phones into their hands.
"False rumors are spreading like wildfire," Winter said, her voice trembling. "You've already hit the top of the trending searches!"
Jasper's face went solemn as he scrolled through the news. The "leak" consisted of seven high-quality photos showing Amanda and Jasper in intimate-looking positions, captured from shady angles. The photos spanned from the set of Love is Tested to their most recent interactions at the Deep Friendship audition.
The headline was provocative: "Amanda and Jasper: Colleagues, Lovers, or a Transaction for Profit?"
Amanda's heart hammered against her ribs as she scrolled through the comments. The internet was a battlefield of vitriol:
"Jasper clearly pulled strings to get her into the Deep Friendship cast. Talk about a back-door deal."
"With her acting history, there's no way she got these roles on merit. She's just a vixen."
"Jasper is the second young master of the Kent Group—she's definitely climbing the social ladder. Dirty person, get out of the industry!"
"Go die, Amanda!"
As she read the "Go die" comments, Amanda's hands and feet went ice-cold. She had experienced the horror of cyber-violence in her previous life, and the trauma came rushing back, making her vision blur.
Realizing Amanda was spiraling, Jasper snatched the phone away and threw it back to Winter. "Pack your things immediately," he commanded. "Winter, call Vance and tell him to get the car ready now. We're going back to the city."
Winter nodded frantically and ran to the rooms. Jasper's manager hesitated, then hurried off to coordinate with the agency. Amanda remained standing in the center of the room, her head bowed, looking small and broken.
Jasper sighed and reached out, gently rubbing the top of her head. "Don't be afraid. It's just noise."
Amanda looked up at him, her eyes swimming with tears, her lower lip trembling as she bit it to keep from sobbing. Jasper winced at the sight and reached out to pinch her cheek.
"Stop it. You're an ugly crier. Swallow those tears back down!"
The irritation flicked a switch in Amanda. Her fear was momentarily eclipsed by annoyance. "Jasper!" she yelled, her voice echoing through the hallway.
Jasper grinned, relieved to see a spark of life back in her eyes. "There she is. Let's go."