In the evening, Briena was dressed in an expensive branded outfit, looking beautiful from head to toe.
Clara entered the room and was srized by her daughter. "You’re looking so beautiful, Briena," Clara said, observing her with a wide smile. "I’m sure after tonight, so many big producers will line up to sign you for their movies."
"Thank you, Mom," Briena replied. "You’re looking beautiful as well. You must’ve been like when you were young."
Clara smiled with pride. "So many people were after , but I didn’t pay attention to everyone. Only your father."
"Then, you could’ve gotten a man even better than Dad," Briena said. "Soone like Jas Harper, or anyone from those four richest families in the city. Even Caryn managed to get a man like Jas—so you could’ve gotten soone better too."
"Only if I knew how to seduce those rich n. I was no match for Caryn. Back then, every rich man was after her—including soone like Jas Harper. I didn’t stand a chance in front of that slut."
"Even her daughter turned out to be like her," Briena said with disdain. "She managed to seduce Justin Harper, and who knows how many others she’s seducing. Both mother and daughter are the sa. Whores."
Clara patted her daughter’s shoulder and said, "Don’t spoil your mood over them. After tomorrow, you’ll be more famous than her, and many rich sons from those families will want you. You don’t have to worry."
Ana, who had overheard them, added, "But with Ivan by her side, and everyone knowing they’re engaged, others might not approach Briena."
Clara shrugged. "When rich n have their eyes on a woman, they don’t care if she’s married or engaged." She looked at Briena. "Don’t think too much about Ivan."
Briena nodded. "I know. But since he’s my fiancé, I have to go with him—or people will think I ditched him after getting famous."
"True. We’ll find another way to get rid of him. Don’t worry," Clara assured.
They left to attend the first screening of the movie, where important figures from the film industry were going to be present—along with dia personnel eager to capture every mont of the event.
----
anwhile, at the Ford residence, Alia and Irene were enthusiastically getting ready to attend the movie screening.
"I wish we could be with Ivan and Briena to watch the movie along with the other superstars, but we have to watch it in the screen booked for other guests," Irene said sadly.
"Your brother will be with Briena, what more do you want? Once she marries him, you can show off to others that Briena is your family," Alia added.
"That’s what’s keeping sane. I can’t wait for her to be a part of our family. A CEO and a superstar. Ivan must have so good karma from a past life to get her as his wife."
"If he had more good karma, he would have ended up with Natalie, but..."
"It’s okay, Mom. Briena is no less," Irene comforted her.
-----
The Fords and Browns arrived at the screening event venue—one of the best multiplexes in the city, where several screens had been booked and assigned to guests according to their status.
Briena and Ivan, being part of the movie, was going to be with the film’s stars and other specially invited guests. The rest of the Fords and Browns had to attend the screening in the other auditoriums designated for ordinary guests.
The fans of many actors had crowded outside the venue, including Briena’s fans. Everyone was rushing to take her pictures, but security kept them all away. Briena couldn’t help but feel prideful.
Briena looked at Ivan. "Fans can be crazy."
He humd. "You’d better increase the number of bodyguards around you," he replied.
Briena realized there was no excitent in Ivan’s eyes about coming here with her, nor did he show any special affection toward her.
They entered the venue as Briena waved one hand to the fans while the other gently held Ivan’s arm.
As they walked through the hallway toward the screening room, many invited stars were chatting among themselves. Briena noticed that, although a few of them were part of the movie, she hadn’t really worked with them. Though they shared so scenes, she didn’t have any close interactions—neither in person nor on set.
She didn’t know whom to talk to. Despite being a part of the movie, she felt more like a stranger. No one ca to talk to her.
Ana approached her as a dutiful manager, sticking close to ensure everything went smoothly. They spotted Dwen, who was attending to the VVIP guests.
"Mr. Dwen," Ana greeted him.
Dwen looked at her, then at Briena. He smiled. "Oh, good to see you here, Ms. Briena. I hope you enjoy your ti watching your own movie."
"Surely, Mr. Dwen," Briena replied.
Dwen excused himself.
Just then, soone approached Ivan—a business associate he knew. Ivan excused himself and began talking to the man.
"Oh, who do we have here?" a familiar voice said.
It was the director who had shot Briena’s R-rated scenes.
Briena and Ana frowned. Of all the people, he was the one who had to co talk to them.
The man looked Briena up and down, savoring a sip of wine. "You’re looking stunning today. This dress..." He licked his lips. "Worth tearing while you—"
"Are you already drunk?" Briena snapped, glaring at him. "Mind your words."
The man smirked. "Well, keep this attitude—until you watch the movie. Later, I’m sure you’ll co to ."
"What do you an?" Briena asked, her expression tightening.
"I’ll be the one offering you plenty of valuable roles," he replied smoothly. "I loved your performance, and I’ve kept a few parts especially reserved for you."
"Keep dreaming. That was the last ti I ever worked with you," Briena sneered. "Don’t even think about approaching again." She turned and walked away.
The man smirked to himself. "We’ll see who ends up wanting to work with soon enough."
----
All the guests were led into the screening hall where the movie was going to be shown on the large screen. Everyone took their reserved seats. Briena and Ivan were seated sowhere in the middle.
The movie started off strong, with grand music and a royal atmosphere—the architecture reminiscent of ancient tis. As Briena was playing the role of an abandoned princess whose parents were killed and who was banished from her kingdom, her scenes ca early in the film.
Her acting was good, no doubt, and the movies produced by this production house never disappointed the audience. They were known for bringing out the best in even the most talentless actors.
"Briena, you did really well," Ana whispered to her, only for Briena to turn smug at the complint.
The rest of the scenes featured the other main characters, and there was nothing more about Briena. It felt as if she were just a side character, while the main roles—played by big-na superstars—carried the weight of the entire movie.
After the first half of the movie, Briena’s next scenes finally appeared. She held her breath, knowing those scenes were about to play.
The first scene showed Briena with her first love—an intimate scene was about to unfold.
Briena leaned toward Ivan and said, "There’s going to be a little romantic scene. But it’s just acting, nothing else."
Ivan humd, understanding what it ant to be an actor.
But what ca next was unsettling even for Briena herself. The lovemaking scene between the characters looked almost too real—with the expressions, sounds, and closeness. Though the private parts were tactfully hidden, the atmosphere created by the scene, combined with the flawless acting of both perforrs, raised the temperature inside the screening hall.
It reminded Briena that it hadn’t just been acting—she had actually felt everything. The actor had been having sex with her for real.
Feeling guilty, she glanced at Ivan, who had his eyes fixed on the screen, watching his fiancée in such an intimate scene—which only grew more intense with ti.
She placed her hand over his. "That’s just acting," she whispered.
Ivan didn’t respond this ti.
The scene felt like an eternity. Only once it was over did Briena exhale a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding.
She leaned toward Ana and whispered, "Why did they keep it so explicit—as if it’s a porn movie and my scenes are the highlight?"
"I’m not sure either," Ana replied hesitantly, while thinking to herself, This really isn’t good for a debut film. Those scenes were way too explicit.
After a long scene featuring other superstars, another of Briena’s scenes ca on—this ti, one showing her being abused by four n.
The atmosphere in the hall reached its limit of discomfort, despite the air conditioning. Briena was shown being sexually assaulted by four n, and it all looked disturbingly real. Though private parts were hidden behind strategic censorship, the way the actors moved and the raw intensity of the scene made it feel like it was actually happening.
More focus was on Briena’s expressions—her cries, her moans, and everything in between. The entire hall watched in utter silence.
Briena felt like her heart was about to leap out of her chest. She looked no better than a porn actress as four n were enjoying themself with her at the sa ti.
This wasn’t a porn movie, and her role wasn’t supposed to be like that. So how did it co out this way? Didn’t the director say only a little would be shown and just for a while. Then what was it?
People were going to rember her for these scenes and label her a bold actress. She clenched her fists.
Then ca the end of the movie—and it wasn’t what had been narrated to her. According to the original script, she was supposed to erge as a strong princess, reclaim her kingdom, and co out as the victor. But the ending was completely different.
In the final scene, the so-called princess was killed off, and the male lead—playing a prince from another kingdom—took over everything. It beca his story, a journey of conquering all kingdoms and becoming emperor of the entire land.
The princess, played by Briena, was nothing but a negligible character thrown in to add so seductive spice to the script.
Then, Briena realized sothing. They used a body double to show the princess being killed. I didn’t even film that scene.
They never told the script had changed this drastically. They removed my important scenes and only kept the explicit ones. I’m no longer the main character... just a disposable side one.
Her hand tightened around the armrest as if to crush it.
Her career as a superstar was dood.
She looked at Ivan, who stood up and left as soon as the movie was over—without even looking at her. Briena couldn’t even dare to stop him.
She turned to Ana. "How did this happen?"
"I don’t know, Briena," Ana said, equally shocked.
"That bitch... Natalie... it was her plan..." Briena muttered, her eyes turning moist.
Just then, a middle-aged man approached Briena. "Ms. Briena, I didn’t know you were such a good actress. Care to entertain personally? I promise, the next movie I make will be yours."
Briena stood up from her chair. "Excuse , I have to leave."
As she turned, she noticed the many eyes staring at her. She had always heard that the movie industry was full of perverts—especially among producers and directors—but now she was experiencing it firsthand.
Briena hurried out of the screening hall, with Ana following closely behind. All Briena wanted in that mont was to hide herself from everyone as quickly as possible.
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