Chapter 176 Overthinking
Throughout the journey, neither of them spoke. Aside from the necessary conversations from their jobs, they never discussed their private lives.
Sebastian knew Madison was the heiress to the Taggart family. Rumor has it that she came to Hadley Corporation for a job just to get close to Mr. Hadley, but I know that for a fact.
Just before they arrived, Madison spoke. “There are still a few slides I need to put together on the project we have discussed today. I’ll send them to you once I’m done.”
“No hurry. Look at the time! You don’t have to stay up to do it,” Sebastian said.
She is a hard worker who can easily start a company on her own.
Madison rested her chin in her hand. Her gaze was fixed on the night sky. “Mr. Hadley is concerned about this project. I would like to get it done quickly.”
Everything concerning Mr. Hadley is a priority to her.
Soon, the car pulled up outside her home.
“Thank you for the ride back.” Madison alighted from the vehicle and left without another word.
Sebastian gazed at her departing back, a strange feeling arising in his chest.
Given how fond Madison is of Mr. Hadley, I don’t think she will do anything to harm him. I must be overthinking.
Several days later, Christina saw Emilia’s beverage commercial on TV.
Having thought that nobody would approach Emilia to endorse their products anymore after the last time, she wondered what measures Emilia had employed to gain Hadley Corporation’s support.
Somehow, Emilia managed to restore her fame with a single commercial.
Nobody knew why she had suddenly been blacklisted a while ago, but the change in her persona made her
much more likable.
That day, Emilia took on another gig to convey the youthful appeal of a new store under Radiant Corporation. Many within the department were tasked to be onsite for the photoshoot.
Having gone out to survey their new competitors, Gina left managing the design department to Christina.
After a mere glance through the shots, Christina deemed the quality unsatisfactory.
The brand was going for a certain vivacious charm, which Emilia’s photos seemed to lack.
Christina sent the photographs to Gina, who also felt dissatisfied with the outcome.
At last, they agreed to redo the shots.
Upon hearing the news, Emilia refused. She was under the impression that Christina was deliberately making things difficult for her.
The staff’s cajoling fell on deaf ears. Left with no other choice, they sought Christina’s help. “We did all we could, Ms. Steele, but Emilia still won’t cooperate. Her manager, in particular, is very pushy. She looks
down on us.”
Seeing that her colleagues could not handle it, Christina went over personally.
As soon as she pushed open the door, she was greeted by a billow of cigarette smoke. Caught off guard, she choked and coughed a few times.
Her gaze
fell on Emilia, who was exhaling in her direction.
Scowling, she said in a warning tone, “Our product is trying to convey youthful innocence. Please watch your image during the period of your endorsement.”
Emilia’s
gaze darkened with disdain. “On the contrary, my image is well suited for the brand’s vision.” Rising to her feet, she arrived before Christina. “Isn’t the basis of these apparel to act sweet and innocent to hide your true, wicked nature?”
Christina turned crimson, although she looked more disappointed than angry. “As an amba*sador, don’t you think it’s inappropriate to disparage the brand like this?”
Emilia flashed a disdainful smile. Instead of replying, she blew another puff at the other woman.
Christina was choked with anger. She found it challenging to contain her emotions at the blatant provocation.
I want to give her a tight slap, but the job remains a priority. It’s the easy way out to throw a tantrum. I know what I must do. I need to solve the problem instead of starting a fight.
Christina collected herself and suppressed her anger. “Put that cigarette out, then get your makeup done and finish the shoot.”
Emilia ignored her. Instead, she answered coldly, “It is past the hours we agreed on. I’m not working overtime. We’ll shoot tomorrow.”
Without another word, she led her manager out of the studio.
Fraught with worry from having witnessed Emilia departing before completing the shoot, the crew filed in to ascertain the situation.
As soon as they opened the door, they detected the lingering acrid smoke. It was obvious that the previous occupant had lit up half a pack there at the very least.
“I wonder how Emilia got the job. Her image doesn’t suit our product at all,” a colleague grumbled.
“I think so too. Well, such is the entertainment industry.” Another colleague sighed.
With the departure of the star, the matter was put on hold and deferred to the following day.
Early the following morning, the film and makeup crews arrived on time to begin shooting preparations.
Then, they waited for three hours. The star only arrived after the staff tasked with contacting her left several urgent calls.
Emilia plopped down on the makeup chair the moment she arrived. “I’m going to take a nap. We’ll do my lashes later.”
Feeling helpless, the makeup artist could only listen to her.
After everything was ready, Emilia awoke to change and headed to the shooting location.
The photographer only realized something was wrong after taking several shots. “Your makeup doesn’t look complete, Emilia. Would you like to touch it up?”
Already in a foul mood, Emilia became so angry that she slapped the makeup artist in the face when she got a glimpse from the mirror she had her a*sistant bring her.
“What is wrong with you? Look at how awful you made me look!”
Emilia’s eyelids had not been drawn as she had been asleep earlier. The dark circles around her eyes were. particularly obvious.
She looked haggard and dispirited, like the female lead of a horror film.
The makeup artist clutched her cheek, her tears falling unbidden. “I did mention we have to touch it up but you went out in such a hurry!”
“Are you saying it’s my fault?”
Emilia raised her hand again to strike, but somebody caught her by the wrist.
“This is a tiny matter. There’s no need to resort to violence, is there?” Having dashed over after a meeting. Christina had arrived just in time to witness the scene.
Without another word, she stepped out to block Emilia.
The atmosphere grew awkward. The crowd exchanged glances but nobody said a word.
Loosening her grip, Christina announced, “Stay on schedule. Give Emilia a touch–up.”
The makeup artist hurriedly dried her tears. Although she felt indignant, she did not utter a word.
She took out her tools and redid Emilia’s makeup carefully.
Then, the photoshoot commenced. The photographer still could not find the energy he was looking for, so he had Emilia make increasingly exaggerated poses.
After two more hours of shooting, the effect still fell short of demand.
Emilia grew impatient. “Working with other photographers doesn’t take this long. Do you know what you’re doing?”
The photographer scowled. Emilia is the one who fails to convey the feeling we need, and she’s blaming me?
“Please cooperate with me. I want to go home too.”
Emilia’s manager appeared and whispered something in her ear.
“I’ve given you two days‘ of my time for a job that was supposed to take one. Use something from the shots you have already taken.”
As she spoke, Emilia removed her head accessory and prepared to leave.
