LOVE IN PARIS: Married To My Brother-in-law-Chapter 33: Double-edged Sword

By the time Yvette and Leila arrived at the set after the four days of break as ordered by Director Cole, everywhere was bustling with activities as the casts and crew made the final adjustment for the next scene.

As soon as the duo stepped in , they were surrounded by almost all of the cast’s and crew present, all asking of her health and Yvette replied happily that she was feeling better and only just sustain few bruises.

She walked with her usual grace, her face betraying no sign of the ordeal she had endured in the mountains.

Yet, behind her warm smiles and polite greetings, there was a simmering fire in her chest.

She had made it through the storm, and now she was back, but she wasn’t here just to act. She was here for retribution. For Nadia.

As she entered the dressing room, her fellow cast members welcomed her back with enthusiasm, clapping and exchanging small talks about how they had been worried about her until Leila called that she was safe.

Even Director Cole walked up to her and gave a respectful nod. "Good to have you back on set, Yvette. Hope you’re feeling better."

"Much better,". She replied politely. "And I’m much ready for today’s scene, I’ll go get dressed ".

"Sure". He smiled and waved her off.

Yvette scanned the set as she walked up to her dressing room, and her eyes finally fell on whom she had been looking for.

Nadia stood across the room, surrounded by crew members and her manager and assistants who were helping her adjust her costume.

She looked as innocent as ever with her signature elegant and gentle poise, with her delicate features and soft laugh.

"Oh my. Yvette. I was so worried so death, how’re you feeling now?". Nadia jumped towards Yvette immediately she sighted her spiralling around her. "I’m sorry I couldn’t be of much help that day".

"No qualms. It’s fate".

"Then I’ll leave you to go get dressed. Be careful". Nadia said playing well her part of a concerned colleague but Yvette knew better what hid behind that vicious charade and now she couldn’t help but be disgusted even at the mere sight of her.

"Are you sure this will work". Leila asked as they walked towards the dressing room.

"Sure, this is the best way . She cares most about her image and reputation so tearing those off is the best way. She’ll slowly reveal her rotten insides and get the karma she deserves". Yvette replied with a satisfied smirk.

"Then all I have to do is to watch the big show that’s about to unfold". Leila clapped excitedly. "And be careful too lest your husband blame me and think I’m not competent enough".

"Even you are now nagging at me . I’ll be careful okay".

Today, the scene they were filming was an emotionally intense one between the two female characters Lin Chuxia and Ruowan.

Lin Chuxia was imprisoned after the prince Zhao Ming had killed the great general and married Ruowan his long time crush, however Ruowan had already fallen in love with the great general and upon hearing that Lin Chuxia was pregnant with the late great general child she was furious and went to confront her in prison.

The two actresses got ready in their dressing room and finally headed out to their position. Yvette smiled before getting into character, ready to use this perfect scene to her advantage, to trash Nadia who had no idea of what was coming.

It was finally time for the scene.

Yvette took her place, seated and shackled in the dimly lit prison with tattered clothes and disheveled hair. The woman looked pitiful enough but burning within her was the unrelenting goal of avenging her dead husband.

Ruowan took her seat on the chair her maids provided, staring down at the pitiful Lin Chuxia as if she was just a dust.

"3 . . 2 . . 1. Action".

"Oh look who we have here, it’s Lin Chuxia". Ruowan taunted her alongside with her maids but Lin Chuxia eyes which was tightly shut as if she was in a meditation never opened, not sparing them even a glance.

"Oh, you still think you’re the high and mighty wife of the great general. You made a mistake that costed him his life but all along he was the one who walked this path and chooses a ugly face like you over me. How irritating".

Lin Chuxia eyes flew opened and she laughed. "Hahahaha". She shifted and sat in a more dominant posture unlike that of a prisoner who had been tortured. "What , it was more of a humiliation that irritation after he chooses my relatively ugly face in comparison to your pretty ones. "

"What punishment did you decide on today?. Just bring it on. I , Lin Chuxia, the wife of the great general have never been one to be afraid".

"What i admire the most about you is your ability to still remain poised no matter the circumstances. Wife of the great general, Ptff, right now you’re just one of my many prisoners and perhaps if you knowtow before me I’ll spare you or at least your unborn child".

Lin Chuxia eyes blazed with unconcealed rage and protective gaze as she stared at Ruowan right in the eyes. "We’ll see if you dare". She said, her voice cutting through the room like a blade and everyone present could feel the intensity.

Even Blair who had just arrived was caught off guard and could only laugh and shake his head after a while.

"You. . ." Nadia pointed accusingly but she couldn’t contain her words no matter how hard she tried , she opened her mouth to respond but couldn’t utter a single sentence, she felt tongtied.

"Cut. Another take" . Director Cole shouted dejectedly as she gazed disappointedly at Nadia. The Scene was all expression and dialogue, Yvette had definitely kept it going hot but Nadia just lost it halfway.

"We’ll see if you dare".

This time Yvette gaze was even more severe than the previous as she delivered her line with increasing intensity, her expression sharp and deliberate.

Nadia’s eye widened slightly and she stumbled over her lines again.

"Cut. Let’s try that again.Nadia are you ready?. " Director Cole asked , keeping his frustration in check .

After Nadia nodded , the third take began.

Once again, Yvette embodied her role with perfection, her performance flawless. Nadia, on the other hand, was visibly struggling to keep up.

She couldn’t seem to find her footing. Her voice cracked, and she fumbled her lines for the third time.

Yvette on the other hand didn’t let up, her gaze piercing, her movements calculated. It was subtle, but it was enough to throw Nadia off her game and loose her composure.

After the third take, Director Cole rubbed his temples. "Come on, Nadia focus!" He urged, his patience wearing thin.

The onlookers exchanged glances, some whispering among themselves. It was unlike Nadia to mess up so many times.

Normally, she was one of the strongest and talented actresses on set. But today, she was unraveling under the pressure, and Yvette was making sure of it.

The fourth take was even worse. Nadia’s confidence was completely shattered. She kept missing her cues, stumbling over her lines, her once-steady presence now fraught with nervousness.

Yvette, on the other hand, was a masterclass in poise. She barely had to say much; her presence alone dominated the scene, and Nadia could feel the weight of it bearing down on her.

After the fifth failed take, Director Cole threw up his hands in frustration. "Alright, I guess we need a break. Nadia, take some time to rest. We’ll resume in fifteen minutes."

Nadia nodded shakily, her face pale as she retreated to a quiet corner, surrounded by a flurry of concerned assistants.

Leila and Blair on the other hand could hardly hide their satisfaction while Yvette remained unbothered, as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

"I’ve never seen this fierce side of you". Blair complimented. "But I’ll pretend I didn’t see what you did there".

"What do you mean fierce. I’m the most gentlest lady you’ll ever meet . It’s just that this gentle lady can sometimes be a double-edged sword". Yvette grinned as she unscrewed the water bottle Leila offered.

"Now tell me , what did you see ".

"I’m no fool. I know exactly what you did to her and exactly why she’s like that" . Blair scoffed.

"That’s brilliant of you". Yvette grinned.

Yvette smiled and gazed over at Nadia’s directions, watching her as she sipped water.

Nadia’s hands trembled as she sipped water, her eyes darting nervously around the set.

She couldn’t understand what was happening. She had always been a skilled actress, praised for her professionalism.

But something about Yvette today felt different, unsettling. The way she delivered her lines with such intensity, the way her gaze seemed to burn through her.

It was all just unsettling that it made her tongue-tied and even the whispers of the cast made her even more worse.

"Director, I’m ready". After a while of rest and practice, Nadia was ready and everyone returned to the set .

Nadia tried to compose herself, to push away the unease that clung to her like a shadow. But the moment the cameras started rolling, Yvette’s energy surged again. Her voice, her expressions, her very presence were overwhelming. Nadia couldn’t handle it.

"When did she become so foolish, what’s going on?".

"She can’t even remember such a simple line."

"Does she even read the script".

"Yvette’s expression and words were so satisfying. The scene e could have been perfect but all thanks to her silly mistake, it’s all ruined".

"Just to say a few sentences and she’s this screwed. I never knew she was so bad at acting".

"Perhaps Yvette was so admirable that she lost her words. Yvette is just so mind-blowing, before her , even a talented and popular actress like Nadia kept failing".

By the seventh take, Director Cole was visibly frustrated. "Nadia, you’re completely off today. This isn’t working. What’s going on?"

"I just don’t understand. Anytime I gaze at Yvette, I just forget my lines, it’s like I’m completely bewitched". Nadia stammered, casting a desperate glance toward Yvette, but Yvette only looked back at her with a calm, knowing expression.

There was no rage, no open confrontation—only the quiet, unshakable certainty that she was in control, both of the scene and of Nadia’s fate.

"Let me help you practice". Mary rushed over and Nadia agreed. After a while if practice, she was fine but immediately Yvette said her lines, she lost it again .

Nadia kept going but after the twentieth attempt she completely lost it and charged foward.

"Bitch. What did you do to me . Why can’t I suddenly remember my lines".

Everyone on set was stunned at her outburst, this was especially unlike her usually composed and elegant self. They rushed to pull her away before she could get to Yvette but Nadia pushed them all off crazily.

"Nadia, you’ll loose your reputation". Mary rushed forward to stop her.