Free Web NovelChapter 57: Chapter 57: The Rhodes Family’s Young Madam Bullies People
Director Sherman made a call, summoning the two executive directors, Monica Lynch, and her agent. Claire Lawrence and Yvonne Sutton waited in the hotel hallway, ready to go in and confront Monica if needed.
Bullying on a film set was a tricky issue—not huge, but not insignificant either. Director Sherman’s stance was to neither cover it up nor tolerate it, but the final decision would also depend on the power struggle among the higher-ups.
Before entering the room, Monica Lynch scoffed at Yvonne and Claire.
"Are you daydreaming? You don’t actually think I’m going to be replaced, do you? Ha. I’ve already filmed half my scenes. Do you know how much money the production would lose if they replaced me? And did you really think I got into this production without an investor backing me?"
Claire Lawrence said angrily, "You’re a bully, and you’re proud of it, aren’t you!"
"Of course I’m proud. I’m bullying the two of you, so what?" Monica Lynch’s eyes narrowed. "When I go in there, if Director Sherman says a single word against me, I’ll quit on the spot. Then he’ll be the one begging me to come back. But if he wants me to agree to keep filming, I have one condition: delete all of your scenes, Claire Lawrence."
"You... on what grounds?"
"On the grounds that you’re an idiot for actually reporting me. Oh, right. You didn’t actually think your good little sister marrying into the Rhodes Family means she can back you up, did you? How ridiculous. The Rhodes Family is a big deal, sure, but they probably don’t even treat her like a human being!"
After speaking, Monica Lynch shot Yvonne a contemptuous glance before walking into the room with a smile.
"Yvonne, my scenes aren’t really going to be deleted, are they? I was counting on this show to get my face out there! I still have debts to pay, I..."
Yvonne Sutton squeezed Claire Lawrence’s hand, telling her not to panic and to calm down first.
"Let’s just wait patiently for the result."
The wait stretched on for the entire afternoon. It wasn’t until dusk that the door flew open with a CLACK, and a furious Monica Lynch stormed out.
She glared at Yvonne Sutton. "You’re bullying people just because you’re the Young Madam of the Rhodes Family! I’m telling you, this isn’t over!"
Monica Lynch stormed off, swinging her bag, and her agent followed, face flushed with anger.
Claire Lawrence blinked. "That’s not what she was saying earlier."
The two executive directors came out next and told them the outcome. Monica Lynch had admitted to bullying Claire Lawrence during filming but refused to repent and even threatened to quit. At first, the investors had backed Monica, but then Director Sherman called Daisy Shaw.
"A film company under the Rhodes Group added more investment, kicked out a few of the other investors, and became the primary stakeholder. Now Director Sherman has absolute say, and he fired Monica Lynch."
Leaving the hotel, Claire Lawrence was in a daze the whole way before she finally came to her senses and threw her arms around Yvonne Sutton.
"You’re my golden ticket now!" fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
Yvonne Sutton laughed and gently pushed her head. "You still have scenes tomorrow, so you can’t leave the set just yet. Let’s get something to eat nearby."
"Okay, then you have to stay and keep me company tonight."
"Alright."
Claire Lawrence’s eyes widened. "I’m stealing someone away from the Rhodes Crown Prince! I’m a terrible sinner!"
Yvonne Sutton tapped Claire Lawrence on the forehead. "He’s away on a business trip."
While they were eating at the restaurant, Daisy Shaw video-called her. "Your father-in-law wants braised pork trotters for dinner tonight and is threatening to go on a hunger strike if he doesn’t get them."
Yvonne Sutton asked Daisy Shaw to hand the phone to Mr. Rhodes. She saw him glare at Daisy first, then compose his face into its usual stern expression.
"What was your blood pressure today?" Yvonne asked.
The moment Mr. Rhodes heard the tone of Yvonne’s voice, he felt as if he’d been plunged back into a hospital room, his mind filled with images of white walls, white beds, and doctors in white coats.
"It was just... just a little high."
Daisy Shaw chimed in from the side, "It was more than a little. He was feeling dizzy, too."
"Check it now. I want to see," Yvonne said.
"I’m not checking it. I’m about to eat, why would I check my blood pressure?" Mr. Rhodes refused.
"Then what would you like for dinner?"
"I want pork trotters..."
"It’s a little noisy on my end. Could you say that again?"
"He said he wants braised pork trotters!" Daisy Shaw said loudly.
"Who said I want pork trotters? Do I have a death wish? Stop slandering me!" Mr. Rhodes yelled at Daisy Shaw.
Yvonne Sutton stifled a laugh and said, "I’ll send you a meal plan in a bit. Please follow it for dinner tonight. We have an appointment for a check-up on Monday, right when Wyatt Shaw gets back from his trip. You can’t say you don’t have time."
"I’m actually quite healthy," Mr. Rhodes said in a small voice.
"Mm-hm. If all your tests come back fine, I’ll treat you to something delicious."
"Can I have pork trotters?"
"Yes."
Mr. Rhodes’s face lit up. "Alright, Monday it is!"
Daisy Shaw took the phone back then, laughing as she said to Yvonne, "You’re the only one who can handle him now. Come home for dinner when you have time."
"Okay. By the way, Director Sherman called you, right?"
"It was a small matter, not even worth mentioning. You just have fun with your friend. I haven’t checked out of my hotel room yet, so you can stay there tonight."
"Okay, thank you, Mom."
"Good girl, give me a kiss!"
Yvonne, still not quite used to this, quickly hung up the phone.
Claire Lawrence stared at her in shock. "Doesn’t everyone say marrying into a rich family is like entering the imperial court? Full of scheming people, backstabbing, and deception... especially the mother-in-law, who’s supposed to be the hardest to get along with and takes pleasure in tormenting her daughter-in-law every day."
"I don’t know about other families, but the Rhodes Family has been very kind to me."
"Actually, the most important thing is your husband’s attitude."
"What?"
"If he values you, his family will naturally value you too. From the looks of it, he must treat you really well."
"Mmm, very, very well."
Yvonne Sutton had just clinked glasses with Claire Lawrence when a message came from Wyatt Shaw. He had compiled his entire day’s schedule into a table to report to her, ending with just two words:
Miss you.
Yvonne Sutton took a selfie and sent it to him, replying below: I miss you too.
"Ew, so sappy," Claire Lawrence said with a pout.
That night, Claire Lawrence stayed with Yvonne Sutton in Daisy Shaw’s suite.
Lying in bed, Claire Lawrence took out the photo she’d taken that day of Wendy Winters and Stanley Lynch kissing and showed it to Yvonne.
"Those two are so careless," Claire tsk-tsked.
Yvonne Sutton glanced at it once and lost interest.
"Probably got caught up in the moment. But what do you think would happen if Vincent Reed found out? Wouldn’t he go crazy?"
"Delete it. It’s pointless," Yvonne said.
"I can’t delete it. I’ll send you a copy later. If she ever bullies you again, you can use this photo to shut her down."
Yvonne was amused. "We’re living our own lives. There’s no reason for her to keep causing trouble for me."
"Just wait. People like her are used to bullying others. They’ll make trouble even when there is none."
Because of Monica Lynch’s departure, a new actor was brought in, and many scenes had to be reshot.
Claire Lawrence couldn’t wrap up her filming for the time being, so Yvonne Sutton stayed with her on set for a day before preparing to head home in the evening.
Yvonne had just gotten into a taxi when she received a text from Claire Lawrence, telling her to hurry to Room 503 because she had something important to tell her.
Looking at the text, Yvonne felt it was a bit strange.
She immediately tried calling Claire, but the call was rejected. However, another message came through right after.
"I’m filming and can’t pick up. Go to 503 and wait for me. I’ll come find you after I’m done."
Yvonne guessed Claire must be in some kind of trouble, so she told the taxi driver to turn around and take her back to the hotel.
When she reached the lobby, the front desk clerk asked if she was Miss Sutton and then gave her the key to Room 503. But as she walked away with the key, she noticed the two clerks looking at her with a strange expression that made her very uncomfortable.
Opening the door to Room 503 and stepping inside, Yvonne stared at the messy bed and the clothes strewn all over the floor. She was momentarily stunned. ’This looks like a man’s room.’
