The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)
Chapter 449

Kala clutched her palms tightly, her knuckles whitening. If the director added any more scenes for Lucia, her role as the leading lady would be nothing but a title.

She could no longer swallow her pride and stepped forward to confront the situation. "Look, if you're going to keep adding scenes, why not just give her my role as the lead?"

The director was in a tight spot. The investors had handpicked Kala, and he could not afford to disappoint her, too.

However, since the investors had not interfered after their initial involvement, he had not taken their choice too seriously. "Kala, it's just a small addition to enrich the story. Don't be unreasonable and make a fuss over nothing," he retorted.

Kala's face turned a shade of steel, "A small addition? I was supposed to shoot all day according to the schedule, but I haven't even started. It's been all Lucia. Am I the one being unreasonable?" The director's face darkened. "Kala, who's the director here, you or me? You should be grateful you're the lead. What more do you want?"

"You..." In the past, Kala would have walked away without a second thought.

But this time, she could not.

This project was secured for her by her friend Vivienne, and it was her only lifeline.

If she walked away now, she would disappoint Vivienne and sabotage her career.

Just then, a voice rang out from nearby. Everyone turned to see Stephen live-streaming.

Stephen smiled into his phone, "Thanks for the dono. Yup, I'm on set. No drama here, just actors discussing the scene. Why would the director casually add scenes for the second lead? All of you book fans have such high hopes for this adaptation. The director wouldn't dream of tarnishing his reputation."

The camera was pointed directly at the trio of Kala, the director, and Lucia.

The director, taken aback, hurried over.

Stephen generously turned the camera to the director. "Say hello to the viewers."

With a forced chuckle and seeing the chat filled with messages of support for Kala and rejection of Lucia, the director grew uneasy.

"Director, are we giving the second lead more scenes?" Stephen asked, his smile hiding a challenge.

"Of course not. That would be ridiculous," the director quickly assured.

"And Kala's scenes as the lead, they're faithful to the original story?" Stephen's tone was teasing.

"Absolutely, I assure you. We're sticking to the source material!" The director's face was a mask of discomfort.

Stephen nodded, satisfied. Before ending the live stream, he said, "You hear that, viewers? If it doesn't match the book by the time we wrap, I'll let you know on Twitter. If it's bad, we just won't watch." Stephen was not lacking in acting offers. He joined this production to please his boss, and bad press would only hurt the director's pocket, not his career.

After that, the director dared not give Lucia any more scenes.

Lucia clenched her fists, turning to Kala, "Wow, cozying up to Stephen now, you little vixen."

"Thanks for the compliment, little fox," Kala shot back, puzzled by Stephen's sudden support.

The next moment, Lucia stepped forward and suddenly slapped Kala right on her face. "You little tramp. Think I can't bury your career? Getting uppity with me? You're out of line!"

Kala did not hesitate to slap Lucia back. "You think I'm made of clay? Push me too far, and I'll ruin you!"

Although her star had fallen and she struggled for roles, it did not mean she would take abuse lying down. She had been patient because she loved acting.

She could endure anything if her bottom line were not crossed.

But Lucia's relentless provocation was too much. If she had stayed silent any longer, she would not be Kala!

"Wait and see," Lucia, shocked and angry by the retaliation, did not dare hit back.

Who knew what Kala might do in a rage?

Fuming, Lucia pulled out her phone to call her influential lover at the agency.

"Baby, I want Kala blacklisted right now!"

However, the voice on the other end was furious, "Lucia, you're fired. The company's been bought out by Rainbow Entertainment for a song. You troublemaker, just you wait!" As Lucia's call ended, Kala's phone rang. It was Lucia's lover in the agency.

"Kala, can you speak to the boss of Rainbow Entertainment? The buyout is fine, but don't bankrupt me. I was wrong before; let's forget the past, please..."

Kala was stunned.

Rainbow Entertainment?

That was Stephen's company.

Why would they suddenly buy out Glorious Thought Agency?

Stephen grinned at Kala. "Looks like we're colleagues now. All the best."

Kala blinked, realizing her contract might have been included in the deal with Rainbow Entertainment.

After hanging up, she looked at Stephen, bewildered, "What's going on here?"

After a pause, she added, "Is it Percival? Is he your boss?"

"Of course not, it's Vivienne. Didn't you know?"

Kala was taken aback.

Vivienne?

She knew Vivienne was powerful. Though she had grown up in a temple, her reach was extensive.

The black card alone showed that Vivienne was not short on cash.

But Kala had not realized that Vivienne was the owner of Rainbow Entertainment. She could easily control Glorious Thought Agency.

Rainbow Entertainment was one of the top talent agencies with deep pockets and a strong roster of award-winning actors.

Moreover, unlike other agencies that trapped them in unfair contracts, they were known for their generous treatment of artists.

At Rainbow Entertainment, artists had true freedom; the company never dictated their career paths and supported whatever they wanted to pursue.

Especially important, Rainbow Entertainment never blacklisted its artists. Any conflict or desire to leave was met with immediate contract termination without any fees.

When a celebrity got caught in a scandal, the PR team of their management company would spring into action. But there was a catch: they would not just sweep any mess under the rug. The company would be the first to investigate if one of its talents was in trouble. If they replace that the artist had indeed been up to no good, breaking laws and moral codes, they would not hesitate to present the evidence and cut ties with the artist.

No cover-ups, no indulgence, yet they manage to provide a sense of security for their clients.

In other words, the company would have their back as long as the artists focused on their careers and stayed out of trouble.

Kala had always dreamed of joining Rainbow Entertainment, but she was tied down by a previous contract with a steep penalty for breaking it - ten times the original fee.

Back in the day, when the Brooks family was in its prime, they could've easily settled that fee for her.

But she never wanted to lean on her family's wealth. Relying solely on her own earnings, she could not afford the exorbitant penalty. So even though she yearned to move to Rainbow Entertainment, that dream had to be snuffed out.

Yet, to her surprise, she had now joined Rainbow Entertainment, and the boss was none other than Vivienne.

Vivienne had come to her aid again.

A slight tingling sensation pricked at her nose.

She had not reached out to Vivienne all this time, yet she was still willing to help her.