Manny sneaked a nce at Tyrone, muttering to himself, "Mr. York, you must be bubbling with joy


    inside, huh?"


    Tyrone nced at the time; it was past 10 a.m., and the temperature was steadily rising. Sitting in the


    shade, he could still feel the warmth.


    He looked towards Quintessa who was standing under the zing sun. A makeup artist was touching


    up her makeup while she held the script, cramming her lines.


    Dressed heavily under the scorching sun, Quintessa seemed oblivious to the heat. Tyrone sighed; she


    didn''t need to push herself so hard, yet she seemed never to learn to rely on others.


    Tyrone peeked into Quintessa''s bag, finding only a portable mini fan. He turned to Manny, "Go buy a


    few more fans."


    Manny paused, "Alright."


    Cynthia approached Quintessa.


    Quintessa raised an eyebrow, "Yes?"


    Cynthia''s eyes flickered with hesitation before she said, "Nothing."


    Director Frost called the actors to their marks. It was a scene set at a garden party involving many


    actors and actresses. The director wanted to do a trial run, knowing group scenes were typically


    challenging to nail in one take.


    Quintessa nced at Cynthia, curious about her earlier hesitation but had no time to ponder as they


    were about to start filming. She left her script and positioned herself for the scene.


    They were portraying a garden party, with the Queen and herdies-in-waiting touring the royal


    gardens. With so many women together, the undercurrents of rivalry and hidden agendas were


    palpable, yet on the surface, everyone had to appear friendly and congenial.


    A few minutes into filming, Leona messed up her lines, causing Director Frost to call "cut".


    Leona apologized profusely, bowing to everyone, "Sorry, sorry, I''m really sorry, everyone. I got nervous


    and flubbed my lines. I''m truly sorry."


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    Her apology seemed utterly genuine,


    and looked like she was really self-usatory. Since it wasmon for mistakes to happen in group


    scenes, no one was too bothered, not even the director.


    Standing near Queen, Quintessa fanned herself with her sleeve, ē feeling a bit heavy-headed, possibly


    from not covering herself properly overnight. She just hoped they could wrap up this scene quickly


    After adjusting the camera angles, the director had everyone restart.


    Somehow, a few of thedies tripped over each other''s long dresses, causing a minormotion.


    Director Frost immediately called "cut", "What''s going on with you?"


    "Sorry, sorry, the dresses are too long. We didn''t pay attention and stumbled. Sorry, everyone; sorry,


    Director Frost. We''ll be more careful."


    This mishap was taken in stride, the director didn''t get peeved, and they attempted the take for the third


    time.


    Quintessa wiped the sweat from her forehead; the sun made her head feel even heavier, and her steps


    unsteady.


    On the third attempt, Crystal''s sleeve got caught on a branch, tearing her costume, cut. The fourth


    attempt was interrupted by an actress sneezing loudly during her lines, cut.


    The group scene, which started just after 10 a.m., dragged on past noon without conclusion. Except for


    Quintessa, Cynthia, and the actress ying the Queen, everyone had faced mishaps.


    Director Frost was furious. He had


    warned that anyone who messed up three times in a scene would be sent packing. But today, with over


    a dozemactors, each had only faltered twice at most. No one crossed the three-strike mark.