Chapter Thirty: Framed

Luo Yuan watched the video over and over, her face blooming with delight. She zoomed in repeatedly on Pei Susu’s disheveled state, her shrewd eyes glinting with satisfaction, and only after a long moment did she remember to reply to Bai Yuan’s message.

“If Pei Susu urges you to go shoot, just go. Don’t cross her—she has powerful connections.”

Bai Yuan glanced disdainfully at the images of Pei Susu on her phone.

“Understood. I’ll head over now.”

No matter how grand those connections, could they surpass hers? Luo Yuan, once bitten, was now twice shy—gone was the spirited confidence she once had.

The agent had parked the RV outside Brilliant Entertainment, and two personal assistants flanked Bai Yuan, one holding an umbrella, the other a drink. Bai Yuan, unhurried and composed, stepped into her five-centimeter red heels and strolled lazily up into the vehicle.

“Let’s go. Sunshine Beach.”

Her languid voice stretched out, and she sent a voice message to Director Cui at Brilliant Entertainment: “Darling, I wasn’t feeling well earlier and didn’t make it to the Fu Group shoot on time. I kept Manager Pei waiting for ages.”

“Do you think she’s mad at me?”

Director Cui, in his fifties, maintained his figure through years of fitness, free from the paunch and greasy airs common to middle-aged men. He was, by most standards, distinguished and refined. Eating grapes fed to him by a starlet, his hand caressed the slender waist on his lap as he replied to Bai Yuan.

“Sweetheart, Manager Pei is broad-minded—she won’t fuss over such trivialities. Besides, you weren’t late without reason. You were sick.”

Bai Yuan’s lips curved into a smile as she feigned vulnerability. “But I’m worried she’ll mind, and it might affect the collaboration.”

Cui leaned his head against the starlet’s fragrant shoulder. “I’ll speak with President Fu myself. You’re my chosen spokesperson. Brilliant Entertainment and Fu Group have worked together for years—he won’t deny me this much face.”

With Cui’s reassurance, Bai Yuan’s nerves settled completely. She relaxed into her seat and instructed the driver to slow down.

Twenty minutes later, the RV rolled to a stop near the studio.

Two assistants accompanied Bai Yuan, one holding a parasol, the other a drink. Bai Yuan, fussing, glanced up at the blazing sun and fanned herself with her hand.

Pei Susu and her team had waited an hour for Bai Yuan to arrive.

Bai Yuan’s gaze lingered on the sweat-soaked Pei Susu, her tone gloating, “Since you’re General Manager of Fu Group, you represent the company’s image. Don’t you think you should tidy yourself up a bit?”

Pei Susu’s fair skin, exposed to the sun, was flushed pink, yet she remained composed, handing over the bag with the couture gown. “Miss Bai, may we begin shooting?”

Standing a few centimeters taller in her heels, Bai Yuan cast Pei Susu a sidelong, dissatisfied glance, making no move. “You really love your work, Manager Pei—never mind whether my health can handle it.”

Even the most obtuse could see Bai Yuan was targeting her, but apart from this shoot, Pei Susu had no dealings with Bai Yuan. She had no idea what had provoked such animosity.

Meeting Bai Yuan’s challenging gaze, Pei Susu’s delicate features seemed touched by a frost, her eyes cold and imperious, no longer bothering to suppress the natural authority she wielded as a high-ranking executive.

“Fifty-five minutes ago, I confirmed your schedule with Brilliant Entertainment’s staff no fewer than three times, emphasizing ten times that if you were too unwell to arrive on time, we could reschedule.”

“The photographers told me you’d come as agreed, just needed a short rest, and would be here once you felt better. I trust you acted out of responsibility, not to deliberately keep us waiting.”

Bai Yuan was left speechless, her gaze locked in stubborn defiance with Pei Susu’s. Damn it, Pei Susu had just painted her as a paragon of professionalism, braving illness for the shoot—now there was no easy pretext to give her a hard time.

Otherwise, she’d have relished taking Luo Yuan’s revenge, showing Pei Susu the consequences of bullying her friend.

With ill grace, she removed her sunglasses and strode toward the temporary dressing room. “I’ll go change.”

An assistant hurriedly took the dress from Pei Susu and trotted after her. “Yuan Yuan, wait! This gown is complicated—you’ll need help getting into it.”

Inside the dressing room, Bai Yuan lifted the exquisite, custom gown from its sturdy paper bag, a calculating gleam flashing in her dewy eyes. She called to her assistant, who was just about to enter.

“Stop. Don’t come in. I want to change by myself.”

The assistant eyed the intricate dress with concern. “Yuan Yuan, L’s exclusive designs are famously difficult to put on. Are you sure you want to do it alone?”

Bai Yuan waved her off impatiently, slamming the door with a bang. “I said I’ll do it myself. Are you deaf? Stop nagging—wait outside.”

Pei Susu watched Bai Yuan enter the dressing room, her tense heart easing a little. If Bai Yuan was willing to change, perhaps the shoot would go smoothly.

Fu Group placed great importance on the launch promo for Light Tour. Every department was poised for the film’s release, ready to push it out and reap the results. At such a crucial moment, as the general manager personally overseeing the shoot, Pei Susu couldn’t afford any mishaps.

Bai Yuan emerged from the dressing room still wearing her original clothes—the expensive, custom Fu Group gown untouched.

Pei Susu’s heart sank. The more she dreaded complications, the more they arose. “Miss Bai, why didn’t you change?”

Bai Yuan stormed over and threw the paper bag onto the table. “You have the nerve to ask? The dress you provided is covered in loose threads, hideous! The sash at the waist is falling off, rhinestones are missing everywhere—so this is how you prepare for a shoot?”

Pei Susu’s heart skipped a beat.

“That’s impossible. I personally collected the gown from the designer. It was inspected and cleaned by professionals and confirmed to be flawless. It’s been in my care ever since—no one else has touched it.”

She gently took the dress from the bag and spread it out, her sharp eyes inspecting every detail.

Fu Group staff gathered around, examining the state of the gown, disbelief written all over their faces.

“That’s right—we were all present when Manager Pei received it from the designer. How could the gown be ruined? Maybe you were too rough when trying it on.”

After their inspection, everyone could see Bai Yuan had been telling the truth. Not only were there loose threads everywhere, but various embellishments were missing or damaged.