Possessed No More: The True Star Returns to Claim Her Throne-Chapter 28: Must Be on Guard

It was a pretty simple scene; the two actors didn’t need much blocking. But still, the director yelled, "Cut!"

Raymond Warren’s line delivery was lacking, and his expression of falling for Shannon Sutton at first sight wasn’t very natural either. They had to shoot the scene three times before finally getting a successful take.

Crew members muttered quietly off-set. "It’s such a simple scene, I memorized it after one watch. And that guy even rehearsed beforehand, yet he still can’t get it right!"

"And they’re hyping up Raymond Warren’s great acting online. I really don’t see it."

"Didn’t you hear? Riley Perry has everyone else’s lines memorized. The contrast is just... tsk, tsk..."

Riley Perry listened to the crew’s discussion, a faint smile on her lips. Her scenes were rarely cut. On the rare occasion there was an issue, it was usually because the director wanted her to try a different interpretation. This happened to other actors too, so no one ever said her acting was bad.

Noon arrived quickly. Raymond Warren had originally wanted to invite Riley Perry to a private lunch, but he wasn’t an idiot. He knew Riley Perry was wary of him, so he smartly invited several of the main actors to a restaurant instead. He also ordered food for the entire crew and had the restaurant deliver it.

The second male lead, not knowing the situation, accepted the invitation since someone was paying. Jordan Joyce didn’t refuse either. Then, all the actresses agreed as well, including the two directors.

The restaurant had been booked in advance. It was a Chinese restaurant just outside the film studio—close and convenient for a meal.

When they arrived at the reserved private room, Director Quinn naturally took the seat of honor, followed by the male and female leads and the assistant director. Riley Perry found a spot where she wouldn’t be in the way of the servers and sat down.

Raymond Warren tried to sidle up next to Riley Perry, but Chloe Sterling had already noticed his assistant loitering by the door, phone in hand. She suspected Raymond wanted to stir up a "couple pairing" scandal with Riley to ruin her reputation. After all, too many people in the industry pulled stunts like that. Thinking fast, she quickly snatched the seat to Riley’s left.

Raymond Warren: ...

Raymond could only move to her other side, but then Summer Quinn moved to stand there. She didn’t exactly snatch the seat, but Raymond didn’t dare refuse her. After her came Talia White, and then the third female lead. In the end, Raymond Warren was forced to sit in the seat closest to the door.

When Raymond Warren wasn’t looking, the assistant director gave Riley Perry a conspiratorial wink.

’The people on the *Starfire* set are just too adorable,’ Riley Perry thought, amused. ’Every one of them is so friendly to me. It’s a shame I’m only the fifth female lead with so few scenes. I’ll have to leave soon.’

The dishes had been ordered in advance. Since all the guests had arrived, the waiters quickly began bringing out the food.

The aroma made Riley Perry’s mouth water. "Director Quinn, please, let’s dig in! After filming all morning, I’m starving."

Director Quinn didn’t stand on ceremony and started eating.

Talia White glanced at the slightly sulking Raymond Warren and said with a smile, "We have to thank Raymond for treating us to such a lavish meal. I think this is our crew’s first time eating out together."

Raymond Warren smiled on the surface. "Don’t mention it. We’ll all be working together on set, so I hope we can all look out for each other." But inside, he was miserable as hell. ’I did all this to get close to Riley Perry, but damn it, I couldn’t even get a seat next to her!’

Everyone casually chimed in, "Of course, of course."

Seeing that Director Quinn had started eating, Riley Perry didn’t hold back either. ’In this world, only good food and beautiful people must not be forsaken. Besides, this was paid for by someone trying to plot against me. It’d be a waste not to eat.’

The young woman ate with such gusto that her mouth became greasy. Director Quinn couldn’t help but laugh as he watched her. She reminded him a little of his five-year-old nephew, who was usually very mischievous but would quiet right down at the dinner table. The boy ate with such concentration, which was how he’d become a little fatty.

Speaking of getting fat, Director Quinn addressed her directly. "Riley, even though you don’t have many scenes left, you still need to watch your weight. Don’t get fat now. A qipao is all about the figure; it won’t look good if you gain weight."

Riley Perry quickly raised her hand. "Reporting, Director Quinn! I’m one of those people who can’t gain weight. In fact, I’ve been so tired from filming these past few days that I’ve actually lost a couple of pounds! Even if I overeat today, it’ll be fine."

Director Quinn said with a beaming smile, "You’d better be!"

Several of the women at the table looked at Riley Perry with envy. It was true; she ate so much every day but never seemed to gain any weight. Talia White silently redirected a piece of braised pork face she had just picked up, placing it in Jordan Joyce’s bowl. "You eat more. You’ve gotten thinner from filming these last couple of days."

Jordan Joyce: ... ’Wasn’t she the one who said she loved touching my abs the most?’

’I’ve been working out for an hour every morning just to get a six-pack. Does my girlfriend think I’m not working out enough? Is she trying to get me to add another hour?’

’Forget it, I’ll just eat it. A man’s got to be responsible. If my girlfriend gives it to me, I’d have to chew it up and swallow it even if it were a bomb.’

Since they had to film in the afternoon, no one drank any alcohol. Lunch ended quickly, and the group walked back together, treating it as a stroll to aid digestion.

In the afternoon, Rhona had to go to the airport to pick someone up. Before leaving, she said, still worried, "Why don’t you just let Nana take a taxi here herself? It’s not like she doesn’t know how. Will you be okay here by yourself?"

As she spoke, she glanced furtively in a certain someone’s direction.

Riley Perry patted Rhona’s arm reassuringly. "Don’t be such a conspiracy theorist. See how nice he is? He even treated us to a big meal. We can’t be ungrateful drama queens about it."

Rhona snorted with laughter. ’Queen is right,’ she thought. ’Raymond Warren is a total drama queen.’

His character was a second-generation rich kid who had returned from studying abroad. His hair was slicked back with wax, gleaming with grease. His face was powdered as white as paper, and he even wore red on his lips—though it wasn’t too obvious. In any case, he looked really effeminate.

"I’ll be back as soon as I can, then." After saying that, she gave Riley Perry another look, telling her to be careful.

Riley Perry nodded.

She was a cautious person, but not to the point where she needed a young girl like Rhona to protect her.

Besides, she could tell from that morning’s phone call that Raymond Warren wouldn’t dare try anything with her on set.

She picked up her little folding stool and went over to the director’s side to observe and learn.

Director Quinn glanced at her a couple of times but didn’t say anything. ’The little gal is sharp,’ he thought. ’There are some things I don’t need to remind her about.’

’Her eagerness to learn, though, is a very good thing.’

Riley Perry only had one scene that afternoon, but she had three that night, which would probably go very late. So, Joanna went directly to the neighboring film set to find Director Miles and get the contract signed for Riley.

By the time they finished filming the night scenes, it was already past midnight. Riley figured Joanna would surely be asleep by now, but just as she got back, Joanna came over.

"I heard from Rhona that some ’little fresh meat’ is deliberately trying to get close to you?"

Riley Perry nodded while removing her makeup. "It’s not a big deal. Just be extra careful with any offers that come our way recently. Don’t sign anything carelessly."

Joanna, who had been pouring herself some water, looked up in surprise. "Are you saying that guy, Warren, might try to pull something with a contract?"

"I’m not sure, but we have to be on guard."

That uncle-and-nephew pair were going to have the paparazzi tail her. She was confident in her own conduct and knew it was impossible for them to dig up any dirt. But over time, they might try other methods. And for an artist, the easiest way to be trapped was through a contract for a project.