The Trending Topic Herself: The Villainess is the Superstar!-Chapter 227: Dispute

"It’s about the script issues."

Serena Sawyer, such a famous actress, actually has script issues she wants to consult with me about?

Maya Monroe showed some interest. "I don’t know much, but I’m more than happy to offer any help I can."

Serena Sawyer flipped to a page in the script. "This part has been bothering me for a long time. I should be thankful this scene isn’t being shot today, so I had some time to think about it."

"Look here, I always feel something’s not quite right with this part, it’s missing a bit of spark, but I can’t quite pinpoint a better idea..."

Maya Monroe moved closer to Serena Sawyer, craning her neck to take a look at the script’s content.

Extending her neck like this to analyze the script was inevitably uncomfortable, and just as Serena Sawyer was about to hand over the script, she heard Maya Monroe’s voice:

"I recall that the character you played is an independent female powerhouse, so look here. It’s not lacking tension, but the logic is off. She wouldn’t act so vulnerable. Even after being heavily betrayed, she wouldn’t be weeping because she’s a very strong-willed person; she wouldn’t allow her vulnerability to be exposed in front of others."

Maya Monroe pointed with her alabaster white finger at a spot, her expression unusually serious.

Serena Sawyer pondered and murmured, "It’s indeed that way. If this crying scene were changed to ’smashing a water cup in anger,’ what do you think?"

Maya Monroe slowly nodded. "Sounds good."

After speaking, she returned to her position.

Serena Sawyer’s voice came with a hint of a smile. "Thank you so much. But I hadn’t yet had the chance to explain my character’s personality to you, yet you seemed to know it so well."

Maya Monroe crossed her legs carelessly and said, "Oh that... I read the original novel, so I have an impression."

"Read the original novel?" Serena Sawyer chuckled. "Maya, you’ve got a good memory."

"Just so-so."

Alisa Shelby was still in her costume; the clothes were quite heavy, and her forehead was already a bit sweaty.

She took a mirror and suddenly frowned. "Why am I sweating so much? My makeup is ruined. Quick, quick, quick, hurry to the makeup room. What if someone takes a photo of me like this?"

"Wait... bring the mask first."

Her assistant hurriedly handed her the mask.

Alisa Shelby tucked her stray hair behind her ear and suddenly paused. "Wait, is that Maya Monroe...?"

"And... is the person in the black top with their back to us Serena Sawyer?" Alisa Shelby’s voice was filled with surprise. She squinted her eyes to see more clearly. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

But then she thought it couldn’t be. Serena Sawyer, such a high-status actress, how could Maya Monroe have a connection with her?

The assistant next to her was also sweating profusely, continuously wiping the sweat from her forehead while studying the scene frantically. "Looks a bit like..."

Serena Sawyer turned her face slightly, and the assistant confirmed it. "It’s Serena the actress! It’s definitely her! She must have a scene to shoot today."

Alisa Shelby squinted her eyes, clutching her hand. "Serena Sawyer? What... what are they doing?"

The assistant glanced ahead. "They seem to be discussing the script, maybe."

"Discussing the script? Have they already built such a good relationship? Serena Sawyer isn’t usually fond of being bothered by others, but now she’s willing to guide Maya Monroe on the script?"

Alisa Shelby frowned as she finished speaking.

Everyone knows Serena Sawyer is famously aloof and doesn’t like interacting with others. How could she now be getting along so well with Maya Monroe?

Maya Monroe, just someone with connections, is now able to chat with Serena Sawyer...

No wonder people say that Maya Monroe’s acting has improved significantly; turns out Serena Sawyer has been privately mentoring her?

Alisa Shelby remembered the gossip she had heard before. Apparently, one of the reasons Maya Monroe shone on the awards stage was with Leo Lancaster’s help.

How can she have such good luck? Both the Best Actor and Best Actress favor her?

Probably can’t be separated from the patron behind her...

Alisa Shelby’s heart suddenly felt a bit complicated.

"Have you seen Maya Monroe’s performance? Initially, there were rumors that her acting wasn’t good, but now it seems completely baseless. The recent awards she received were well-deserved!"

"This is my first time working with Maya Monroe, and I always thought she was a diva-like vase. But now it’s clear she’s not; she’s not only good at acting but also hardworking. I often see her studying the script, though she always has a candy in her mouth each time..."

"Yeah, at first I heard people say Maya Monroe got in because of her background, but now I see her acting is really good. She’s practically ’Jane Jennings’ in real life!"

"I see that Director Huang’s attitude towards her is unusually good. This has never happened before. It’s quite puzzling; do they have a family relation or something? Is that why Director Huang is so favoring her?"

"Family relation? Doesn’t seem like it... I always feel Director Huang’s attitude towards her is strangely respectful. It’s more like... a superior-subordinate relationship?"

...

The surrounding conversations reached Alisa Shelby’s ears word for word. The sun remained scorchingly hot, but she didn’t mind the heat anymore, as her heart was filled with an inexplicable rage.

That’s it, Director Huang’s attitude towards Maya Monroe couldn’t be better, especially with his somewhat humble demeanor, nearly treating her like a deity.

Alisa Shelby withdrew her gaze, her eyes somber. "Let’s go, to the makeup room."

*

After finishing her scene, Maya Monroe returned to the trailer to snack. The weather today was a bit hot, so she stayed inside the trailer instead of going out.

Putting down the iced drink in her hand, Maya Monroe sighed contentedly. "I have to say, being a star is pretty sweet."

There’s no harm without comparison; compared to this comfortable world, the life she used to live was unbearable to look back on.

"Maya, didn’t you say you were going to start a healthy lifestyle? Why are you drinking soda again?" Scott asked.

"Ryan isn’t here, is he? Besides, occasional indulgence is okay..."

Suddenly, an assistant named Zack ran over in a panic. "Bad news, bad news!! Ivy and Alisa Shelby’s people are arguing?"

Ivy is a new assistant who recently joined. She wears her hair in a bun and looks like the girl next door, but she’s quite straightforward and easily angered.

Maya Monroe put down her cup and asked, "What happened?"

"It—it’s just that Ivy walked by with a cup and then—and then she encountered..." The assistant seemed very agitated, a bit incoherent.

Maya Monroe frowned and set her drink aside. "Let’s go, let’s check it out."