The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Chapter 2069

Danielle suddenly looked up, "When?"

"Just got off the plane. The online buzz about you hasn't been great these past few days. He must have come back to have your back." This is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

The whole crew fell silent at the remark.

Coming back to have Danielle's back? Hard to argue with that. Who in the industry didn't know Danielle was Seth's golden girl?

Scandals, gossip, and rumors were part and parcel of a celebrity's life, but Danielle had always been the exception, never making the trending news for any misdeed.

This online backlash was already a big deal for her.d2

Seamus, however, had his doubts. Seth certainly knew Danielle too well to believe in her innocence. In the past, he would turn a blind eye, offering a few words of advice before moving on. But this time, after hearing about Danielle’s troubles, Seth didn’t say much. Instead, Seth pushed to hasten the shooting schedule. It was as if he didn't plan to deal with the situation at all.

If Seth really wanted to support her, he wouldn't need to fly back. A simple statement would suffice. The talk about coming back for Danielle's sake was probably just them adding drama to the situation.

Even though they couldn't guess Seth's reasons for returning, it was clear they couldn't afford to upset Danielle right now. "Alright, take Danielle to rest," Seamus instructed.

Two assistants helped Danielle up, who cast a resentful glance at Seamus, "We won't be needed for the next scenes then, right?"

Seamus, trying to keep his temper in check, replied, "Your health comes first."

Danielle tiptoed, apologetically, "Sorry, director, but I don't think I can shoot this scene anytime soon. Looks like we really need a stand-in."

As she spoke, her gaze swept over the set, finally resting on Cicely, who was sitting there with a somewhat uncomfortable expression.

Following Danielle's gaze, Seamus' eyes lit up when he saw Cicely. She bore a passing resemblance to Danielle, even having a similar build and presence. Wasn't this the perfect stand-in?

For a cliff dive into the water, they didn't need to see her face. Her physique was enough.

"Cicely, dear?"

Cicely, preoccupied with the thought of running into Seth, looked up at the director's voice with a frown. "Hmm?"

"I was thinking, you and Danielle share a certain resemblance. Could you possibly..."

"No."

Cicely cut him off. Comparing her to Danielle? Ridiculous.

The director, caught off-guard, tried again, "I'll pay, of course."

Cicely raised an eyebrow, "I'm afraid of heights."

"I'll double your fee."

"I get dizzy with harnesses."

"Try to get past it, and I'll triple it."

"I don't do well with water."

The director gritted his teeth, "I'll pay five times the usual rate."

Cicely, begrudgingly, relented, "Fine, let's give it a go." For her son's sake, she'd do anything.

Danielle sneered internally. Who would have thought that Cicely, the once untouchable Princess of P City, who never lacked anything—especially money—would stoop so low for cash?

To be her stand-in? Ha.

Charlie, who had been hiding outside, panicked when he heard Cicely was going to be Danielle's stand-in for a cliff diving scene. He quickly dialed Seth's number.

Since the stand-in didn't need to show her face, Cicely just changed into a costume, no makeup required. The quality of the stand-in's outfit was naturally not as fine as Danielle's, but on Cicely, it looked just as good, if not better.

Though their figures were similar, Cicely's proportions seemed more perfect, and she appeared taller and more graceful than Danielle.

Crysti couldn't help but exclaim, "If you were an actress, talent agencies would be fighting over you."

"I can't act." Cicely disliked the costume, frowning as she adjusted the bothersome garment.

"With your looks and figure, who needs acting skills? Just be a stunning showpiece, and you'd shake up the entire entertainment industry. Luxury brand endorsements would be yours for the taking."

Cicely's eyebrows perked, "And how much would those endorsements be?"

"For someone of your caliber? Tens of millions to start?"

Cicely blinked thoughtfully. It’s indeed tempting.

By the time Cicely was ready for the harness, Danielle still hadn't changed or removed her makeup and was sitting under a parasol, getting her wounds dressed by two assistants.

Danielle's gaze followed Cicely to the rigging, watching the safety crew buckle her in and ensure her security. Although her leg was aching, the thought of seeing Cicely plummeting off the cliff into the water was somewhat satisfying. Such scenes required multiple shots for dramatic effect, meaning they wouldn't be done in one take.

Once Cicely was secured in the harness and had tested it a couple of times, she found the sensation oddly intriguing. It felt not too bad.

As she approached the edge of the cliff, she looked down and suddenly realized that this money was not so easy to earn.

Just as Cicely mentally prepared herself to jump several times, the director approached with a phone in hand and a look of defeat. "Never mind, you don't need to do this."

Cicely was flabbergasted. "Is this a joke?"

The director gave a wry smile, "As if I'd dare."

"Then let's shoot."

Cicely wasn't having it, her agreement to be the stand-in hadn't come easily.

"It's too dangerous."

"What about the money?"

The director hesitated, then said by reflex, "Well, if we're not shooting, naturally..."

Five times the stand-in fee could easily reach a small fortune. Why waste it?

"No way, we need to shoot."

Upon hearing the money might be lost, Cicely clenched her teeth and refused to back down.

The director never anticipated Cicely would be so difficult to deal with. Who could justify such an unexpected expense?

Sensing a possible change in plans, Danielle bit her lip and intervened, "Since it's for my scene, the payment should come from me. This scene is crucial, and I'm willing to put in a little extra."

The director was nursing a serious headache. "It's not about the money..."

It all started when Mr. Diaz's assistant had called, making it crystal clear that Ms. Cicely was not to act. The assistant's word was as good as Mr. Diaz's, wasn't it? How could he possibly go against that?

But Cicely wasn't the type to back down easily.

Charlie, who had been watching the director's stubborn debacle from a distance, was fuming. He couldn't stand it any longer and marched right over. "Ms. Cicely," he began, his voice laced with a mix of desperation and exasperation, "I am willing to offer you ten times the paycheck, so would you mind stepping down from the wire rig, please?"