They Buried a Director She Rose a Queen
So when my fianc, the show's primary investor, demanded I cast his childhood sweetheart, Mia Sutton, as my leading lady, I should have known it was trouble.
I refused, citing that she was utterly wrong for the part. As a consolation, I gave her the role of the villainthe second female lead.
When the show became a runaway success, Mias portrayal of the venomous antagonist was so convincing that the internet turned on her. She was dragged on social media, trolled relentlessly, and even received death threats.
That was when my fianc decided I needed to be taught a lesson. He found a group of men to defile me, and he had them film it.
The video went viral.
Overnight, I went from being Hollywoods golden girl to a pariah, branded a slut, a whore whod slept her way to the top.
One of Mias obsessed fans, convinced I had bullied his idol, found me on a rainy street and stabbed me until I bled out on the pavement.
And then, I opened my eyes.
I was back.
1
Camera A is set! Stand by, Camera B!
The assistant directors frantic voice echoed in my ears. I blinked, my heart hammering against my ribs as I took in the painfully familiar scene around methe controlled chaos of a film set on the first day of shooting. I had been reborn.
I was back on the day we began filming The Gilded Cage.
In my first life, my fianc, Ethan Croft, had forced his little pet project, Mia Sutton, into my cast. He had insisted she play the lead.
Id said no. But to appease him, to keep the peace and the funding, Id offered her the part of the vindictive lady-in-waiting. The show was a sensation, bigger than anyone had imagined. But Mias performance was too good. The audiences hatred for the character bled into reality.
She ran to Ethan, weeping, claiming I had set her up, that Id deliberately given her an unlikable role to sabotage her career and expose her to public hatred.
And Ethan, my Ethan, believed her. He decided I needed to be punished for my "retaliation."
So he hired a group of thugs to corner me. They filmed what they did to me and plastered it all over the internet.
In a single night, I was destroyed. My career, my reputation, my sense of selfall of it gone. I was no longer an A-list director; I was a "desperate slut," a "casting couch whore."
And Mia? She spun the narrative masterfully, emerging as the sympathetic victim, the innocent starlet bullied by a jealous director. Her career skyrocketed.
It all ended on a storm-slicked street, with a knife in the hands of her crazed fan.
Ava? Are you alright? You look pale, my assistants voice cut through the memory, pulling me back to the present.
I shoved the searing hatred down, letting it cool into a block of ice in my chest. My eyes hardened.
I shook my head, my gaze sweeping across the bustling set until it locked on the main makeup trailer.
I pushed the door open without knocking. And there she was. Mia Sutton, draped in the magnificent gown meant for my lead actress, sitting in the stars chair as if it were her throne.
She was barking orders at the makeup artist. The eyeliner needs to be sharper. More of a wing. I want it to look seductive, understand?
And this lipstick is all wrong. Its too pale. It washes me out. I need a classic red.
Honestly, the team youve assembled is just subpar, Ava. Im surprised at your standards.
My actual lead actress, a talented newcomer I had fought to cast, was huddled in a corner, her eyes red-rimmed, twisting the fabric of her simple costume in her hands. She was fuming, but powerless.
I walked toward them, the sharp click-clack of my heels on the linoleum floor announcing my arrival.
Mia saw my reflection in the mirror. Instead of contrition, her chin lifted in a gesture of pure defiance.
Ava, youre just in time. Take a look. This new girl you picked? She has no screen presence at all. Dont you think Im a much better fit?
I looked at her face, a perfectly painted mask of ambition, and I smiled.
The next second, my hand was a blur.
CRACK.
The sound of my palm connecting with her cheek echoed through the trailer, silencing everything.
The makeup artists eyebrow pencil clattered to the floor. In the corner, the young actress gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.
Everyone froze.
Mia clutched her face, her eyes wide with disbelief. A beat passed before the shock curdled into outrage and she let out a piercing shriek.
I flexed my stinging hand, admiring the five perfect, red fingerprints blooming on her skin.
The makeups not bad, I said, my voice dangerously calm. Let me just add a finishing touch.
2
Aaaah!
You hit me! You actually hit me!
Mias scream was the perfect summoning spell for Ethan.
The trailer door burst open, and he stormed in, his eyes immediately finding Mia, who was already performing the role of a lifetime, clutching her face, tears welling.
He rushed to her side, gathering her into a protective embrace before turning his glare on me. His eyes were filled with a familiar disgust. Ava, what the hell is wrong with you? Why would you hit Mia?
I crossed my arms, watching his little show with a cold detachment.
Why? I repeated. Because Im the director on this set. Im teaching her about the rules. Is there a problem?
My words stopped him short. His face darkened.
From the safety of his arms, Mia began to sob. Ethan, I didnt mean any harm I just thought the costume was beautiful, and I wanted to try it on I dont know why Director Renner got so upset with me
Ethans resolve softened instantly. He murmured comforting words to her, his gaze on me turning venomous.
Ava, how many times do I have to tell you? Mia and I grew up together. Shes like a little sister to me. Cant you just look out for her?
Its a leading role, for Gods sake. What does it cost you to just give it to her?
And dont forget, he added, his voice dripping with condescension, Im the one signing the checks. Is it really that hard to do this one little thing for me?
That tone of absolute entitlement. It was the same one hed used in my past life, over and over again.
The last flicker of warmth in my heart died out.
Lets get something straight, Ethan. This is my set. I am the director. And I call the shots.
If you dont like it, I said, my voice dropping to a deadly calm, you can take your little pet project and get the hell out. Right now.
Every word was a shard of ice, delivered without a trace of mercy.
Ethans face twisted in disbelief. He had never heard me speak to him like this. The woman he knew was pliable, gentle, eager to please.
What did you just say to me?
I met his rage with an equal and opposite force, pointing a finger toward the door. You heard me. I said, take her, and get out.
Fine, he snarled, a cruel smile spreading across his lips. Just fine!
He jabbed a finger at me, his voice a low threat. Im calling my father right now. Im telling him to pull the funding. Lets see whos calling the shots then!
A wave of panic rippled through the trailer. The crew members exchanged anxious glances. The young actress in the corner slumped, the hope draining from her face.
Mias eyes, however, flashed with triumph, a smirk playing on her lips.
They all expected me to fold.
In my last life, Ethan always used his father as a weapon. And every single time, for the sake of my project, for the sake of my art, I had swallowed my pride and given in. I buried the resentment, the humiliation, the pain.
But I wasn't that woman anymore.
I calmly pulled out my own phone and dialed a number before he could.
Hello, Arthur? Its Ava.
The steady, powerful voice of Arthur Croft came through the line. Ava, my dear. Is everything alright? Is the first day going smoothly?
Ethan froze, stunned that I would dare to go over his head.
I shot him a cool glance, my voice a mask of professional concern. Not exactly. Ethan is here on set, insisting that I cast his friend in the lead role. Hes now threatening to have you pull the funding.
As you know, this is a project you personally championed. We have significant sunk costs. Replacing the actress I carefully selected to fit the role will not only compromise the quality of the film but will also cause delays and budget overruns.
Im just a director, Arthur. Im afraid I cant take responsibility for those kinds of cost overruns. I felt it was my duty to report the situation to you directly.
I didnt embellish. I didnt need to. I just stated the facts.
Arthur Croft was a shark. He understood profit and loss better than anyone.
There was a brief silence on the other end of the line.
Then, his voice boomed, a roar of pure fury. That goddamn idiot! Put him on the phone!
I hit the speakerphone button and held the phone out to Ethan.
Arthurs enraged voice filled the entire trailer.
Ethan! Are you out of your goddamn mind? Ava is the director! Casting is her decision! What the hell do you know about it? Im telling you right now, if you delay this project by one single minute, I will personally break your legs! Now you apologize to Ava, you hear me? Apologize now!
The color drained from Ethans face, replaced by a mottled, furious red.
He never, in his wildest dreams, imagined that his doting father would humiliate him so thoroughly. For me.
3
Arthur slammed the phone down, the disconnect tone echoing in the dead silent trailer.
The atmosphere was thick with humiliation.
Mias face was pale. She quickly wiped away her triumphant smirk, replacing it with a mask of trembling contrition.
Director Renner Im so sorry. This is all my fault She bit her lip, tears falling like perfectly timed pearls. I never wanted the lead role, really. I would be happy with a walk-on part. I truly dont mind
She claimed she didnt mind, yet she wept as if her heart had been shattered. It was a masterful performance.
Ethan, seeing her distress, felt his own humiliation flare into protective anger. The rage his father had ignited now had a new target: me.
He took a deep breath, his tone shifting to one of strained negotiation.
Ava. Mia already said shes sorry. Dont make this harder than it has to be.
She wont be the lead. Fine. But what about the second lead? Thats not too much to ask, is it?
I laughed.
The second lead. The very role that had set in motion the tragedy of my last life.
History wasn't just repeating itself; it was mocking me.
No.
My refusal was swift and absolute.
Not the second lead. Not a walk-on with no lines. She will have no part in this production.
My words were like a bucket of ice water dumped over Mias head. Her crying stopped for a split second before resuming with even greater intensity.
Ethans control finally snapped.
Ava! Dont push me!
He slammed his hand down on the makeup counter, sending bottles and brushes scattering across the floor.
Im telling you right now, if Mia doesnt get the part of the second lead, then nobody is shooting anything today!
He spun around and roared at the open door. Get in here!
On his command, two large men in suitshis personal securitybarged into the trailer.
Smash it, Ethan ordered, pointing at the meticulously designed props and set pieces nearby. Smash it all.
The men moved to obey, but I lunged forward. Stop it! Ethan, have you lost your mind?
Before I could intervene, the bodyguards grabbed me, one on each arm, holding me fast. My heart ached as I watched them begin to destroy my workthe culmination of months of planning, of sourcing investments, of poring over scripts with my writers.
The crew shrank back, terrified. The other actors stood frozen, too intimidated to move.
Ethan strode toward me, his face alight with a sick, vengeful pleasure.
You see this, Ava? he hissed. This is what happens when you cross me. I want you to watch as I tear down everything youve worked for.
Trapped in their grip, I could only watch the carnage, my face a cold mask.
Think about what youre doing, Ethan. This isnt just my project. This is your fathers reputation on the line!
He scoffed. He wont blame me.
Are you sure about that? I asked, my voice chillingly calm. My eyes flickered to a figure standing in the doorway, a figure Ethan hadn't noticed yet. It was Arthur Croft, his face a thundercloud.
Ethan, lost in his own arrogance, didnt see him. Please. My father? My grandfather could show up, and it wouldnt stop me. If this film bombs, its on you, Ava, the great director. It means he made a bad investment. If its a hit, its because I was here, managing things.
He puffed out his chest. That old man just knows how to throw money around. You think hed ever set foot in a dump like this? He should be thanking me for being here, making sure no one is taking advantage, or bullying the new talent.
His voice dripped with disdain, completely oblivious to the man standing behind him, his fathers face growing darker with every word.
You arrogant little fool, Arthurs voice boomed, thick with menace. Listen to the garbage coming out of your mouth.
Ethan whipped around. The moment he saw his fathers furious expression, his face froze.
Dad?! Wh-what are you doing here?
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