Actually, the same thought had occurred to Emmeline as well, but since Abel hadn’t mentioned it, she didn’t bring it up either.

Who asked you to delete me off your friends list? All I did was block you; I can unblock you anytime, but you wanted to be melodramatic! Well, I’m not going to add you, so there! You can be anxious all you want; serve you right!

She shoved Abel aside and rushed out the door, running downstairs.

Abel stood at the window and watched as the proud, petite little figure hurried out the gate, got into the car, and sped off to the film set.

He immediately picked up the phone and called Adrien. “Adrien, how can you live with yourself? If you can’t even financially support your own children, you shouldn’t be sowing wild oats everywhere. You tell me, what can I even say about that?”

On the other end of the receiver, Adrien blinked in confusion as Abel chastised him.

“Abel, what on earth is going on? What’s got you so hot under the collar? And who says I can’t financially support my kids?”

“You have the gall to say that to me?” Abel sounded furious. “Are you aware that Emmeline’s working as a stunt performer on a film set now? It’s a grueling, dangerous job. Have you ever considered that? She wouldn’t take any money from me, even though I offered it to her, but you’ll likely have more success if you try. After all, she can’t very well decline. Don’t forget, you’re the father of those boys!”

Adrien stood stock-still, dumbstruck. Emmeline was working as a stunt performer on that film set? When he met her the other day, he had assumed she was just there as a curious visitor; it had never occurred to him that she was actually there as part of the crew!

A cold hand clutched at his heart. “D*mn it!” He slapped himself. The boys weren’t in such dirt-poor straits that they would actually be reduced to eating dirt, would they?

He thought about calling Emmeline right away but paused. No, he couldn’t have this conversation with her over the phone. Abel had said that she was doing stunts on the film set, so she would probably come over later.

Then again, perhaps it might be better if he headed over there to see her instead.

On second thoughts, that wouldn’t do. He couldn’t go there unprepared; a certain decorum had to be observed.

“Carry on first,” Adrien instructed his employees with a wave. “I’ll be back soon.”

“Yes, Mr. Adrien.” The employees waved back at him.

During this period, Adrien had been very conscientious, keeping an eagle eye on their work progress. They couldn’t slack off even if they wanted to. Why was he so interested in the progress of the new film anyway? It was like he wanted to get into the Golden Camel Television and Film Festival or something.

Adrien drove over to Adelmar Studios and went to a jeweler’s store nearby. Women loved diamonds and jewelry. Emmeline was a beautiful woman and likely no exception. Upon the jeweler’s recommendation, Adrien finally purchased a diamond necklace worth over two hundred thousand dollars. Gleefully bearing the wine-red velvet box with him, he headed back to Adelmar Studios.

By this time Emmeline had already arrived at the set. What she hadn’t expected was that she would bump into Janie Eastwood, Ben’s secretary, and a senior Adelmar Studios executive.

“Emmeline Louise, you must really be strapped for cash!” Janie sashayed over and looked Emmeline up and down. “After working in that coffee shop, you’re here to do stunts? You’re nuts. We’re not a charity, you know.”

Emmeline was too busy changing into her costume to reply.

Janie quirked a brow. “If you ask me nicely, maybe I’ll ask the company to give you a raise!”

“Wow! You can do that?” Emmeline pretended to be shocked, swiveling around to face her.

“Of course I can!” Janie boasted. “Adelmar Studios is funding this project and I’m a senior executive in the company. What do you think?”

“Well, well…” Emmeline chuckled. “You’re extremely capable, Ms. Eastwood!”

“Don’t you forget it!” Janie replied haughtily. “My cousin’s one of the main cast; I was the one who got her the part. If you beg me really, really nicely, who knows, you might even land an important role or two!”

“So what are you asking me to do, Ms. Eastwood?” Emmeline finished changing into her costume, then picked up one of the nylon prop longswords.

“Oh, nothing much. Just get down on your knees and say “Uncle” as prettily as you can and keep your distance from Mr. Benjamin. That will do.” Janie folded her arms and tilted her head, watching Emmeline smugly.

“I see. But then…” Emmeline suddenly thrust the longsword right underneath Janie’s chin. “I think the tables have turned now, Ms. Eastwood. Get out of my sight, or I’ll beat the crap out of you!”

“How dare you!” Janie’s face paled. She recognized that Emmeline had some acting ability, or she would not have been able to be a stunt double. However, in her mind, an insignificant actress wanna-be like this would never dare to offend an Adelmar Studios senior executive.

“Say that again?”

“I said, how dare you!”

Whap! Emmeline smacked Janie across the face with the hilt of her sword.