"Who is he? Actor Callen seems to dislike him."
"I heard he's playing the main villain."
"What? But wasn't Actor James supposed to get that role?"
"They say the new Executive Producer replaced him."
"What? What kind of producer does that? Replacing a known actor with a nobody?"
"Maybe this nobody has some kind of connection to the Executive Producer."
"You better shut up if you don't want to get fired too. That 'nobody' is the new Executive Producer."
"W-What??"
From his seat beneath a sunshade, Jace listened to the murmurs with a faint smirk. He stirred his iced bubble coffee and looked toward the field where the shoot was underway.
"Director, the set is lively," he said sarcastically, tone dry.
Amelia flinched. "P-Please forgive them. I'll warn them to watch what they say."
Jace didn't reply. Kyra, his female bodyguard, stood behind him, straight-backed, hands folded behind her, eyes calm and alert.
The sun blazed overhead. The shoot was taking place in an open field, heat shimmering off the ground.
On set, the camera rolled.
Callen was in the middle of a university courtyard scene, walking beside the minor actress who played the senior student.
Their dialogue ended, and as they passed each other, their hands brushed by accident.
Callen, staying in character, paused slightly and looked away shyly, exactly what the role called for.
"Cut!" Amelia called.
Scattered applause followed.
"That was sweet."
"Really nailed the body language."
"The timing on that was smooth."
"I almost believed he was a university student."
Callen smiled and said, "You all praise me too much. I'm just doing what's expected of an actor, that's all."
His voice was polite, his tone humble, but the smirk he gave in Jace's direction said otherwise.
But Jace didn't even glance at him.
Amelia clapped once. "Reset. Next scene!"
"Let's keep the momentum."
The crew moved quickly, adjusting props and camera angles.
Amelia turned to Jace. "Mr. Jace, it's your turn."
Jace removed his sunglasses slowly. He stood, handed his drink to Kyra, and walked toward the set.
Amelia met him halfway with a nervous smile. "Mr. Jace, just a quick note, this scene should feel a little seductive. Not too much. Just natural."
She hesitated, then added quickly, "Of course, I'm not doubting your ability. It's just... this role is really important, so we want to get the tone righ—"
Jace cut in, calm and steady. "Director, I understand completely. If anything feels off during my acting, don't hesitate to let me know. And as I said before, if I'm not good enough, I'll walk away."
Amelia didn't speak, but her face showed quiet relief and just a trace of guilt.
The cameras rolled again.
This scene was from Episode Six of A Dark Destiny. The story followed a freshman guy who'd fallen for a senior girl. At first, he just wanted her advice on some subjects, but over time, she became his first crush.
One day, while walking home from the store, he spotted her ahead on the street. Feeling playful, he decided to sneak up behind her. But what he saw instead was her clinging to another man's arm.
That moment, the first major twist, was what they were filming.
"Episode Six, Scene Seventeen. Action!"
The camera focused on Callen, who played the male lead. He walked slowly into frame, holding a grocery bag. His posture was relaxed and casual, until he caught sight of his crush.
The minor actress, playing the crush, walked ahead. Callen's character followed at a short distance.
She turned.Then she saw Jace and took his arm, laughing softly and leaning in close.
Jace, in character as the mysterious man, wore a calm, charismatic expression.
No dialogue.
This part was built on raw, unscripted emotion.
Callen's lips parted like he wanted to speak, but nothing came out. His role was to freeze, realize the truth, and silently break.
The camera shifted focus to Jace.
He turned slightly, as if sensing someone behind him. His eyes met Callen's. He didn't step forward or pull away. His character wasn't even supposed to look surprised.
Instead, Jace gave a slow, mocking smile.
Then he looked down at the girl beside him, his voice low, just loud enough for the boom mic to catch. "Are you seeing someone behind my back?"
But that line wasn't in the script. It was supposed to be a silent scene.
The minor actress flinched. She opened her mouth. "T-That was not—"
Her voice cracked. She had spoken without meaning to.
But Jace stayed smooth. He tilted her gently, touched her chin with care, then leaned in. His lips stopped just an inch from hers. His every move was framed perfectly for the camera.
In a low, smooth voice, he said, "Relax. I was just kidding. Don't overthink it."
Then he lifted her into his arms.
The crew, and she gasped.
He carried her to the demo car, opened the door, placed her inside, then walked around and got into the driver's seat.
He started the engine.
Then he glanced toward Amelia, staying fully in character.
Amelia froze for a moment, then blinked and called out, "Cut!"
Silence.
The crew stared, unmoving.
Then came a wave of quiet murmurs and blinking stares.
Jace stepped out of the car and walked toward the minor actress. "I'm sorry. I improvised without talking to you beforehand."
"N-No, I'm sorry. I messed up the scene," she mumbled as Jace helped her out of the vehicle.
He smiled. "Then we're even."
She nodded, smiling too. "T-Thanks. It was kind of… intense. But in a good way."
Jace chuckled softly. "Hah… I'm glad you liked it."
As they walked back toward the crew, claps broke out.
"You killed that scene, sir."
"Your acting was amazing."
"He just stole the whole episode."
"They say the producer is always right. Now I see why."
The crew's mood shifted instantly. The earlier gossip and tension melted into admiration.
Amelia approached them, her eyes gleaming. "That was... brilliant," she said. "You handled the scene perfectly. Like, completely perfectly."
The atmosphere changed. Where there had been arrogance and quiet mockery among the actors, now there was silence. They glanced at each other, suddenly unsure of their own acting skills.
Valentina was frozen too. She had seen him as just another rich third-generation playing producer. Not once had she expected him to have real talent.
Callen, however, was on the verge of snapping. His jaw clenched, fists tightening at his sides. His eyes burned with fury.
Then he started walking toward Jace.