Amanda stayed in the hospital for only a day before rushing back to the film set. In her previous life, she had been arrogant and bossy, using her family's influence to look down on everyone. Her behavior had made her the most hated person on set, which ironically served as the perfect backdrop for Elena to appear "kind and gentle" by comparison.
Having lived it all before, Amanda had no intention of returning to that self-destructive reputation. There were at least a few people in this life she needed to treat well.
In the lead actress's dressing room, Amanda sat in a pristine white costume. She turned on her phone's back camera, propped it against the wall, and began practicing her lines with focus.
Suddenly, the door was pushed open without a knock. Amanda frowned at the interruption and turned to see who was approaching.
"Mandy, I came to visit you!"
Elena walked in carrying a cup of hot coffee, a look of deep concern plastered on her face. Several staff members and curious actors followed behind her. Amanda squinted, taking a silent, deep breath to suppress the rising tide of hatred. She didn't speak; she simply let her unwavering gaze drift slowly over Elena.
Elena stepped closer, her expression turning shy and apologetic. "I'm so sorry... I was so scared when you fell that I ran to find help. I didn't mean to leave you alone. Are you okay?"
By the time she finished, her eyes were glistening with tears, making her look as fragile as morning dew. To any outsider, it looked like Amanda was the one bullying her.
"Really?" Amanda's voice was flat, neither angry nor warm. She continued to stare at Elena, making the other girl visibly awkward. Elena's tears threatened to fall, but they seemed stuck.
"It was my fault, right Mandy? I'm so sorry. Please don't be angry with me..." Elena's tone made it sound as if she were the one suffering a great injustice.
Sure enough, Amanda saw a supporting actress step forward to shield Elena, glaring at Amanda with disgust. "Amanda, you're going too far. Lena was kind enough to come check on you. How can you be so cold?"
Amanda crossed her legs and smiled thinly. "She ran to find someone to save me? And yet it took her two days to find her way back here to the set?"
Elena's eyes welled up again. She pursed her lips and choked out a sob. "It's because I'm terrible. I should have asked the director for the day off to visit you in the hospital. Mandy, please..."
The actress next to her shouted, "You're being incredibly vindictive! Do you know how hard Elena worked while you were gone? You're acting like she's the criminal here. Can you stop being so unladylike?"
Unfazed, Amanda curled her lips into a contemptuous smirk. "But she is the one in the wrong."
The actress was momentarily speechless. Elena, caught off guard, lost her "pitiful" composure for a split second and glared.
Amanda remained calm. She crossed her arms and looked Elena straight in the eye. "You pushed me into the lake and walked away like nothing happened. Don't deny it, Elena. You know I can't swim. It almost makes me think you were trying to kill me."
Elena's heart skipped a beat. That had exactly been her intention, but she never expected Amanda to be saved. She had thought a few sweet words would be enough to manipulate the "idiot" Amanda into dropping it.
"I didn't... Mandy, I would never," Elena whispered, lowering her head. "I really did run for help..."
"Stop," Amanda interrupted coldly. "Whether you believe your own lies is up to you. Now leave. I don't have time to watch you cry."
Elena gripped the coffee cup tightly. Why is this brat being so difficult today? Usually, if Elena provoked her, Amanda would explode in a rage, making herself look like the villain.
Elena's eyes flashed with a dark thought. She took a few steps forward, her back turned to the crowd, and cautiously held out the cup to Amanda. "Then at least take this, okay? As a peace offering."
Annoyed by the persistent acting, Amanda reached out to take the cup just to get Elena to go away. But the moment her fingers brushed the rim, Elena tilted the cup, pouring the scalding liquid onto her own hand.
Elena let out a sharp scream of pain. Tears fell like rain as she looked at Amanda in horror. "I know you're angry! I'm sorry! But did you have to lash out at me over a cup of coffee?"
She covered her face and ran out of the room, looking utterly miserable. Immediately, the room erupted in whispers.
"Who does she think she is? Elena was being so sweet, and she just threw the coffee at her!"
"Did you see? Elena's hand was bright red!"
"She's a nightmare to work with."
"We should stay away from her."
The supporting actress pointed a finger directly at Amanda's face. "You're heartless! If I were Lena, I would have let you drown!"
At the word "drown," Amanda's eyes turned pitch black. She cast a chilling look at the group. "If you don't shut up, the next person wearing coffee will be you."
The group went silent. Despite their anger, they knew the "old" Amanda was impulsive enough to do it. As they scurried out, the room finally fell quiet.
Winter, who had been out running errands, rushed in. "Miss Amanda! Are you okay?" She knew Amanda was a neat freak and saw the coffee staining the white dress.
Amanda looked down at the yellow stains on her pure white costume. She stood up calmly. "I need to change."
"Let me help you—"
"No need," Amanda stopped her. "I can handle it."
Seeing the girl's confused and cautious expression, Amanda sighed softly. "Go and process that video," she said, pointing to the phone still propped against the wall. "I'll need it tonight."
Because the phone had been facing the wall to record the room via the back camera, Elena hadn't realized her entire performance—including the deliberate tilt of the cup—had been caught on film.
Winter realized what was happening and her eyes widened. She quickly nodded and got to work.
Amanda smiled sarcastically to herself. Elena loves to act. It would be a waste if I were the only one who got to see her best performance.