Chapter 275: Another Scandal Breaks Out
As the car pulled over at the filming location, Brooke still could not believe the conversation she had with Thane the previous day.
He told her that he would see Gilbert, because she had insisted on him doing so. She smiled as she alighted the car, her heart racing that Thane actually listened to her.
She also remembered the promise he made to her.
"After your filming is over, the both of us should go on a quick vacation, on the honeymoon we never got to have. We can go whenever you want." He had told her.
Now, more than ever, Brooke wanted nothing but to wrap up filming and go on that trip with Thane.
At the site, she felt all eyes darted to her. Everyone was whispering and some even pointed at her, but she ignored them and went straight to the director’s office, where the rest of the cast was waiting for her.
She had a call placed to schedule a meeting about her status on the movie. Thankfully, Director Flynn answered and had the meeting set up.
"The lady of the hour shows up fashionably late." Damien remarked as Brooke quietly made her way into the office.
She lowered her head, her hands in front of her, "I’m sorry, the traffic on the road was hectic."
Damien rolled his eyes, "Excuses." He said.
But Dylan chipped in, "Didn’t you sleep on set? I don’t think it’s fair for you to dismiss her reasoning."
Lucas furiously scolded, "That’s enough out of both of you! We have a crisis to handle, so we can please have this issue settled once and for all?" He looked to Brooke, who had a hopeful gleam in her eye.
Then he averted his eyes to Sadie, who shared the same gleam.
Damien clicked his tongue, "What more is there to say? We made the decision before to have her kicked out. I’m not going to act with an ex convict."
Sadie replied him, "She was released in under twenty four hours, she’s practically innocent-"
"Try telling that to the public. A criminal is a criminal. I’ve made my stand perfectly clear, if she’s in this film, I’m out..." he was saying, but Brooke cut him off.
"I honestly apologize for what happened. But as much as I want to, I can’t change time. However, if I drop out of this film, it’ll be like confirming that I really was guilty of that crime. If it’s still possible, I want to keep my role." She said, not because of Cassie’s blackmail, but just because she wanted to prove herself.
Lucas shifted his attention to Damien, gauging his reaction. Then he looked across the room, surprised to see that even Dylan had somehow warmed up to this woman.
’She definitely has some charm to her.’ he couldn’t help but think, but that wouldn’t be enough to sway anyone.
Especially not the public.
Lucas let out a deep sigh. "Brooke-" he called out to her, but he was interrupted by the door suddenly pushed open.
Brooke looked behind her at the assistant director, who had their phone held up.
"President Lucas, Director Flynn, we have a situation!"
Brooke was certain from the worried expression they had, that it was definitely bad news. Cassie had definitely done something.
Brooke’s hunch was right. While they were having the meeting, a post was made which immediately went viral. Attached to the post was Brooke’s photo when she arrived on set, followed with a claim that made the top ten search in less than thirty minutes.
-"BROOKE LARSON RIDES SPONSORSHIP PRIVILEGE AND KEEPS HER SUPPORTING ROLE DESPITE BEING VOTED OUT BY THE PRODUCTION HOUSE OVER RECENT ARREST SCANDAL." -
The article had a confession from an anonymous staff who claimed that no one on set wanted Brooke around, but because of the sponsors, she forced her way on set.
The post was met with great controversy. While some wholeheartedly believed the news, others believed that it was a publicity stunt pocket change productions was trying to carry out.
Things became a mess.
"Sir! There are angry people protesting outside the hotel. Not just that, but reporters have swarmed the entire area, there’s no path to come out." A staff member announced.
Since the picture of Brooke was released, some of Cassie’s fans were able to pinpoint the area of filming from the background and quickly mobilized themselves to the area.
Damien hissed. "I knew we should have gotten this woman taken off! That’s it! I’m pulling out of this movie!" He got up angrily, fed up with the turnout of events.
Lucas immediately got up to follow him. Sadie got to go after them, but Brooke beat her to it, going after Damien herself.
Thankfully, she caught him and Lucas right before they went into his hotel room.
"Look, you’re the last person I want to see right now, so just get out of my sight." Damien told her plainly.
But Brooke was adamant. "Damien, quitting this film isn’t an option."
He rolled his eyes. "Quitting has always been an option, one I should’ve taken a long time ago. If anything, you’re the one who stands to lose the most if I quit." he said, making sure Brooke would stop following him.
The sight of her appalled him.
Lucas tried to negate the conflict by sending Brooke away, but she refused.
"Yes! I’m the one who needs you, yes, I’ll lose out if you quit..." she started off, earning a prideful smirk out of Damien.
But her tone shifted drastically, "But, if you quit, do you really think you won’t suffer for it?"
Damien turned around, facing her fully. "And what the hell does that mean?" He could not believe his ears, did the little wench just threaten him?
Brooke stared back at him, her head held high, as she made her claim. "Cassie being forced on your family’s company as an ambassador was just one way you can suffer. If you quit this movie, the consequences on your end would be far greater than anything you think would happen to me."