"Alright!" Rianne's eyes sparkled with a smile as she allowed ‌Michael to guide her into the car.

Previously, ‌Michael had shown her great consideration in the hospital, and now he was making an effort to be amiable. If she were to cling to past grievances, it would only reflect poorly on her.

Presumably reconciled, ‌Michael drove home with a faint smile playing at his lips.

Upon returning to the villa,

‌Michael mysteriously covered her eyes and led her into a room.

A soft, furry creature nuzzled against Rianne's calf.

"A cat?"

With years of experience caring for cats, Rianne made the deduction immediately.

"Do you like it?" ‌Michael withdrew his hand from her view, his deep, mellow voice resonating beside her ear.

Before her stood a group of cats, each displaying a distinct demeanor.

They approached her affectionately, arching their bodies and rubbing against her legs, begging for attention.

The smile in Rianne’s eyes gradually faded. "So, this is the surprise you prepared for me."

Seeing the anger in her eyes, ‌Michael’s brow furrowed in confusion.

"Abigail killed your cat, so I’ve given you tenfold in return. Aren’t you pleased?"

"Cocoa held a unique place in my heart; what makes you think these cats can replace it?"

Cocoa needed no substitute, and no cat could ever replace Cocoa.

With that, Rianne turned and walked away, unwilling to spend another moment in the room full of cats.

But ‌Michael grabbed her wrist, his dark eyes flashing with anger. "What more do you want? I've punished Abigail and given you so many cats. What are you still dissatisfied with?"

"I am certainly dissatisfied."

Rianne forcefully shook off ‌Michael’s grasp. "No matter how much punishment Abigail endures, Cocoa will never return. These cats can never replace Cocoa."

Just as ‌Michael could never replace her Marcus.

"‌Michael, stop engaging in these self-deceiving acts; falsehoods can never become truths."

Rianne’s eyes, while smiling, were laced with heavy sarcasm.

Her words were meant for both ‌Michael and herself.

This dream should have ended long ago.

‌Michael stood motionless, silent as a rock.

Watching Rianne's figure disappear into the villa, an inexplicable irritation surged within him.

It felt as though something was slipping gradually out of his control.

He tossed a CD he had hidden earlier into the trash bin, his dark eyes cold as he commanded, "Get rid of this cat room."

The butler hesitated, asking once more, "Mr. Palmer, this cat room was set up by you with great effort over the past few days. Are you certain you want to dismantle it?"

"Dismantle it!" ‌Michael’s tone was frigid. "Send all these cats away as well. I don’t want to see a single cat hair in this house."

...

Bossington Film City.

"Have you heard? A new actress is coming in for the second female lead."

"Really? What about Sadie? Isn’t she doing a good job?"

"I heard it’s a demand from the investors who specified the role for the new actress. Sadie’s status isn’t high enough to hold on to it."

As Rianne got out of the car, she overheard the crew discussing the cast change and pondered inwardly.

She hoped this new second female lead would not be as troublesome as Abigail.

But to her surprise, a familiar voice rang out from the entrance.

"Sorry for causing trouble recently. I’ve prepared some afternoon tea and hope you all will accept it."

Rianne followed the crowd’s gaze and saw Abigail surrounded by her entourage, handing out an array of extravagant refreshments to everyone in the crew.

Abigail approached with a self-satisfied air, casually placing the refreshments on a small table next to Rianne.

"It seems we meet again here."

Rianne glanced at the tea, which, though still costly, was of a significantly lower quality compared to the last time.

It seemed Abigail’s recent circumstances were less favorable.

Rianne smiled lightly, her voice laced with understated sarcasm. "You truly are adaptable, quite admirable."

Abigail’s smile faltered immediately.

If it weren’t for Rianne’s interference, she wouldn’t have had to settle for the second female lead.

"Don’t think that Brother ‌Michael’s protection of you makes you exceptional. If not for your status as Mrs. Palmer, Brother ‌Michael wouldn’t even glance your way. His thoughts are still on my sister."

Rianne’s lips curled in disdain. "Even without the title of Mrs. Palmer, you still wouldn’t have the right to raise your voice at me. After all, without your sister, you are nothing in his eyes."

Abigail, stung by the words, yelled, "Rianne!"

Rianne’s eyes narrowed with amusement. "Don’t shout, I can hear you. I’m not deaf."

Abigail’s frustration mounted, but with a crowd of onlookers from the crew gathering, she could only grit her teeth and force a sweet smile once more.

She retrieved a thick file from her bag and handed it over.

"Though I’m the second female lead, the script has been specially revised for me with additional fight scenes. Please continue to be my stunt double!"

The same old request.

Rianne’s lips curved into a shallow smile, and before she could speak, someone decisively rejected the request for her.

"Ms. Crowe, please don’t make things difficult for our crew. Both you and Ms. Kroes were recommended by the investors. If anything were to happen, I wouldn’t know how to explain it to them. However, although Ms. Kroes can’t be your stunt double, we’ve arranged a highly professional substitute for you. How does that sound?"

The director was caught in the middle.

One was the prospective heiress’s sister-in-law, the other was ‌Michael’s wife.

He couldn’t afford to offend either.

Abigail clenched her fists, her face showing reluctance.

However, considering ‌Michael’s favoritism towards Rianne, she could only follow the director’s suggestion. "I’ll give the director face. Rianne, we’ll see each other later."

"Whether later is long or short, I can’t say. But I do know that Ms. Crowe seems quite adept at quibbling. You’ve yet to mention when you’ll pay for the previous stunt work."

Seeing Rianne’s radiant smile, Abigail felt mocked and, feeling guilty, replied, "I didn’t say I wouldn’t pay. Am I the type of person who’s short on money?"

Rianne’s smile grew wider, and she countered, "Not short, are you?"

"Of course not," Abigail insisted stubbornly.

Previously, when Abigail had botched the leading role, the Crowe family, fearing she might offend ‌Michael, not only apologized in person but also suspended her allowance.

Seeing Abigail’s desperate attempt to maintain appearances, Rianne took out her phone.

"Last time, the stunt work took two hours and ten minutes. I’ll round it to two hours, totaling 400,000. Will it be paid via card?"

Abigail was caught off guard by Rianne’s relentless insistence and stammered, "I... I don’t have a card."

Before she could finish, Cooper helpfully brought over a POS machine.

"Then let’s use a card! The assistant brought one along."

Abigail’s face turned ashen.