Cedric rke''s brow furrowed, his expression darkening. "Ste,e here a second. I''ve got something important to discuss with you."


    "Not going!"


    "Star," Briony coaxed gently.


    Irritated, Ste reluctantly stood up and stomped over to Cedric. "What is it?"


    Without warning, Cedric cupped her chubby cheeks and nted a noisy kiss right on her lips-earning himself a sharp, resounding p across the face.


    "Cedric rke, are you out of your mind?!"


    Cedric just grinned, dodged away, and called over his shoulder, “I''ll bring you your favorite cream puffs tonight!"


    "You''re such a jerk, Cedric! Don''t you daree back! If you do, I''ll beat you to a pulp!"


    Briony and James exchanged a look and couldn''t help but smile helplessly.


    Honestly, only Cedric could handle Ste''s fiery temper.


    ...


    After lunch, Briony grabbed her keys and headed out.


    She wasn''t worried about leaving Ste at home-Marlene was there to help out.


    Last week, Briony had officially taken over Starlight Entertainment. Her first order of business was to build up thepany''s reputation by promoting a new batch of talent.


    Mary was at the top of her list.


    With Novalith Industries'' animated series bing a national sensation, Briony had noticed a growing fascination among locals for traditional heritage and culture. She saw an opportunity.


    She decided to strike while the iron was hot and adapt the popr series into a live-action drama. If the show seeded, she''d push forward with a feature film adaptation.


    Of course, tranting animation to live action was no simple feat. Casting the right actors was absolutely critical.


    Briony pored over every performer on thepany roster, but only Mary truly fit the bill.


    Mary was on set filming today, so Briony decided to drop by.


    Besides, it was a good excuse to check out the rest of the cast—she might just discover some new talent.


    By the time she arrived, it was already three in the afternoon.


    Her assistant, Carey, led the way through the set, easily navigating the maze of trailers until they found Mary.


    Mary was in the middle of a costume change and looked up in surprise when Briony appeared.


    "Briony! What brings you here?" Mary beamed, looping her arm through Briony''s in a warm greeting.


    It was only atst week''spany meeting that Mary had learned Briony was the mysterious owner behind the scenes. But ever straightforward, Mary didn''t seem the least bit fazed by Briony''s status.


    Briony appreciated that about her. Despiteing from humble beginnings, Mary was neither arrogant nor servile. She had a quiet strength that shone through in everything she did-the kind of inner resilience that made her perfect for the acting world.


    "I just came by to check on you. Focus on your scenes I''ll wander around and have a look."


    Mary nodded and returned to her seat to finish her makeup.


    Briony strolled around the set. Just as she was about to leave, raised voices caught her attention from a corner of the lot.


    A crew member was berating someone, his voice sharp with


    frustration "I don''t care if your kid''s missing! You''re holding up the entire set! If you can''t handle the job, Just leave. Who do you think you are, making everyone wait around for you?"


    Briony frowned and walked over.


    It turned out one of the stuntwomen had shown upte, dying the shoot.


    Carey discreetly asked around and


    soon learned the story: the


    stuntwoman had recently divorced.


    Her eighteen-month-old son had been awarded to her, but that


    morning, her ex-husband had stormed into her home and


    snatched the boy away. The child''s grandmother had tried to stop him, but she was no match. After a frantic call from her mother, the woman rushed home, called the police, and went searching at her ex-husband''s ce-only to find he''d already disappeared with their child.


    Despite the turmoil, the crew had called her repeatedly, demanding her return. She''de back with her heart in pieces, barely managing a word of exnation before being chewed out on the spot.


    Briony watched the woman, head bowed, silent tears slipping down her face.


    Scars of all shapes and sizes marred her arms.


    Briony turned to Carey. "Give her my card."


    Carey looked surprised, but Briony was already walking away.


    Back at the car, Briony waited until Carey returned, sliding into the passenger seat.


    "Ms. Kensington, I gave her your card."


    Briony gripped the steering wheel and nodded.


    She said nothing more, just started the car and drove off.


    At seven p.m., Briony pulled into Skybreeze Retreat.


    A sleek Maybach was parked in the driveway-Stewart''s car.


    She paused, only then remembering it was Friday.


    This week, it was Stewart''s turn to have the kids for the weekend.


    Briony pressed her lips together, collected herself, and walked calmly into the house.