Chapter 1614

As soon as the door swung open, Stella's assistant stood rigidly at the entrance. Upon spotting Stella, the assistant hurried forward with a smile. However, she instinctively stepped back upon noticing Lucas lurking behind Stella. "Why are you lingering outside in the cold? You might catch a cold," Stella inquired. "I'm not cold. I'm tough and won't freeze," the assistant replied. Stella glanced at Lucas. "I'm off then." Lucas pulled Stella close, planting a kiss on her cheek. "Alright, I'll head straight to the airport and won't come to see you." Stella nodded, leaving with her assistant. In the elevator, the assistant whispered, "I didn't dare with Mr. White around." "What was that?" Stella asked, not catching it. "I mean, knowing Mr. White was in your room, I was afraid to interrupt anything important," the assistant explained. Stella gave her assistant a quizzical look. "What's gotten into you?" "Am I wrong? Look at the mark on your neck—it wasn't there when we wrapped up last night." Stella quickly adjusted her scarf, wrapping herself up tighter. "Listen up, I'm the boss, the one who signs your paychecks. You're not scared of me, but you're spooked by Lucas? Believe me, I can dock your pay." The assistant retorted, "You're too kind; you wouldn't dock my pay." Stella shot back, "This time I will, and you'll regret it." "Last year's bonus was hefty; I can handle a month without pay." Stella frowned. "Talking back now? You think I don't have the guts to cut your salary?" "Alright, alright, I'm scared. Happy now?" The assistant mused about her unique boss—tough as nails but as caring as a sister, playing the bad guy as if it thrilled her. As they stepped out of the hotel lobby, they saw the sky just beginning to lighten and the streets deserted. Thinking of Stella's late-night work and the probable rough time she had with Lucas, the assistant felt a pang of sympathy. "It's early, and you've got a full day's shoot ahead. You'll be exhausted. Get some more sleep." Stella strode out to the waiting van parked outside the hotel. "The crew works their tails off, sometimes spending all night setting up scenes, while I just act in front of the camera. My job is a breeze compared to theirs." Her assistant hustled to keep up, thinking that if the boss did not find it tough, she had no right to complain. This time, Stella was shooting a historical drama set in the seventies, deep in a small village. The crew, aiming for authenticity, had set up in a small village. Today's scenes were at the local school. Upon their arrival, Stella realized how underdeveloped the village was, noting that the school had only three classrooms. Each room was used to teach two grades, with a single teacher handling both math and language. The beloved teacher, Marlene O'Neill, usually addressed as Ms. O'Neill, was a favorite among the kids. Unfortunately, she was out sick, and Stella did not get a chance to meet her. The locals, unaccustomed to film shoots, crowded around the set, even packing the area outside the restrooms. After filming a few scenes, Stella needed the restroom but could not get through the crowd. She and her assistant had to use a nearby resident's bathroom. On her way back, Stella's gaze was drawn to a young woman tending to a small, rustic garden patch. The woman's back, clad in simple, worn-out clothes, seemed strikingly familiar to Stella.