For a whole week, Amanda focused single-handedly on filming because the production was nearing its end.
At the studio, Amanda closed her eyes to let Celia apply makeup to cover her dark circles. As she did, several flattering voices drifted into her ears.
"Lena, this bracelet is beautiful! It's clear Mr. Harris intends to pamper you until the very end."
"As for what people say, it all depends on how highly Lena is rated in Javier Harris's heart."
Sitting in the center of the sycophantic crowd, Elena Lewis smiled calmly and shyly. "Don't talk too much, ladies."
Despite the loud "love triangle" drama circulating on the internet, Elena seemed to possess a level of bravado that kept those around her from showing prejudice toward her. Celia looked over, pouting as she whispered a light criticism.
"Tomorrow I'll bring my jewelry box and blind them. For her to be that arrogant over a single bracelet... Elena is really regressing."
Amanda opened her eyes, looked into a small mirror, and replied faintly: "Even if you know you're rich, there's no need to make others feel inferior."
Since childhood, Celia's favorite hobby had been collecting jewelry; if she truly wanted to show off, no one could beat her.
"Mandy, are you just going to ignore her?" Celia asked. She knew Amanda was never one to suffer losses quietly, so she couldn't understand why Amanda hadn't taught Elena a lesson yet.
Amanda's eyes darkened slightly. She gently set down the mirror and replied, "It's not time yet."
How could she let Elena off so easily? To Amanda, there were far more interesting ways to destroy someone than with a literal knife.
"Amanda, Elena! Get into position! We're starting!" the director shouted through a megaphone. Amanda tapped Celia's shoulder, then moved to the set.
In this scene, the maid is furious because Sarah was seriously injured while protecting Hera. The maid curses Hera, lashes out at her, and finally slaps her. Elena moved into position, flashing a gentle, mocking smile at Amanda.
"I hope you'll forgive me if I'm a bit forceful," Elena whispered. "Sacrificing for the craft is an actor's responsibility, after all."
The words were devoid of any real goodwill. Amanda glanced at her coldly, her lips curling into a slight smile. "Then it depends on how much effort you actually put into it."
Seeing the icy look in Amanda's eyes, Elena panicked for a split second before her satisfaction returned. She wanted to teach this "idiot" a lesson today and humble her supposed talent.
The director shouted, "Action!" and both women immediately snapped into character.
"You are truly useless! Besides causing trouble, what can you do? Go back to Heaven and be your noble princess!"
The maid's beauty was twisted by rage. Hera listened to the scolding absently, tears rolling down her cheeks. She bit her lip to suppress her sobs, shaking her head. "I didn't... I didn't want to harm Apollo."
"Shut up! You don't deserve to mention his name!"
Driven by the knowledge that Sarah's life hung in the balance, the maid lost control and maliciously slapped Hera across the face.
The harsh sound of the impact echoed as Amanda's head snapped to the side. The studio fell silent. Having finished the strike, Elena looked at Director Mark apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Director. I was a bit lost in the moment and couldn't quite grasp the character's emotions. Can we do it again?"
She then turned to the staff and to Amanda, who stood with her head lowered, and pressed her hands together in a pleading gesture. "I'm so sorry, I have to do it again."
After a moment of surprise, Director Mark nodded, thinking Elena's dedication made sense. "Makeup? Go touch up Amanda."
Celia hurried over, ready to scold Elena, but Amanda caught her hand.
"Fix my makeup."
"Mandy!" Celia stamped her feet in frustration, but the chilling calmness on Amanda's face stopped her.
"Just fix it."
Celia frowned and complied, sensing the coldness radiating from Amanda as she stared at Elena. You want to act? You want to cause harm? Amanda thought. If you don't want to film properly, I'll give you exactly what you want.
Back in position, Elena glanced arrogantly at Amanda. Out of sight of the cameras, she rotated her wrist and whispered, "I was being gentle before."
Amanda narrowed her eyes but didn't respond. The director shouted "Action!" and Elena's expression transformed once more.
"Shut up! You don't deserve to mention his name!"
She raised her hand, her eyes gleaming with a pride that didn't fit the script. But this time, Amanda was ready. As they stood near the edge of the lake set, Amanda silently took a step back.
Just as Elena's hand swung down—before it could connect—Amanda tilted her head and stumbled backward. Elena's face paled; she reached out to grab Amanda, but when she met Amanda's tearful, calculating eyes, she tried to pull back. It was too late. Amanda grabbed her.
With a loud splash, both women plunged into the lake. Within seconds, before anyone could react, they sank.
Amanda, who couldn't swim, ignored the water filling her lungs and gripped Elena tightly, dragging her down. In the churning water, Amanda's eyes looked like those of a ghost crawling out of hell, Terrifying Elena.
Elena knew how to swim, but Amanda clung to her with a death grip, as if determined to die together. Panic seized Elena as she struggled violently, but the more she fought, the faster they sank.
Amanda held her breath until her lungs burned. Her strength was fading, but she refused to let go. Thinking of her previous life and Elena's smug face, she felt a dark urge to take Elena with her into the depths. As the air left her lungs, her mind began to fade into a haze.