The first mistake was the costume.
Her dress was missing—the dress for the pivotal scene, the one the director had obsessed over for weeks. Instead, a cheap replacement hung in its place, two sizes too large and stained at the hem.
"Who touched my wardrobe?" Lina asked calmly, though her voice had a subtle edge.
Silence.
The production assistant—young, nervous, and always staring—avoided her eyes. A makeup artist muttered something in French under her breath.
[System Notification]
[Side Task Triggered: Uncover the Saboteur]
[Reward: +2000 Credits | Observation Skill +1 | Reputation Shield (Temporary)]
[Failure Penalty: Scene Reshoot | Director Confidence -1]
[AI Companion: This isn't random. Someone feels threatened.]
She wore the dress anyway.
Taped it. Clipped it. Walked onto set with the poise of someone who wasn't just acting but surviving.
The scene went on.
Her co-star—older, veteran, and annoyed—delivered his lines with perfect rhythm. But when it was her turn, Lina did something unexpected.
She cried.
Real tears.
Not for the camera. Not for the scene.
But for the girl she used to be, standing in front of strangers who wanted her to fail, in a dress that didn't fit, on a stage too grand for her story.
The director shouted, "Cut!"
But then, softer: "Keep it."
[System Notification: Scene Captured – Emotional Authenticity Detected]
[Charisma +1 | Artistic Impact +2]
Afterwards, someone waited for her outside her trailer.
An older woman. Iconic. Cold and elegant in a way only legends could be.
Vivienne Aurore.
The actress who hadn't done a film in five years.
"You're not from here," Vivienne said in a low, accented voice. "But you burn like someone who has nothing left to lose."
Lina blinked. "I didn't know I was being watched."
Vivienne smiled faintly. "Everyone in this industry is being watched. Some of us survive by pretending not to notice."
Then, she leaned in.
"Be careful of Diane."
"The lead actress?" Lina asked.
Vivienne nodded. "She wanted this to be her comeback. And now you're stealing her thunder."
[System Update: Suspect Identified – Diane Moreau]
[Threat Level: Medium | Influence Level: High]
[AI Companion: Watch her. She plays dirty.]
That night, Lina lay in bed, the city of Paris glittering just outside her window. She replayed every step, every word, every look on set.
Her phone buzzed again.
Caden: "The higher you climb, the more hands try to pull you down. Step on their fingers if you must."
She stared at the message.
Then typed back.
Lina: "What if I fall?"
A moment passed.
Caden: "Then fall into me."
System Log: Lina Vale
Charisma: +2 (Total 4)
Artistic Impact: +2
Observation Skill: +1
Relationship Unlocked: Vivienne Aurore (Mentor Potential)
Threat Identified: Diane Moreau
Caden Affection Level: +1
End of Chapter 31