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Chapter 806: Night Invasion

Anson hesitated slightly—

Keep a distance, or open up?

At the end of the day, Anson didn’t really know Kate, and Kate didn’t really know Anson. Both were exploring, trying to figure out the right way to cooperate. Everything was in a state of trial and error.

Looking up, Anson could see Michelle pulling at her hair. The director, who already had a head of curly hair, now looked like a mad scientist. She was holding a cup of espresso, half alcohol, half coffee, with a grimace that made it seem like she was drinking poison.

The atmosphere wasn’t great.

The apartment felt like a pressure cooker, slowly building up, ready to explode at any moment.

So, taking a deep breath, Anson decided to stop hesitating.

“Hey, Kate, want to step out for a cigarette and some fresh air?” he asked.

Without turning around, Kate replied, “No, I’m fine.”

Instinctively, Kate turned him down, leaving Anson hanging.

Anson didn’t mind—at least he had tried.

But then, to his surprise, Kate paused and abruptly turned her head, “On second thought, that’s a good idea. I think we should go for a walk.”

This time, Kate didn’t rush. She grabbed her down jacket, hat, scarf, and gloves, bundling herself up tightly.

When she was ready, she turned and saw Anson, already prepared, standing at the door like a gentleman, holding it open for her. Kate walked out without paying much attention to anyone else, seeming a bit dazed.

Anson paused and glanced at the dumbfounded director, lowering his voice, “Give us some time. We just need to cool down and talk things over.”

Michelle was about to respond, but Anson didn’t wait. He turned and followed Kate out of the apartment.

Michelle: ???

So, does this director have any authority on set?

Ugh!

“Director,” Grant called, “do you want me to follow them?”

Michelle hesitated, her thoughts tugging in different directions, but then she remembered the time he and Charlie visited Anson’s New York apartment. He decided to trust Anson and give them space—

No authority? Fine, but it’s all about the work. Actors should be left to do their job and use their expertise.

Yet the situation was both frustrating and nerve-wracking.

Michelle weakly waved her hand, too tired to explain. She raised her coffee cup, took a big gulp, and immediately grimaced, her face contorting as if she’d just swallowed poison. She nearly cried.

Meanwhile, Kate dashed out of the apartment like a runaway bride, her footsteps echoing down the quiet hallway, and before Anson knew it, she had already disappeared.

Anson had no choice but to chase after her.

Whoosh, whoosh—

As soon as they stepped out of the building, a biting cold wind hit them, causing them both to stop in their tracks. The freezing air pierced their skin, and goosebumps erupted all over their bodies. The dim streetlights flickered weakly in the darkness, their faint glow doing little to dispel the sense of fear. Instead, it heightened the menacing presence of the night.

The world was silent.

Occasionally, distant sounds could be heard, but they were faint and far away, as if coming from another dimension. This only made the empty street seem even more eerie and cold.

A shiver ran down Kate’s spine.

Her hurried steps came to a halt at the entrance.

Anson caught up, looking at the dark, street-lit night. “This feels like The Exorcist.”

Kate glanced back at him. “Doesn’t it feel more like Chinatown?”

One was a horror film, the other a gangster movie.

Anson shrugged lightly. “Either way, both suggest life-threatening situations.”

“Hah.” Kate chuckled. “So, are you scared?”

Clearly, it was Kate who had rushed out and stopped in her tracks, but now she was shifting the blame?

Anson didn’t call her out on it. “Even if I were scared, I wouldn’t admit it. Or do you suggest we go back in again?”

The word "again" subtly reminded Kate.

Kate looked at Anson. “Hah. Hah.” She let out two dry laughs.

Then, without waiting for her, Anson walked out into the street.

Kate hesitated for a moment, tightened her jacket, and followed him.

“Sorry, I’ve been out of sorts,” Kate caught up to Anson, the cold air clearing her head. Though her teeth were chattering, her thoughts were becoming clearer.

Anson shook his head. “I’m the same. God, you have no idea how nervous I was before filming that scene. I still can’t believe I’m about to shoot an intimate scene with Kate Winslet.”

The exaggerated comment, with a hint of self-deprecating humor, made Kate burst into laughter.

Kate looked at Anson. “You can use that nervousness, can’t you? Joel’s character is supposed to be like that.”

Anson nodded, “That’s what I was thinking, too. But the challenge is staying focused. My performance still feels a bit stiff.”

Kate thought for a moment, understanding what he meant. She looked up at Anson, “So, how about it? Need my help?”

Anson was a bit surprised. “You wouldn’t mind?”

Kate shrugged lightly, “No, of course not. Remember that scene in the car with Leo?”

In Titanic, Jack and Rose shared an intimate moment in an old car in the ship’s cargo hold.

Anson thought to himself: Of course, I remember. That was an awakening moment for our entire generation.

Outwardly, he smiled. “It’s hard to forget.”

Kate smiled, completely at ease. “A body is just a body. The meaning comes from the audience’s mind. Whatever you’re thinking is what you’ll see.”

She shot Anson a playful glance and laughed.

“The point is, I guided Leo through that scene. He was so nervous, shaking the whole time. That’s where that famous line came from.”

“‘Jack, you’re trembling.’”

“What I’m saying is, he was so inexperienced and nervous, and I had to guide him through the shoot. God knows how he became who he is now. I guess everyone grows up?”

Ha ha, hahaha.

Leonardo: ???

“But we finished the scene just fine. If you don’t mind, I can help guide you through this one.”

Then she paused, and the smile on her face slowly faded.

“But right now, I’m a mess. I don’t even know what I’m doing. God, I should be the one apologizing. I ruined tonight’s shoot.”

“I probably won’t be much help because I can barely manage myself. I’m in a terrible place, and I don’t even know why.”

“Ugh, I feel like a rookie actor again.”

Her words tumbled out, unorganized and confused.

But Anson understood, completely.

He didn’t say much. Instead, he pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and offered it to Kate, “Want one?”

*Chapter 807: Heartfelt Regret*

Kate glanced at the cigarette pack in Anson's hand. She casually pulled out a cigarette, just about to place it in her mouth, but paused slightly, then stuffed it back into the pack.

Anson, puzzled, assumed it wasn't Kate’s usual brand. "I just grabbed it from Grant earlier. Trying a new brand once in a while can be interesting."

Kate waved her hand. "No, I just... no, never mind, I don’t need it."

She hesitated, uncertain.

Anson noticed that Kate's gaze was still fixed on the cigarette pack. Even though it was nighttime and he couldn’t clearly see her expression, he could sense her reluctance and longing.

Her actions contradicted her words.

Although Anson wasn’t sure why, he didn’t ask. He put the pack away and joked, "If you’re worried about your breath, no need. There’s no kissing scene tonight."

Kate shot him a glance. "Even if there were, I wouldn’t worry. The audience can’t smell anything, after all."

Anson laughed. "Like in Gone with the Wind, right? That iconic kiss actually smelled like garlic and cigarettes."

"Haha." Kate smiled briefly, but it only lasted for half a second before fading. She glanced at Anson again, showing a hint of hesitation.

Anson thought she was reconsidering, so he handed the cigarette pack back.

Kate looked at the cigarette longingly for a moment but then shook her head firmly. "I can’t smoke."

Anson: ???

Just yesterday, Anson had seen Kate smoking, so why couldn’t she today?

Kate pulled her gaze away and gave a somewhat awkward, helpless smile, tugging at the corner of her mouth. "I’m pregnant."

Anson was caught completely off guard and froze, unsure how to react. His feet kept moving, but his upper body was rigid.

After a moment, he finally came to his senses, looked at the cigarette in his hand, and obediently put it back in the pack, which he slipped into his pocket.

"Oh," Anson muttered, then glanced at Kate again. "Congratulations?"

Normally, this kind of news would be joyous, and "congratulations" would be the expected response. But Kate's anxiety and restlessness suggested otherwise, and Anson wasn’t sure. He raised his voice slightly at the end, expressing his uncertainty.

Kate immediately picked up on it and gave Anson a sidelong glance.

Anson, feeling innocent, looked at Kate. "Sorry, I’m still adjusting from our earlier conversation. I’m not sure how I should be reacting."

As he spoke, he pulled out a cigarette and held it between his lips, though he didn’t light it—just left it there.

Kate watched this scene quietly. She couldn’t help but smile slightly, feeling a bit more relaxed.

It was hard to find the right words, unsure of who to tell or how to even begin. She had kept it all inside, anxious and uncertain.

Somehow, when facing the relatively unfamiliar Anson, the words just slipped out, without the usual internal struggle.

Maybe it was because he wasn’t close to her that made it easier.

Kate exhaled deeply, finally revealing the heavy secret that had been weighing her down. Now that it was out, everything seemed simpler.

"I found out this morning."

"If I’m not mistaken, it should be around five to six weeks. Although I haven’t been to the hospital for further testing, I’m pretty sure. I can feel it."

"I don’t…"

"What I mean is, this was unexpected. I don’t know what to do."

"Damn it!"

Now everything was clear—

No wonder Kate had been so restless and on edge today, oscillating between irritability and anxiety. She couldn’t calm down.

In Hollywood, expectations for actresses were often stricter. While there were still roles for women in their thirties and forties, opportunities for those under thirty were more abundant.

For male actors, it was the opposite. Men only hit their prime after thirty, while actors under thirty were often seen as boys.

This year, Kate was turning twenty-eight, entering her prime as an actress. After years of hard work, she had finally found a breakthrough in her career. She had been working to redefine her path post-Titanic, and her career was poised to flourish.

But an unexpected pregnancy could derail all of Kate's plans.

It wasn’t just about time. By the time she gave birth and returned to work, producers and studios might offer her different scripts and roles, potentially changing everything.

Moreover, there was an immediate issue: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

When she signed the contract, Kate had no idea she was pregnant. But now, only four days into filming, the lead actress was suddenly expecting, and the maternal glow would complicate things.

Frustrating.

Kate genuinely loved Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and wanted to bring something unique to the project.

But now, she feared she was becoming the one ruining it.

She was angry, upset, anxious, and lost.

Kate couldn’t focus and couldn’t get into character.

Worse, she was keeping it all to herself. This was a huge secret, and revealing it could disrupt the entire production—something Kate despised.

"…Just the thought of becoming the one who ruins everything makes my stomach churn. I can’t forgive myself for being so unprofessional."

"This… this isn’t me."

"I’m becoming the kind of actor I despise."

"Self-absorbed, arrogant, mixing personal life with work, creating chaos for the production. This happens all the time in Hollywood, especially with women. It’s why producers see women as problems. I’ve always wanted to change that stereotype, but now I’m becoming the problem."

"Damn it!"

Kate had suppressed her feelings again and again, holding on tightly to her secret, unsure of who to tell.

Of course, she could tell her agent, and she probably should.

But in Kate’s mind, telling her agent would mean asking them to clean up the mess, and there would be no turning back.

She didn’t want that.

At least not today. She had just found out that morning and hadn’t fully processed it yet. She wasn’t ready to face the consequences.

In a way, she was still in denial.

After all, she hadn’t even gone to the hospital for a formal blood test.

Now, here she was.

Anson had unknowingly become the first person in the world to learn that Kate Winslet was carrying a new life.

Honestly, the situation felt a bit strange, especially since Anson and Kate were supposed to fall madly in love in the movie they were working on.

*Chapter 808: The Fish and the Bear's Paw*

Anson?

Kate never expected Anson to be the first person she would confide in. Even more unexpected, once she opened up in front of him, her words spilled out uncontrollably, like a flood breaking through a dam.

All her worries, fears, and frustrations poured out, with no way to stop them—everything she should and shouldn't say came rushing out.

But how should Anson respond?

He had to admit, even with the experience of living two lifetimes, he had never encountered a situation like this. He had no idea how to solve it now.

Wait a minute, the child wasn’t his, so why was he feeling so anxious?

In the end, Anson decided to keep quiet and play the role of a listener—no, more like a trash can. He let Kate vent all her emotions and thoughts, so at least she wouldn’t bottle them up inside.

Blah, blah, blah.

When Kate finally finished, she was panting, her chest heaving. It wasn’t so much panic as it was a mix of disappointment and anger directed at herself.

Anson noticed.

But he thought, this wasn’t something Kate should bear all the responsibility for. After all, Kate wasn’t the Virgin Mary; it wasn’t possible for her to become pregnant all on her own.

Without anyone having to say anything, Kate was already harsher and more critical of herself than anyone else. She had trapped herself in her own emotions.

"Kate," Anson carefully weighed his tone and asked with concern, "Have you told the child's father?"

That simple sentence hit the mark.

Kate whipped her head around to look at Anson, not bothering to hide the sharpness in her eyes. "What do you think?"

Anson shrugged lightly. "What I mean is, this is a responsibility for both of you. You shouldn’t bear it alone."

Kate responded, "Yes, I know. But this won’t affect his work; it’ll affect mine, even the filming happening right now."

"He can happily say, 'Hey, we’re having a baby!' while I’m left to face a pile of problems. I don’t think he’ll be much help."

"At the very least, I need to sort out my own thoughts before I talk to him."

"I... uh, I have a lot on my mind right now."

If Anson remembered correctly, Kate was dating director Sam Mendes—

This genius director, who shot to fame with his debut film American Beauty, winning both Best Picture and Best Director at the Oscars, was without a doubt one of the hottest names in Hollywood.

Though Mendes never replicated the success of American Beauty throughout his career, fans of the James Bond series would certainly remember his unique contributions to Skyfall and Spectre.

Like Sam Raimi, Sam Mendes had carved out his own space in the industry.

According to what Anson knew from his previous life, Kate and Sam eventually got married; but the couple, ten years apart in age, didn’t make it to old age together.

In fact, in 2008, Sam directed and reunited Kate Winslet with Leonardo DiCaprio, ten years after Titanic, to shoot Revolutionary Road, a film about marital problems.

After its release, audiences noted that if Jack and Rose had a happy ending, their married life might have looked like the one in Revolutionary Road. But in reality, the film seemed more like a reflection of Kate and Sam's marriage.

Two years later, in 2010, the couple divorced.

But that was a story for later. For now, they should still be in the honeymoon phase.

Reportedly, Sam fell for Kate during a performance of an experimental stage play. Despite Titanic’s worldwide fame, the young and ambitious Sam had never paid much attention to the film. It wasn’t until 2001, when he saw Kate in a small theater, that he fell in love.

Later, Sam pursued Kate aggressively, eventually winning her heart.

At present, they were still in the phase of mutual infatuation.

However, Kate's concerns were valid—

From Sam’s perspective, whether as a man or as a director, a child wouldn’t have a significant impact on him.

The real burden and challenges would fall on Kate.

Anson paused briefly before looking at Kate again. "So what do you think?"

Kate was puzzled.

Anson shrugged lightly. "Since you said you need to sort out your thoughts before discussing it with the man, what are your thoughts?"

"I mean, setting work aside for a moment, do you want this baby?"

Kate furrowed her brow. "The point is, it’s not that simple. I can’t set work and career aside. I have to consider everything as a whole."

Anson shook his head. "No, let’s take it step by step. Do you want the baby?"

Kate was stunned. She looked down at her abdomen, and instinctively placed her right hand on it, gently touching her stomach through the thick down jacket. Even though she couldn’t feel anything, her fingers trembled slightly.

"Actually... I do."

"I want to be a mother, but I also don’t want to give up my career. Am I being too greedy?"

Kate turned to Anson with a bitter smile.

Anson shook his head. "I don’t think so."

Kate was taken aback.

Anson said, "In traditional thinking, whether men or women, they face the same dilemma: choosing between family and career. People say you can’t have both—a fish and a bear’s paw. They believe it’s nearly impossible to balance both."

"To some extent, they’re right."

"Because with anything, if you want to succeed or break through, you have to put in 100% effort. Dividing your attention usually leads to failure, so people often have to choose and learn to give up."

"That’s a fact."

"But at the same time, it’s not a law. It’s not a scientifically proven theorem. Every person and every family is different."

"In my family, my parents shared the household responsibilities, helping and supporting each other. They balanced both their careers and family life. We weren’t rich, but my brother and I grew up in a healthy and happy environment."

"Being a bit greedy is fine, as long as you’re prepared for the possibility that if things go wrong, you might lose it all."

Kate listened carefully at first, but the last line broke the mood.

She rolled her eyes. "Are you trying to encourage me or discourage me?"

Anson spread his hands. "I’m just absolving myself of any responsibility."

Kate couldn’t help but smile at his helplessness.

But the lightness was fleeting. Her smile quickly faded.

"Words are weightless. It’s easy to talk about, but reality is much more complicated. There are so many things I have to consider."

"My job, future plans, the reality of being a female actor in Hollywood, and so on. Hollywood is unfair, and everyone has their struggles. For an actress like me, whose youth is fading but hasn’t yet found her place, it’s especially tough."

"Not to mention the current project is already a mess."

"God, I really don’t know what to do."

"Look at you, ha! I shouldn’t have told you about this. Now you’re going to be distracted during filming, making it even harder to focus on the role."

"I’m single-handedly ruining this project."

Chapter 809: A Ray of Hope

"...I'm personally ruining this project."

As Kate spoke, she stopped walking, pressed her fingers against her temples, and let out a low groan. Though no tears came, she chuckled instead. The more she thought about it, the more absurd and depressing it felt—

Heh.

Actions speak louder than words.

Kate's frustration, defeat, annoyance, and gloom radiated from her, making it clear how deeply she cared about Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Each bitter laugh only emphasized the helplessness of the situation.

Anson tried to comfort her, “Didn’t you say it was just an accident? There’s no need to blame yourself.”

Kate took a deep breath. "Yes, an accident. But Anson, a single accident could throw the entire project off course, creating roadblocks along the way. By then, will anyone on set care that it all started as an accident?"

What Kate had endured since Titanic, and the challenges she'd faced, were beyond Anson's understanding. But based on his own brief experiences, he could imagine that the struggles and setbacks she had weathered were far more intense than he could grasp.

Indeed, in the spotlight, everyone walks their own unique path.

Anson thought carefully. “Maybe things aren’t as bad as they seem.”

Kate looked up at him.

Anson shrugged. "What I mean is, you’re still in the early stages of pregnancy, right? No one can tell for now, so we can continue filming. And as for the filming process, well, that's our professional job."

"Besides, we’re already racing against time, trying to finish before winter ends. So, if we wrap up filming before your pregnancy starts showing, it actually aligns perfectly with our schedule."

"Everything’s not as bad as it seems."

"Now, all we need to do is tell the director—"

Before he could finish, Kate instinctively interrupted him.

“You’re crazy! We absolutely cannot tell the director.”

Anson met her gaze. “Why not?”

Kate blinked, her words stuck in her throat.

Anson waited patiently for a moment. When Kate didn’t respond, he continued, "Are you worried the director will replace you with another actor? Or are you afraid he’ll give you a harsh lecture?"

Kate was taken aback and looked at Anson again, her surprise clear.

Anson shrugged slightly. "When we make mistakes, we often start worrying and fearing the worst, without even knowing what we’re afraid of. It's only when we gather the courage to face it head-on that we realize things aren't so bad. Most of the time, it's just us scaring ourselves."

"What's the worst that could happen?"

"You and the crew part ways."

"But I believe your agent won't let you lose this job easily."

"And besides, the director personally chose you to play Clementine. Do you really think he’d be willing to replace you just like that?"

Though blunt, his words made sense.

Kate stood frozen, stopping in the middle of the empty street late at night. She even forgot to pull her shoulders in against the cold as she sank into deep thought.

Anson also stopped, standing nearby, choosing not to disturb her any further.

He wasn’t Kate. He didn’t face the same dilemmas she did, and he didn’t want to appear too condescending. It was enough to offer advice and leave it at that.

Of course, based on his past life’s trajectory, he knew Kate would win the Best Actress Oscar for The Reader in 2009. So, it seemed that her dedication to family hadn’t hindered her career.

But was that really the case?

Was it truly that simple?

Only Kate knew how much effort, struggle, and pain she had endured behind the glamorous facade.

Anson had no intention of sitting in judgment of someone else’s life or choices.

However, he had, for the first time, peeled back the curtain and glimpsed a corner of Kate’s world—

Her anxieties, fears, ambitions, struggles, hesitations, and helplessness. The worries of being an actor and the reflections of being a woman. She was no longer just a screen character or a projection of youthful imagination. She was becoming a vivid, real person.

Then.

Anson’s mind drifted to the first time they had met at the station.

Two strangers, two actors, exploring and feeling each other out. Even though they knew nothing about each other and their impressions were entirely shaped by the big screen, they still managed to set aside stereotypes and immerse themselves in their roles, creating chemistry.

Perhaps that was what Anson needed most at this moment—

Not just charm, but a genuine desire to delve into his role, setting aside preconceived notions and expectations, returning to the core of the character’s essence.

Like Joel.

In the movie, after much thought, Anson focused on Joel’s tie.

In a way, it mirrored Clementine’s hair color. Imagine Clementine trying to change Joel’s style, but finding him too stubborn, so her attempts failed. In the end, the only lasting impact was the tie.

So.

At their first meeting, the tie would be neatly tied in a Windsor knot, with basic colors like black, blue, and gray.

After the second meeting, Joel’s tie could start to show more colors, with subtle changes in his outfit to reflect this shift.

By the third meeting, the tie would be gone altogether, symbolizing the breaking of constraints and the embrace of adventure.

Like a barometer.

This idea was inspired by the film Maurice.

In that movie, which shot Hugh Grant to fame, a beard symbolized the hypocrisy of the elite class. Having or not having a beard reflected the character’s inner state, a brilliant detail.

These subtle elements might go unnoticed by the audience.

But their presence injected a unique energy into the scene.

Now, Anson was trying to use the tie to do the same with his character’s appearance.

So—

In tonight’s scene, Joel had already removed his tie, symbolizing the shedding of restraints, though he himself hadn’t realized it.

On one hand, he was subconsciously drawn to step out of his comfort zone.

On the other, he felt nervous and uneasy, instinctively wanting to retreat.

In a way, Anson could draw from his own feelings toward Kate.

Eager to work with her, yet afraid to meet her eyes, lest his inner thoughts be exposed.

It was a subtle and conflicted situation.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him. When he looked at Kate again, his gaze and mindset subtly shifted. This made him self-consciously remove the unlit cigarette from his mouth and tuck it back into its case—

It was best not to smoke around a pregnant woman, even in the early stages.

Kate seemed to notice his change in expression. She took a deep breath, showing her decisive and efficient side, dropping her hesitation.

"I'm ready to talk to the director. Will you stay by my side for moral support?"

*Chapter 810: True Colors Revealed*

“Director…”

A voice snapped Michel Gondry’s attention back from the night sky. He hastily pulled the cigarette from his mouth, nearly spilling the long ash that was about to fall. Quickly, he flicked the cigarette out the window and blew out a long stream of smoke, all in one swift motion. Then, he turned toward the voice.

It was Grant.

In his rush, some of the ash had burned his fingers. Michel winced, brushing off his hand, unintentionally revealing his unease. Only then did he lift his head again, noticing the change in the atmosphere inside the room.

It wasn’t just Grant. Everyone in the apartment had their eyes on him, like a group of meerkats observing the migration of prey, on high alert at the slightest disturbance. Even though they were trying to appear calm, continuing with their tasks, the quick perk of their ears gave them away.

“Should we go look for them? They’ve been gone for ten minutes.”

Grant didn’t hide his concern. With both lead actors missing, leaving the entire crew in limbo, it was hard not to worry.

On the surface, it seemed like nothing unusual.

But upon closer inspection, you could see members of the crew starting to yawn—one yawn spreading to another, and soon, people were discreetly stifling their own yawns, struggling to keep their eyes open.

It was nearing midnight, and their internal clocks were starting to kick in—a natural reaction. But in Hollywood, most people are night owls. Regular sleep schedules are rare, and even though it was late and exhaustion was setting in, it didn’t mean they were truly sleepy.

What was worse than fatigue was the uncertainty.

No one knew when tonight’s shoot would end.

It was like running a race. In a marathon, at least you know the distance, and you can gradually work toward the finish line. But when you’re running without a clear goal, after just a few hundred meters, your energy can plummet.

That’s exactly what they were facing now.

They didn’t know what they were working on, didn’t know when it would end, and weren’t sure if all this effort would amount to anything. The constant uncertainty was wearing down their spirits.

Their mindset was quietly shifting.

In big-budget Hollywood productions like Catch Me If You Can or Spider-Man, crews of three to five hundred people operate like a machine. It’s just another job, switching from one project to the next. Problems are handled professionally, like an assembly line, keeping things strictly business.

In simpler terms, it’s just a job. No need to get emotionally invested.

But independent film crews are a bit different. There’s a sense of passion, even though the pay is lower, because they’re working on something they love, hoping to create a lasting piece of cinematic history.

Compared to the average worker, these crews put a little more heart into their work.

Naturally, their expectations, attitudes, and the atmosphere were all different.

At first, the crew was excited and hopeful as they joined this project.

Charlie Kaufman as the screenwriter, with Anson Wood and Kate Winslet as the leads, supported by Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, and Elijah Wood in the supporting cast.

Just the lineup alone was enough to get everyone buzzing with excitement.

And Kate!

She’d been balancing theater and indie films, constantly honing her craft. Compared to Leonardo, who’d run off to the jungle like a wild man, she seemed like a much more dedicated actor. Whether the Academy appreciated her or not, she was highly respected in the indie film world.

Anson was no exception either. In his past projects, he had received nothing but praise—not only for the success of his films but for his dedication and professionalism. His choice to work on Charlie Kaufman’s film further demonstrated his commitment to acting, raising expectations even higher.

On the first day of shooting, Anson left a lasting impression with his down-to-earth and humorous personality, breaking through the aura of stardom and fitting seamlessly into the crew. His and Kate’s dedication to their roles had everyone’s expectations soaring.

But now?

It felt like there was something stuck in their throats—frustration that wouldn’t go away.

Everyone had arrived ready to give it their all, genuinely believing they could produce something great.

Yet, only four days in, and the whole situation had already fallen apart. It was demoralizing. To make things worse, both Anson and Kate had vanished, leaving the crew hanging. So, what were these passionate workers supposed to think?

What could they think?

Disappointment. Anger. Frustration. Pain. Resentment.

A burning fire in their chests, with no outlet to release it.

The atmosphere in the apartment grew heavier and more oppressive.

Grant wasn’t immune to it either.

He could feel the subtle shift in the mood, the negativity that was taking over after expectations had been dashed. It was turning into restlessness, anxiety, and exhaustion. People’s eyes were barely staying open. Even though the crew wasn’t ready to explode just yet, it was hard to say what the situation would turn into if this went on.

Grant thought he should trust Anson.

Despite everything, Grant trusted his instincts. From the first day on set, with no guards up, surrounded by strangers, Anson had shown genuine kindness. It didn’t feel like an act.

People often say that at first meetings, everyone puts on a mask, showing their most charming side. To really know someone, you have to take the time to get to know them.

But Grant preferred to believe in the positive first impression.

Maybe he should go out and find Anson and Kate to see what was going on.

Michel couldn’t hide his frustration either. “How long have they been gone?”

“Fifteen minutes,” Grant said.

To be exact, almost twenty minutes. Grant was downplaying it, subconsciously defending Anson.

As soon as he spoke, there was a click of someone’s tongue nearby. Though they didn’t say anything, the attitude was clear.

Grant’s neck stiffened, and he didn’t dare turn around.

Michel wasn’t paying attention to him, though. He was lost in thought, wondering whether they should send someone to fetch the two actors.

But then Michel considered that both actors were thoughtful types. They’d surely realized there was an issue with their performances and were likely trying to figure out a solution. If they were dragged back now, without having found an answer, the shoot would still be at a standstill.

One minute he thought this. The next, that.

An angel and a devil were tugging at each other above his head. Michel found himself unconsciously reaching for another cigarette.

His fingers were already fumbling inside the pack when there was a knock at the door.

Knock, knock.

You could feel the entire room tense up. All heads turned toward the door in unison.

Creeeak.

The door opened, and Anson poked his head in, looking around before locking eyes with Michel.

“Director, could I bother you for a moment? I have a few questions to ask.”