The Substitute Bride -- CEO's Secret Darling Wife

"Director, I didn't want things to turn out like this, but I'm on my period, and I really can't go into the water! How about finding a substitute for me?" Diana's voice dripped with feigned sincerity as she made her plea.

She had pushed herself into a corner. It would be one thing if she could bail halfway through the shoot, but they were near the end now. If she left, not only would the director be furious, but the producer wouldn't forgive her either.

The director, still seething with anger, shot her a sharp look. "Where am I supposed to find a substitute for you at the last minute?"

Diana's eyes flicked toward Emily, who was standing off to the side, lost in thought as she stared at the frozen lake. "Look, isn't there a ready-made one here?" she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she pointed at Emily.

Emily, caught off guard, blinked in disbelief. Wait, what? Am I supposed to be Diana's stand-in?

Diana's expression twisted with condescension as she continued, "Since Queen Du can use a double and then have her face replaced in post-production, I'm sure I can do the same."

The director frowned, his anger not yet abated. So this is all just a game to her, isn't it? Wasting everyone's time just to make Emily look bad?

Before the director could speak, Du Haitang stepped forward, her voice cutting through the tension. "Sorry, Emily is my personal stand-in. She's not available for public use," she said, her tone firm with an unspoken authority that sent a clear message: Emily is mine.

Diana raised an eyebrow, a sly smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Mr. Du hasn't signed a contract with Emily, has he? Besides, she was hired by the director, so how can she be your personal stand-in?"

The unspoken implication was clear—Du Haitang was in the wrong. But Du Haitang was too proud to back down now, not when she was trying to protect Emily from Diana's cruelty.

Her eyes momentarily flashed with discomfort. Her own position on the set had been shaken recently after refusing the producer's dinner invitations—an unwise choice, considering the rumors about the producer's affair with Diana. Du Haitang's role as the female lead had been drastically reduced as a result, a painful reminder of how quickly things could turn.

"Xiao Luo, what do you think?" The director's voice was now tinged with desperation. The shoot was nearing its end, and he couldn't afford any more disruptions.

Emily hesitated, her thoughts racing. She knew what Diana was trying to do, and it would be easy to just say "yes" and avoid the confrontation. But she couldn't. "I…" She paused, then shook her head. "Sorry, I can't go in the water."

Diana sneered, her eyes narrowing as she stepped closer to Emily. "You're just a stand-in. Do you really think it's your place to make demands? I guess you don't want your salary anymore?"

Emily's fingers instinctively rested on her belly as she looked at Diana, her voice calm but firm. "It's not that... It's just not convenient for me."

"Convenient?" Diana's lips curled into a mocking grin. "What, are you on your period too?"

Emily's heart skipped a beat. She had to lie. There was no other option. "Yes... yes," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Diana, seeing the slight shift in Emily's expression, smirked. "I think you're lying," she said with a tone of triumph.

"Okay, fine! If Xiao Luo can't go into the water, then that's it!" The director, clearly fed up with the ongoing drama, raised his hand to stop further arguments. He turned to Du Haitang, a forced smile on his face. "Mrs. Du, I see that your assistants have similar figures to Diana. Why don't one of them take over?"

Du Haitang immediately understood what the director meant and gave a subtle glance at her assistants. She silently asked for their opinions, wondering who might be willing to step in for Diana.

"Sister Haitang, let me do it," one of her assistants spoke up, her voice eager.

The other two assistants quickly followed suit, raising their hands in unison. Du Haitang's assistants were loyal to her, knowing she took care of them and paid them generously. Without hesitation, Du Haitang chose the one who seemed the most willing.

Diana's face contorted with hatred, but she held it in, trying to mask her frustration. Her role in the drama was slipping through her fingers, and she couldn't do a thing about it.

The director signaled to begin, and the scene resumed. Diana reluctantly stood at the designated spot, arms crossed over her chest, brows furrowed in irritation.

The camera zoomed in on her, and the cameraman made an "OK" gesture to the director, signaling everything was set. The director gestured to Emily, who slowly walked towards Diana.

They continued with the scene. The supporting actress took out a fruit knife and attempted to harm the heroine, only for the heroine to dodge it and get scratched on the arm.

"Cut!" the director shouted after the take. "The double's in place."

Diana quickly stepped off the set, replaced by her assistant, who had been outfitted with the same hairstyle and costume to match Diana's appearance. Emily didn't move from her position, waiting for the stand-in to take her place.

"Ready, go!" the director called, and the scene continued.

Emily, following the script, accidentally pushed the stand-in into the frozen lake. The camera switched to the double, now submerged in the ice-cold water. Emily instinctively clutched her arm where it had been scratched, a sharp sting coursing through her.

But as she examined the wound, she realized something wasn't right. The scratch was deep, and blood was flowing out faster than it should have. Did Diana do this on purpose? she wondered, pain flaring in her arm. She knew the actress was capable of anything, but this seemed too extreme.

After the scene ended, the staff quickly came over to help Emily, rushing to bandage her wound. They were all shocked at how deep the cut was and the amount of blood that had spilled out.

As they worked on her arm, Diana walked past, offering no apology. Instead, she sneered. "It's just a little scratch. You're just a stand-in. It's not life-threatening. Do you really need to make such a fuss?"

"But Miss Luo lost a lot of blood, and the wound is quite deep," the girl tending to Emily's arm said timidly, almost whispering in Diana's presence.

Diana merely waved a hand, her arrogance evident. "My hand is injured too. Come take care of it for me." She extended her hand, her gaze cold and expectant.

Emily, still grimacing in pain, watched as the girl hesitated, then went to tend to Diana's injury. It was nothing compared to the gash on her own arm, but Diana wanted attention, and she was getting it.

Emily wrapped the gauze around her arm herself, thankful the staff had at least disinfected it. She didn't want to make things worse for the timid girl who was trying to help her. She finished the bandaging and, feeling a wave of exhaustion, received her salary packet from the director.

"Xiao Luo, I'll contact you when we're preparing a new project," the director said with a smile, as if he had forgotten the earlier tension. "I'll be sure to keep you in mind for a role."

Du Haitang handed Emily a business card, saying, "The director's a friend of mine. You should try out for his next project."

Emily was deeply grateful, especially after everything that had happened, and she promised to call the director later. As she left the set, she dialed his number, her heart beating a little faster with hope.

Noon

By the time work finished, Emily rushed to get in line for lunch, still in her ancient costume. She couldn't afford to wait—if she was too late, the lunch boxes would be gone, and she would be left starving. Pregnant and with nothing to eat all morning, she was desperate to get some food.

She glanced at the lunch line, wondering if there would even be anything left for her.