Wary of causing Tyler any unnecessary worry, Ariana kept the truth from him, merely stating that she had tripped and fallen and not mentioning the incident with the fire.

Tyler voluntarily took over the task of pushing her wheelchair.

"If changing the dressing is a hassle for you, I can assist."

“I'm good. I'm currently staying at Sarah's house. She can help me if I need anything.”

“That's a relief." Tyler let out a sigh.

"Is everything going well today?" Ariana asked, turning towards him.

Tyler thought about punching Cole before leaving, feeling guilty as he scratched his nose. He regretted his impulsiveness because Cole was a petty person who would definitely seek revenge later. It was very annoying. If he had held back and not hit Cole, he would not have gotten himself into trouble. After all, Cole wouldn't dare do anything to him on camera. And once the play was over, he wouldn't have any interaction with Cole.

“What's the matter? Has Cole caused trouble again?" Ariana inquired, noting Tyler's troubled expression.

"No, everything went well. Cole is still the same as before. He can't do anything to me." Tyler feigned an air of nonchalance, dismissing any hint of the earlier incident.

Ariana chuckled at Tyler's statement.

"Indeed, he seems to enjoy causing you trouble, as long as he doesn't cross any lines."

Tyler nodded in agreement.

"Don't worry. I'm fine.”

In the hotel's top-floor meeting room, Jayson rose to welcome everyone. The room was filled with actors and actresses that the team had decided to collaborate with in the future.

He took the initiative to introduce everyone.

A combination of casting calls and industry recommendations had yielded the array of talent in the room. All the actors were carefully chosen, and none of them were backed up by certain investors.

Whether they were newcomers or seasoned actors who had long strived for success without much fruition, they all mingled freely, devoid of the hierarchical seniority commonly found in other major directorial crews. No one was throwing their weight around.

Ariana found a seat and quietly observed her surroundings. The actress playing the leading role piqued her interest. The young woman, a newcomer herself, bore a striking resemblance to her. Jayson had voiced his appreciation for the short film, and thus the leading lady was cast with Ariana's likeness in mind.

In the script, there was a role for a deranged serial killer. Ariana initially presumed Jayson would opt for an older male actor for this role. However, surprisingly, the part went to a young man in his twenties. Despite his refined, almost delicate appearance, he exuded an aura of charisma during the script read-through, hinting at the strong acting skills necessary to convincingly portray the psychopathic character.

It was undeniable that every actor held their unique significance. Jayson indeed had a keen eye for talent.