The scene they were shooting today was a woman’s play. Her co-star was Anna, and Sophie Smith felt the plot was a bit clichéd. To put it simply, it was just two women in the deep palace fighting fiercely over a man.
"Do you know? You don’t deserve him. You’re of low status, your origins are unknown, and even if you died now, no one would know." The Eldest Princess played by Anna had a fierce look, and slapped Sophie hard across the face.
The slap was solid. Sophie didn’t expect Anna to actually hit her for real, without the slightest pretense. She covered her flushed cheek with her hand, unable to speak.
"Someone, throw her into the river!"
"No! Let go of me, let go of me!" Sophie struggled desperately as several burly men dressed in guard uniforms pushed her toward the river.
The water isn’t deep, Sophie, it’s okay.
She said to herself in her heart.
The pond water was a bit cold, and because she was forcibly pushed in, with no preparation, her whole body fell into the water.
"Ah! Help!" She shouted loudly, her feet sinking into the mud, going deeper and deeper, her entire body sinking into the water. She swallowed a few mouthfuls of water, choking her throat.
Everyone thought nothing of it, assuming Sophie was just acting vividly.
The water surface returned to calm, and Sophie only felt as if she was sinking into a bottomless black hole, without light, without end.
"Cut!" The director called out, but Sophie still hadn’t come up from the water.
Everyone shouted loudly around the edge of the pond, but there was still no response.
"What’s wrong with her?" Suddenly, a man broke through the crowded group. It was Asher Land.
"Ah! President Land, Sophie was shooting a drowning scene, but..."
Before the sentence was finished, Asher Land had already taken off his suit jacket and jumped into the pond.
"President Land, President Land!"
Sophie lay in the water, completely unconscious. Asher Land swam hard toward her, holding her in his arms and swimming to the surface.
"Quick, get a dry towel, and also, call for medical personnel!" He may not have realized how tense his expression was at the moment.
Asher Land lost his temper, and everyone was flustered, crowding around him and Sophie.
"Sophie, wake up!" Asher Land pressed her chest gently with both hands, calling her name.
"Cough, cough..." Under the pressure, Sophie coughed up a few mouthfuls of water.
"President Land, the medical staff are here. Let them check on Miss Smith."
Asher Land had to step aside. The medical personnel performed some first aid, and slowly, Sophie began to regain consciousness.
But why was the first person she saw Asher Land? And he seemed to be very anxious.
No, she must have been mistaken. Why would Asher Land care about her, just a plaything? She weakly closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep again.
"President Land, don’t worry. Miss Smith is no longer in danger. Just let her go back and rest well," the medical staff said to Sophie.
Asher Land felt much relieved. He picked Sophie up and headed to his car.
"Oh, right." He turned around, glaring coldly at the trembling crowd, "I never want to see this kind of accident happen again. If it does, all of you, get out!"