Chapter 699: Reveng!

In the quaint building opposite Disney Studios, where the bustling crew of "Argo" was stationed, Martin peered out the slightly weathered window, checking his watch as anticipation hung thick in the air.

Suddenly, the door swung open, admitting Nicholson, Leonardo, and Lorraine in a whirl of excitement.

Nicholson, his nerves palpable, wasted no time, blurting out, "Where's the show? Are we ready to roll?"

Martin, still gazing out the window, replied, "Just hold on a moment."

Leonardo's accusation sliced through the tension, "You sneaky devil! There's a show, and you didn't bother to give me a heads up! Jack had to fill me in!"

Martin defended himself, "You were off the grid in Los Angeles. I assumed you were still out of town."

"Not a valid excuse!" Leonardo retorted. "You didn't even let me know when you returned!"

Lorraine, now sporting her dual role as a part-time actress and part-time paparazzo, chimed in, "What's this show about? Any juicy gossip worth capturing?"

"Running low on cash again, Lorraine?" Leonardo teased.

Lorraine sighed, "My funds hit rock bottom this month."

Martin pointed out the window, urging, "Point your camera over there. That's where the action's brewing."

With swift efficiency, Lorraine adjusted her camera, eager to capture the unfolding drama.

Nicholson's mind raced with possibilities, "Saoirse Ronan and Emma Watson, perhaps?"

Martin nodded knowingly, "Remember when I asked for your help a few days back? Maybe Emma Watson caught wind of it and decided to stir the pot."

He recounted the recent events, leaving no detail untouched.

Leonardo clapped Martin on the back, "You're on your way to becoming the next Harvey."

Determined, Martin declared, "I refuse to succumb to the Harvey way. I'll nip temptation in the bud."

Lorraine, having tangled with Saoirse before, quipped, "So, you're letting Emma Watson's nemesis do the dirty work?"

Martin shrugged, "A teacher must bear the burdens of their students. It's all about kindness, right?"

In unison, the others in the room flipped Martin the bird.

...

Meanwhile, Saoirse Ronan, having wrapped up two morning scenes, slipped away to the actresses' sanctuary.

Opening her locker, she retrieved her backpack, unzipped it, and detected a faint sweetness wafting from within.

These were the tools Bruce had crafted for her.

Saoirse, adept at making handmade chocolates, had resolved to win Emma Watson's favor after hearing of her audacious attempts to woo their shared mentor.

Determined to thwart her rival, Saoirse slung her bag over her shoulder and made her way toward the action.

Navigating the studio's quiet confines, she observed her surroundings carefully before swiftly executing her plan under the sun umbrella, deftly swapping out cushions with practiced precision, thanks to Bruce's generous supply and her diligent rehearsals.

In a matter of moments, the switch was complete, leaving no trace of her handiwork behind.

Saoirse had been stealthily tracking Emma Watson's movements, noting her routine with disdain. The audacious girl would saunter in every noon, plop herself down in that very chair, eagerly awaiting Martin's emergence from the studio. And like clockwork, she'd been at it every single day.

Across the way, Martin deftly covered Lorraine's camera lens with the lens cap, much to her surprise.

"What gives?" Lorraine queried, her curiosity piqued.

Martin shook his head, "We'll capture the shot later."

Reluctantly, Lorraine acquiesced, shelving her plans for an immediate shoot.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Saoirse swiftly gathered her belongings. Just as she had studied Emma's every move in secret days prior, she now slipped into the small building opposite, positioning herself by the first-floor window, eagerly awaiting her target.

Having meticulously prepared for days, Saoirse had sought counsel from Bruce and even dissected Emma's daily attire, noting her afternoon schedule void of any filming commitments.

...

Over on the set of "Noah's Ark," Emma had wrapped up her morning scenes, shedding her makeup and wardrobe with ease. With no afternoon shoot on the agenda, she opted for a light touch-up, confirming the readiness of her gear with Alanna.

"It's all set," Alanna affirmed, demonstrating the equipment's functionality. "Fully charged battery with a backup, ready to support hours of shooting."

Satisfied, Emma transferred her belongings to the new bag, relaying news of a potential project from Disney Pictures.

Encouraged by Alanna's optimism, Emma affirmed, "As long as I have it, Martin won't be able to resist."

Exiting through a side door, Emma set off towards the "Argo" crew, the deserted streets offering a clear path.

Arriving at her usual spot, Emma noticed the closed studio door, adjusting her off-white ensemble with grace. The pristine attire contrasted against her porcelain complexion and crimson lips.

Taking her seat, Emma caught a whiff of something sweet, reminiscent of her favorite chocolate. She settled in, only to be jolted by a strange sound beneath her. Before she could react, her posterior felt an unwelcome chill, accompanied by a sticky sensation.

Springing up in alarm, Emma discovered the chair's cushion had burst, oozing a brown-yellow paste.

"Foul play!" Emma cursed, her hand recoiling from the sticky residue, redolent of chocolate sauce.

Bringing her hand to her nose, Emma confirmed the scent, fighting the urge to taste the familiar flavor on her fingertips.

As Emma's hand hovered near her mouth, she abruptly halted, cursing vehemently as she reached for her phone, urgently dialing Alanna's number.

"Fake! It's all fake!" Her profanity-laden tirade showed no signs of abating as she grappled with the sticky mess on her backside, her expression a wild mix of frustration and disbelief.

...

Outside the small building's window, Lorraine's fingers danced over the camera controls, capturing every humiliating moment with precision. The telltale brown stain on Emma's pristine pants screamed scandal, each snapshot a potential goldmine.

"I'm hitting the jackpot!" Lorraine muttered, her excitement palpable. "Years ago, those photos of Emma Watson's mishap at Pinewood Studios fetched a fortune. Now, it's my turn!"

As Emma unwittingly sniffed at the chocolate-scented smear on her hand, Lorraine's anticipation reached a fever pitch, her shutter clicks keeping pace with her racing thoughts.

Meanwhile, Martin, Leonardo, and Nicholson wasted no time, filming the spectacle unfolding before them. Nicholson's incredulous gaze landed on Martin. "Is this your idea, you sly dog?"

Martin shook his head, nodding towards Saoirse. "Nope. Credit goes to Saoirse."

Impressed, Nicholson gave Martin a nod of approval. "Well done, teaching your protege well."

Leonardo, however, couldn't shake his unease. "Something's not right with Disney Studios. Why do they keep getting mixed up in these scandals?"

Lorraine interjected, "You two didn't object."

Their pointed glances at Martin spoke volumes—they wanted no part in his scheme.

As a woman approached, Martin cautioned, "Keep a low profile."

Leonardo and Nicholson obediently shrunk back, playing innocent bystanders as Lorraine continued to document the chaos.

Meanwhile, on the first floor, Saoirse stifled laughter as she filmed the scene, relishing the opportunity for payback after Emma's previous prank.

"These photos and videos will fetch a fortune," Saoirse mused, envisioning the ensuing Hollywood uproar. "Maybe Emma Watson will make headlines!"

"Bitch, you got what you deserved," Saoirse whispered to herself, struggling to contain her amusement.

Under the sun umbrella, Emma, now stripped of her beige jacket, grappled with the mounting embarrassment. Alanna rushed to her side, her quick thinking shielding Emma from further scrutiny.

Alanna draped her own coat around Emma, masking the incriminating stain, and ushered her away, whispering, "Let's clear out before things escalate. It's too risky to stay."