Chapter 47: For the Girls of Los Angeles

"A new week has begun. Let's charge up the ranks, get clicks, recommendations, and collections! Please give as much as you can!"

"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time!"

Waving the knife in her hand, Carey Mulligan walked forward slowly. "Ever since I sensed your intentions, I knew someone like you deserved punishment. And Murphy already wrote the best method into the script."

Her left corner of her mouth curled up. Her doll-like face remained cute, but her words were cold and harsh. "The opportunity finally came. The crew is on break, most people went back to Los Angeles. My agent Bill Rossis went out of town with Uncle Julian, the tutor had to leave, and Murphy's headache made him go for a walk in town."

She moved closer and closer. "Only the two of us are left here. How could I miss such a good opportunity?"

Although James Franco believed Carey Mulligan wouldn't do anything foolish, the sight of the gleaming knife still brought a layer of sweat to his forehead.

"James, I won't harm you."

These words made James Franco unconsciously breathe a sigh of relief, but Carey Mulligan continued, "I'll just follow the script's initial part."

"Are you fucking crazy?" James Franco couldn't help but curse.

As the main actor, he'd read the script countless times and remembered clearly that in the beginning, Jeff was castrated by Haley. If that happened to him, living would be no different from dying.

James Franco kept a close eye on the approaching Carey Mulligan. Her cute doll-like face was serious, not looking like she was joking.

"Carey, have you thought about the consequences?" he shouted.

Carey Mulligan nonchalantly pursed her lips, gesturing with the knife. "I think after I act."

Three feet, two feet, one foot...

She got closer, and so did the knife. James Franco struggled and shouted, but it was all in vain.

"Sorry, James." Carey Mulligan stopped in front of him, reaching out her free hand to gently pat his handsome face. She said with utmost seriousness, "For the underage girls of Los Angeles, you'll have to make some sacrifices."

Her words were filled with righteousness, as if she were an avenging angel descended from heaven.

Watching Carey Mulligan and James Franco, Murphy knew he couldn't continue observing. Although he was confident Carey Mulligan was just trying to scare James Franco, the thoughts of girls her age were unpredictable. If James Franco said something unpleasant, and Carey acted on impulse...

He walked out from around the corner, coughing loudly. James Franco, as if hearing a divine sound, immediately turned his head to look.

Before James Franco could speak, Murphy, looking surprised, asked, "Jim, Carey, are you rehearsing?"

Hearing Murphy's words, Carey Mulligan quickly closed the knife, glared fiercely at James Franco, then turned around with a sweet, cute smile. "I couldn't get a handle on Haley's change in character and mindset. James is helping me get into it."

James Franco was about to object, but Murphy gave him a thumbs-up and quickly said, "Jim, your dedication is admirable."

"Yes!" Carey Mulligan chimed in. "Jim is a great actor and has helped me a lot."

Listening to their exchange, James Franco didn't know what to say.

"Why are you back?" Carey Mulligan had already changed the topic. "Is your headache better?"

"Better." Murphy walked behind James Franco's chair, untying the knot. He said to Carey Mulligan, "I remembered I had work to do, so I came back."

Saying this, he gently patted James Franco's shoulder and turned towards the stairs. Carey Mulligan picked up the knife, gestured towards James Franco, and hurried after Murphy.

Watching Murphy and Carey Mulligan go upstairs, James Franco untied the ropes around himself and threw them on the floor. He stood there for a while, his handsome face with its mischievous smile showing a mix of emotions, finally letting out a long sigh.

Are girls these days really so terrifying? He still couldn't be sure if Carey Mulligan would have done something if Murphy hadn't shown up.

James Franco glanced down, feeling his soul's fire beginning to dim.

He stood up, found some tissues to wipe away his tears and snot, and looked at the open toolbox on the floor. Saws, pliers, hammers, knives—all gleamed with a cold metal shine, looking very menacing. Falling into such hands wouldn't feel good.

Just from looking at the toolbox, James Franco could tell this wasn't a spur-of-the-moment idea by Carey Mulligan but something planned for a while.

Should he continue dealing with such a girl? Rubbing his shoulder, which was hit by the pliers, he walked out of the house.

"Murphy..."

In the upstairs office, Carey Mulligan sat at the desk. "Did you... did you see everything?"

"No..." Murphy shook his head lightly. "I only saw the part where you started throwing things at James Franco."

"He attacked you!" Carey Mulligan said angrily. "That despicable scumbag attacked someone as good as you. It made me so mad."

She said hatefully, "I should have cut his face a few times!"

Murphy's mouth twitched slightly. He calmly said, "Thank you, Carey. It feels good to be defended."

Carey Mulligan's eyes curved into a smile. "It's what I should do. I wanted to warn James Franco not to think I didn't know he's a scumbag."

Murphy didn't say much. If it weren't for his indulgence and inaction, this wouldn't have happened. But thinking about it, James Franco might be quiet for a while, which would be good for the crew.

As for Carey Mulligan, this British girl's actions were clearly influenced by him. Her rebellious and daring nature was a bit crazy.

Carey Mulligan suddenly asked with concern, "Is your headache really better?"

"It's fine." Murphy waved his hand. Carey Mulligan stood up. "Do you need me to massage it? I used to help Uncle Julian when I was little."

"Thank you." Murphy shook his head lightly. "Not right now. I have work to do."

Unlike her behavior with James Franco, Carey Mulligan was always obedient and cute around Murphy. She waved her hand. "I'll go to my room and do my homework, so I won't disturb you."

The short day off quickly ended, and on Sunday, the crew regrouped at the house for filming. Maybe what happened yesterday had an effect. Outside of work hours, James Franco avoided Carey Mulligan.

After some adjustment, the novice crew led by Murphy began to find some coordination, and the filming efficiency improved.