The Trending Topic Herself: The Villainess is the Superstar!

Chapter 299: The Mysterious Powerful Backer

A conflict arose once again between Maya Monroe and Kiki Monroe.

It started over a costume of Maya’s. Kiki thought the outfit was more suited to an upcoming scene, so she directly sent her assistant to fetch it, resulting in a standoff with Maya’s team.

Scott suppressed his annoyance: "This is the leading lady’s costume. I’m sure Miss Kiki is aware of that, right?"

Kiki rushed over after her assistant reported back, accompanied by numerous bodyguards as usual:

"I just wanted to borrow the costume. Do you have to speak so harshly? If not, we can invite the director to mediate justice."

Scott was choked up: "This costume is custom-made for our Maya; she needs to wear it in the next scene. And you expect us to lend it to you just because you said so? Where do you get such nerve!"

Scott picked up the costume and handed it over to Ivy behind him: "If you want the costume, get it yourself. What kind of behavior is snatching from others?"

Kiki’s lips still held a smile: "I mean, I suit this costume better than Maya. For the sake of the performance, you should lend it to me."

"You... you’re just being unreasonable!" Scott fumed.

Ivy meekly voiced from behind: "What should we do about this..."

The last time such an incident occurred was with Alisa Shelby, but Maya managed to control the situation then, so it wasn’t hard to resolve. This time, however, they were facing a fierce Kiki.

Everyone around could see this wasn’t simply about "borrowing a costume." No one wanted to offend either Maya or Kiki, so they all remained silent, like newly-hatched quails.

The director and the production manager quickly arrived, and after understanding what had happened, the director was also somewhat hesitant.

This issue was entirely Kiki’s unreasonable demand, but the underlying struggle wasn’t simple. Helping one side meant offending the other.

Maya’s family background and influence were not to be underestimated, but Kiki had a mysterious powerful backer who wasn’t to be trifled with either.

The director felt trapped and began to regret why he had come here in the first place.

"Uh... I think..."

In the distance, a familiar figure approached; it was Maya Monroe, who had just finished filming. She was still wearing her costume, her ponytail tied high, exuding a heroic spirit.

The director saw her as a savior; perhaps this deadlock was not unbreakable.

He recounted the recent events and then asked for Maya’s opinion.

"Borrow the costume?" Maya chuckled lightly, her gaze shifting to Kiki.

Kiki suddenly felt exposed but remained unfazed: "It’s just borrowing a costume, sister Maya will surely accommodate me, right?"

Maya didn’t reply to her, only turned to Scott: "Is a costume really worth arguing over?"

Scott’s lips twitched: "Maya, do you mean...?"

Maya laughed lightly, carelessly saying: "If she wants it, give it to her."

Kiki was momentarily stunned before her smile faded; it was as if Maya was tossing her some rubbish.

Maya took the costume from Ivy and handed it to Kiki herself, a stark contrast to her gentle action was her harsh tone.

"I am not one to relinquish things I consider mine. If this happens again... you won’t get away with it lightly."

"I mean what I say."

Kiki took what had now become a troublesome item, inhaled a few times, and said, "Thank you, sister Maya."

The director also breathed a sigh of relief. Compared to Maya’s composure, Kiki’s approach seemed too petty, risking offending everyone around her. Thankfully, Maya resolved the immediate issue.

Maya glanced at the director: "There’s still a scene left to shoot, so I’ll head off first."

The director’s voice was warmer than usual: "Sure, go ahead and take care of it."

Seeing the matter resolved, the onlookers around dispersed.

The director also prepared to leave, addressing Kiki indifferently: "Now that it’s resolved, I need to hurry back to a shoot. I’ll be off."

Once the crowd left, Kiki threw the costume to the ground, expressionlessly stomping on it twice.

"I underestimated her..."

In the end, she managed to earn a good reputation.

*

"Maya, the next scene is about to start. What do we do about the costume?"

Maya responded calmly, "Go to the stylist and find another one. This style of costume isn’t uncommon, shouldn’t be hard to find. If you can’t, then go to the director..."

Her eyes were deep: "He won’t refuse to help."

Scott quickly went to work.

Just then, Maya received a call from Ryan Spencer.

Maya answered swiftly, knowing what Ryan wanted to discuss.

Last time she had Scott investigate Kiki, but it turned out not to be such an easy matter, so it ended up in Ryan’s hands.

"Hey, Ryan."

"Maya, the thing you asked me to look into is quite complex. It happens that I have some free time this afternoon, and I remember you don’t have any engagements then. How about we meet at the café to talk?"

"Sure."

*

This café was a frequent spot for Maya and Ryan, thanks to Maya’s special status, they arranged to meet in a private room.

It had been a while since Maya last saw Ryan; he seemed extremely busy.

"It’s kind of you to meet me, given how busy you are."

"When did you learn to make fun of me?" Ryan chuckled, motioning for Maya to sit: "Come, have a seat."

Maya followed suit, a caramel macchiato already set in front of her.

"Ryan, any progress on the matter I asked you to investigate?"

Ryan took a sip of coffee: "The issue is rather complex and not easy to explain. Kiki certainly has a backer; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to make a comeback. Valerius Entertainment sidelined her before, and few in the industry would dare oppose them. Logically, this should narrow down the possibilities, but oddly enough, Kiki has no ties with any of them."

"Has she not been in close contact with anyone recently?" Maya inquired.

"Speaking of this..." Ryan’s eyes darkened: "It seems someone is deliberately obstructing the private investigators, likely Kiki’s backer. I’ve had people keep an eye on her whereabouts, but it’s all been to no avail."

"I also came here with a purpose to caution you..." Ryan said seriously: "Maya, don’t underestimate Kiki this time. I have a feeling she’ll be quite the trouble."

Maya nodded, lost in thought.

"This situation is indeed tricky, given how well-concealed her backer is. I’ll continue to investigate, but since you’re in the same crew as Kiki, you must be vigilant against her."