A Night of Desire

Chapter 196 - 193: You Flirted with Her in Public?

Even Poppy Vance suddenly felt their intentions for coming to watch the filming so early in the morning were less than pure.

She shook her head and sighed. "You guys came all the way here this early just to watch *this* kind of drama? If I had known, I would have stopped Brother Quinn from coming. Poor Sister-in-law Quinn."

Linden Jennings looked at her in surprise. He knew she was always picky about actors’ performances when watching TV, sometimes even finding fault with Faye Jennings and Miles Quinn. But now, she wasn’t criticizing Clara Grant’s acting and was even calling her pitiful?

"Pitiful? She keeps getting NGs, and you’re not going to criticize her for her bad acting?"

"I don’t know if her acting is bad or not, but even Director Keane said she usually gets it in one take, so she can’t be that bad. The fact that she’s messing up today, of all days, is clearly because Brother Quinn is here. Kissing your own brother-in-law in front of your husband... even if it’s just for a movie, I doubt anyone could stay calm, right?"

’If it were me, I couldn’t do it anyway.’ It seemed Clara Grant couldn’t get over the mental hurdle, either.

...

Over on the set, Clara Grant was still negotiating with Director Keane.

"...Why do we have to change the scene?"

"But, I don’t think a kiss on the cheek would be that different, right? It can still express Tina’s love for Young Master Kingston.""But I still think kissing him on the lips is better. It not only shows Tina’s deep love for Young Master Kingston, but it also better reflects her character’s daring personality—to love and hate so fiercely."

"Then... then let’s just use a camera angle."

Director Keane was taken aback. A camera angle? For a simple, light-as-a-feather kiss, she needed a camera angle?

"Clara, what are you so worried about? You have to remember, you’re an actress. Filming intimate scenes is sometimes unavoidable. If we were talking about something truly explicit, it would be one thing if you said you couldn’t accept it."

"But this is just a simple kiss, barely even a kissing scene. Why would it require a camera angle?"

Although Director Keane’s words made her face flush red then turn pale, Clara Grant still made a last-ditch effort. "But, I..."p>

"Then use a camera angle."

Before she could finish, a cool voice, which nonetheless carried a hint of amusement, suddenly cut in.

Clara Grant, Liam Keane, and some of the nearby crew members all turned to look. They saw Seth Quinn standing leisurely beside Clara, his hands in his pockets.

Seeing Seth Quinn, Director Keane had a sudden realization. Others might not know about Clara Grant and Seth Quinn’s relationship, but he did.

’Clara keeps getting NGs on a kiss scene... it must be because President Quinn is here, right?’

’She’s President Quinn’s girlfriend, but she has to kiss Miles for the movie. For a young woman, it’s understandable that she’d have a hard time with it psychologically.’

But...

’Filming is filming, not child’s play. It requires professionalism and rigor.’

’Besides, there’s nothing wrong with this scene. How can I just change it because the president’s girlfriend can’t do a kissing scene?’

Director Keane had his own convictions and principles, so...

"President Quinn, this scene is actually very simple. It’s just a light peck, no need for a camera angle."

President Quinn was in the TV and film business. He was confident the man would understand and consider the bigger picture.

Seeing Liam Keane reject him so directly, Seth Quinn didn’t show much displeasure. He understood Liam Keane and knew how meticulous he was when it came to filming.

He glanced sideways at Clara Grant beside him.

Clara Grant hadn’t expected Seth Quinn to suddenly walk over and "help" her "negotiate" with Director Keane. She was staring at him in a daze.

When she saw him suddenly look her way, she jumped and quickly averted her gaze, lowering her eyes.

Seth Quinn raised an eyebrow. He stared at the top of her head for two silent seconds before looking back at Director Keane. "Then change the scene. A kiss on the cheek will be fine."

’Since I’ve already taken a step back,’ he thought, ’Liam Keane will at least consider it. Besides, with these employees standing right behind me, he has to give me some face.’

But to his surprise, Liam Keane’s stubborn streak flared up, and he showed no intention of backing down.

"President Quinn, I believe this scene must have a kiss on the lips."

"Why?" Seth Quinn was getting a headache.

"No particular reason. The plot requires it."

’Seth Quinn’s head throbbed. If he didn’t respect Liam Keane for his professionalism and talent, he would have fired him for this inflexible, stubborn attitude.’

As the two men failed to reach an agreement, a few crew members nearby started whispering among themselves.

They didn’t understand why President Quinn would make a fuss over one of Clara Grant’s scenes, even coming over personally to negotiate with Director Keane.

Could it be that, just as the gossip columns wrote, there really was something going on between President Quinn and Clara Grant?

Although they were whispering, their words still reached Clara Grant’s ears.

Clara Grant felt a surge of shame and frustration, and for a moment, she directed all her resentment at Seth Quinn.

’I was discussing it perfectly fine with Director Keane, so why did he have to come over and stick his nose in it? And if he was going to come over, fine, but then he failed to even negotiate successfully.’

’And if the negotiation was going to fail, fine, but he just had to cause suspicion and gossip. He’s just making things worse!’

At that thought, she abruptly looked up and said to Director Liam Keane, "Director Keane, there’s no need to change it. Let’s just shoot it according to the script. I’m sorry for troubling you."

After speaking, she gave Seth Quinn a haphazard nod and turned to walk away.

’If she weren’t afraid of fueling more speculation, she wouldn’t have even acknowledged him.’

Seth Quinn was left in an awkward spot. He covered his mouth with his hand and gave a light cough to hide his embarrassment.

"She’s a newcomer, you know. Doesn’t have much acting experience, so a kissing scene is especially embarrassing for her. That’s why we have to be mindful of how we offer guidance. We need to give more encouragement, show more concern, be more understanding. See? The moment I showed a little concern and understanding, didn’t she come around? Let’s continue."

With that said, he also turned and went back.

Leaving a few dumbfounded faces in his wake!

’Who knew President Quinn’s method of ’guidance’ was... so unique!’

Seth Quinn returned to his seat. River Sterling had a teasing look on his face. "Seth, what were you doing over there? Why did it look like sister-in-law was angry? What, did you publicly flirt with her?"