Behind the Curtain of Stardom

Chapter 1

William Blackwood skyrocketed to fame overnight playing "Margaret Vale" in the blockbuster drama "Nine Heavens." The show was famous for its unexpected pairings, and once it aired, a fan craze erupted over the on-screen couple of "Margaret Vale" and "Doctor Xander," played by William and the talented Catherine Greenfield, respectively.
As the series gained popularity, fan-driven videos featuring the two made waves on social media, flooding platforms like TikTok. The dedication of the fandom only grew stronger, with shipping accounts cropping up and discussions about the chemistry between the two stars lighting up forums everywhere.
At a recent gala during a jewelry exhibit, a reporter from Star Entertainment caught up with Catherine Greenfield and posed a burning question among fans.
“Catherine, have you seen any of the videos featuring you and William?” the reporter asked.
Dressed elegantly in a pearly white evening gown, Catherine smiled gracefully at the camera and replied, “I have, and I think they are really well-made.”
Fans erupted in excitement.
“Oh, my goodness! Catherine said she’s seen them—maybe she’s even commented anonymously!”
“I can’t wait for them to work together again—imagine a dual-lead movie!”
“I bet a pack of chips that William has seen them too.”
“Who knows? Maybe they’ve argued about the roles—who takes the lead and who supports!”
Just as the fans hoped, soon after, the two were announced to be co-starring in a movie together where they would both play lead roles. What surprised everyone, however, was that they had already secretly tied the knot before filming began.
---
It was a blazing summer morning, and the streets of Greatfield were lined with lush camphor trees, their glossy green leaves releasing fragrant aromas that hung in the air.
At 9 AM sharp, Isabella Fairchild stepped onto the set, dressed in a pricey white designer suit and beige stilettos. As she surveyed the surroundings, her expression soured.
She instinctively covered her mouth and nose. Not only was the ground pure concrete, but dust swirled everywhere.
Her flawless makeup and understated designer outfit was a carefully crafted strategy for Isabella Fairchild; it not only accentuated her beauty but also cultivated the image of natural radiance. Who wouldn't relish being called a natural beauty?
Moreover, having Catherine Greenfield on set only fueled Isabella's competitive spirit; she was desperate to show she could be even more stunning.
Catherine had debuted the same year as Isabella, but now she dominated both television and film, while Isabella found herself always playing second fiddle during awards seasons. A gifted actress, Catherine was also renowned for her stunning, ethereal beauty, leaving everyone around her in awe.
Across the set, Isabella's stand-in was getting ready. As she glanced toward the stand-in, a smirk crept onto her face, a subtle expression of contempt reserved for lower-class actors.
The stand-in's name was William Blackwood, and the resemblance between them was practically nonexistent. In fact, William was a good deal taller than Isabella. Fortune smiled upon William when she was chosen to be Isabella’s double.
Dressed for a captivity scene, William bore smudged grey makeup on her cheeks and forehead, her long hair a bit tousled. Such a look would shatter anyone's hope of being deemed 'pretty’—yet somehow, William's beauty refused to be concealed even in such disarray.
It was as if the saying held true: good-looking people could make even a burlap sack seem fashionable.
William didn't care about her current appearance; leaning by the window, she was engrossed in her script, flipping through the pages, despite being a mere stand-in. She approached every role with the utmost seriousness.
The script was a simple two pages of A4 paper.
As a background actor striving for recognition for two years, William struggled to climb out of obscurity; even though directors praised her acting, for someone like her—with no connections or formal training—making it big in the cutthroat industry felt like an insurmountable challenge.
Just as William sank into her script, she was interrupted by a sweet voice.
“Hey, William! Here’s your fruit tea!”
Looking up, she was met with a beaming face framed by youthful skin and glistening eyes—Seraphina Bright, one of Catherine’s assistants.
“Is that for me?” William asked, hesitating to take the drink.
“Yup! It’s from Catherine—everybody gets one!” Seraphina chirped.
“Thanks!” William replied, finally accepting the drink.
“Catherine is the best! Just relax and enjoy!” Seraphina encouraged.
William nodded, feeling a wave of disbelief wash over her. It was her first time receiving a treat from a star of Catherine’s caliber, especially when the actress was currently at the peak of her career.
Catherine not only possessed striking beauty but an incredibly warm personality, radiating kindness and approachability. She had the picturesque looks of a distant mountain blossom, her eyes shimmering with gentleness, and the elegance of a fairytale character, completely devoid of the haughty attitude one might expect from someone so famous.
Though the details of Catherine's rich and mysterious background remained under wraps, it was common knowledge that if the gossip-hungry media wanted to dig, there was no shortage of material. What was known and what would be leaked to the public, however, were two entirely different matters.

Chapter 2

The buzz around the film set was palpable, and insiders knew that Catherine Greenfield was no ordinary actress; everyone treated her with a mix of respect and caution.
At 2 PM, the cast and crew were poised and ready, waiting for Director Chen's cue.
Isabella Fairchild was bound to a chair, ropes tied tightly around her torso, keeping her arms pinned behind her back. Her hair was a mess, her gown dirty and wrinkled, and her face was smudged as if she'd fought for her freedom.
“Scene 45, take one.” In the stillness of the warehouse, the clapperboard slammed shut.
“Action.”
In the blink of an eye, the two leads started to embody their characters.
Catherine Greenfield stood center stage, her fiery red dress making a bold statement as she cast a dominating presence over Isabella Fairchild, who was still tied helplessly to the chair.
With long, sleek black hair cascading down her shoulders, soft waves brushing against her slim waist, and a height of 5’7”, she towered over the character of Isabella, not just in stature but also in sheer beauty.
She was the epitome of a natural star; her commanding aura radiated talent that was backed by textbook-level acting skills. In an industry brimming with stunning faces, Catherine was among the rare few who possessed both beauty and extraordinary talent, celebrated as one of the best actors in the business.
The camera focused on Catherine, a prop knife glittering in her hand.
Despite being a fake, the knife looked unnervingly real, capable of fooling anyone at a glance.
“Oliver, have I not warned you to stop provoking me?” Catherine, with that knife, turned her disdainful gaze to the bound Isabella Fairchild.
The corner of her luscious red lips curled into a small, sinister smile, soft yet menacing.
Catherine's character, Margaret Vale, had fully embraced her dark side, her makeup and wardrobe showcasing a chilling allure, embodying the concept of a "femme fatale."
This scene was crafted so well by Catherine that just one look from her instilled an uneasy dread, her smile sending shivers down spines.
From behind the monitor, Director Zane exchanged satisfied glances with his fellow director and nodded approvingly.
“Margaret Vale, what… what are you going to do? Please, put down the knife!” Isabella's voice trembled as her back pressed tightly against the chair, panic etched on her features.
“What am I going to do?” Catherine leaned closer, the knife's tip grazing Isabella's neck.
“I’m going to slash your face,” she articulated, each word dripping with a thinly veiled threat.
Isabella’s body stiffened as she desperately tried to hide her vulnerability, her eyes darting nervously toward the blade.
“What's the matter?” Catherine narrowed her sultry, fox-like eyes, a chilling grin brimming with malice. “Are you afraid now?”
The blade crept higher.
“Margaret Vale, I beg you. Just put down the knife,” Isabella stammered, her face draining of color as she began to plead.
“Why should I listen to you? Give me one good reason,” Catherine tilted her head, her gaze frosty.
“Because… because I’m my brother’s biological sister. You love him, don’t you? You wouldn’t want to see him hurt, would you?”
Catherine's brow furrowed slightly, her resolve wavering.
“Margaret Vale, please. Just let me go… I swear I’ll leave for France right now and never come back. I won’t show my face to you or my brother ever again.” Isabella’s cries grew more desperate, her voice trembling in fear.
“Cut!” Director Zane inserted himself, popping his head from behind the monitor, holding a megaphone, and quickly pivoted to the makeup artist beside him. “Touch up the two actresses, we need to reshoot a few more scenes.”
After quick touch-ups, they resumed filming, capturing specific shots of Isabella's wrists bound by ropes.
As the crew got ready for the next shot, Isabella was once again tied to the chair.
With a resounding clap, the clapperboard was struck again.
“Scene 45, take two.”
Both actresses took their positions, anticipation thick in the air as they awaited direction.
Holding the prop knife, Catherine’s wrist moved gracefully, the silver blade gliding slowly along Isabella’s neck, inching towards her chin.
“Why should I trust you?”
“Because… because…” Isabella's eyes filled with terror, tears cascading down her cheeks.
“Then let me give you a cut on your neck,” Catherine remarked with predatory intensity, her gaze locked on Isabella. “Then I’ll believe you.”
“Margaret Vale, please just let me go. Ugh… please… just let me go,” Isabella was filled with dread, her body quaking like leaves in a storm.
The last threads of her defenses shattered completely.
“Be calm,” Catherine asserted, gripping Isabella’s chin firmly, ensuring her position was unyielding.
“Don't move. If I accidentally slit your throat, you’ll be a goner.”
Isabella swallowed hard, resignedly closing her eyes, her tear-laden lashes trembling in the tension.
Director Zane, watching intently from his seat, suddenly stood up, shouting “Cut!” loudly, stopping the scene.
“Perfect! Great take.”
The emotional intensity in this shot was remarkable; both actresses captured the moment beautifully, their expressions and movements translating perfectly into the scene, bringing Zane immense satisfaction.
In the midst of Catherine’s overwhelming performance, Isabella had somehow survived the myriad takes, failing five times before finally hitting the mark.
Fortunately, the character of Oliver resonated closely with Isabella, allowing her to portray the part with surprising ease. Once her character’s scene wrapped, the more dangerous moments would be handled by a stunt double.
Catherine and William Blackwood each settled into their spots, ready for the next segment.

Chapter 3

William Blackwood stood with her hands bound behind her back, even though there were no ropes tying her down. It was the sensation of constraint that filled her mind, and her body language conveyed her imagined predicament vividly.
Emmeline Rivers was pleased with the stand-in’s performance; it was so convincing that it almost felt as if she wasn’t acting at all, much to Emmeline’s surprise—and perhaps delight.
On screen, Catherine Greenfield leaned forward, applying just enough pressure to her wrist, as a blade “slashed” across William Blackwood's neck. In reality, William's neck had been expertly prepared with makeup, creating the illusion of a vicious cut.
“Ha ha.” The moment blood droplets began to trickle out, Catherine’s lips curled into a laugh, as if admiring a work of art.
“Just stay still, it’ll be over soon,” a sultry voice whispered in William's ear.
“Wah… wah… Margaret Vale, you lunatic!” William Blackwood cried in fear, tears welled in her brown eyes, the corners turning red.
William froze, terrified to move, fearing any wrong move would result in her throat being slashed.
Of course, all of this was merely William’s imagination, her eyes conveying the terror welling up inside her, even if her face wasn’t captured in close-up by the cameras.
…
Timing was everything. Assistant Director Corbin stood up, angling his body towards the explosives team to signal the countdown.
He indicated with his hand, counting from one to ten. When he reached ten, the designated explosive technician was to detonate the charges.
Meanwhile, the two actors needed to have their next movements ready by the time Assistant Director Corbin counted to seven.
Corbin raised his right hand above his head, gesturing from one to ten.
The actors held their breath, attuned to Corbin's signals, silently counting along in their heads.
One, two, three…
Just as Assistant Director Corbin reached five, an unexpected explosion shattered the air in the warehouse.
Boom—————
In the wake of a deep boom, flames erupted, brilliantly lighting up the surroundings as debris flew.
The explosion had gone off early.
“….” William Blackwood felt a jolt in her chest and widened her eyes, catching a reflection of the rising flames in her pupils.
Without thinking, William leaped forward, tackling Catherine Greenfield to the ground.
“Catherine, watch out!”
“…” Catherine, equally tense, turned her gaze back to William just as the world began to spin, her back slamming hard against the cement floor.
In an instant, wild flames consumed the warehouse, spreading like a wildfire.
William rolled on the ground, protective arms cradling Catherine's head as they tumbled toward a nearby window.
In the next moment, a flaming wooden crate fell from above, crashing precisely where Catherine had just stood.
As dusk settled, the sky was adorned with hues of orange and pink, stretching across the horizon like a beautiful ribbon.
In the quiet hospital room, William Blackwood sat alone beside her bed, gazing out at the evening sky. It had been a long time since she had paused to appreciate the sunset like this.
She wore a blue-and-white striped hospital gown, her bare feet dangling over the edge.
Ironically, this quiet time was a result of her injuries.
Several scrapes marred William's arms, each wound carefully dressed in iodine. A lighter scrape adorned her left cheek, thankfully not severe enough to leave a scar.
As an actress, her appearance was crucial.
But being too strikingly beautiful could be a double-edged sword for a young actress without connections.
William understood this all too well. She had turned down more than one tempting offer during her career.
Silently, William focused on the expansive brilliance of the evening sky, her voice swallowed by the pain still lingering in her body — pain that came from scraping against the cold concrete floor.
Had she managed to dodge in time, that burning crate would have landed squarely on Catherine.
In this moment, William found solace, relishing the quiet time and the joy of survival that filled her chest.
Abruptly, the sound of high heels clacking against the floor echoed outside her room. Ethan Starfield rushed in, breathless with urgency.
“….” Ethan paused at the door, tears welling up as his gaze landed on the disheveled William in her dirty costume.
Ethan had just returned from a business trip and hoped to take William out for dinner. Instead, he scrolled through his feed on Wren’s Quill and stumbled upon news of an incident on Catherine Greenfield's set.
#Catherine Greenfield Injured#
#Explosion Went Off Early#
Outsiders had no clue that William Blackwood was part of the crew, her name nowhere to be found on any cast list; she was merely a faceless double.
Anxious to see that she was okay, Ethan raced over, wishing to see William with his own eyes.
“Starfield, you made it,” William said, turning to greet him with a gentle smile.
Ethan rushed to her bedside, anxiety lacing his voice. “William, are you okay? Where are you hurt? Let me see!”
He grabbed her arms, examining for any injuries, and noticed several conspicuous scrapes.
“I’m fine.” William answered honestly, “Just a few surface wounds, nothing serious.”
Ethan frowned, concern etching his brow, “Are you sure?”
“Of course, you can ask the doctor if you don’t believe me.”
“I was just about to leave, waiting for you.”
Ethan’s eyes brimmed with emotion as he murmured, “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
Ethan Starfield was William Blackwood’s closest friend; they were college peers.

Chapter 4

When William Blackwood was too broke to pay his rent, Ethan Starfield generously lent him a hand. Without that help, William wouldn’t have made it this far.
Dreams have to take the backseat when faced with harsh reality and dead ends.
The Noble Ward was unusually quiet.
On the windowsill, bathed in the glow of the sunset, stood a large bouquet of pure white lilies. The pristine petals glistened with droplets of water, filling the air with a delicate fragrance.
Catherine Greenfield, dressed in a blue-and-white striped hospital gown, leaned against her bed with a soft pillow tucked behind her.
After a routine examination, the doctor noted that apart from some minor scrapes on her elbows, the other injury was to her lower back. Thankfully, there were no fractures, but the doctor advised her to rest in bed. A week later, they would evaluate if she could be discharged.
“Catherine, it’s time for your medication,” said Seraphina Bright, one hand holding a cup of warm water and the other delicately cradling a transparent pillbox as she approached the bedside.
Catherine accepted the glass from her assistant and asked, “How is he?”
Seraphina hesitated, unsure whom Catherine meant. “Are you referring to...?”
Catherine lowered her eyes and sipped a bit of the warm water. Her long lashes glistened with moisture as her lips parted slightly to reveal three words.
“William Blackwood.”
Understanding dawned on Seraphina. “You mean Young William? He should be fine.”
Catherine gently lifted her eyelids, asking with concern, “Are you sure?”
Seraphina replied, “This...”
Catherine interrupted, “Go check on him, maybe bring a fruit basket.”
“Alright, I’ll get right on it.”
Less than ten minutes later, Seraphina returned.
Just as Catherine finished her medication and was leisurely sipping the last drop of water from her glass, she heard footsteps and instinctively looked toward the door of the room.
It was her assistant.
“Back so soon?” Catherine inquired.
“Catherine, I went to the hospital to get the fruit basket and was about to visit Young William,” Seraphina reported while lifting the fruit basket slightly to show it off. “But it turns out he has already been discharged.”
Catherine’s expression froze. “Discharged?”
Seraphina nodded eagerly. “Yes! I looked in the room and didn’t see him. I asked a nurse, and she said he was already out.”
Catherine slowly closed her eyes, rubbing her temples. Exhaustion washed over her voice as she said, “Okay, I understand.”
Seraphina quickly set down the fruit basket, stepping up to the bed to take the empty glass from Catherine’s hand and placed it on the bedside table.
“Catherine, you should rest if you’re tired. You’ve been working so hard lately, hardly getting any rest.”
Catherine Greenfield knew all too well how busy she had been. To wrap filming by the end of the month, she had been shooting scene after scene, getting less than five hours of sleep each night. After everything, it was unfortunate that an accident occurred right before the final scene.
Fortunately, she hadn’t sustained serious injuries, but two crew members had been significantly hurt, though they had been stabilized after emergency treatment.
，William Blackwood，，，。
A heartfelt “thank you” needed to be said in person. To show her sincerity, she would need to prepare a gift. It couldn’t be too extravagant, or the young man might feel uncomfortable accepting it. But it also couldn’t be too trivial or it would come off as insincere.
She wasn’t accustomed to giving gifts, which left her somewhat at a loss.
“Seraphina, what do young girls your age like as gifts?” Catherine asked, propping herself up on her bed’s headboard, her tired eyes still half-lidded.
Unsure of Young William’s exact age, she guessed he was just over twenty, likely around Seraphina's age.
“Gifts…” Seraphina’s eyes widened in surprise at the sudden question. “Do you mean like purses? Is there a brand you like?”
“I think purses are nice,” Seraphina replied, scratching her head. “But it really depends on personal taste, you know?”
Catherine closed her eyes again, pondering for a moment before her beautifully-shaped lips parted slightly, contemplating her next choice of words.
“True enough.”
***
Due to the incident with the film crew, William Blackwood found himself temporarily out of work.
Fortunately, he had a side job delivering food. Despite being an actor—his dream job—real life waited for no one; he still needed to eat and pay rent.
At 7 PM, William received a delivery order from an upscale fruit shop.
“This box of grapes is quite expensive, take good care of it,” the shop attendant warned him as she handed him a cardboard box. “Make sure you don’t break it.”
“Sure,” William replied, cradling the box close to his chest.
“There are four bunches of rare long wild grapes inside. Each bunch is priced at over eight hundred dollars, totaling three thousand three hundred. If you break them and the customer requests a refund, you’ll have to cover the cost,” she stressed, emphasizing the last part.
William felt a knot form in his stomach as he glanced at the box in his arms.
Since he was just a part-time delivery worker, his monthly earnings barely amounted to three thousand. One fruit order could wipe out a month’s pay.
This was the stark divide between the rich and the poor. At least the commission for this delivery was substantial.
He checked the delivery address and was surprised to see it was Noble Ward at Greatfield Hospital.
“What’s wrong?” The shop attendant frowned, irritated. “Is there a problem?”
“No,” William replied calmly, turning on his heel, clutching the box of grapes tightly as he stepped out of the fruit shop.

Chapter 5

As the evening breeze swept through the hospital corridor, the sound of wind chimes danced lightly in the air.
Inside Greatfield Hospital's Noble Ward, the atmosphere was filled with a mix of concern and camaraderie.
"Has the doctor said when you can head home?" Nathaniel Ashworth asked, perched on the edge of Catherine Greenfield's hospital bed, a bright red apple in hand as he struggled to peel it with a small fruit knife.
After hearing about the accident on Catherine's film set, Nathaniel immediately had his assistant Mia book a ticket back home. He rushed from the airport straight to the hospital, not having had time to grab anything but his phone.
Growing up next to each other in a military compound, they had forged an unbreakable bond over the years.
"Maybe in a week," Catherine replied, her lashes casting shadows over her pale cheeks as she flipped through the pages of a script.
"Well, you’ve been here for two days, so there’s still five to go," Nathaniel calculated, glancing at her.
“Yeah,” she whispered in a soft tone.
"Good thing that stunt double saved you, or you’d be in the ICU right now," he remarked, finally managing to peel the apple, its skin uneven but edible.
With that, he offered the apple to Catherine, who accepted it with a grateful nod.
"By the way, was she pretty?" Nathaniel's eyes glinted with curiosity.
Catherine turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze as she took a tentative bite from the apple.
"Very pretty." Her lips parted as she spoke, savoring the flavor. The stunt double, William Blackwood, was stunning—arguably more beautiful than many famed actresses back home. Catherine remembered the first time she saw her on the Filming Grounds, captivated enough to steal a second glance.
With a teasing grin, Nathaniel nudged her, "Maybe you should just propose."
Catherine nearly choked on the apple, her expression surprised.
"Sure, just a joke. But honestly, you could consider it," Nathaniel pressed, his playful demeanor fading into seriousness. "You know how your mom feels—she just wants you to settle down and take it easy."
“I don’t even have a girlfriend, who am I supposed to marry?” Catherine replied, her voice tinged with resignation.
Catherine understood her mother's wishes all too well, but her heart and soul had been devoted to her acting career—it's all she ever wanted.
Just then, Nathaniel's phone buzzed, startling them both. It was the delivery person calling.
“That’s my food,” he said before answering, confirming the room number to the caller.
After hanging up, he glanced at the battery life—plenty of juice left—so he set the phone down on the bedside table again.
"I ordered a whole box of green grapes. There’s not much in it, maybe four bunches," Nathaniel announced just as footsteps echoed from the hallway.
The door swung open, and a melodic voice chimed in.
“Hello, is this where the delivery is?”
Both friends turned towards the entrance, eyes widening.
Catherine’s curiosity peaked. Even through the black mask covering the girl's face, she recognized the lifesaver from the film set—William Blackwood.
Nathaniel, momentarily lost for words, stood from his chair and approached the door. “Yes, that’s my delivery.”
But before he could reach the door, Catherine's voice rang out unexpectedly.
"Is that you, William?"
“Who’s William?” Nathaniel queried, halting in confusion as he looked from Catherine back to the delivery girl at the door.
“I didn’t know you two knew each other,” he said, raising his eyebrows in surprise.
William paused, taking off her mask to reveal a warm smile as she nodded slightly toward Catherine. “Hello, Ms. Greenfield.”
The last rays of sun filtered through the corridor, casting a golden hue across her features. William's brown eyes sparkled with soft laughter.
Catherine leaned against the wall by the window, her long, sleek hair framing her face, and with a subtle gesture, she acknowledged their meeting.
Though intrigue bubbled beneath the surface, her expression remained calm and composed.
"Who would have guessed you two were acquainted?" Nathaniel laughed, his smile brightening as he waved William inside.
"Don’t just stand there at the door, come on in!"
With no polite way to decline, William stepped into the room, carefully handing over the box of grapes to Nathaniel.
"Please check the fruit," she reminded him, remembering what the shopkeeper had said. “If everything looks good, then I’ll confirm the delivery.”
“No need to inspect. It’s just a few bunches of grapes,” Nathaniel chuckled, taking the box from her with ease.
Turning, he brought the grapes to Catherine’s bedside, gently placing the box on the side table.
Diving into the box, he quickly opened it, confirming that the contents were indeed the real deal—Yamagata grapes.
“It’s so hot out, must be tough delivering in this weather,” Nathaniel remarked, a warm smile on his lips as he offered a bunch to William. “Here, want some?”

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