The Trending Topic Herself: The Villainess is the Superstar!-Chapter 36: Kiki Monroe Tries to Steal the Scene, But Gets Overshadowed Instead

Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Kiki Monroe Tries to Steal the Scene, But Gets Overshadowed Instead

"This is between him and me, there’s no need for you to interfere!" Luna spoke coldly.

"I know you can’t stop thinking about him, but have you considered your own situation? You’ve become a demon, killed countless people, and now you want to drag Jackie into the mud along with you. He treats you so well, are you being fair to him?"

Kiki leaned forward, and in an instant her gaze met Maya’s. The uncontrollable anger surged from her chest, as scenes from the past replayed in her mind, unable to be forgotten.

Kiki gripped the two handles of the wooden chair tightly, trapping Maya within.

While filming from the side angle, a fierce light flashed in Kiki’s eyes.

"You’re already notorious, so why bother seeking what you can’t have!"

These words weren’t in the script; Kiki added them herself. They still matched the script well enough that no one would probably say anything about her improvisation, she aimed to catch Maya off guard.

No matter how much effort Maya had put into studying the script late at night, Kiki wanted her to realize the gap in their acting abilities was insurmountable; Maya couldn’t just catch up with a few pointers from Leo Lancaster or burning the midnight oil rehearsing them. True talent lies in the ability to adapt to the storyline swiftly, a skill Kiki believed Maya didn’t possess.

Shane Morgan furrowed his brow before the camera, given Kiki’s actions, she was intentionally trying to outshine.

During filming, when one actor performs remarkably well while the other lacks talent or has a thinly developed character, leading to their presence being diminished and leaving viewers with the impression of poor acting or an unremarkable character, it is termed as scene-stealing.

Many on set saw the underlying truth, given Maya’s notorious reputation, many were waiting to see her become the laughingstock. If during the shoot she’s overwhelmed by the other performer and ends up looking foolish, it would indeed be a joke.

Maya observed the emerging presence in Kiki, feeling puzzled internally yet showing no signs of it outwardly.

Kiki’s eyes blazed with open resentment, while Maya, having often played villain roles, was accustomed to clashing with the protagonist, bullying them only to be swiftly embarrassed, serving as little more than a stepping stone.

Maya’s body instinctively responded, pushing Kiki aside, and then walked over slowly with lazy steps, yet her eyes gleamed with danger.

"It’s not your place to determine whether it’s all fair; without me, Jackie may well be heartbroken! Everyone says Miss Shaw is a wise and courageous woman, a remarkable lady! But I dare say, her reputation is exaggerated; when Miss Shaw does become rowdy, she might not even compare to that hag at the city gate!"

As Maya stepped forward, Kiki retreated one step back.

She had originally reveled in anticipation of Maya making a fool of herself, only to find herself swiftly countered, caught off guard.

No time to ponder where Maya’s quick reaction stemmed from, Kiki only felt that the Maya before her resembled a murderous beast, an overwhelming pressure she couldn’t withstand.

Kiki retreated step by step, her mind a confused mess, even forgetting the intended flow of the script, only to be seen by Maya’s gaze as she fled awkwardly.

Kiki accidentally stepped on her dress hem and instantly fell to the ground.

None of this was in the script, which called for Ashley to warn and advise Luna, far from such a disgraceful display.

"Cut!" was the call from Shane Morgan.

"Kiki, your performance was off, and you didn’t say your lines! Go check the script, we’ll do another take later!"

Maya took the water handed over by Scott and leisurely glanced at Kiki still sprawled on the ground.

"Cut!"

"Cut!"

"Cut!!"

...

"Kiki, what are you doing, why do you look so frightened? Can you even shoot? If you can, then do it, if not, then get lost!!"

After countless NG takes, Shane Morgan angrily shouted through the megaphone.

Shane Morgan was known for his hot temper, particularly when faced with Kiki’s lack of focus.

Around them, many were shocked by these changes, as Kiki initially attempted to outshine, she found herself overwhelmed instead. By none other than Maya Monroe, notorious in her own right.

Not long, many gathered around Kiki, quickly comforting her.

"Kiki, are you perhaps not feeling well? Go and rest for a bit!"

"Director Morgan, he’s just blunt; soft-hearted inside. You relax, you’ll feel much better once you’re back in the zone."

"Kiki, could it be you didn’t rest well? Oh my, this breaks my heart!"

...

Maya stood alone, accompanied only by her assistants, pondering the powerful halo over the protagonist. If it were anyone else, surely they wouldn’t be comforted and pampered like this.

Watching herself surrounded by so many people, Kiki only felt even more aggrieved.

Ethan Grant had just finished his scene, recalling Kiki’s cold attitude toward him, eager to make amends. As soon as he was done, he rushed over to find Kiki.

Finding her in her aggrieved state tugged at his heart, crouching quickly, he asked her, "Kiki, what happened?"

Kiki glanced at him without speaking. How could she possibly admit the vision of Maya’s oppressive gaze left her too frightened to concentrate?

Ethan, seeing her silence, grew more anxious, quickly asking the surrounding staff.

Once understanding the situation, Ethan instinctively painted Kiki in a favorable light, placing all blame on Maya.

Filled with rage, Ethan stormed over to Maya, angrily speaking, "What do you mean by this? Adding lines on your own is one thing, but now you’re deliberately intimidating Kiki with your gaze; you’re malicious, intending to humiliate her!!"

Seeing Ethan, Maya felt a certain dislike, an inexplicable aversion.

Scott, spotting the hostility, instinctively stepped in front of Maya, "This is a set, not a place for you to yell around!"

Gently pushing Scott aside, Maya calmly looked at Ethan: "Get your facts straight on what actually happened, Kiki added a line herself, am I supposed not to follow the script? Can’t I improvise a line to cover? Moreover, Luna’s character isn’t supposed to be weak; if I portray her with a sense of dominance, you accuse me of intimidation; why not blame your dear Kiki’s lack of grit?"

With arms crossed, Maya looked coldly at Ethan.

Beside Maya, Scott wanted to give her a thumbs up; their master, although consistently hot-headed, was truly refreshing when confronting people.

Facing someone like Ethan who invites criticism, tolerance was not an option!