Chapter 588: Arising from Emotion, Restrained by Reason

Babies always cry for a little while when they wake up. The moment Ian Monroe heard Sweetie’s voice, he didn’t care about being polite and immediately rushed back into the house.

He was terrified Sweetie would see him again and treat him like her toy.

Shawn Fisher started the car at once and left the Fairchild residence without so much as a goodbye.

"From now on, don’t bring Sweetie to the Fairchilds’ place."

"Why not? Isn’t it good for us to visit? You can see how much Sweetie likes Ian!"

"That’s exactly why we need to stay away!"

Melody Monroe watched Ian’s retreating figure and sighed.

"What’s wrong?" Evan Fairchild asked, looking at Melody Monroe. He could tell something was on her mind.

"Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Ian and Sweetie got together when they’re older?"

"I have zero desire to be in-laws with Shawn Fisher," Evan Fairchild said with a look of disgust. "With a father like him, that little Tubby will probably have a hard time finding a husband."

’Shawn Fisher really does protect his wife and daughter as if his life depends on it.’

"You really like that little Tubby, don’t you?"

"Don’t call her Tubby. She’s just chubby and cute! All babies are like that."

"Theirs is exceptionally so."

Melody was speechless.

"Mom, do you know what I just wished for?" Ian Monroe’s voice suddenly cut in.

Melody Monroe spun around immediately.

’I thought Ian had already left. Did he hear everything I just said?’

"What... did you wish for just now?"

"I wished that Tubby would never come to our house again." With that, Ian Monroe turned and headed back inside.

Melody Monroe watched Ian Monroe’s retreating back, then glanced at Evan Fairchild.

"Does Ian really dislike Sweetie that much?"

"Still, for her to stir up such strong emotions in the boy... I’d say there’s a chance."

Melody Monroe was utterly confused.

"That counts?"

Evan Fairchild nodded.

...

The moment Melody Monroe returned to the set, she had a scene with Zane Langdon.

The only kind of "intimate" scene Evan Fairchild would accept required them to maintain a distance of one step apart. Melody Monroe was rendered utterly speechless.

And what’s more, Evan Fairchild sounded particularly justified when he explained it.

"The ancients placed the utmost importance on propriety. Their feelings were heartfelt but always restrained by reason. What is all this nonsense in modern TV shows, with all the hugging and cuddling at the drop of a hat?"

Melody Monroe was at a loss for words. She even started to think Evan Fairchild had a point.

’If they performed the love scenes that way, wouldn’t it make the emotions seem more restrained and profound?’

With this new perspective, Melody Monroe went to find Zane Langdon the moment she arrived on set.

Zane Langdon was in the middle of getting his makeup done.

"Mr. Langdon."

Zane Langdon immediately motioned for the makeup artist to stop. He looked at Melody Monroe. "You haven’t been to makeup yet?"

"My apologies, traffic was a bit heavy. I just arrived and came looking for you right away."

"Did you need me for something?"

"I wanted to discuss the upcoming scene with you, specifically about how we should best handle the emotional parts."

"I’ve been thinking about that for a while, too. I think the director’s suggestion is excellent, but we should definitely discuss the specifics of how to perform it."

"Then I’ll go get my makeup done first. We can run through our lines afterward."

"Alright."

After their conversation, Melody Monroe went to her dressing room, where Talia Mercer had already prepared everything.

"Have you seen Keith Coleman?"

"He said he’d be here today. Maybe something held him up."

"How are the talks about Tiana Gable’s contract termination going?"

"Stellaris won’t release her. They’re making an outrageous demand."

"Does Keith Coleman have a plan?" Melody Monroe had expected as much.

’Lana Sheffield must have guessed that Tiana Gable is leaving Stellaris to join my studio. Of course she wouldn’t let her go easily.’