Chapter 721 - 721: [THE SHADOW WITHIN] SCRIPT READING (II)

DETECTIVE Lewis watched Dr. Stevens carefully after delivering the news, searching for any flicker of reaction. The doctor’s face remained still, his posture relaxed in his chair. There was no gasp, no widening of the eyes—just a slow exhale as he processed the information.

“I see,” Dr. Stevens said, his voice showed a hint of sadness. “That’s unfortunate.”

Detective Lewis leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. “You don’t seem surprised.”

“I’m a psychiatrist, Detective. People in my line of work learn to control their reactions.” The doctor’s fingers laced together on the desk, perfectly still. “Though I assume you didn’t come here just to inform me.”

Detective Lewis held his gaze. “No. I came because Miranda Kessler’s file had your name all over it. You were her primary therapist for the last eight months.”

“That’s correct.”

“Care to tell me what you discussed in your sessions?”

Dr. Stevens tilted his head slightly, as if considering how much to share. “Patient confidentiality applies even after death, Detective. But if you have a warrant, I’ll cooperate fully.”

The detective didn’t blink. “I could get one. But it’d be easier if you just told me what I need to know now.”

For the first time, something flickered in the doctor’s expression—not guilt, not fear, but mild amusement. “Easier for you, perhaps.” He leaned back in his chair. “I’ll save us both the time. Miranda suffered from severe paranoia. She believed someone was watching her. Given how she died, it seems she wasn’t wrong.”

Detective Lewis’ hand hovered over his Terminal. “Did she ever name who she thought was following her?”

“No. Delusions of persecution rarely come with concrete details.”

The detective studied him again, waiting for a crack in that calm facade. But Dr. Stevens met his stare without flinching, his hands steady, his tone measured. The office hummed with quiet tension—two men circling each other, one searching for answers, the other giving just enough to seem helpful.

Detective Lewis finally closed his Terminal. “We’ll be in touch, Doctor.”

Dr. Stevens gave a polite nod. “Of course. My door is always open.”

But as the detective turned to leave, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the doctor’s calm was a little too perfect, his answers a little too smooth. Like a man who’d practiced them.

***

“That was perfect!” the director said, clapping his hands together to signal the end of the scene. His voice carried genuine approval as he looked between the two actors. “You showed the kind of tension I was looking for in this scene. It’s fantastic!”

He gave an appreciative nod before turning to check something in his Terminal, probably his notes.

Rhett finally exhaled, unaware he’d been holding his breath. The truth was, Astrid had completely controlled that scene. The way he delivered his lines somehow pulled Rhett’s performance along with it, guiding him to say his own lines just right. It was equal parts impressive and unsettling.

And this was just the script reading. How much more intense would it be when they actually filmed the scene? To make matters worse, this was one of the milder moments in the entire movie. Rhett realized with quiet determination that he’d need to step up his game if he didn’t want to get completely overshadowed.

Astrid glanced at Rhett and gave a small nod when he caught the determined look in the other man’s eyes. He remembered seeing that same drive during Rhett’s audition, but now it was even clearer. That kind of ambition was good. As long as Rhett didn’t cut corners or step on others to get ahead. Astrid had always respected people who worked hard for what they wanted. At the very least, he could trust that Rhett would give his best and not cause problems for the production.

And that was really all he could ask for with this film. This project was extremely important to Astrid. Not only because he was the main investor, but because he could feel this movie had the potential to lift his career to another level. Well, not exactly this film itself, but the sequel that would come after if this one succeeded. So it had to succeed, no matter what.

“All right, let’s do another scene.”

Director McCann’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

And so, they continued on with the script reading.

***

The script reading stretched late into the evening, fueled by Director McCann’s relentless enthusiasm. Scene after scene, his energy never wavered, pushing them to keep going even as daylight faded. Eventually Ellis had to intervene, stepping out to order dinner for the whole group when it became clear the director would happily work straight through the night if allowed.

Astrid didn’t mind the long hours. He liked seeing the director’s excitement. He also appreciated how none of the cast complained about the extended script reading. Their commitment showed how invested everyone was in this project. He just hoped this same energy would last until the very end of filming.

That was how their script reading went – filled with excitement and genuine hope for what was to come.

***

A week later, Astrid, together with Snow and Kiran, were studying at his apartment. They had their Terminals open, preparing for their two-day finals that would start in three days. The three of them were quietly reviewing lecture recordings and practice tests on their screens, the apartment silent except for the occasional question or explanation between them.

Kiran stretched his arms before flopping his face onto the table. “Why do we even need math? It’s not like I’ll use this for my major.”

“You’d be surprised how often Math comes up in our everday life,” Snow said, shaking his head.

“The basics, sure. But why the hell do I need to find the value of x?” Kiran grumbled, his voice muffled against the table.

Astrid chuckled and pushed back his chair. “You two want snacks?”

Kiran’s head shot up, his face suddenly bright. “I’d never say no to snacks made by you.”

This time, even Snow let out a soft laugh.

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