The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

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

DETECTIVE Lewis watched Dr. Stevens careully ater delivering the news, searching or any licker o reaction. The doctor's ace remained still, his posture relaxed in his chair. There was no gasp, no widening o the eyes—just a slow exhale as he processed the inormation.

"I see," Dr. Stevens said, his voice showed a hint o sadness. "That's unortunate."

Detective Lewis leaned orward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. "You don't seem surprised."

"I'm a psychiatrist, Detective. People in my line o work learn to control their reactions." The doctor's ingers laced together on the desk, perectly still. "Though I assume you didn't come here just to inorm me."

Detective Lewis held his gaze. "No. I came because Miranda Kessler's ile had your name all over it. You were her primary therapist or the last eight months."

"That's correct."

"Care to tell me what you discussed in your sessions?"

Dr. Stevens tilted his head slightly, as i considering how much to share. "Patient conidentiality applies even ater death, Detective. But i you have a warrant, I'll cooperate ully."

The detective didn't blink. "I could get one. But it'd be easier i you just told me what I need to know now."

or the irst time, something lickered in the doctor's expression—not guilt, not ear, but mild amusement. "Easier or you, perhaps." He leaned back in his chair. "I'll save us both the time. Miranda suered rom 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 ollowing her?"

"No. Delusions o persecution rarely come with concrete details."

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

Detective Lewis inally closed his Terminal. "We'll be in touch, Doctor."

Dr. Stevens gave a polite nod. "O course. My door is always open."

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

***

"That was perect!" the director said, clapping his hands together to signal the end o the scene. His voice carried genuine approval as he looked between the two actors. "You showed the kind o tension I was looking or in this scene. It's antastic!"

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

Rhett inally 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 perormance 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 ilmed the scene? To make matters worse, this was one o the milder moments in the entire movie. Rhett realized with quiet determination that he'd need to step up his game i 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 o 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 or what they wanted. At the very least, he could trust that Rhett would give his best and not cause problems or the production.

And that was really all he could ask or with this ilm. This project was extremely important to Astrid. Not only because he was the main investor, but because he could eel this movie had the potential to lit his career to another level. Well, not exactly this ilm itsel, but the sequel that would come ater i this one succeeded. So it had to succeed, no matter what.

"All right, let's do another scene."

Director McCann's voice pulled him rom his thoughts.

And so, they continued on with the script reading.

***

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

Astrid didn't mind the long hours. He liked seeing the director's excitement. He also appreciated how none o 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 o ilming.

That was how their script reading went - illed with excitement and genuine hope or what was to come.

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

Kiran stretched his arms beore lopping his ace onto the table. "Why do we even need math? It's not like I'll use this or my major."

"You'd be surprised how oten Math comes up in our everday lie," Snow said, shaking his head.

"The basics, sure. But why the hell do I need to ind the value o x?" Kiran grumbled, his voice muled against the table.

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

Kiran's head shot up, his ace suddenly bright. "I'd never say no to snacks made by you."

This time, even Snow let out a sot laugh.