Actors and actresses alike were known to cry easily after being scolded by Bradley. There were rumors that he had something against female actors, that he made their lives difficult on set. But those who really knew him understood that Bradley wasn’t discriminatory—he was harsh with everyone. Male or female, if you were on his set, you had better be ready to face his critique.
The rumors that had initially painted him as anti-actress soon spread to include all actors. It became clear that his harshness wasn’t about gender but about his unrelenting standards. His critics, most likely his rivals, were the ones spreading these stories in hopes of dissuading people from working with him. Yet, ironically, Bradley didn’t attract hate—he earned admiration.
People respected him for his no-nonsense attitude toward acting. He was demanding, sure, but also fair. “Actors nowadays get paid so much, but their acting is terrible!” was a common complaint from fans. “If I earned as much as they do, I’d put up with Bradley scolding my entire family! He’s just telling them the truth—maybe a bit harsh, but it’s for their own good.”
The entertainment industry had become a place where many actors were more fragile than ever, unable to take even the smallest criticism. Those who couldn’t handle Bradley’s tough love simply didn’t belong. As a result, very few dared to upset him, and when he didn’t say a word, nobody dared to speak out.
Stella, still trying to process everything, stood frozen on the stage after her performance. It was only after a long moment that she heard Bradley’s voice. “Go change. Contact the costume designer and have them make one for her.”
Stella stood there in shock, unsure of how to respond. Bradley turned, noticing her hesitation. “What’s wrong? You don’t want to act anymore?”
She shook her head. “No. I just… thought I didn’t act well. I was ready for you to scold me.”
Bradley paused for a moment before a small laugh escaped him. “You’re honest, I’ll give you that. Since you’re prepared to get scolded, I’ll be blunt with you. I’ll tell you directly if you do something wrong.” With that, he waved his hand, signaling for his staff to escort her off the stage.
Several designers came to take her measurements for the new costume. She stood still as they worked, an unfamiliar feeling rising in her chest. The attention from so many people, the cameras, the constant eyes on her—it used to make her uncomfortable. In the past, she would have avoided the spotlight, preferring to stay out of it. But now, as she sat in front of the dressing table, listening to the designers talk about her costume, she felt a strange sense of satisfaction.
As she sat there, absorbing the buzz of activity, the assistant approached with a contract in hand. “Ms. Steele, if you’d like, you can take a look at this and let me know if you have any questions.”
Stella nodded, about to take the contract when her phone rang. The number was unknown. She glanced at it and felt a brief flash of anxiety before standing up.
“Is it alright if I take this call?” she asked, stepping away from the group.
“Go ahead,” the assistant replied.
She moved to a quieter area of the set, looking around to make sure no one could overhear her. She answered the phone, her voice barely above a whisper. “Hello?”
Weston’s voice came through immediately, tense and demanding. “Where are you?”
She lowered her voice further, trying to cover her nerves. “I’m at school…”
“Why are you whispering?” His tone was sharp, like he already knew something wasn’t right.
Stella hesitated, not wanting to lie but knowing she had no choice. “I was with Roger earlier. I’m outside his class now. I didn’t want to disturb them while they were studying…”
Weston’s laugh was dark and knowing. “You’re learning things you shouldn’t.”
Stella was momentarily taken aback. “What do you mean?” she asked, her confusion growing.
He chuckled lowly again, his tone laced with amusement and something else she couldn’t quite place. “What do you think I mean?”
Her stomach tightened as the realization hit. She was silent for a long time, the weight of his words settling over her.
Skip to content