Chapter 352
“When we found him, he was hiding in the dressing room wearing the costume we had prepared for our lead actress,” the director explained. What else were they to think? A male extra, hiding in the women’s dressing room, wearing a woman’s costume he had to be a pervert.
“I honestly thought he was a woman,” the actress who found him chimed in, having been summoned by the director. “I even asked him to help me tie the back of my top. It wasn’t until he spoke that I realized he was a man. It scared me, so I called for help p>
“We truly didn’t mean to cause any trouble for Mr. Norton Stapleton,” the director said, rushing to apologize alongside the actress. “We were just… ignorant. We’re so sorry p>
Norton shot them a glare, but seeing the thunderous look on Theodore’s face, he didn’t dare act out.
“I-I just thought the costume was pretty, and I wanted to try it on,” he mumbled. “I didn’t know she was going to come in and change right then p>
Seeing Theodore’s expression remain dangerously dark, Penelope stepped in to smooth things over.
“Well, it seems this was all a misunderstanding. We’ll take him with us now,” she said to the director, then shot Norton a look, urging him to go change.
“They took my clothes,” Norton grumbled.
The director smacked his forehead and immediately sent someone to retrieve them.
A few minutes later, Norton emerged, transformed from a historical maiden back into a handsome, stylish teenager.
“Alright, let’s head back,” Penelope said, gently pushing Theodore toward the path to get a head start, afraid he might start swinging right there. She gestured for Norton to follow.
Theodore didn’t say a word the entire way down the mountain.
When they reached the car, he gave Norton another long, hard look before getting into the driver’s seat. Penelope pulled Norton into the back. Once they were on the road, she leaned over and whispered, “Why did you suddenly decide to become an extra? And skip class p>
“It’s… it’s Natalie’s movie,” he confessed.
It all clicked into place for Penelope. The film set belonged to Natalie’s project. But Natalie had taken a leave of absence recently, which Norton obviously hadn’t known until after he’d joined. He must have been waiting for her to come back when everything went sideways. She couldn’t help but sigh. A lovestruck fool was a dangerous thing.
“So what’s the deal with this suicide note?” she asked, holding up the paper.
Norton glanced at it and grinned sheepishly. “Those are lyrics I wrote for a song p>
“These are lyrics?” It didn’t even rhyme.
“Penelope listen to this,” he said,
throat to sing. She
mouth.
quickly clapped and oft
his
“Do you want your brother to drag you out of the car and beat you right here p>
Norton shuddered, his face falling. “Penelope, you have to save me p>
“This time,” she said grimly, “I don’t think I can p>
Theodore was truly, deeply angry.
Two hours later, they were back in the city, parked on the side of an unfamiliar street.
“Get out,” Theodore said, opening his door.
Norton looked like he was about to cry. “This is it. My brother’s going to beat me to a pulp right here p>
Penelope got out first, intending to reason with Theodore, but he walked a
straight past her to ad
old-fashioned barbershop,.net>
What was he planning?
Theodore dragged the reluctant Norton out of the car. He wasn’t beaten, but he was shoved into the
barbershop. The barber, a
middleaged woman, looked at the well-dressed trio clearly not per usual clientèle.
“Can I help you folks p>
Theodore pushed Norton forward. “Shave off this ridiculous mop p>