30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 264: What’s The Formula?

Lily Anderson couldn’t help but feel puzzled as she glanced at Aiko Nakamura, who was rehearsing lines with young actress Grace. Today was Aiko’s final scene. Would she really reveal the formula for the antidote after filming wrapped?

Or was she just playing them for fools again?

"When we get home, you have to tell me! Did you hear that?!" Lily said, imitating Ethan’s usual threatening tone. "You’re not allowed to keep secrets with Aiko Nakamura behind my back!"

Her face was soft and innocent, completely devoid of actual intimidation in Ethan’s eyes.

This woman...

"Lily, if you’re going to act tough, at least look the part!" Ethan said with a smirk.

As the master of intimidation himself, she naturally couldn’t compare.

Not wanting to waste any more time, Lily said, "You sit here for a moment. I’m going over to watch them rehearse."

"Alright," Ethan agreed without objection. He followed her closely, his intense gaze fixed on Aiko Nakamura as he studied her every move.

Lily walked over. The scene in question involved Aiko’s character holding Grace’s hand as they fled down a staircase, only to tumble down while shielding Grace. In the climactic moment, as the police arrived, the deranged villain chased them down and held them at knifepoint.

Aiko’s character deflected the villain’s attention to allow Grace to escape. When the villain realized what was happening, he stabbed her.

The staircase tumble had been shot the day before. Today’s focus was the final scene, where Aiko’s character sacrifices herself.

"Move a little to the left," Lily instructed as Aiko walked through her blocking. The villain actor and Grace were already in position, and the three of them rehearsed their lines.

The stunt coordinator demonstrated a carefully choreographed sequence to ensure the scene flowed smoothly.

Standing nearby, Lily directed them as they rehearsed. After a few successful run-throughs, she gave the go-ahead. "Okay, let’s shoot the scene."

The set immediately fell silent, the atmosphere tense.

As the minutes ticked by, Lily addressed the actor playing the villain. "Your expression can be more feral, more pained. You feel like your life has hit rock bottom, that nothing matters anymore."

Turning to Grace, she said, "You’re doing great. Keep it up. You’re terrified but can’t cry out loud because you’re too scared."

Finally, she looked at Aiko. "Your sole focus is on saving Grace, this little girl. You must embody that desperation and raise the tension for the entire scene. You’re the emotional center of this moment."

Aiko nodded. "I understand."

But then, Aiko turned her head, her gaze drifting to the side. Following her line of sight, Lily saw Ethan standing a short distance away, coldly watching Aiko.

Ethan had come to the set today solely for Aiko. He hadn’t even spared Lily a second glance.

Was he that anxious about the antidote?

Suddenly, Aiko began walking toward Ethan...

This was a filming set—what did Aiko think she was doing?

Lily followed after her, just in time to hear Aiko’s weak voice. "If I die in front of you, would you hold me?"

Had Aiko still not given up on Ethan?

"Get back to the shoot," Ethan said curtly, his tone as cold as ice. He cast a glance at Lily behind her, his expression indifferent.

"Would you hold me? Would you pity me? Would you remember that I’m your wife?" Aiko pressed on.

Leaning against a column, Ethan furrowed his brow, his patience wearing thin. He glared at Aiko with annoyance. "Are you done? Go shoot the scene!"

"Fine, I’ll go," Aiko said with a bitter smile before turning away. Her eyes met Lily’s, and Lily saw a deep, almost overflowing sense of envy in them.

The confrontation scene took a long time to film. Aiko eventually found the righteous, self-sacrificing tone the role required. She was usually adept at portraying complex characters with distinct personalities, but something about today felt different to Lily.

It was as if Aiko wasn’t acting at all.

"Alright, one last shot. Let’s take a short break," Lily said, clapping her hands.

"No need for a break. Let’s keep going—I’m in the zone right now," Aiko insisted.

Aiko really was relentless. After days of intense, physically demanding scenes, she was still pushing herself.

"Should we keep going, Director Anderson?" All set eyes turned to Lily.

This was the usual time for an afternoon break. Was she really going to push through?

Lily glanced at Aiko, who was resolute. Ethan’s cold voice cut through the air. "Let her film."

Lily turned to look at him. Ethan’s gaze remained fixed on Aiko, his jaw tense, his expression unreadable.

When the boss spoke, there was no room for dissent. The crew immediately resumed their work.

Aiko took her position at the top of the staircase, stealing one last glance at Ethan before returning to Lily to discuss approaching the scene.

"Aiko, when you fall, hit your head on the step and show the final expression of death. Your eyes should look toward the sky—dazed, as if imagining yourself dancing your favorite ballet," Lily instructed, glancing at the staircase. "We’ll film this in two takes to ensure safety."

"No need. One take is enough," Aiko said firmly.

"Who’s the director here?"

"I want to do it in one take."

"This staircase is solid. If you hit your head, you’ll seriously injure yourself!" Lily said coldly, signaling for the crew to bring over safety mats.

"You just want me to finish quickly so you can get the antidote formula. Why would you care if I get hurt?" Aiko sneered.

Lily shot her a sidelong glance. "This is my film."

Lily’s tone was resolute, and the rest of the crew urged Aiko against taking unnecessary risks. Reluctantly, Aiko agreed to film the scene in two parts.

After the initial dramatic fall, Aiko lay sprawled at the base of the staircase, clutching the bloodied prop knife. Her head rested on the bottom two steps.

"Next, you’ll do a small follow-up collapse," Lily said after double-checking everything.

The cameras rolled.

The set fell silent. Lily sat in front of the monitors, watching as three cameras simultaneously captured Aiko’s performance.

On-screen, Aiko lay on the ground. She lifted her upper body and then suddenly collapsed, her head striking the step with a dull, sickening thud.

Lily’s eyes widened in shock. Aiko’s fall was so real, so visceral.

There were no lines—only her acting.

Lily didn’t call it "cut."

Aiko clutched her chest, her vacant eyes gazing skyward. Her bloodstained hand slowly moved from her "wound" to the sky as if reaching for something beyond her grasp.

Her expression was haunting—both yearning and lost.

The set was so quiet that the faint sound of someone softly crying could be heard.

Aiko’s performance was flawless. It wasn’t flashy or overly dramatic but profoundly moving, raw, and deeply human.

Lily stood up from her monitor, unable to look away from Aiko.

For the first time, she indeed recognized Aiko Nakamura’s talent.

Aiko’s hand fell limply to the ground with a thud. Her eyes remained fixed on the sky before they slowly closed.

The staircase held a solitary, frail figure in a white dress stained with blood, like a field of vibrant, blooming flowers.

Bright. Striking. Tragic.

"Cut—perfect!" Lily clapped her hands, breaking the silence. The set buzzed with quiet murmurs, but the atmosphere remained heavy.

Just as Lily was about to sit back down, someone screamed, "Aiko isn’t breathing!"

The set erupted into chaos. Lily’s script slipped from her hands as she stared in shock. Everyone rushed toward Aiko.

"Call an ambulance!" Lily shouted, snapping out of her daze. She instinctively turned to look for Ethan.

Ethan had already charged forward, shoving aside anyone in his way with an imposing force. His bodyguards quickly cleared the area.

Lily watched in stunned silence as Ethan crouched, his face dark with fury. He grabbed Aiko by the collar, yanking her up. His voice was full of rage and desperation. "What’s the formula for the antidote?! Tell me!"

Aiko’s lifeless body offered no response, her head lolling to the side.

"Stop playing dead! Give me the formula! Do you hear me?!" Ethan roared, his frustration palpable.

The crew exchanged bewildered glances.

A pool of blood spread across the staircase. Lily couldn’t tell if it was from the prop blood pack or Aiko’s injury.

"Ethan..." Lily stepped forward, trying to stop him. "You’re going to choke her."

"Stay out of this!" Ethan barked, startling Lily.

His towering figure loomed over Aiko, his expression stormy and unrelenting. He gripped her head with one hand and pressed hard on her philtrum with his thumb. "Don’t you dare die on me! Wake up and tell me the formula for the antidote!"

Still, Aiko didn’t react.

"Did someone call an ambulance?" Lily asked anxiously, turning to the crew. Several nodded.

Lily moved closer to Ethan. He was still relentlessly pressing on Aiko’s philtrum, shouting, "Even if you’re dying, you’d better cough up that formula first!"

Watching Ethan’s frantic state, Lily felt her chest tighten with emotion.

When someone had first mentioned that Aiko wasn’t breathing, Lily’s only thought was to save her. But seeing Ethan like this... it hit her.

If Aiko was dead, then the antidote for Lily’s AuroraVirus would die with her.

"Wake up, Aiko!" Ethan yelled, his voice raw with desperation. He turned to the crew. "Who here knows first aid?!"

"She’s crying," Lily suddenly exclaimed, noticing tears slipping from Aiko’s closed eyes.

Aiko stirred faintly, her body trembling as she slowly regained consciousness. Her bewildered eyes met Ethan’s furious gaze.

She was alive.

Lily let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

Ethan’s glare bore into Aiko as he spoke sharply. "What’s the formula? Tell me now, and I’ll give you anything you want! Just say it!"

Tears streamed down Aiko’s face. Her trembling hand reached up to touch Ethan’s face. Her pale lips moved weakly. "If..."

Her voice was faint and labored. "If... you had held me just now... I would’ve told you... the formula..."

"What do you mean?!" Ethan demanded, his fist clenching tightly.

Standing beside Ethan, Lily suddenly recalled Aiko’s earlier words.

"If I die in front of you, would you hold me?"

"Would you hold me? Would you pity me? Would you remember that I’m your wife?"

"Why..." Aiko rasped, her voice hoarse with anguish. "Why is it that even in death... you only think of Lily... I’m dying... and you still won’t... won’t even hold me?"