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Abruptly stepping forward, Jerry wordlessly grabbed her arm and hustled her away.
John had a poker face, while the hint of a smile curled Terry’s lips.
But Jennifer’s earlier outburst flashed through Stewart’s head.
Her ego was out of control.
All he could do was pray she wouldn’t do something stupid, and she’d still have the part when she returned.
CHAPTER EIGHT
EARLY THAT MORNING, Jerry had woken with a raging erection and ravaged his wife, keeping her on the edge until she was breathlessly begging for her release. Having control over her was intoxicating, and entering the soundstage to meet with Stewart, John, Terry and Jennifer about the problems withThe Tea Cup, he’d decided there’d be no pussy-footing around the tempestuous star. If anyone needed to be put in her place, it was Jennifer Olsen.
“Right,” he began sternly, abruptly plonking her into a director’s chair. “Sit there and listen.”
As she stared up at him, he could sense her desire to jump up and march off, but she didn’t.
“Regardless of what you might think, Terry Hardcastle is an outstanding director. I’ve seen the dailies. His instincts are on the money, and that, young lady, is all I care about. The box office receipts. In spite of your relatively adequate talent, he’s making you look good. Very good.”
She gasped, then started to speak, but he instantly held up his hand.
“One word and you’re fired! You’ll do exactly what he says when he says it.The Teacuphas Oscar written all over it, but your temper tantrums have already cost me millions of dollars and I will not allow you to cost me another red cent. One penny, Jennifer, and I’ll shut down production and start it up again next year with a talented, cooperative star. If that happens, everyone, and I do mean everyone, will know why. Your impossible behavior will be headline news, and I’ll make sure the tabloids get the story. Not only that, you’ll be slapped with a multimillion dollar lawsuit for breach of contract. Am I making myself clear?”
He had delivered his threat in a quiet, monotone voice. Watching the blood drain from her face, he knew she believed every word. With a single tear trickling down her face, she nodded.
“Yes, Jerry,” she replied softly. “Very clear.”
“Don’t waste your crocodile tears on me, Jennifer. You can take a minute to get yourself together, then you’ll walk back and apologize to Terry.”
“But, but, I’ll b-be so humiliated,” she stammered. “Do I have to?”
“A decent dose of humility is exactly what you need, and if you follow his direction, you might just get your first Oscar nomination. But if you don’t, and I get a phone call, you know what will happen.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned and strode back to the three men waiting on the other side of the sound stage.
“Terry, please have more patience,” Jerry said quietly, taking the director aside. “She’s not the most tolerant actress in the world, nor the most talented. She needs your help, even if she won’t admit it.”
