The sun had barely risen when Isabelle and Rina arrived at the set.

The early chill lingered in the air, carrying the faint smell of dust and freshly cut wood from the props department.

Crew members were already moving briskly across the courtyard, adjusting lights and preparing the next sequence. The energy felt more tense than usual.

Rina noticed it first. “Everyone’s jumpy today,” she muttered. “Something’s off.”

A lighting assistant passing by confirmed it without ...