Chapter 97
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Thomas hurried to explain, “Oh, I just happened to hear that Sharon is also coming to audition, so I dropped by her set this morning. We decided to come here together in the afternoon.
Since the start of his career, Thomas had always portrayed characters older than his actual age. At thirty, he gave off the maturity of a man in his forties or fifties. But today, it was the first time he looked so bashful.
The three of them entered the hotel lobby and took the elevator to the eighth floor. As soon as they stepped out, they saw the signs directing them to the audition room.
James had picked four people, and together with the candidates Kevin chose, there were five men and two women auditioning. It wasn’t time yet, so not everyone had arrived.
“Have you read the script?” Ophelia asked Sharon, concerned she might not have had time to go through it amidst her busy filming schedule.
Sharon nodded enthusiastically. Thave, and it’s so intense. I love it. As she spoke, she stole a glance at Thomas, sitting opposite them with his aloof, serious expression. She thought, Thomas resembles Franklin so much. It’s just perfect. The chemistry between Aiden and Franklin is irresistible.
Ophelia scratched her head speechlessly.
Just this, the distinct click of high heels echoed from afar
A coat was tossed onto the seat next to Ophelia, its edge brushing against her.
“Cops, sorry about that A casual voice came from above. A second later, the sofa beside Ophelia sank under the weight of someone sitting down
Ophelia turned to see a strikingly cold–looking woman touching up her makeup with a compact, exuding an air of superiority. This was Zor, another actress auditioning
James had selected her. She was relatively new but had gained tame for a villain role in a previous drama. Her sharp and straightforward persona had quickly become her trademark. She seemed to regard everyone with an indifferent glance.
“Are you here for the audition too?” Zoe finally looked directly at Ophelia, seemingly unable to ignore Ophelia’s striking appearance and presence.
“No.” Ophelia replied plainly, not thinking much of it. She stood up and checked the time, getting ready to head to the adjacent audition room.
“Then could you head downstairs to my car and grabs my makeup artist? I need a lipstick,” Zoe said, dabbing her lips with her finger, then returning to her dismissive
Zoe thought. If she is not here for an audition, she must be an assistant. Anyway, I have never seen her in the circle!
Ophelia smirked slightly. “I don’t think that’s part of my job” She patted Sharon on the shoulder, offered a quick “Good luck“.
Zoe snorted, choosing not to bother with someone she believed to be a mere assistant,
James and Kevin were already waiting in the audition room. Without Ophelia. Kevin had seemed lost. He was an introvert. Sitting next to James only made him embarrassed.
“Finally, you’re here. James let out a relieved sigh. Somewhere along the way, Ophelia had become his pillar of support.
The two men sat like twin guardians, leaving the center seat empty for Ophelia.
Chapter 97
Resigned, Ophelia sat between them. “Alright, let’s begin
The first group to audition consisted of two young men from talent shows, both auditioning for the role of Aiden. They were age–appropriate for the character.
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The scene they had to perform was a crucial one. Aiden discovered that Logan’s killer might be none other than Franklin: While it was a simple scene, the emotional complexity made it incredibly challenging. The internal turmoil and the conflict had to be perfectly portrayed.
Unfortunately, both actors struggled. The first one delivered a blank, emotionless performance. The second went for the opposite. He was screaming and crying, pouring all his sadness into the role, but it was far too exaggerated.
“This isn’t right.” Kevin muttered and crossed out their names
James, on the other hand, felt Kevin was being too picky. “I thought the second one was pretty good. Lots of emotional intensity.”
After the actors left, James voiced his opinion. “Kevin, I think you’re being too hard on them. Just wait until you see Rex’s acting. The second guy had great energy.”
Kevin waved his hand dismissively. “You don’t get it.”
“I don’t get it? Really?” James threw his hands up in disbelief. Tm the director, Kevin. I don’t get it?”
Kevin jurned to Ophelia. “Elia, what do you think?”
Ophelia rubbed her temples. No wonder they’d stuck her in the middle. She might have been better off tagging along with Kenneth
“Where’s Rex?” she asked James assistant. The assistant shook his head in resignation. Rex never followed company schedules, always doing as he pleased.
Ophelia sighed, “Let’s put these two on hold. Call the next group
The next p
pair
were auditioning for the role of Franklin. The scene was the first time Franklin crossed the line to protect Aiden, risking exposure of his crimes to save him. It was a purely emotional scene, with no dialogue, only expressions. Franklin usually kept his emotions in check, but at this moment, he was flustered.
The first actor’s performance was exaggerated and surface–level. His panic shattered Franklin’s calm and stoic image Thomas, on the other hand, nailed it. He managed to convey Franklin’s fear while still maintaining his composure.
Next came the audition for the female lead. Zoe strutted in confidently, but when she saw who was sitting in the middle seat, her face faltered.
Zoe blinked embarrassingly and thought. It’s that girl from the waiting room. of the team, and sitting in the center at that
“Are you starting already?” James, oblivious to the tension, asked
She isn’t just someone’s assistant. She is part
The scene was where the heroine, Freya, began to suspect Aiden’s identity after two failed missions. She planned to confront him but instead caught Franklin leaving his house, and everything clicked into place.
“Not yet. I’m going to act now.” Zoe took a deep breath and began. Her eyes bulged dramatically, and she kept whispering, “No way. It can’t be… Absolutely not…” She shook her head wildly, stumbling backward as though she had seen a ghost
Kevin barely glanced up before crossing out her name.
Ophelia glanced at James, silently asking. “Your call?”
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Chapter 97
James cleared his throat. “Not bad. You can wait for our call”
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Zoe, thinking she had a real chance, gave Ophelia a triumphant look, convinced the decision rested with James..
Then it was Sharon’s turn. Her performance was calm and controlled, but her eyes betrayed the depth of her inner turmoil Deep down. Freya had always known the truth. All the signs pointed to it. Freya had just been in denial. But now, she had made up her mind, exhaling slowly as if releasing all her doubts
Kevin clapped his hands in admiration.
Ophelia nodded approvingly. “That was excellent. Mr. Guinnes, what do you think?
James chuckled, walking over to Sharon and patting her on the shoulder, “Sharon’s acting has always been top–notch.”
Outside, Zoe, who had been eavesdropping, barged back into the room. “Mr. Guinnes, what does that mean? You told me to wait for your call, didn’t you?”
Her eyes darted toward Ophelia, suspicion growing. She thought. It has to be her. She must have badmouthed me to Mr. Guinnes.
