Chapter 98
Π
Zoe fumed inside and thought, ‘All I did was mistake that girl for an assistant and ask her to fetch something. She didn’t even actually go. Is this really enough to warrant revenge?
“Your acting needs improvement,” James said bluntly, leaving no room for misinterpretation.
“That you just said I did okay.” Zoe retorted, confused and annoyed.
James felt a bit awkward and thought, ‘Not everyone understand the implicit codes of the industry. What I said usually meant I wouldn’t be calling back. Does she expect me to outright say her acting isn’t up to par?”
“Mr. Guinnes, if this is because she said something to you, don’t believe her. Zoe pointed at Ophelia, her eyes blazing. “She’s friends with Sharon. This is all about favoritism. How is this fair to me!”
James previously calm demeanor instantly darkened when Zoe targeted Ophelia. Just as he was about to speak. Ophelia stood up, meeting Zoe’s gaze head–on. “You think this isn’t fair? How about this? Since it’s just the two of you auditioning for the role, why don’t you pick a scene and act it out with Sharon? Would that be fair?”
Zoe’s eyebrows lifted. “Fine” She immediately started flipping through the script, searching for a scene she could ace.
Ophelia’s face remained unreadable. Some people only cry unfairness when the scales weren’t tipped in their favor. She glanced over at Sharon, confident in her performance skills.
Zoe finally pointed to a part of the script. “This scene.”
It was a tense moment in the story. Freya and Aiden were on a mission that went terribly wrong, leaving their vehicle teetering on the edge of a cliff. Freya, realizing the only way to save Aiden was to sacrifice herself, quietly confesses her feelings
I’ll need a male actor to p partner with me,” Zoe added. She believed her earlier missteps were due to a lack of proper scene
partners
“Of course,” Ophelia agreed without hesitation and turned to the assistant. “Go find an available actor who can help.”
The assistant nodded and quickly left the room.
James pressed his lips, feeling slightly taken aback. He thought, Isn’t that my assistant?
Soon, the assistant returned, with Thomas following behind.
“Who wants to go first?” James asked.
Everyone had a different way of performing. In a shared scene, the first actor always had the upper hand.
Sharon, being generous, said, “Zoe can go first.” She didn’t want Zoe complaining anymore,
Zoe sneered, “I didn’t ask for that, but fine. She walked to the center of the room and arranged two chairs.
The scene started
Zoe sat on the chair, gripping Thomas hand tightly. “Aiden, you need to leave. You have a better chance of survival. Follow the orders Go!”
Her voice was high–pitched, and her face mirrored the same over–the–top horror from earlier as if she were scared out of her mind. But her expression lacked depth, her fear exaggerated to the point of being cartoonish
When Thomas responded with Aiden’s lines, Zoe seemed lost, spitting out her next lines like she was reciting them rather
15:38 Tue, Nov 12
Chapter 98
than feeling them Even the final tear she was meant to shed neiler came. When the finished, Zoe stayed in character for a moment, looking defeated. She hugged Thomas in a last attempt to salvage the scene.
Thomas awkwardly held his arms in the air, clearly uncomfortable, his eyes darting toward Sharon, who smiled sympathetically
Next, it was Sharon’s turn.
She took her seat, breathing evenly as the scene began. The moment James called action, Sharon’s entire demeanor shifted Though her body was tense, she didn’t move. Only her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil. “Aiden, you need to go. You have a better chance of surviving”
Thomas, fully immersed now, responded with genuine concern. Im not leaving without you?
Tm your superior. Follow my orders. Go Sharon’s voice cracked slightly, her eyes red with unshed tears, but there was a strength in her gaze
Then, in a lighter tone, she said with a bittersweet smile, “Before I met you, I thought being single was great. But after I met you. I started hoping that true love really exists.”.
A single tear slid down her cheek as she watched Aiden escape to safety. She leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes as she accepted her fate. Her lip quivered just slightly. It was a subtle hint of her fear of death.
James couldn’t stop nodding, thoroughly impressed. Sharon had nailed it, as usual
Thomas, still staring at Sharon, felt a sharp pang in his chest as though her raw performance had pierced right through him. For a moment. Thomas wanted to rush forward and hug Sharon, but Sharon quickly flashed him a smile, snapping back to reality. Thomas hurriedly retracted his hands, flustered.
Ophelia turned her gaze to Zoe, raising an eyebrow. “Anything to add?”
Zoe’s face flushed red. “Just because I didn’t do well in this scene doesn’t mean I can’t act, she muttered, unwilling to admit
defeat
Ophelia remained neutral. True, you do have room for improvement. But right now, we need someone who already has the skills as you saw”
Zoe bit her lip, her face twisted in frustration. She knew she was outmatched but refused to say it. She thought, Isn’t this bullying a newcomer? Not even giving me a chance to grow. It’s best not to be in such a production team
She glanced back at Thomas. “You weren’t as into it when you were acting with me. Leaving those words hanging in the air. Zor stormed out of the room.
Thomas sighed in disbelief, “What kind of person is she?”
Sharon patted him on the shoulder. “She’s just young. Don’t take it to heart.”
With Franklin and Freya’s roles now settled, only Aiden’s part remained undecided.
James glanced at Kevin, trying to negotiate. “Kevin, the auditions are basically over. The person you chose hasn’t shown up. I think we should go with the guy I mentioned earlier. He’s young, popular, and bring
in a lot of buzz. We can work on his
Technically, as director and producer, James had the authority to choose the actors, but Kevin had been given the final say
by someone even higher up. So, James had no choice but to tread carefully.
Suddenly, the door flew open with a bang, and a flash of bold color interrupted the conversation
2/3
15:39 Tue, Nov 12 GU
Chapter 98
Everyone turned toward the entrance. A man in sunglasses
lin, followed by two assistan
lek 60%1
He had cherry blossom pink hair and was wearing a shiny neon–green puffer jacket with an unzipped front, revealing a white hoodie with a pink bear print underneath. His hands were casually tucked into his loose–fitting jeans, looking completely nonchalant.
“You called me in for an audition? Sorry, I haven’t read the script Who’s responsible for explaining the play to me?” He sat down in a chair, one leg casually draped over the other, exuding an air of entitlement. His attitude screamed arrogance, but as he removed his sunglasses, his strikingly handsome face was revealed.
He had sharp features, meticulously styled by a makeup artist, and an air of youthful charm. His seductive eyes glittered with mischief as he smirked, exuding a cocky, devil–may–care demeanor. It was none other than Rex, the notorious heartthrob of the entertainment industry, the man who had stolen countless hearts of young fans everywhere.
