Chapter 17
Taylor’s question piqued Samuel’s curiosity. He put down his pen and turned to Lila.
“Lila, I don’t know much about your skills either. Tell us what you think. Do you think she is suited for this role?”
After a pause, he added, “Don’t worry about getting it wrong. This is the only way we can guide you. So, do you think she fits?”
Lila paused her writing. “Her acting is excellent. She would definitely make this role shine.”
Samuel’s eyes flickered slightly.
Dorian’s smirk grew wider. Even he could see that the actress had skill and beauty but wasn’t quite right for this part. Lila’s opinion seemed to catch Samuel off guard.
“If you’re not professional enough, go back and study more before wasting Mr. Grant’s time here,” Dorian said mockingly as he strolled over.
Taylor frowned, his wrinkles more pronounced. But before he could say anything, he noticed Camille approaching.
Camille wore her usual elegant black silk gown with subtle patterns. An emerald hairpin pinned up her hair, and a white shawl draped over her shoulders.
She walked gracefully, the dim lighting casting shadows that accentuated her porcelain skin. Although she was no longer a young girl, she seemed even more stunning.
Time had not aged her. Instead, it had gifted her with a captivating charm.
“I actually agree with Lila. This actress could fit the role well. A sweet, innocent appearance with the lightest makeup, yet capable of killing everyone in the story but the unrequited male lead. Wouldn’t that be fascinating?”
Camille’s voice matched her presence-mature and knowledgeable, with an undeniable elegance.
Lila nodded, a bright smile spreading across her face like a sunflower basking in sunlight. The sight caught Dorian off guard. He hadn’t seen that look in a long time.
Samuel clapped his hands on his thighs. “So that’s the angle! Is that what you meant, too, Lila? Now that you put it like that, it does sound intriguing.”
They discussed the idea further, with Dorian remaining on the sidelines. In the end, the actress was confirmed for the role.
Dorian glanced at Lila, who appeared completely indifferent. He couldn’t help but think that she was pulling off the act surprisingly well.
But he had a lingering concern. Samuel and Taylor clearly valued Lila’s input, and Camille even more so. What would happen if Lila intentionally targeted Zara in the audition later?
Soon, Zara came in to audition. As she waited, she gave Dorian a subtle nod, which everyone noticed.
Camille frowned and asked Taylor in a low voice, “What is she doing here?” Taylor huffed, clearly displeased. “Dorian recommended her.”
No wonder Lila had told him so firmly this morning that it was over between her and Dorian. Who could tolerate this kind of behavior?
Camille instinctively glanced at Dorian. After Zara finished her audition, she called Dorian over to a further corner.
“Mrs. Foster, is there something you need?” he asked respectfully.
Camille’s expression had turned icy, devoid of any warmth she had shown while speaking with Lila. Now, she radiated a coldness that kept everyone at a distance. “You still remember who I am?”
“Mrs. Foster?” Dorian looked confused, maintaining his respectful tone.
“I will never forget the gratitude I owe my teachers. May I ask why you’re angry?” Camille’s gaze was icy as she looked him over, her brows knitting together. “Dorian, I always thought you were sharp and knew right from wrong. How could you be so foolish when it comes to matters of the heart?”
“Mrs. Foster, are you here to mediate for Lila?” Dorian chuckled sarcastically.
“She was the one who proposed the breakup. I’ve been giving her chances. As long as she doesn’t cause any more trouble, we could still go back to how things
were.
“But her stubbornness is baffling. Even if you want to stand up for her, you should understand the reasons first.” His last sentence carried a hint of blame.
Camille frowned, her gaze still scrutinizing. “Dorian, do you still love Lila?”
He frowned, too. “If I didn’t love her, I would have made the termination of our contract public long ago. Do you really think she’d still be able to stand here if I didn’t care?”
Camille’s expression didn’t soften. “I asked Taylor to bring you into this project to give you two a chance. But you absolutely shouldn’t have let Zara audition.” Dorian’s brow furrowed even deeper.
“Mrs. Foster, I brought Zara in to audition only because she admires Mr. Foster. This is an unmissable opportunity for her to step onto the international stage.
“Our relationship is completely innocent. She is just a friend from childhood. She is like a sister to me.”
“A sister?” Camille’s gaze turned colder as she sneered. “Since when does a sister need something so personal from her “brother”?
“And what kind of man constantly ditches his girlfriend for a so-called “childhood friend”? What kind of sister is this?
“This is an intimate relationship! Dorian, are you really clueless, or are you just pretending?”
He paused noticeably. “Mrs. Foster, please be careful with your words. My relationship with Zara is innocent. Whether you believe it or not, that’s all I can
say.”
Camille let out a short, frustrated laugh. “You’ll regret this.”
With that, she turned and walked away. Dorian’s gaze drifted toward Lila, who
was writing something down in the distance.
She was beautiful and graceful, pure yet alluring. These two opposing
descriptions seemed to fit her perfectly without contradiction.
He shook his head. If anyone should regret it, it was Lila. The entertainment
industry was filled with pretty faces, but Lila had nothing else to offer.
After Zara finished her audition, she came to find Dorian. She jumped in front of him, believing herself to be adorable. “Dorian! I didn’t mess up, did I?”
His gaze softened, and he ruffled her hair. “You were great. Your acting has improved a lot, much better than I expected.”
“Really? Does that mean I have a chance at getting this role?”
Before he could respond, her eyes dimmed with worry. “But I noticed that Ms. Hart was involved in the casting. She probably has a big misunderstanding about me. Do you think she…”
“She won’t,” Dorian replied firmly, although his brows remained knitted.
Lila wasn’t the kind to hold personal grudges in her work. He had always known that. But when he looked at Zara, doubt crept in.
For someone else, maybe not. But for Zara… Lila loved him. Her obsession might lead her to target Zara, trying to push her out of the picture.
If Zara succeeded in her audition, they would end up in the same production. Her character would share many scenes with him.
Sensing his worry, Zara grew anxious. “Dorian, I really want this role. You know how short my career has been.
“My agency doesn’t take me seriously. Winning a Best Actress award would only be a domestic achievement. I truly need a major production to elevate my status.
“I don’t even care about going international. I just want to raise my profile domestically so that my company can provide me with better resources. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.”
She clung to his arm, her eyes grew misty with desperation. It made her look even more fragile and endearing.
“Dorian, please help me and talk to Ms. Hart, okay? I’m begging you.”