Chapter 282

Chapter 282:

Tatiana felt the judgmental stares of the crowd burning into her, her anger simmering beneath the surface. She clenched her fists, fighting the overwhelming urge to slap Milly right then and there. How dare Milly confront her like that in public? Who did she think she was? Tatiana seethed.

Plenty of actresses had been framed before, and they never dared speak up. Did Milly think she was untouchable?

Swallowing her resentment, Tatiana forced a tight, apologetic smile as she said to Victor, “I’m truly sorry, Victor. I’ll make sure to double-check everything before showing it to you next time.”

Victor barely glanced at her, his expression cold. “Humph!” he snorted dismissively, cutting off any further conversation as he sat down beside Milly.

Shifting his focus to the audience, Victor began speaking in a composed tone. “Thank you for attending this event…” As the ceremony began, the venue buzzed with activity, but Kiley sat stiffly in her seat, feeling painfully out of place.

The reporters eagerly flocked to the cast and crew for interviews, yet Kiley found herself ignored, like a forgotten prop. She glanced at Milly, who sat there, radiant and poised, as if she belonged on the magazine cover. Kiley’s heart twisted with envy and frustration.

Find the magic on gⱯlnσν𝓮𝓁s․𝒸𝗼𝗺

She was an A-list celebrity, after all! How could she—of all people—be overshadowed by a newcomer like Milly?

She bit her lip, a surge of indignation rising in her chest. She couldn’t stand this any longer. The humiliation was unbearable. Quietly, Kiley rose from her seat and slipped out of the event, searching for refuge.

Once inside the solitude of her RV, she immediately pulled out her phone and visited a news website. The journalists had been quick to report on the events that had just unfolded, eager to capture the buzz and attract attention. Her fans had already taken to the internet, rallying behind her.

“This has to be some kind of setup!” one fan posted. “There’s no way a newbie like Milly has better acting skills than Kiley. It’s laughable! If the role was already decided behind the scenes, why bother with an audition at all?”

“The newcomer is quite impressive.”

“She’s stunning. She must have some powerful connections.”

“Why so negative? I think she’s perfect for the role! The second female lead is supposed to be beautiful, after all.”

“I think Kiley’s fans need to chill. Victor isn’t one for shady dealings. He must have his reasons for picking her.”

“Kiley’s fans are unbearable. Anyone familiar with the book knows Milly is ideal for the role—and she’s beautiful to boot!”

The online debate was heating up, with opinions sharply divided. Half of the comments were in support of Kiley, while the other half defended Milly.

Kiley’s frustration was palpable; her eyes flashed with indignation. She couldn’t accept that Milly might be a better actress. She was convinced that once the TV drama was out, everyone would see their mistake.

Meanwhile, Madisyn kept a watchful eye on Milly from a distance. As the opening ceremony concluded, the filming of the first scene began. Milly’s performance was solid, and Madisyn felt a wave of relief. Confident that the assistant on set could manage from here, she headed back to the company.

Back at the company, Madisyn summoned Maxine to her office. “What’s your take on this fashion show?” Madisyn inquired.

Maxine glanced at the fashion show details and looked up in surprise. “This is very high-profile, Miss Johns. Is this opportunity meant for me?”

“Yes,” Madisyn confirmed. “They specifically sought me out to discuss a potential collaboration with you.”

Maxine’s brow furrowed in confusion. “But I don’t think I’m that impressive. This fashion show…” she trailed off, her gaze catching a familiar name. “Tatiana is also participating in this show.”

Madisyn tapped the table lightly, fixing Maxine with a steady gaze. “I’m aware that Tatiana will be there.”

Confusion flickered across Maxine’s face. The participation of both Tatiana and her meant the show would not be simple, as Tatiana would undoubtedly pull every string to clinch the spotlight. Maxine wondered why Madisyn was still interested in her opinion.

“Maxine, you’ve often been outshone by Tatiana, yet your overall abilities surpass hers. Don’t you want to show everyone what you’re truly capable of?” Madisyn asked gently.

She knew the company’s artists well and believed Maxine could become the brightest star in the company’s future.

Maxine was momentarily taken aback. It had been long since anyone had spoken to her with such confidence and encouragement. Her heart surged with renewed determination. She had always been overshadowed by Tatiana, whose success seemed largely due to her family’s influence rather than her own merit.

Maxine’s desire to surpass Tatiana burned fiercely within her.

However, as her excitement swelled, reality quickly tempered her enthusiasm. “Miss Johns, Tatiana and I are not the same,” Maxine sighed. “Her family’s influence is overwhelming, and I’m just an ordinary person. I have to face the reality of the situation.”

“Exactly, this is your chance,” Madisyn replied, her eyes sparkling with conviction. “The more they try to hold you back, the more you should rise above them. Use the obstacles they throw your way as stepping stones to your success.”

Maxine gazed at Madisyn, her resolve reigniting at the sight of her unwavering confidence.

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