CHAPTER 421: FINAL PRESENTATION

"It is a common saying that legends are not born..." Magdalene’s firm and powerful voice filled the room, silencing all the murmuring. "....they are made. Today, I have witnessed this legendary quotes firsthand."

Her proud gaze swept across the hall before focusing on Sarah.

"For years... I have always believed that, aside from talent, polished training always makes an actor stand out. But you, Sarah..." She paused, her voice cracking a little. "..., a young, pretty lady with no training or exposure to acting and stage performance, has proven me wrong today."

Magdalene exhaled as those words left her mouth. She looked down at her fellow judges as if to register their silent acknowledgement before continuing with her speech.

"You gave us passion...."

"Check." One of the judges confirmed out loud.

"You gave us emotion...."

"Double check." Another judge beamed proudly.

"You gave us fire...."

"Triple check." The third judge announced dramatically causing a ripple of laughter to sweep across the room.

"You didn’t just act the role," Magdalene spoke with reverence. "You became one with the role. You owned it. You lived it. You breathed it. I have nothing to say but thank you, Sarah. Thank you for giving us the gift of ingenious talent."

"Thank you, ma’am." Sarah curtsied, her heart bursting with joy and pride.

"Having said all of that, we have all come to a unanimous final decision...drum rolls, please," Magdalena said, beaming, and the dreaded young man from the group of newbies rhythmically banged his hands on his plastic chair, causing another wave of laughter.

"So, it is with great honour and pride that I present to you all, our new female lead for the 2025 newest blockbuster thriller..." She paused for dramatic effect, flickering her gaze towards Deborah, whose life suddenly felt as though it was hanging by a thin thread. "Miss Sarah Hunt."

"Ahh!" Sarah gasped, covering her mouth with both her hands, tears shimmering in her eyes.

"No..." Deborah paled, her trembling knee suddenly giving way under her weight, and she fell to her knees, cupping her face with both hands.

A thunderous round of applause erupted from every corner of the room, followed by loud cheering and clapping.

No one seems to remember Deborah, kneeling and crying pathetically on the floor.

Even those who had initially supported her in antagonising Sarah were the first to decamp to the winning team and cheering the loudest.

Then suddenly, Deborah, acting as though she had been possessed by a strange demon, sprang to her feet, her narrowed eyes shooting lasers at Magdalene." This is not right."

The celebration temporarily ceased as every eye in the hall flickered to Deborah.

Magdalene was livid with rage but she stayed calm, allowing Deborah to finish fooling herself before placing her where she belongs.

"She doesn’t deserve that role." Deborah pointed menacingly at Sarah – who simple chuckle, her smiled widening. "I do."

Sarah chuckled softly, almost feeling sorry for Deborah whose actions Was a complete description of the saying, ’he who laughs last laughs best.’

"The nerves of this brat." Amelia fist clenched. She made an attempt to stand up and go over to the stage and give Deborah a taste of her fury but Blaze quickly stopped her.

"Let Henry handle this honey."

Back on stage, Deborah continued addressing the judges audaciously, ignoring some of the warning signals from her former newbie friends

"I have worked hard for this role. I have the experience and talent. Every one of you complimented my acting skill. How could you give the role to someone without skills, experience, or..."

"Silence!" Henry roared unable to take one more nasty comment from the tramp on stage. He shot up to his feet, his voice cutting through the air like glass. "How dare you speak of such nonsense or challenge our process?"

Wild gasps filled the hall as Henry left his seat, making his way towards the stage, causing Deborah to cower in fear.

Magdalene as well as other judges all stood up is silent respect for their boss while glaring at Deborah like an eyesore.

"Mr Gordon..." Deborah whispered under her breath as she stared helplessly at Henry wondering if he wasn’t the same man who had said he was looking forward to her presentation. What changed?

Standing her ground, Deborah met Henry’s lethal gaze with her trembling eyes.

"I’m sorry, sir but..."

"If you dare cough out one more nasty word, I will make sure it’s the last thing you ever say in your miserable life." Henry threatened as he made his way up the stage.

Everyone in the room held their breath waiting for what Henry would do next as he walked up to the two ladies standing a few meters away from each other. But what he did next left a lot of jaws dropping and eyes widening.

Stopping in front of Sarah– who was now blushing like a school girl in love– Henry slipped his arm around her waist, and spoke in the softest voice, filled with affection.

"Congratulations, sweetie."

He leaned closer and kissed her tenderly on the lips, leaving many gobsmacked and utterly speechless.

When they parted lips, Henry’s cold gaze swept across the room.

"I would like you all to meet Miss Sarah Hunt, my girlfriend, my leading actress and the soon-to-be owner of this company."

Another wave of silent gasps rippled through the hall, with so many stunned glances flickering between Sarah and Henry.

"Girlfriend!" Magdalene’s widened eyes almost popped out of the socket.

"Did he just say girlfriend?"

"As in a couple...."

"I don’t believe this..."

"This has got to be the biggest twist in this drama."

The murmur rose like a tidal wave behind Sarah.

"Now that is how to make an intro," Amelia whispered, nudging her husband on the arm.

"I taught him everything he knows," Blaze replied, winking at her.

"Yeah right." Amelia rolled her eyes chuckling.

"Three days ago..." Henry continued. "Sarah came down to my studio to see me. But she was antagonised, insulted and radiculed by my staff." His cold gaze narrowed at the creative director.

"Oh boy...I’m in so much trouble," Magdalene muttered under her breath, recalling everything she had said to Sarah on that fateful night.

"My baby here, joined this audition not only to prove her wealth of talent but to correct these common misconceptions and biases against pretty young women. As if having to deal with all the unnecessary ridicule and malicious comments thrown at her face wasn’t bad enough..." Henry whipped his eyes towards Deborah, his icy glares murderous. "...You miserable wretch thought you could take out your competition by not only having her locked in the changing room yesterday but making a foolish attempt to kidnap her and prevent her from showing up today."

"No." Deborah’s face ashen, her pupils dilating in horror.

"Kidnapped!" Sarah confused and stunned gaze flickered to Henry.

"What?!" Magdalene, whose head had been lowered snapped her head upwards.

"She did what?!" Some of the judges exclaimed in shock.

"Attempted kidnapping?!" One of the newbies cried out.

"That is one sick delusional brat!" The dreadlocks guy exclaimed out loud.

"I always knew she was a jealous devil." Another lady exclaimed.

Just then, three armed police officer stepped into the hall, their expression anything but smiling. Their cuffs were ready in their hands as they approached the stage.