?strongChapter 30:/strong

The director, though, really favored you; he resisted the pressure enough to set up a second audition for both of you.”

Carrie clenched her jaw, her silence heavy.

She realized she could have seen iting!

Lise and Kristopher’s presence wasn’t a coincidence.

Kristopher hade to pave the way for Lise’s sess.

Only a fool would think they could rival Lise—it was in as day.

But then, why had Carrie stepped back?

A fierce determination lit within her.

She would contend for the role, even if it meant standing alone.

In the meeting room, the arrival of Kristopher and Lise together caught everyone off guard.

It was no secret that Kristopher would spare no expense for Lise’s entry into the production, yet his personal escort to the audition was an umon gesture within their circles.

Clearly, the rumors were true—Lise had always been Kristopher’s beloved one.

Not wanting to appear negligent, the director hastened to greet them, script in hand and a weing smile on his face. “Mr. Norris, Lise, wee. Here’s the script for today’s audition. You’ll be reading the same scene as Carrie with Stewart, so we can see both your performances side by side.”

Kristopher, taken aback, paused for a moment.

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The realization dawned that Carrie was not here to find him. She was here to audition herself.

He immediately recognized the look on Carrie’s face from earlier—it was the kind of expression reserved for aplete fool.

He swept his gaze across the room, eventually spotting Carrie tucked away in the most unobtrusive corner.

Beside her sat Stewart, both of them deeply engaged in conversation, theirughter echoing softly,pletely unaware of Kristopher’s presence.

The sight of Carrieughing so freely struck Kristopher as a tant affront, especially given her earlier coldness towards him.

Yet there she was, seemingly enraptured in conversation with someone else.

Stewart was merely a handsome face with little substance.

Kristopher wondered what they could possibly find to discuss so animatedly.

How had Carrie be so chummy with industry folks despite her long hiatus from acting?

Out of the corner of his eye, Kristopher noticed Stewart sipping from a can of soda, identical to the one Carrie held, which only fueled his annoyance further.

So, that soda had been meant for him.

Lise caught the storm brewing on Kristopher’s face and worried they might quarrel here, potentially exposing their rtionship.

With a quick gesture, she interjected, her voice tinged with disbelief. “I never imagined the director was considering Carrie for the role.”

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