h4Chapter 55: Chapter 54: The Banquet/h4

    "You can sign your cousin directly into your studio; it’s better than signing directly with thepany."

    After saying this, Norman Bet patted the little girl’s head and continued, "For such small matters, you can decide on your own."

    "Hehe, Norman Bet, you’re really nice." Elliana Lyle thought for a while and decided to ask Joy Lyle if she was willing first.

    So, she quickly sent a message to Joy Lyle and soon received a reply.

    Sister: "Of course, we can look out for each other. Oh, I was just about to tell you, I’m going to visit our eldest sister tomorrow."

    Kitty: "Hmm, Sister Phoebe’s house has many cats! I’ve visited before."

    ...

    Time flew by, a weekter.

    That day, after Elliana finished filming, it was already noon.

    Thomas Lee called everyone to stop and was unusually cheerful. He announced, "Everyone’s worked hard. Our premiere starts tomorrow, so today we’ll wrap up early. I’m treating, and the venue is provided by Mr. Shen, on the second floor of Vicars Hotel. It’s all ours, except for post-production staff who have to work a bit harder. Everyone who cane, please do!"

    The actors and staff present all apuded enthusiastically. Timara Zephyr stood among them, sneakily ncing at Elliana, her eyes scanning up and down, with a smile that carried an ambiguous meaning.

    "Elliana, I remember you’re staying at Vicars Hotel. How about giving me a ride?" Yates Zander approached her, speaking half-jokingly.

    Elliana did not refuse: "Sure."

    To Elliana, Yates was a very nice person—gentle, polite, and gentlemanly. Most importantly, they were both artists under Norman Bet’spany.

    So Elliana didn’t think Yates’s attention towards her was driven by any personal motive.

    "Alright, Elliana, wait a moment while I make a call," Yates said.

    Elliana nodded slightly: "Sure, no problem, I’ll wait."

    ...

    Since Victor King was also in the car, Yates Zander didn’t chit-chat much with Elliana.

    Conversely, Victor King felt a bit strange. She suspiciously stared at Yates in the front seat. Even though he was in the samepany as Elliana, didn’t Yates have his own car and driver? Why insist on catching a ride with them?

    Upon returning to the hotel, Elliana dropped Yates off on the second floor, and they parted ways.

    She hurried back to her room and couldn’t even talk much with Lana before quickly calling Luna to check on her preparations.

    Ring... Ring... Ring...

    "Hello, the number you dialed is temporarily unavable. Please try againter..."

    She called three times, but there was no answer. Elliana sighed, not knowing what Luna was up to, and had no choice but to start changing into her pre-arranged gown.

    Lana: "Madam, do you need me to curl your hair a bit? I think slightly wavy hair would look really nice on you."

    "Sure." Elliana had never curled her hair before, but hearing Lana suggest it, she wanted to give it a try.

    ...

    Vicars Hotel, second floor, the hall.

    There weren’t many people at the moment, with more than an hour until the party started. In a corner, there were two women in dresses.

    "Later, put this in a drink and serve it. Once it’s done, you definitely won’t be a minor character in my next lead role film."

    "Don’t worry, Sister Yun!"

    ...

    When the party started, Thomas Lee stood at the top and addressed everyone who hade: "Everyone, we’re very pleased to gather here today. Before the party starts, I want to thank everyone for their hard work on South Wind Song..."

    The director spoke as Elliana kept calling Luna, but still couldn’t reach her.

    Amid a loud apuse, the party officially began.

    With Luna not answering the phone, Elliana felt a bit anxious and decided it was best to keep her distance from Timara Zephyr.

    Ever since eavesdropping on Timara Zephyr with the businessman, Elliana had been extremely wary.

    No matter what Timara Zephyr offered her today, she would not eat or touch it!

    Gradually, investors and reporters approached her, the lead actress, to toast, even though today wasn’t the premiere. Most reporters had caught wind of the news and came to get acquainted.

    Elliana wore an elegant long ck dress, with naturally draped, half-concealing wavy long hair. Whether in appearance or demeanor, she stood out at the party.

    This gave the reporters plenty to talk about, with everyone praising her appearance, since the premiere hadn’t aired, and they couldn’tment on her acting.

    Elliana smiled awkwardly yet politely, responding to each person, although she drank little each time; she still ended up drinking quite a bit due to the sheer number of people, leaving her slightly tipsy, with her cheeks slightly flushed.

    Then, other crew members came to toast her, and Elliana, fearing she might do something wrong if she drank too much, only took a small sip each time as a gesture.

    Midway through the event, Timara Zephyr, wearing a backless white trailing gown and holding a ss of red wine in both elegant hands, was walking towards her.

    Elliana’s heart skipped a beat, determined not to touch any of the sses in Timara Zephyr’s hands.

    Logically, it would take Timara Zephyr some time to walk over, but as the lead actress, she couldn’t leave; she could only watch as Timara Zephyr approached.

    She saw Timara Zephyr chatting andughing with other crew members as she made her way over, slightly tipsy, with a flushed oval-shaped face.

    Timara Zephyr smiled and said, "Elliana, we’ve been filming together for so long,e, let me toast you."

    Everyone around smiled, watching the two of them, as Elliana smiled and nodded, bracing herself to say, "Sister Yun, you’re too kind."

    Elliana raised her ss only to realize it was already empty.

    Suddenly, an unknown hand appeared out of nowhere and took her empty ss, and Timara naturally extended a ss of wine to her.

    Timara looked at her with a full smile, gesturing for her to take the ss. Elliana’s hand paused in the air, feeling as if the ss in Timara’s hand was an abyss.

    But as the lead actress of South Wind Song, Elliana attracted too much attention. If she didn’t take it, Timara would surely have something to say, so she awkwardly epted the ss from Timara.

    Seeing Elliana ept it, Timara’s smile grew wider, "Elliana, may our South Wind Song be a big hit. I toast to you with this ss."

    Elliana maintained her smile and said, "Sister Yun, you’ve worked hard too," secretly thinking: "As if I’d believe you!"

    As their sses clinked, Elliana pretended to slip, losing her bnce, and the ss in her hand dropped to the floor.

    The red liquid soaked into the light-yellow carpet, quickly leaving a dark red stain.

    "Elliana, are you alright?" Concerned people gathered around, wanting to show their care.

    Supported by Timara, Elliana shook her head and smiled at them before turning to Timara and saying, "Sorry."

    "It’s fine." Timara said, helping her up.

    Once Elliana regained her footing, someone unexpectedly handed her another ss of wine. Turning to see who, it was May Lewis, who yed the role of Cailin.

    She looked seventeen or eighteen, pure and youthful, this girl seldom spoke in the crew, ying a small maid role.

    Elliana took the ss and kindly said, "Thank you."

    "Elliana, you’re too polite," May Lewis shyly bowed her head.

    After thanking May Lewis, Elliana raised her ss and addressed the surrounding staff and actors: "Everyone has worked hard, let’s have a toast. May our work keep getting better and better,"

    With that, Elliana slightly tilted her head back and downed the wine in one go.