The room fell into an eerie silence at Weston’s words.
No one dared to make a sound, unsure of what he truly meant. Was it a casual question, or was there some hidden critique behind it?
Bradley had seen it all in the entertainment industry. From corporate leaders eager to please him to the numerous celebrities who respected his judgment, he was well aware of his influence. His films were box-office successes, with critical acclaim to match, and he was seen as a money-making machine. His ability to guarantee millions in returns made him someone everyone wanted to woo.
But Weston was different.
With his status and position, there was no need for him to lower himself to anyone else’s level.
Bradley smiled warmly, trying to ease the tension. “Mr. Ford, you’re here today for…?”
Weston’s gaze settled on him, his expression unreadable. “Director Lane, since when did you become interested in casting non-professionals in your movies? I thought, given your high standards, you would aim for something more… refined.”
His tone was flat, and it was difficult to decipher the meaning behind his words.
Bradley understood the need to be direct with Weston, so he didn’t hesitate. “Ms. Cohen may have mentioned this to you before. There was a female actress previously in the cast who Ms. Colien wasn’t happy with. She felt the actress couldn’t capture the essence of the supporting role. We’re about to fly overseas for filming, and we need to finalize the actress for this role before we leave. Time is tight, and we couldn’t find anyone suitable. That’s when Ms. Steele brought Ruby over for an audition. I found her look and aura perfect for the role, so I asked her to try out a scene.” He paused, then added, “Mr. Ford, rest assured. With my professional eye for detail, I won’t let a poor actress perform alongside Ms. Cohen.”
Bradley assumed Weston was here for Guinevere. The mention of her name sent an ironic sting through Stella’s heart.
Rather than respond directly to Bradley, Weston walked toward the cameras, his curiosity piqued. “I’m interested in seeing how a first-timer performs,” he remarked.
Stella’s heart raced, unable to predict what Weston was thinking.
Bradley, never one to reject Weston’s requests, replayed Stella’s earlier audition on the monitors. He stood off to the side, observing Weston’s expression closely.
“Things aren’t finalized yet,” Bradley continued, “I simply had Ms. Steele try out the scene, but her performance was much more impressive than some of the professional actresses we’ve seen so far.”
Weston’s brows furrowed slightly. “Impressive? She couldn’t even get her lines right.”
The sudden criticism made everyone hold their breath, all eyes turning to Stella. Some even seemed eager to witness what could be an explosive moment. In an environment like this, no one would cheer on your success. Instead, they were more likely to delight in the failures of others.
Many were envious of Stella’s fortunate opportunity. While they had spent years enduring harsh treatment and minor roles, she had walked in, by chance, and been given such a valuable audition. It was clear that Weston’s harsh words were welcomed by those who envied her.
Bradley, understanding Weston’s implication but not willing to let go of the opportunity so easily, tried to defend her. “Mr. Ford, may I ask what the issue is?”
Weston stood up, his demeanor cold. “Let professionals do what they are meant to do.”
Without another word, he turned to leave.
As he passed by Stella, he spoke in a tone only she could hear, “Come with me.”
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