Spoiled by the President novel Chapter 55

With that, a whip was wielded in the air.

The exploding crisp noise made Mia jump.

Owing to the case of either fright or jitters, she stammered and forgot her lines.

“If you lay a hand on them, I-I...”

What was it again?

Mia’s face turned pale. In the auditorium, Gareth furrowed his brows.

Celine looked horrific as well.

She made great efforts to persuade Gareth so that Mia could take on the role. Not only did a certain somebody come in the way, but Mia also failed to live up to her expectation!

It was not to say that she genuinely wanted to do good by Mia, but years of making it in the entertainment industry alone had an isolating effect on her.

Besides the fact that Mia was her cousin, she was also signed to her studio. Should one day Mia gain popularity, she could play her like a puppet on a string.

Meanwhile, Celine would not have to dirty her hands with Mia doing her bidding. She served as such a great rare pawn.

Celine tilted her head and smiled at Gareth. “Mia always takes things seriously. It’s her first time playing a part for you. Needless to say, she’s a bundle of nerves.”

Although Gareth still had a grisly look on his face, he did not comment.

In a way, he was keeping up appearances for Celine’s sake.

In the end, Nell silently curled her lips.

She was acquainted with the idea that sometimes the enemy would lose their footing without needing one to push them.

This was the disparity in ability between them.

Mia figured out the lines in the end, stumbling on her words as she ended the final scene.

As for the results... To each their own.

Lucy was up next.

With her downcast eyes veiling her thoughts, Celine suddenly uttered, “Director Leith, I hadn’t tried playing a matron in my years of acting! Why don’t I run the lines with her?”

Gareth frowned, perceiving it to be a bad notion.

However, as he was not in the position to refuse, he lifted his head to glance at Lucy.

“What are your thoughts?”

Lucy was taken by surprise.

If Gareth was not in the position for a refusal, she, a newbie, could not very well refuse either.

Hence, Lucy nodded. “Please do.”

Celine grinned.

After a change of wardrobe, she took a seat.

Playing Nicole Block, Lucy was detained by a few strong men.

Compared to Mia’s pompous and flamboyant performance, Lucy displayed a calmer and introverted nature.

Darting a sharp gaze at the matron sitting above, Lucy’s eyes conveyed her burning rage without words.

The matron coldly blurted, “So you refuse to learn the dance?”

Nicole was on her knees and although her hands were tied, her head was held high.

She distinctly enunciated each word. “I am the princess of Xiyue Empire, why should I acquire the lowly expertise of a performer? Kill me if you may but you can never break my spirit!”

She breathed the last four words through clenched teeth, with fearless courage and resolute for death.

“Snap!”

The whip was wielded.

Following a grunt, Nicole quivered out of pain.

In the auditorium, Nell’s face saw a change of color.

When Mia was auditioning earlier, the whip was skillfully lashed to an empty spot beside her.

She then turned to Nell.

“Oh sister, congratulations for aiding your actress in snagging this role.”

Nell looked at her, curling her lips into a sneer.

“I heard you won an award last year so I was under the impression that there must be some improvement to your acting! It seems today you were too immersed in the role by a newbie actress that you’d forgotten what you were doing. The way I see it, your standard as a movie star isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”

Celine’s face stiffened.

It was then when Mia and Lucy came out after a change of attire.

She took a deep breath in and smiled. “I can understand that you’re upset for your actress but I managed to invoke stronger emotions in her by doing so. Lucy, don’t you think so?”

Celine turned her gaze to Lucy.

Lucy took a glance at Celine before moving her line of vision to Nell.

Despite feeling wronged, she might stir trouble for Nell if she were to lay bare. She was just a measly actress after all.

Hence, Lucy nodded. “You’re right.”

Celine let out a smug grin.

Nell’s harrowing expression called Gareth to immediately intervene with a chuckle.

“Then it’s settled. Nell, bring her along to draw up a contract when you find the time. Celine, don’t forget to study the script. We start shooting next month. We need the shoot to run smoothly!”

Celine nodded. “Okay.”

Struck by a thought, Nell blurted, “Director Leith, I’ve always fancied the role of Ashley Watson. I noticed that there’s a scene on sibling rivalry. Can I try the part?”

Mia, who just had her role taken away, was not one to back down.

Hearing that Nell wanted in on it, she said in disdain, “You’re not an actress, why poke your face in?”

“Am I not allowed to get a kick out of acting? Celine is always nice to me, so I’m sure Celine wouldn’t mind doing a simple favor by running the lines with me, right?

Nell threw a meaningful look at Celine.