“You’re not getting it.”
“…Excuse me?” Sadie blinked, then let out a short, incredulous laugh. “You think I’m not getting it? Since when do you get a say in that? Who do you think you are?”
“Want to make a bet?” Scarlett said, her tone flat. “You’re not landing that role.”
Sadie burst out laughing.
“A bet? With you? Fine – let’s make it interesting.” Her eyes gleamed. “If I win, you kneel right here in front of SH Entertainment and slap yourself a hundred times. Deal?”
Scarlett’s gaze turned ice-cold.
“And if you lose?”
Sadie scoffed. “Lose? Please.”
Then she smirked.
“Same terms. If I lose, I’ll kneel right here and slap myself a hundred times. So? You in – or too scared?”
“Fine,” Scarlett said calmly. “Just don’t back out.”
“Back out?” Sadie sneered. “That’s rich. Whoever backs out is pathetic.”
Nearby, Howard’s expression turned cold.
Some people really had no idea when to stop digging their own grave.
Picking a fight with his boss? Sadie had no clue who she was dealing with. Scarlett had once been a major shareholder in SH
Entertainment – and even now, she held more influence than anyone in that building.
If she wanted control of the company, all it would take was a word.
She simply wasn’t interested.
Scarlett checked the time. What should’ve been a comfortable schedule had been cut short – less than ten minutes until the executive meeting.
“Let’s go.”
She headed inside.
Sadie watched her leave, only now noticing the sharp, tailored outfit.
That wasn’t something you wore to an audition.
So if she wasn’t here to audition… then what?
A job interview?
The more she thought about it, the more certain she became.
Scarlett had just gotten out of prison. No home, no money – of course she needed a job.
Yeah. That had to be it.
“How delusional,” Sadie muttered.
A criminal record – and she still thought she could work at SH Entertainment?
Inside the elevator, Scarlett turned slightly toward Howard.
“I’m heading to the meeting. Handle the rest.”
“Don’t worry, boss.” Howard grinned, eyes gleaming. “I’ll make sure she gets a reality check.”
He’d been sick of Sadie’s arrogance for a long time.
Today, he finally had the chance to knock her down a few pegs.
Just as he was mentally planning how to crush her confidence, Scarlett added calmly,
“Don’t overdo it. Think of this as the appetizer. Her wedding is tomorrow – that’s when the main event begins.”
Howard’s grin widened.
“Got it. I’ll keep it under control.”
He knew exactly why Scarlett had tolerated Sadie all this time.
She wasn’t holding back –
She was setting the stage.
Tomorrow, at the wedding, Sadie and that scumbag ex of hers, James, would lose everything in front of everyone.
Sadie sat in the audition waiting area.
Around her, other actresses glanced her way – some already looking defeated.
Compared to her status and connections… what chance did they have?
“Sadie’s here… we’re done for.”
“Yeah. I mean, I wasn’t aiming that high anyway. If I can’t get the lead, I’ll go for a supporting role. It’s an SH production – huge budget. I’ll take anything.”
“Sure, but who wouldn’t want the lead?”
“What choice do we have? With Sadie here, it’s basically over.”
“…”
Hearing the whispers, Sadie’s lips curved into a satisfied smile.
She hadn’t spent years climbing the industry ladder for nothing.
And the director of this project?
He had pursued her once.
Honestly, if he weren’t so old – and so notoriously messy with relationships – she might’ve considered it.
Because of that, she was completely certain the lead role was already hers.
Scarlett…
Just wait.
You’ll be kneeling outside, slapping yourself a hundred times.
“Next – Sadie Hayes.”
At the sound of her name, Sadie stood, lifted her chin, and walked in with effortless confidence.
Three minutes later –
She stood frozen.
“W-What did you just say?” Her voice trembled. “I… didn’t get it?”
Her composure cracked.
“Why?!”
The director glanced at the staff and gestured for them to leave before turning back to her.
“Sadie… don’t blame me. This came from above. You’re not approved for the lead role.”
Sadie went still.
“…What do you mean? What’s going on?”
The director frowned.
“That’s what I should be asking you. Who did you offend?”
Her heart dropped.
“I didn’t! I haven’t offended anyone!” Panic crept into her voice. “And even if I did, I’d never go up against someone from SH Entertainment’s upper management!”
The director studied her for a moment, then nodded slowly.
“Then maybe… you crossed someone without realizing it.”
He leaned back slightly.
“Think carefully. In the past couple of days – did you upset anyone?”
Sadie tried to think.
The past two days had been a blur – wedding prep, fittings, meetings. She hadn’t had time to deal with anyone.
Then –
A face flashed in her mind.
Scarlett.
They had just made that bet outside the building.
Could it be her…?
No.
That was ridiculous.
She shut the thought down immediately.
There was no way this had anything to do with Scarlett.
If not her… then who?
“Director…” Sadie’s voice softened, taking on a pleading edge. “Is there really no room to reconsider? Could you… talk to them for me?”
“Sadie, it’s not that I don’t want to help,” the director said with a weary sigh. “This came straight from the top. My hands are tied.”
Panic tightened in her chest.
She stepped closer, lightly gripping his arm, her tone turning soft, almost coaxing.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.