“…What? One-one hundred million?!”
Sadie froze, standing there like a statue, her mind completely blank.
Ten minutes later, she walked out of the audition area, her face pale as death.
The moment she stepped outside, she saw Scarlett-standing there, as if she’d been waiting for her.
Sadie’s breath hitched.
‘Stay calm… don’t lose it.’
If she snapped now, everyone would know she’d lost the lead role.
She just needed to get through today.
As for later?
By the time Scarlett found out she wasn’t the female lead, it would be too late-and she would never admit it.
With that thought, Sadie lifted her chin and strode over arrogantly.
She was just about to announce her “success”-
When Scarlett spoke first.
“Congratulations,” she said coolly. “On getting the second female lead.”
Sadie’s face stiffened.
How does she know?!
This decision had just been made. Nothing had been announced yet.
Unless-
A vicious thought flashed through her mind.
Did she sleep her way to the top?
“You-Scarlett!” she snapped, rage boiling over. “You’re disgusting! Just to get back at me, you’d actually sell yourself to those executives? You’re shameless! You-“
Smack!
The sound rang out-sharp and loud.
Sadie staggered, clutching her face, her eyes bloodshot with shock.
“You-you actually hit me?!”
“You deserved that,” Scarlett said calmly. “There are ninety-nine slaps left. Do you want to finish them yourself, or should I have someone help you?”
“You wouldn’t dare!” Sadie screamed. “This is SH Entertainment! If you cause trouble here, security will throw you out!”
Scarlett turned her head slightly toward Howard.
“The remaining ninety-nine are yours. Go easy-she still has a wedding tomorrow.”
“Got it, boss.” Howard grinned, rolling up his sleeves as he stepped forward.
He’d been waiting for this.
Sadie’s face turned pale.
“Y-You better not-this is SH Entertainment! If you touch me, I’ll scream! I-“
Smack!
“Aaah-!”
The blow sent her crashing to the ground.
She scrambled back up, glancing around in panic-only to find people watching.
Watching… but not helping.
Humiliation burned through her.
Before she could process it-
Smack!
Another hit.
Her cheek went numb from the force.
“Ah-ahhh!”
“You’re dead! Ah-!”
“You’re just Scarlett’s lapdog-you-!”
Smack!
Her voice dissolved into screams.
After dozens of slaps, her face had swollen beyond recognition.
“Please-stop! Don’t hit me anymore!” she cried, dropping to her knees.
Howard looked down at her coldly.
“I can stop. But you’ve got forty-nine left. Finish them yourself. And while you’re at it-say, ‘I’m trash. I deserve this.’ Every time.”
Sadie’s eyes burned with hatred.
If looks could kill, Howard would’ve been dead a thousand times over.
“…Not happening?” he said, slowly raising his hand.
Fear flooded her instantly.
“I’ll do it! I’ll say it!”
She raised her trembling hand and slapped herself.
“I-I’m trash… I deserve this.”
Smack!
“I’m trash! I deserve this!”
Smack!
“I’m trash-I deserve this!!”
…
When Sadie finally returned to the Hayes residence, her face swollen beyond recognition, she burst into tears the moment she saw Mossa.
“Mom! She ruined me-Scarlett ruined me!”
“My poor daughter!” Mossa rushed over. “What happened? Weren’t you at an audition? How did this turn into something about Scarlett again?”
“It’s all her fault!” Sadie cried. “She made me lose the lead role! She slept with SH Entertainment’s executives-she’s disgusting! And she even had someone hit me…”
She exaggerated the entire story, twisting every detail.
By the time she finished, Mossa was furious.
“That ungrateful girl! Why isn’t she dead already?!”
How had she given birth to such a disgrace?
“I’m calling her right now-she needs to get back here immediately!”
She was ready to teach Scarlett a lesson.
If necessary, she’d break her legs and make sure she never stepped outside again.
“Mom, wait,” Sadie said quickly. “You’ve seen her temper lately. If you call now, she won’t answer-or she’ll just hang up on you.”
She paused, eyes darkening.
“Tomorrow’s my wedding. She said she’d come.”
And she would.
To take revenge.
To ruin everything.
Sadie clenched her fists.
Good.
Tomorrow-
She’d settle everything.
Monroe Residence.
After dinner. After a shower.
Scarlett stood in front of her closet.
Most of her clothes were casual-loose, practical. There were even a couple of military uniforms.
None of them were suitable for a wedding.
Just as she was about to call Howard to prepare an evening dress-
Knock. Knock.
“Boss, are you asleep?”
She opened the door to find Howard holding a shopping bag.
“What’s that?”
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.