Tess quickly snapped out of her daze and led the pair upstairs, filling them in on the details as they made their way up.
“Elwood has invited other actresses to audition too. There are twenty more competing for the role.”
“No problem. I know he must have doubts about me. Today, I’ll prove I’m the right choice.” Khloe nodded, unfazed. They reached the waiting room, where a group of actresses, assistants, and agents were already seated.
As soon as Khloe entered, the room fell silent, followed by a collective gasp.
When Khloe entered the audition venue, every eye was instantly drawn to her.
Her skin seemed to glow under the sunlight, radiating a soft, ethereal light. Her long hair cascaded like a silken waterfall over her shoulders, adding to her air of effortless grace.
Her features appeared as if they had been meticulously sculpted by the hands of the divine. The elegant arch of her brows, coupled with the subtle upward tilt of her eyes, carried an alluring charm, tempered by a cool, composed demeanor.
It was impossible to ignore the resemblance to the iconic heroine of Peaks of Eternity, Roselyn Shaw.
Roselyn, the epitome of glamour, had beauty that could drive men to madness. She defied the entertainment industry’s conventions, becoming embroiled in scandal. Yet beneath the dazzling facade, she was a brilliant, eccentric scientist, whose mind was as sharp and cold as her beauty was captivating.
It was this paradox-the stunning, mesmerizing exterior, and the calculating, precise soul-that made Roselyn so irresistibly compelling.
Khloe’s appearance seemed to breathe life into that very character.
“Who is she? She’s absolutely breathtaking!”
“My God, with that look, it’s like Roselyn has stepped out of the screen.”
“She’s stunning, but I don’t remember seeing her around the industry. Could she be a newcomer?”
The staff buzzed with admiration, their whispers weaving through the room.
The other actresses kept their composure, but their eyes constantly roamed over Khloe, sizing her up with quiet intensity.
In the waiting room, over a dozen renowned actresses sat, each meticulously styled to perfection. Yet, when they caught sight of Khloe, their expressions flickered with a mix of envy, jealousy, and disdain.
Among them, Ensley Cruz leaned towards her agent, her voice barely a whisper. “Who is this woman? Is that Miss Byrd from Starshine Entertainment with her?”
The agent, equally unfamiliar with Khloe, could only offer a puzzled look. “She seems like a newcomer from Starshine Entertainment, but why would Miss Byrd personally escort a newcomer to an audition? Could she be some rich heiress? I haven’t heard of any wealthy heiresses entering the industry recently. The only one making waves is Sloane Evans.”
Across the room, Judith Perez, a baby-faced actress, shot a glance at Khloe, her expression tinged with envy. “She must be a newcomer with some heavy backing. Otherwise, why would that witch treat her so nicely?”
“True, but we have Mr. Moran on our side. Judith, just focus on doing your best. You can easily outshine her. Mr. Moran promised you’d land the role as long as you perform well,” Judith’s agent reassured her.
Meanwhile, Khloe stood off to the side, calm and composed like an unmoving statue amidst the commotion. She paid no mind to the scrutinizing stares and engaged in quiet conversation with Henrik, who was hidden behind a mask. Before long, the door swung open again.
Elwood entered, his brow furrowed as his eyes swept across the room before locking onto Khloe.
He was briefly caught off guard by her beauty, his gaze lingering for a moment. However, he quickly masked his surprise, his features sharpening into a look of clear criticism and discontent.
“Are you Khloe Evans?” Elwood asked, his voice sharp.
Khloe lifted her gaze to meet his, responding simply, “Yes.”
“I don’t think you’re right for this role. I suggest you leave now.”
Elwood’s words hung in the air, chilling the room and leaving everyone in stunned silence, all eyes now fixed on the confrontation between Khloe and Elwood.
Unfazed, Khloe’s lips curled into a subtle smile. Her voice, light as a summer breeze, cut through the tension. “Mr. Wilson, how can you be so certain before the audition has even begun?”
Elwood, with his rugged appearance-scruffy beard, untamed hair, and black-rimmed glasses hiding his eyes-gave a dismissive snort, his gaze dripping with contempt. His voice was harsh as he delivered his verdict. “You might be attractive, but you’re just a newcomer. You fit the role’s look, sure, but you can’t grasp the resilience and depth the lead demands. Don’t waste my time with this charade. I hope you understand.”
Elwood’s words cut deep, but there was truth in them. If it had been anyone else, a fresh face with connections, stepping into the lead role would have been met with jeers-labeled nothing more than a pretty puppet with no substance.
However, Peaks of Eternity was Khloe’s creation, and she knew Roselyn better than anyone. Three years in prison had torn her down, but in the wreckage, Khloe had been remade. She had fallen from grace to the lowest point, yet emerged stronger, her spirit tempered by suffering. What she couldn’t have portrayed three years ago, she could now-Roselyn was no longer just a character; she was part of Khloe’s very soul.
Elwood’s scorn was like fuel to a fire inside her. With a deep breath, Khloe quelled the rising anger, meeting his gaze with a cold, controlled intensity. “Looks aren’t everything. Mr. Wilson, let me show you what I can do.”
Her eyes, steady and unyielding, sparkled with a quiet depth, catching Elwood off guard. His stern facade wavered but only for a beat. He quickly masked it, his tone hardening. “Fine. But don’t expect any favors, even if you have the investor’s backing.”
With those words, Elwood turned and strode into the audition room, leaving a thick tension behind him. As soon as the door clicked shut, the room burst into gossip, all eyes snapping to Khloe.
“So she’s got the investor behind her. No wonder she dared to try for Elwood’s film.”
“It’s a shame, really. She’s out of her depth. Elwood Wilson is not going to risk his reputation on someone who got in through connections. Look around, she’s the only fresh face here. What makes her think she belongs?”
“Her backer has clearly fed her delusions of grandeur. If I were her, I’d walk out right after being humiliated by the director.”
Judith’s gaze towards Khloe morphed from jealousy to contempt. “I thought she was someone special, but she’s just like everyone else-publicly humiliated by Elwood.”
“Our odds just improved, Judith. The only one you need to worry about now is Ensley Cruz. She’s the only real threat left.”
The room buzzed with dismissive chatter, everyone already writing Khloe off as irrelevant, not even sparing her another glance.
Khloe, however, remained unfazed. She let the words wash over her, her focus unbroken.
Soon, the staff called everyone in for the audition. This round was different. Instead of one-by-one, it was groups of six for the first cut.
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.
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