Chapter 7

The memories I had buried last night came flooding back.

My tongue felt like it was tied in knots.

"Mr. Lopez... I'm sorry, I was too forward."

I pulled Flora towards the exit.

The idea of making money was now out of the question.

I hadn't even properly met Edward before I punched him. What can I possibly expect now?

"Wait."

Edward called out to me.

"Edward," his voice carried a subtle hint of amusement, making one feel at ease, "let me introduce myself again. My name is Edward."

I looked up, stunned.

He was smiling at me.

"It was just an accident, Ms. Scott. No need to be so scared."

"Let's keep it professional. Leroy, take them to the audition."

Edward finished speaking, and I was once again taken aback.

"Mr. Lopez, do you know me?"

He raised an eyebrow, a smile already forming on his lips.

"Summer, my mother is a big fan of your voice-over work."

I was flattered. Summer was my stage name.

As a voice actor, I worked behind the scenes, and I had intentionally kept my identity hidden, so hardly anyone knew me.

Flora's gaze darted between us, and she smiled at Leroy. "Leroy, I have something to discuss with you. Shall we talk over there?"

She turned and winked at me, gently pushing Leroy away.

I could only maintain my awkward smile.

"Mr. Lopez..."

"Ms. Scott, you seem to doubt what I said."

Edward's lips still held a faint smile.

"I'm just a bit flattered, that's all."

Edward chuckled and extended his hand to me.

"Then I hope we have the chance to work together."

"Mr. Lopez, I'm really sorry about last night. I don't even know how to properly apologize."

Even though I didn't pay much attention to high society news, I knew the status of the Lopez family.

In Skyview City, there were four major families there. The Brown family and the Lopez family were equally powerful, with overlapping industries, so they rarely interacted. The Rogers family's young master was close to Raymond, and the Reyes family was the most mysterious among the four major families.

I had heard that Edward had been abroad for a long time. I didn't expect him to suddenly return, and I even slapped him.

Edward pondered for a moment.

"Ms. Scott, if you want to apologize to me, why not take me out for a meal after the audition later?"

"What?"

Edward smiled again.

"Is it inconvenient for you?"

"No, not at all. It's my pleasure."

I maintained my smile, but I found it very strange.

Edward had been abroad for so many years, yet it felt like he had known me for a long time and was intentionally getting close to me.

"Good luck with your audition."

Edward smiled at me.

When Flora and I met at the door of the recording studio, she kept looking back.

I said, exasperated, "Stop looking. Mr. Lopez has already left."

"Caroline, what do you think Raymond's reaction would be if he knew you were participating in his rival Mr. Lopez's project? I never thought Mr. Lopez would be so different from what I imagined."

I forced a laugh.

"He probably wouldn't care."

My audition went smoothly, and Leroy was satisfied with my lines and performance.

Flora waited for me at the door.

As soon as I came out, she said, "Caroline, let's go celebrate. I think this role is yours."

"Isn't it too early? We haven't received any notification yet. How can you be so sure?"

"I had to check out the competition. I just took a look, and the recordings from other studios can't compare to yours. Raymond just doesn't have the eye to see your talent."

Flora linked her arm with mine and started walking out. After a few steps, she couldn't help but curse.

"Seriously, is this world really that small?"

I followed her gaze and felt like I was frozen in place.

Raymond and Emily walked side by side, looking well-matched.

I didn't want to run into them, but Emily wouldn't let me go.

"Caroline, what are you doing here?"

Flora couldn't stand it anymore and stepped in front of me, her attitude unfriendly.

"What's it to you? Do you own this company?"

Emily looked extremely aggrieved after being rebuffed.

"I just wanted to check on Caroline, that's all."

"Check on her? You know exactly what you're doing. Emily, you're holding Raymond's arm in public, and now you say you have no ill intentions? You're not even good at being a mistress."

Flora despised mistresses.

The Lynn family was full of illegitimate children.

Raymond's cold gaze fell on me, but he looked away after just a second.

"Let's go inside."

He turned and said to Emily indifferently.

Flora was so angry she made clawing motions behind his back.

"Raymond is such a jerk. He's got issues, doesn't he? He won't divorce you, but he's all over Emily. What does he want?"

"Flora, stop. Let's just go."

I tried to suppress the discomfort in my heart.

Raymond not loving me was my biggest pain.

Seeing my unhappiness, Flora patted my shoulder.

"Come on, I'll take you to get something good to eat."

"Okay."

Just as Flora and I finished eating, we got a message from Leroy asking us to come to the company.

Flora was visibly excited for me.

"Caroline, Leroy must think you can voice the lead female character. Let's go check it out. Didn't Emily also audition? It'd be great if you both auditioned for the same project, and you got the role while she didn't. That would really piss her off."

Flora was always straightforward. If someone slapped her, she'd slap them back ten times harder.

I used to be like that too, but ever since Diana and I were kicked out of the Scott family, I had intentionally toned down my temper.

When we returned to the company, Emily was standing next to Leroy, looking smug. I suddenly had a bad feeling.

Sure enough, the next second, Leroy looked at me apologetically.

"Ms. Scott, your voice and acting are good, but your previous works aren't well-known, so..."

In the entertainment industry, connections matter more than anything.

With the right connections, even someone with no real talent can become a star.

I knew Leroy's words were just a formality. The real reason I lost today was because of Raymond.

The Brown family had invested heavily in the entertainment industry. It was easy for Raymond to help Emily get a role.

I didn't want to humiliate myself any further.

"Got it, Leroy. Thanks."

"Caroline, are you mad at me?"

Emily grabbed my wrist, looking guilty but with pride and arrogance in her eyes.

"If you really want this role, I can step aside. You know, I never want to compete with you."

I was angry and scoffed.

Did all men in the world like women like Emily?

She acted so innocent, but she did the most disgusting things.

"Really? You'd give it up? Emily, your acting is much better than mine."

I couldn't move Raymond with my genuine emotions, but she could easily win him over with just a hint of vulnerability.

"You'll win an award someday."