Chloe, who always listened most to her sister, understood immediately.

  "I get it, sis. I'm not upset anymore, just felt a little wronged."

  Hearing this, Grace smiled. "Since you like this industry, you need to be ready to adapt at any time. Don't shed tears easily. The entertainment world changes in the blink of an eye. You might not even have wiped away the tears from feeling wronged before a better role comes your way the next second."

  Chloe smiled and nodded. Mina, beside her, added, "Your sister is right. Besides, the very first lesson our teacher taught us was: there are no small roles, only small actors. Chloe is so beautiful; even playing a minor character, she'll definitely be remembered."

  "Exactly, exactly."

  Her roommates nodded in agreement.

  Having roommates like these around her sister put Grace's mind at ease, even if she couldn't be there herself.

  The next day, however, Cynthia deliberately sat near Chloe in the cafeteria to show off.

  "Cynthia, you're amazing, quietly landing such an 'important' role."

  "Yeah, 'Ada' has the most scenes among the roles auditioned for that day, right?"

  "In the original novel, this character also has the most screen time among all the maids, lasted the longest in the story."

  Several classmates from Class Eight flattered Cynthia, everyone privately knowing her father had invested money in the production.

  Her family had resources, meaning she would undoubtedly be one of the first to stand out among their year. So, even though everyone knew she was a funded actor, they still wanted to stay on her good side.

  Cynthia glanced at Chloe, unable to hide the pride in her tone. "Maybe the director thought I had potential. Anyway, I think I can play anyone; it doesn't matter to me."

  After speaking, she gave a slight, innocent nod, as if affirming her own words.

  Chloe and her friends sat at the next table and naturally heard these comments. Vivian rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "Bragging to the whole world about buying her way in. So shameless."

  "Exactly," Bianca pursed her lips, placing a piece of spare rib on Chloe's tray. "Chloe, just ignore her. Anyone associated with that kind of person catches bad luck."

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  If not for her sister's words yesterday, Chloe would still be internalizing the hurt.

  But after thinking over her sister's analysis, she realized that playing a villain for a debut role wasn't very advantageous. Moreover, 'Ada's' character was treacherous, betraying her master and being ungrateful—a particularly vile and ugly role positioning. During her audition, she only performed an excerpt. If she really joined the crew, she might not fully immerse herself in such a malicious character.

  Being replaced might not be a bad thing.

  Seeing her normal expression, her roommates exchanged glances, knowing she genuinely didn't care anymore. Mina said with a smile, "Your sister's advice really worked."

  In the evening, Grace pulled out all the designer clothes she had bought recently in her dorm, thinking she should dress formally for the cocktail party.

  But after trying them all on, she realized that although she had bought a pile of brand-name items, none were suitable for a cocktail party. After all, she never imagined she'd be invited to an investors' reception.

  "I have a 'Dolce & Gabbana' dress, brand new. Want to try it?" Scarlett suggested, leaning against a bedpost as she watched Grace.

  Grace looked Scarlett up and down—her model-like slender figure—and frowned hesitantly. "I probably can't fit into your dresses, right?"

  "I bought a loose fit; you should be able to wear it."

  As she spoke, Scarlett pulled out her suitcase and started rummaging, soon pulling out the dress in a dust bag from the very bottom.

  Grace tried it on. To her surprise, it fit perfectly.

  At the very least, it looked much more appropriate than any of her own clothes.

  Scarlett patted the chair again. "Sit down. I'll give you some big waves."

  Grace looked at the curling iron in Scarlett's hand and instinctively touched her right forearm. Forcing down the discomfort in her heart, she shook her head. "No, thanks. I don't like curly hair."

  Scarlett didn't notice anything unusual and simply nodded. "You're pretty; you'll look good no matter what."

  Luxury Collection Hotel, 7:00 PM. Grace arrived as scheduled.

  "Miss Dorothy, very punctual," Mr. Jones said, his eyes barely concealing their admiration as he rushed out to meet her the moment he got her message. Even though Grace was wearing a borrowed dress and hadn't styled her hair specially, he was still visibly struck by her beauty.

  It was a casual, understated kind of beauty.

  He gallantly offered his arm, and Grace gracefully took it—it was just social etiquette between opposite sexes at an upscale cocktail party, nothing to avoid.

  Unbeknownst to them, the moment they entered the banquet hall together, their retreating figures were captured by a camera shutter.

  "Clara, what are you photographing? Do you know them?"

  Further down the corridor, Clara snorted triumphantly. "Hmph, that girl just now is the Grace I told you about, the one who seduced Eric. I've asked around. The word at school is that Grace dumped Eric out of the blue. There must be something fishy about that. Eric must suspect she already had someone else lined up. I never thought I'd catch her red-handed today."

  As she spoke, she sent the photo she had taken to Eric.

  "Eric, how can you still pine for a woman like this?"

  Eric, who had waited for three days outside the west district girls' dorm without seeing Grace, had coincidentally gone home today. He never expected to receive such a photo.

  In the picture, Grace wore a black dress, nearly half of her fair back exposed, creating a stark visual contrast with the black fabric. It was a wild, captivating beauty that simultaneously felt piercing to Eric.

  She, who was always conservative, had refused to wear black stockings even once for him. Now, she dressed so sexily for another man?

  "Where is this?"

  Eric's fingers trembled uncontrollably as he typed, his eyes fixed fiercely on the photo on the screen, as if they could spit fire.

  Eric's parents, at the dinner table, noticed their son's unusual state and instinctively exchanged a glance.

  "Son, what's wrong?" his mother asked with concern.

  Eric gripped his phone, seeming not to hear his mother.

  Clara, after receiving Eric's message, didn't reply immediately. She knew Eric must be furious.

  But it wasn't enough. She wanted him anxious and in rage. When his anger peaked, that Grace would get what was coming to her!

  As his concerned mother moved to approach him, Eric, unable to wait any longer for a reply, suddenly grabbed the wine glass in front of him and smashed it to pieces!

  "Ah—"

  His mother screamed in fright. His father finally spoke up, scolding, "Eric! What's gotten into you? Why are you acting crazy?"

  "Mom, Dad, I'm sorry." Eric took a deep, forceful breath, trying hard to suppress the raging fury in his chest. He messaged Clara again, demanding: 「Tell me where she is right now, or don't ever show your face in front of me again.」

  Clara looked at the message, a smug smile curling her lips. She could feel Eric's rage even through the screen.

  She replied unhurriedly: 「Luxury Collection Hotel. Banquet Hall V8, top floor.」