Chapter 225: I have arrived
Silence quickly fell in the hall as everyone stared at Lola in disbelief.
Beauty? WHERE?
Wasn’t the whole point of that horrendous makeup combination because she was ashamed to show her face?
People tried to search for the beauty she was talking about, but no matter which angle they looked from, they just couldn’t find it.
Director Sarian pinched the bridge of his nose, then glanced at the crew. Even those who hadn’t seen Lola before shared the same twisted expression. He couldn’t blame them. Lola was talented enough to truly transform her beautiful face into... that.
"That’s enough—"
"Lola Young, what are you talking about!? Have you lost—WOW! I am speechless!" Manager Kang exclaimed. "How can you say that’s beautiful when everyone here agrees it’s the opposite!"
Lola frowned at him. "This is a cold reading," she said dejectedly, glancing around the room. Her face twitched as a few people flinched the second she looked at them.
How could all these people have such faint hearts?
"What I’m saying is—"
"A cold reading is to see how the actors handle unexpected situations and sudden changes in the script," Cedrick interjected, glancing at her. "If her makeup is distracting, was it really her fault that you were distracted just by looking at her?"
He then snapped his eyes to the others. "She’s the creator of the original script, and she will be working closely with all of us. I just think it’s unfair to blame her unique sense of style when we should be evaluating whether the problem is her appearance—or your lack of skill and focus."
"Are you telling me I lack skills?!" Simon erupted, slamming his hands on the table and glaring at Cedrick. "This might be your comeback film, Cedrick, but aren’t you a little arrogant to tell your co-actors they lack skill?"
"That’s not what I—"
"That’s exactly what you were saying!" Manager Kang shouted from the side, looking at everyone and then at Director Sarian’s grim expression.
"Simon, sit down," Director Sarian warned. "This is not a matter to get riled up. Cedrick is not wrong, after all."
Simon frowned. "Director, this isn’t just about me or my fellow actors—or even Cedrick. All I’m saying is, Slater is part of this series. And from what I’ve heard, he hates distracting things."
Or rather, ugly things.
That was just a rumor, but everyone had heard it. Despite Slater’s perfect public image, it was well known that his vanity was on a whole different level. Assuming it was true, did they think he wouldn’t make a huge fuss if he saw Lola like this?
Lola raised her brows. "Oh, don’t worry about that. Slater said I look good." She smiled, recalling his words from that morning.
"Hah!" Manager Kang scoffed. "Lola Young, what are you talking about? Don’t tell me you personally know Slater?"
"Well, all I’m saying is, Slater won’t mind my look for sure. If anything, I’m pretty sure he’ll think it’s pretty!" she intoned. "Slater hates ugly things and people, but he also has a good eye for beauty!"
Everyone stared at her in confusion and disbelief. They didn’t know whether to be shocked at how twisted Lola’s reality was or whether this was the mark of a true artist. Either way, she genuinely saw nothing wrong with her face.
Director Sarian narrowed his eyes.
Did she know Slater? He wondered, frowning. Well... that’s impossible.
There was no way Lola would have known Slater. Otherwise, she would have told him. Or at least, she would have known that Slater had joined the series.
"Anyway, I don’t see any point in wasting time," Lola sighed. "If you’re distracted, I’ll just leave the room. But as Cedrick said, this is a cold reading. During filming, there will be far more distractions. Treat this as your practice."
"Hah!" Manager Kang scoffed just as a staff member rushed inside.
Everyone instinctively turned to the staff, who jogged in quietly and stopped next to Director Sarian. For a moment, all eyes shifted to him as he whispered with the staff member.
"He’s here?" Director Sarian blurted, drawing everyone’s attention.
Even though he spoke quietly, everyone caught it. For many obvious reasons, they immediately knew who he meant.
Manager Kang sneered at Lola. "Beauty, huh? Lola Young, you should hide if you want this reading to go smoothly."
"Did Melissa tell you to fight me in her stead?" Lola quipped. "Why are you picking on the pitiful me?"
"Hah! Lola Young, stop making it seem like Melissa’s the bad person. Everyone here knows you’ve been sabotaging her life!" he argued loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Besides, this isn’t about that. I’m concerned because my artist is being affected by you. And when the biggest star arrives and sees you, isn’t that embarrassing for our industry? For those from abroad to think Novera’s entertainment industry is a joke?"
"I’m just concerned!" he added, looking at everyone as if to rally them. "Everyone here wants to do their job well, but you come here with that appearance! I’m concerned about how the production will fare once filming starts!"
"That’s enough!" Director Sarian huffed, shooting Manager Kang a sharp glare. "I understand your concern, but you are interrupting today’s agenda."
"But—"
"I am not taking sides, but Taz is right. If you’re distracted by something as simple as this, that says enough about the parts I’ve assigned," Director Sarian said firmly, standing. "Let’s take a short break. I hope once the break is over, you were able to pull yourself together."
He shot Lola a look. "Taz, you come with me."
Manager Kang hissed mentally, glaring at Lola. She just shrugged, while everyone else fell silent. Cedrick’s eyes flickered with worry.
He watched Director Sarian and Lola walk toward the exit.
I hope she doesn’t get scolded.
A shallow breath slipped past his nostrils as he watched the other actors muttering among themselves.
"She’s already distracting, but how can she claim she’s beautiful?"
"Goodness. How can she be so inconsiderate? Even if she’s ashamed of her face, her attitude is insufferable."
"Tch," Simon clicked his tongue. "Just because she’s the creator... does she look down on us? Also, did she just imply she personally knows Slater? Wow."
"Haha," others laughed. "If Slater heard that, he wouldn’t just sit still."
"He’s the only superstar who publicly fights with people online every single day and gets away with it," another muttered. "He won’t let it go if someone claims to know him personally and tarnish his taste."
"She’s really just causing problems for everyone."
Cedrick quietly balled his hands into fists, eyes sharpening as he listened to the comments about Lola. Just as he opened his mouth, noises echoed through the hall. Turning, he saw a few people setting something up at the entrance. Then, a tall, glittering figure walked in.
Slater.
And as dramatic as his entrance was, he spoke just as dramatically:
"I... have arrived."