Chapter 51 Chapter 51
What kind of eminent figure was he to behave with such arrogance?
But if he was really someone important, how could Caroline be associated with him?
This was the first time Claire had been rejected by a man—and precisely by a man who attracted her.
This made her even more reluctant to let this opportunity slip away.
If Caroline had managed to snag a man like that, she could too!
Without a doubt.
Claire's desire to win him over grew in proportion to his arrogance and indifference.
She didn't believe there was any man who could resist her charms for long.
Claire hated Caroline — and, naturally, couldn't stand the idea of seeing her happy.
She turned to Linda and asked coldly:
“Have you found my doppelganger yet?”
“Not yet.” Linda seemed surprised by the question, but answered anyway. “But didn't your stunt double from the last movie do well? She didn't cause any problems, so we can use her again on the next project.”
She frowned, curious:
“Claire, why this sudden concern about your double?”
Claire narrowed her eyes, a cold, calculating gleam shining in her gaze.
“My sister is free lately. Let her do it.”
“Your sister?” Linda was stunned.
Thinking of Caroline's face, she frowned even more, uncomfortable. “But she doesn't look like you, Claire. I don't think it's appropriate to cast her as your double. Besides, with her looks...” She hesitated for a moment. “I'm afraid that if the audience sees your sister's face, the focus will shift.”
Linda knew what she was talking about.
Even among the most famous actresses, Caroline's beauty was rare.
There was something about her—a mixture of natural elegance and discreet coldness—that set her apart from the rest.
She didn't have to try hard to attract attention. Just existing was enough.
And that was precisely why Linda saw Caroline as a silent threat. A ticking time bomb about to explode.
But Claire just let out a cold laugh.
“Then don't let her show her face. What are you afraid of?” Her tone was cutting. “She doesn't even have a company now. It's decided. Tell the production team to contact her.”
“...Okay,” Linda replied reluctantly.
She was Claire's manager, but she knew very well who was really in charge.
In practice, Claire was her boss.
After all, the actress had the full support of Collins Investments, the powerful Cassano family company—the same one that had secured Claire the best resources and turned her into a star.
Linda sighed quietly.
Maybe she was overreacting.
With Claire's status and contacts, no other actress could compete with her.
Even if Caroline was talented, how could she surpass her without influence or resources?
No matter how beautiful she was, beauty alone didn't make anyone shine in this business.
Caroline returned to the dorm, and as soon as she entered, Tania pulled her aside.
Her eyes sparkled with pure excitement.
“Carol!” she whispered, almost jumping with excitement. “Tell me... that Prince Charming came looking for you, didn't he?!”
“I heard that Soraya Cooper and Kate were expelled. And Jacob Amorim's company went bankrupt overnight.” Tania's eyes widened with curiosity. “Was it your god who did all that?”
Caroline sighed helplessly, looking at her friend.
Ever since Tania had met Nicholas, she had nicknamed him “my new male god.”
Among all the gods in her personal pantheon, he was number one.
“Yes, it was him,” Caroline replied, without hiding anything.
“Wow!” Tania put her hand to her chest and sighed, completely enchanted. “My male god is just perfect! He's the ultimate dominant president. He speaks, and the world obeys! I bet Soraya and her brother are tearing their hair out right now. Ah, what a satisfying ending!”
Caroline couldn't help but smile a little. She was about to reply when her phone vibrated with a notification.
It was a message from Nicholas.
Nicholas: \[Bratt Malike has already booked a hotel for us tonight. José Marques will pick you and your friends up later. Tell them to choose whatever they want—I'll pay.\]
Caroline was stunned for a moment before typing:
Caroline: \[Are you taking my friends out to dinner?\]
Nicholas: \[Don't you girls have a rule like that?\]
Caroline: \[What rule?\]
Nicholas: \[Whoever starts dating first pays for dinner for the others. Aren't your friends like that?\]
Caroline blinked, incredulous.
Caroline: \[...How did you know we had a rule among girls?\]
Nicholas: \[Honey, I was young once too.\]
Caroline had to hold back from laughing.
He spoke like an old man, but he was only thirty!
Still, his attention to such small details surprised and touched her.
When a man really liked a woman, he also cared about her surroundings — and Nicholas did that better than anyone.
He was always attentive: to Sara, to her friends, to everyone who was part of Caroline's life.
As for dinner, they never exactly had that “rule,” but since he had already organized everything, she didn't want to spoil his good intentions.
“Honey!” said Tania, leaning in curiously. “Who are you talking to? Is it my god?”
Caroline quickly blocked her phone screen, trying to hide her smile.
“Hey, your god wants to take us out to dinner.” Are you coming?“
”Of course I am!“ Tania replied without hesitation. ”My god is inviting us to a fancy place? Do I need to dress formally? Oh, I'm so nervous! What if I embarrass myself in front of him?“
Caroline rolled her eyes.
”That's ridiculous!" she muttered, but couldn't help smiling amusedly.
Turning to the other two girls in the room, she said:
“Let's go out to dinner, it's on me.”
Her roommates weren't exactly close to Caroline, but they got along well enough.
They exchanged glances and nodded excitedly.
“Sure, let's do it!”
Caroline then grabbed her phone and sent another message to Nicholas, confirming the dinner time.
José Marques arrived punctually at 5 p.m., stopping the car in front of the women's dormitory.
The luxurious black Rolls-Royce parked in front of the building looked like a mirage — elegant, imposing, and completely out of place in that simple student environment. Naturally, it caught the attention of everyone who passed by.
Shortly after, Caroline and the others came down the stairs.
The driver approached quickly, bowed courteously, and greeted her:
“Miss Ford.”
Caroline let out a small sigh of relief.
She had been afraid that José would call her “Ma'am.”
Fortunately, Nicholas must have instructed him in advance.