Chapter 22 CUT THE BRAKES!
THIRD PERSON'S POV
Jolie walked onto the stage, holding an envelope in her hands. For the past few hours, she’d been trying to reach Erica, but her phone remained switched off. Worry gnawed at her. Jaxon had already gone out to look for Erica and returned empty-handed, yet no trace, no sign.....Nothing.
Jolie swallowed hard. Anxiety tightened in her chest as she stepped into the glow of the glistening stage. She tore open the envelope.
“My miss has entitled me to announce the three selected female leads for Lorenz,” she said.
The room fell dead silent, heads turned.....murmurs rippled through the crowd like sparks in dry grass.
Giselle, who had been fidgeting with her phone like her world was about to collapse, froze. She looked up at Jolie, her pulse thudding. She had signed the contract, but that foolish Freya had sabotaged her earlier. Even so, she felt sure she had the role in her grasp… though a heavy unease coiled inside her stomach.
Her hand trembled around her phone.
“Vivi,” Jolie announced.
All eyes turned toward Vivi — some smiling, others jealous. Vivi walked to the stage gracefully, a faint smile curving her lips.
“Emily,” Jolie said next.
Giselle’s entire body stiffened. What? Her gaze snapped toward Emily, anger flashing in her eyes. She pressed her fingernails into her wrist until her skin turned red. Did Erica not choose me? Emily? That brat who’s only been in one film?
“Lastly…” Jolie paused, scanning the room, “Giselle.”
Giselle froze again, relieve flickering across her face. A moment later, she forced herself to move. Her legs wobbled slightly as she climbed the stage, a smile settling on her lips to hide her shock. She hid her reddened hand behind her back and stood tall beside the others.
Vivi stepped forward, voice smooth and confident.
“This is so shocking. I can’t believe I’m standing here, but I’m grateful, to my fans and for everyone’s love and support,” she said, then stepped back. The audience clapped warmly.
Next came Emily. Her presence drew whispers instantly. Everyone seemed stunned that she had been chosen, especially after all the gossip about her attitude and arrogance.
“Um… thank you everyone, and thank you Miss Erica for seeing potential in me…” she said quietly.
The crowd didn’t clap, not one person. Dozens of eyes simply stared at her like she didn’t belong there.
“That’s all,” she muttered and stepped back, her gaze lowered. Her reputation was a mess—to repair it now would take time, effort, and miracles. Her lips trembled faintly as she stood there, feeling like a scolded child.
Giselle’s lips curled into a grin, quickly hidden, as she leaned closer to the mic.
“Hello, everyone.”
“I want to thank my fans, my family, my precious dog, and everyone who’s supported me this far. And, of course, Erica for seeing great potential in me. I promise to make you proud,” she said, flashing her dazzling smile.
The crowd erupted with applause.
“Giselle’s speech was so heartfelt!”
“I loved Vivi more though.”
“Emily didn’t sound confident at all. Maybe the rumors are true.”
“Giselle and Vivi are my favorites!”
“I actually like Emily better.”
Fan comments popped up on the giant screen, flooding in by the second. Giselle’s smile widened with renewed confidence. She stepped back beside the other two—but paused when Vivi suddenly took Emily’s hand and walked forward again.
“There’s also been speculation about the casting for Love and Pleasure,” Vivi began, her smile serene and teasing. “So I’m here to officially announce that the roles have been finalized.”
She turned to Emily. “I’ve been cast as Rosalia, the lead role in Love and Pleasure.”
The crowd erupted in excitement.
Giselle’s smile froze, sweat tickled down her forehead, her pulse stopped.
“What?” she whispered, stepping forward slightly.
Emily reached for the mic next. “And I’ve been cast as Danielle in Love and Pleasure.”
That one sentence shattered Giselle.
“Oh my gosh, I love that novel!”
“Vivi suits Rosalia so perfectly!”
“Emily as Danielle? Surprising, but she was great in her last drama!”
“I can’t wait for the adaptation!”
“What about Giselle? Didn’t she get a part?”
The crowd’s comments struck like bullets. Every gaze turned toward Giselle, who stood frozen, her confidence melting away.
She took a shaky step forward. Danielle. That was her dream role. How did Emily take it? How could a top actress like her be left with nothing?
“You must have been given a role too, right?” Annie’s voice chimed, cheerful and mocking.
Giselle blinked, dazed. Shen Annie had just walked onto the stage, her own smile painted bright.
“I was given the role of Xi, Danielle’s best friend,” Annie said proudly, tilting her chin up. She knew this was her moment, her name would finally trend with the rest.
“Surely you must have gotten a role, especially as a top actress,” Annie pressed, turning the spotlight back on Giselle.
Giselle’s lips twitched, forcing a smile. “Of co—”
“Well, that’s all for today, ladies and gentlemen!” Jolie cut in quickly, clapping her hands. The crowd joined in as the tension slowly faded.
Jolie didn’t care to watch the drama unfold, she was still worried about Erica.
As the event ended, everyone left the stage. But the crowd swarmed Vivi and Emily, showering them with congratulations, offers, and compliments.
Giselle stood off to the side, her stomach twisting with jealousy. No one even looked her way.
Then her phone dinged, a message from Freya.
“The lead roles have been finalized and can’t be changed. Only minor roles remain open. Also, the villain ‘Nikki’ hasn’t been cast yet.....And one more thing… Emily is no longer under EST Entertainment. She’s now with LY Entertainment.”
Giselle’s jaw clenched. Her gaze zeroed in on Emily, pure hatred burning inside her eyes.
She’d stolen her role. The role she’d schemed and fought for. Forcing a smile, Giselle pushed her way through the crowd and stopped in front of Emily.
“Your contract with EST expired yesterday. I was shocked to learn that,” she said smoothly. “So, what agency are you under now?”
Emily hesitated, caught off guard. “I… I’m with LY Entertainment agency now. They signed me.”
“That’s nice,” Giselle said, smiling sweetly, though her eyes gleamed like knives. “You really worked hard for your goal. How… sexy.”
The crowd chuckled, agreeing, thinking Giselle was being playful.
Then Giselle suddenly pulled Emily into a hug, patting her back softly.
“But remember,” she whispered, her voice venomous and low, “just because you left EST doesn’t mean you can escape me. I’ll hunt you down.”
Her smile stayed flawless for the cameras.
Emily’s lips curved slightly. She whispered back, “Angry because you didn’t get Danielle? Don’t worry, I’ll play her so well, you’ll love it.”
Her voice dropped, sharp and confident. “Giselle, acting high and mighty only works when you’re winning. Let’s see who really ends up on top… after all, only one of us can rise higher.”
She pulled back with a soft laugh, smiling brightly before walking away, leaving Giselle standing stiffly on the spot.
Giselle’s face stayed calm, but her hands trembled. Her lips twitched, and she bit down on them, fury simmering in her heart.
As she walked away, she lifted her phone and muttered darkly into it.
“Cut the brakes.”
“What?” came the reply.
“I said… fvcking cut the brakes, or you lose your head.”