Chapter 110 Chapter 110
“Don't play the saint, Caroline!” Tania laughed. “I seriously doubt your ability to get out of that bed. With a man like Nicholas Wolf... I bet he kept you up all night. They say men like him don't let you leave the bedroom for three days before they're satisfied.”
Caroline was speechless.
Tania's mind was a sewer... or she read too many erotic novels!
Three days in bed?
Caroline rolled her eyes, feeling her face flush. If that were the case, Nicholas wouldn't be human, he'd be a hydraulic machine! He'd die of exhaustion before 24 hours were up!
“Stop thinking nonsense!” Caroline bit her lip, blushing. “We're not like that! And nothing like that happened!”
Tania obviously didn't buy her innocence. “Nothing happened”... yeah, right. You don't have to be shy with me. I bet it was much more exciting than my poor imagination can conceive, right? I knew it! The Wolf is wild!
Caroline sighed, defeated.
“Actually... it's not quite like that!”
Much more exciting?
If Tania knew the truth... The “excitement” of the night was menstrual cramps and a desperate search for pads.
It was a battle, yes. But a bloody battle and not a sexy one!
“Okay, okay, you don't have to explain the sordid details. It's spicier in your head, I know.”
Caroline gave up. “Forget it. You're hopeless.”
“Okay, okay. I'll stop teasing you.” Tania laughed a little more before her voice suddenly turned serious. “But, friend, I have something important to tell you. Remember when you said Globs Entertainment called you offering that job?”
“I remember.” Caroline frowned, sensing a change in the atmosphere. “What about it?”
“I've been investigating. And I found out that this production has everything to do with your dear sister.”
“You mean Claire?” Caroline's stomach knotted. “What does she have to do with it?”
If Tania hadn't mentioned it, she would have almost forgotten about that strange phone call.
“Claire just signed the contract to be the lead in this new movie, produced by Globs,” Tania explained, her voice tinged with disgust. “She didn't recommend you out of kindness, Caroline.”
She specifically asked for you to be her body double.
— Body double?
— And it's not for kissing scenes or artistic nudity. I read the leaked script. It's an action movie. — Tania's voice trembled with anger. — The movie has explosions, high jumps, wire work... high-risk scenes.
Caroline felt a chill run down her spine.
“She wants you to do the dirty, dangerous work,” Tania continued indignantly. “There were dozens of supporting roles she could have recommended you for if she wanted to help your career. But no. She wants you to be her shadow. She wants you to get hurt so she can shine.”
Tania snorted on the other end of the line. “Your half-sister is disgusting. She already stole your fiancé, and now she wants to destroy your physical integrity? How can someone be so vile?”
Caroline clutched the phone tightly. Her lips formed a thin, silent line.
Stunt double.
Claire knew Caroline needed money for her grandmother.
She was counting on Caroline's desperation to lure her into a trap.
If Caroline accepted, she would be Claire's “punching bag” on set. If she got hurt, Claire would probably laugh behind the scenes.
The cruelty was calculated.
“Caroline? Are you there?” Tania called, concerned by the silence.
“I'm here,” Caroline replied, her voice cold. “Thanks for letting me know, Tania. Now it all makes sense.”
At that moment, the bedroom door opened.
Nicholas entered, holding a cooler bag wrapped in a soft towel and a tray with a glass of steaming water.
He looked like the perfect husband.
Caroline looked at him, and the contrast between her sister's cruelty and this man's care made her heart ache.
“Carol, wake up! You have to fight back!” Tania's voice vibrated over the phone, charged with righteous indignation. “She wants to walk all over you? Fine. Then use that as a stepping stone. Show her that you're not just surviving, you're thriving.”
Show her that you're a hundred times better than she ever dreamed of being.
Tania snorted, her anger palpable.
"And what difference does it make if she stole Edward's trash? Frankly, he did you a favor. Your ‘Mystery Husband’ beats him ten to zero. She's acting like a queen just because she has the Collins' support? Big deal. You have the Wolf! You have nothing to fear.
“Even if it's not to rub it in her face...” Tania softened her tone. “Do it for yourself, Carol. You were born to shine.”
Caroline remained silent for a long moment, absorbing her friend's words. The fire of determination began to burn away the ashes of her hesitation.
She was tired of being the victim. Tired of hiding.
“Carol?” Tania called, concerned by the silence.
Caroline took a deep breath, her eyes shining with a new light. “Tania... do you have any audition slots available right now?”
“... Are you serious?!”
Tania's shock lasted a second, soon replaced by loud euphoria. “Yes! Of course I do! Do you want to try movies or series?”
Caroline pondered. She was practically invisible in the industry. Aiming for cinema now would be arrogant; the path to the big screen was brutal even for veterans.
“Drama series,” she decided. “Let's start where I have a chance.”
“Perfect!” Tania replied immediately, the sound of keys being typed in the background. “I have an open audition. It's for the third female role, but it's a big production. Do you want to try?”
“Yes.” Caroline didn't hesitate. “It's better to start as the third lead than to continue being the ‘nobody’ that Claire walks all over.”
“That's my girl! I'll send you the details. The director is a friend of mine, a really nice guy with no ulterior motives. I'll tell him to keep an eye out for you. You'll be fine.”
“Thank you, Tania. Really.”
Caroline felt a lump in her throat. Tania had always been her guardian angel in the industry. While Caroline fought against sabotage and indecent proposals, Tania used her connections to protect her.
“Stop being so formal, silly!” Tania laughed. “Good luck! The role is small, but the character steals the show. If you get the tone right... you'll explode in popularity.”
“I understand. I'll give my all in this audition.”