Chapter 166 Chapter 166
Linda whispered urgently in her ear: “People are watching. Some are filming. Don't fall into her trap.”
Claire blinked, snapping out of her angry trance. She looked around and noticed the curious glances. Some cell phones were raised.
Among the crowd, she saw familiar faces, industry rivals who would love to see her lose her composure.
She quickly withdrew her arm, smoothing her hair as if nothing had happened.
But the hatred in her eyes burned like fire.
She shot Caroline a withering glance and gritted her teeth, lowering her voice to a venomous whisper: “Caroline, you're crossing the line.”
“Ah, finally.”
Caroline turned to Tania, ignoring Claire's threat completely.
“She finally got the message. Thank goodness I don't have to feel disgusted anymore. If she had continued with that charade, my lunch yesterday would have ended up on the floor.”
Tania, who never missed a chance to kick a dead dog (especially if the dog was Claire), nodded with exaggerated gravity.
“Hmm, you're right. Even I felt sick, imagine that.”
Tania waved the air in front of her nose, making a face. “No wonder the smell got so strong all of a sudden. It must be the smell of fox in the air.”
Claire's face turned red, then purple.
She was a popular star! She was the official girlfriend of the Collins family heir! She was on top of the world!
Everyone around her fawned over her, groveling for a smile from her.
When was the last time she was humiliated like this in public?
It was outrageous enough that Caroline, the “bastard,” insulted her. But who was this nobody Tania to open her mouth and call her a fox?
Claire felt like she was going crazy.
The blood pulsed in her temples, but in that public situation, she had no choice but to swallow her pride.
Her face was red, swollen with suppressed rage, and the look she gave Tania was so toxic that it seemed capable of tearing the girl's skin off.
Even someone as brave as Tania took a step back, surprised.
Claire had always cultivated a public image of angelic sweetness and kindness. She never seemed aggressive.
It was the first time Tania had glimpsed the true face behind the mask. And that face was demonic.
“Claire, let's go,” Linda insisted, pulling her firmly by the arm.
“Aren't you going to the audition? It's almost your turn. Director Kleber doesn't tolerate delays.”
Linda was panicking. She didn't want Claire to act on impulse and ruin everything. She had invested a lot of time, money, and sanity into building this girl's career.
If Claire fell from grace because of a scene in the lobby, Linda would go down with her.
Claire took a shaky deep breath and clenched her fists until her nails dug into her palms.
“Caroline,” she hissed, her voice low and dangerous. “We'll see who has the last laugh.”
Caroline didn't flinch. She held her gaze with a calm, defiant smile.
“Fine. I'm looking forward to it.”
“You'll regret the day you were born.”
After spitting out her final threat, Claire turned on her heels and marched toward the elevators, with Linda close behind.
Caroline stood there for a few seconds, watching her enemy's back, before turning to leave with Tania.
In the private elevator.
The moment the metal doors closed, isolating them from the world, Claire's mask fell.
“BITCH!” she shouted, kicking the mirrored wall of the elevator. “Who does she think she is to be so arrogant in front of me?! And that other useless Tania? I'm going to skin them alive! I'm going to wipe them out!”
Linda grimaced, accustomed but exhausted by the artist's outbursts.
“Why stoop to their level?” Linda tried to reason. “Claire, they're doing this on purpose. They want to provoke you into doing something ugly in public and ruining your reputation.”
Linda smoothed Claire's hair, trying to calm her down.
“If you had exploded out there, you would have fallen into their trap. Caroline is a nobody now, while you are a top celebrity. If there's a scandal, you're the one with everything to lose. They have nothing. You should know that.”
Claire was still shaking with rage, her eyes bloodshot.
“Of course I know that! Why else do you think I swallowed that bitter pill?” She snorted. “But what irritates me is the audacity! Caroline has no right to look me in the eye!”
Claire's mind was spinning.
Did all this sudden confidence come from that... mysterious man?
Who was he?
Why couldn't she discover his identity, even after exhausting her resources and contacts?
Claire had already spent a fortune on private investigators, but there wasn't even a clue. It was as if the man were a ghost.
If he was powerful enough to cover his tracks like that... how did a bastard like Caroline meet him?
And more importantly, was he richer than Edward?
Greed flashed in Claire's eyes, mixed with envy.
If that mysterious man was more powerful than the Collins family, she would not accept it passively. Caroline deserved nothing better than her.
In fact, Claire secretly decided that she would not marry Edward until she found out who this man was. If there was a bigger fish in the sea... she wanted it for herself.
“Why get angry over trash?” Linda continued her work of persuasion. “She is inferior to you in every way: beauty, fame, money. She doesn't even come close to you. If I were you, I wouldn't waste my precious time on someone so irrelevant.”
Claire's expression softened slightly. Vanity spoke louder.
It was true. She was a winner. She had the career, the fans, and the rich heir. Her socialite friends were jealous of her for landing a Collins.
She was at the top of the food chain.
But... the mere idea of Caroline getting anything made her sick.
“I keep thinking...” Claire frowned, the paranoia returning.
“What role did that bitch audition for? Did she get it?”
Caroline's face was too pretty. Too flashy.
As long as Caroline was just an extra or a stunt double, Claire didn't care. But if she got a speaking role... a role where the audience could see that face... that would be a problem.
Linda checked her tablet.
“I checked with the production team. The female lead was chosen months ago. Today's audition is to select the second and third supporting actresses.” Linda analyzed coldly. “The second actress needs experience and a name; Caroline doesn't stand a chance. She must have auditioned for the third female role.”
“Really?”
Claire smiled. But it wasn't a happy smile; it was a cold, calculating smile.
“Then it's decided. I'm going to audition for the third female role.”
Linda almost dropped her tablet.
“What?!” The manager looked at Claire as if she were crazy. “The third role? Claire, you're a star! You're the lead! Accepting the third supporting role is a humiliating demotion. It's unworthy of your status!”
Claire scoffed, adjusting her immaculate white dress.