Chapter 232 Chapter 232
“Okay...” Tania shrugged, still chewing on her concern. “I hope so too. But changing the subject... has the studio called you to sign the official contract yet?”
Although the decision to cast Caroline as the third female lead had been made informally by the demanding director Kleber Meirelles shortly after the audition, the entertainment industry was treacherous. Minds changed, investors pressured.
Until the contract was signed and sealed, nothing was guaranteed.
Caroline sighed, shaking her head. “Not yet.”
“Let's wait a little longer, then. The production should call you by the end of the day. Do you want me to send a message to that assistant director and ask?” Tania offered, already pulling out her cell phone.
“No need for that. Let's just wait for them to contact us. No pressure.”
And as if the universe was listening to their conversation, as soon as Caroline finished her sentence, her phone began to vibrate in her hand.
She looked at the screen. It was an unknown number from São Paulo. Thinking it was finally the people from Kleber Meirelles' studio, she answered eagerly, signaling Tania to be quiet.
She took a deep breath and answered, trying to sound as professional and calm as possible. “Hello? This is Caroline.”
The voice on the other end of the line was polite, mature, and strictly businesslike. “Hello, Miss Caroline. This is Linda. I'm one of the talent managers at StarColi Entertainment. Would you have time to meet with us today?”
Caroline's polite smile froze instantly. She was paralyzed by shock. “Are you... Linda, from StarColi?”
When she heard that name come out of Caroline's mouth, Tania's eyes widened.
“Yes.” Linda's voice remained professional. “I hope you don't mind the direct call. I would very much like to discuss an important matter with you. Can we schedule a time to have a quick chat?”
Caroline frowned and remained silent.
She moved the phone away from her face for a second and gave Tania a deeply confused look.
Linda from StarColi Entertainment. Wasn't that Claire's powerful manager? The same woman who had shaped Claire's career as the “innocent fairy” and who was now, presumably, dealing with the public relations nightmare after the hotel incident?
Why on earth was she calling Caroline?
Noticing the hesitation on the other end of the line, Linda broke the silence with a conciliatory tactic: “If you're busy with classes and can't leave college, I don't mind going to Araraquara to see you in person. Just let me know when and where is most convenient.”
Caroline was speechless at this concession. A high-ranking businesswoman from the capital was willing to travel hours to the countryside just to meet her?
She swallowed her distrust and replied, “All right. I can meet you. There's a coffee shop near the campus here in Araraquara...”
After arranging the details, Caroline hung up the phone. The screen went black, reflecting her tense face.
Tania grabbed her arm immediately. “Carol, for God's sake! That snake Claire's businesswoman just called you?!”
“Yes,” Caroline replied, still processing the shock.
She was extremely intrigued. What did the woman who managed her greatest enemy's career want with her? And what justified the urgency and politeness?
“Why did she call you? Did she threaten you?!”
“I'm not sure. She said she wants to meet with me in person to ‘discuss some things.’”
Tania snorted indignantly. “What does she want to talk to you about? She must know perfectly well about the bad blood between you and Claire. They must know that we think Claire posted that trash on the forum!”
“That's true. I'm curious too, Tania. Very curious.” Caroline put her phone in her pocket, her expression hardening. “That's why I agreed to meet with her now.”
“You agreed?! Are you crazy?”
“Yes, I agreed.”
“Let me go in your place, then!” Tania offered, her claws out.
“Carol, aren't you afraid this is a trap set by her and that psychopath Claire? What's to stop her from cursing you or trying to blame you for the hotel scandal?” Caroline thought for a moment, assessing the tone of the call, and shook her head with conviction. “No. I don't think it's a trap, Tania.”
Linda didn't sound angry, she sounded quite... urgent. And curiously sincere. It seems that StarColi really has something very serious and business-related to discuss with me. Besides, I agreed to meet her at the coffee shop next to the college, in broad daylight. She wouldn't dare do anything stupid on our turf, in the middle of students.
Tania crossed her arms, her protective instincts at full throttle. She was still wary. What did the talent agency that had destroyed Caroline's peace in the past want now? They couldn't have good intentions.
“So, if you don't want me to go in your place... let me go with you.” “I won't feel comfortable if you go alone to face that old fox at StarColi. I'll sit quietly at a table nearby, but I'm coming. I'm also dying of curiosity to know what the all-powerful Linda wants with the student that the agency itself tried to harm.”