Chapter 15
“That’s right.
Edwin’s voice was firm and steady.
Lyndon finally let out a breath. He straightened his suit, thinking the Montoya Group’s investment he had been after might really happen now.
Edwin said to Mariana, “Ms. Mueller, get ready. You’ll attend the gala next month with Montoya Group’s representatives.”
What?
Lyndon had just been nodding along when his smile froze as if he had seen a ghost. “Mr. Montoya, you mean
she’s the final pick?”
“What, do you think I am blind?” Edwin’s tone dropped ice–cold.
“No, of course not…”
Lyndon was shaking. He forgot all about his investment plan. All he wanted was to keep his head attached.
The other judges glanced at each other, relieved they hadn’t spoken up earlier. It turned out that silence had saved them.
The three–month–long audition process selected dozens of girls for interviews, and only one limp made it, someone with a limp. The company president never played by the rules.
Mariana was the calmest person in the room besides Edwin. She knew she would have this chance. After all, she came in holding an S–pass from Montoya Group.
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She smoothed her dress, stepped off the stage with her cane, and even added, “Mr. Hinton, with your poor eye for people, I doubt if you’re any better at spotting a business opportunity. I heard you’re chasing the Montoya Group’s investment. Mr. Montoya, you might want to think twice.”
She flicked her hair and walked off. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Lyndon following awkwardly behind Edwin, anxious about how to clean up the mess.
Outside, surprisingly, all eyes were still on Sandra.
“Sandra, someone tried to smear you online this morning. Did it affect you?”
“We’re all in the same industry. Rumors come and go. Who even believes that stuff?” Sandra muttered as she fiddled with her dress.
“Exactly! Sandra will go to the gala. Once she’s back, she’ll be worth double. She won’t care about a few trolls.”
Some girls started fawning over her.
“I heard the Montoya Group’s representatives will be there too, and today’s chosen girl gets to be his date. What do you think? Will Sandra go with Kamron or Mr. Montoya?”
Even though she had just been publicly embarrassed by Kamron, Sandra spun her version of the story, saying it was Edwin who helped her connect with Kamron. That was why she had never met Kamron in person before. The hint was clear. She had Edwin backing her. The young actresses around her bought it immediately and started sucking up.
“Come on, I’ve only met Mr. Montoya once…” Sandra blushed. “It might not even be me.”
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“Are you kidding? Hardly anyone in the country has ever seen Mr. Montoya. And you have? You’re too modest!”
“Let’s just congratulate Sandra in advance!”
She nodded shyly, but her eyes were shining with pride.
To be fair, she wasn’t completely bluffing.
Once, on a flight, she heard Edwin was in first class. She rushed over, hoping to sneak a peek, but was stopped by the flight crew. Still, she managed to catch a glimpse of his side profile. Just a side profile was stunning enough to take away her breath.
He was tall, rich, and refined. Compared to the tacky crowd around him, how could he not pick someone like her but the tacky actresses? She would certainly be the final pick, especially with Ralph pulling strings for her.
“Hey! Look who’s here. Mariana has finished her interview!” someone shouted.
Spotting Mariana eavesdropping, they didn’t dare mess with Sandra, so they took it out on her instead. “Not looking too happy, huh? Embarrassed yourself?”
Everyone laughed.
“Why did they choose a limp to represent Forechester at the gala?”
The crowd burst into laughter.
Sandra walked over, hiding her pride and putting on a concerned face. “Mariana, the result doesn’t matter. Just take it as a fun experience.”
“Exactly. I feel super relaxed right now,” Mariana said with a smile.
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Just then, the organizer stepped out. “That’s it for today. The candidate for the gala has been chosen.
Everyone was stunned.
“But only one person was interviewed. You’re saying it’s over?”
Someone caught on fast. “Wait… Is it Mariana?”
“That’s right.”
“No way!”
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“That was way too rushed. It’s not fair to everyone else!”
Sandra’s assistant was the first to shout.
Security stepped in, and the organizer raised his voice. “This is Mr. Montoya’s personal decision. Anyone got a problem with that?”
“Mr. Montoya?”
“Sandra, didn’t you say you knew him? Go talk to him for us! We’ve all worked so hard and didn’t even get a shot!” The girls pushed Sandra forward, desperate.
Sandra blushed all the way to her neck. She didn’t know Edwin. He wouldn’t even recognize her name.
