Adelyn met his gaze expressionlessly.

She could clearly read the malice in his eyes, yet she remained calm.

As long as he didn’t make a move against her—

She wouldn’t react.

Corrin then turned and looked back at Freya.

"Celebrate while it lasts, Freya," he said, a scornful curl lifting his lips, "because we both know —as long as I’m around, your celebration won’t last long."

His gaze darted back toward Adelyn as his smirk deepened.

He didn’t say anything further, but Freya could already tell what he was planning.

After giving them one last glance,

Corrin turned and left with a sharp huff ...

The door closed behind him.

Adelyn turned to glance at Freya.

Seeing her still staring at the door, she said,

"He met me at the entrance earlier."

Freya’s head snapped toward her, her brows furrowing.

However, Adelyn shook her head lightly and explained,

"He believed the gossip about my audition. And I didn’t correct him."

Freya understood immediately what must have driven him to rush here now.

Pressing her lips together, she said,

"He must have heard about Goldstem Productions bringing the contract."

And that was why he had rushed here ...

Adelyn nodded.

But neither of them chose to dwell on it further.

Right then—

Soft music echoed lightly through the room.

Adelyn recognized the ringtone and turned to look for her phone.

Seeing Nigel’s name flashing on the screen, she didn’t answer it immediately.

Instead, she turned to Freya and said,

"If there’s nothing else, Sister Freya, can I leave first?"

Her training would only begin the next day, so she assumed there wasn’t anything more for her here.

Freya, however, wasn’t ready to let her go just yet.

Although the real success was still quite a way away, the girl had still succeeded in taking the first step.

And that alone deserves appreciation.

Being her manager, she doesn’t want to be stingy.

So ...

"You have plans?" she asked. "I was thinking of taking you out for lunch."

Adelyn smiled.

"I don’t have any plans, Sister Freya. But you seem occupied," she said, her gaze drifting briefly toward the desk.

Dozens of files were piled up there.

Freya followed her gaze and smiled.

"Yes, they’re work —but it’s fine. I can take some time out to have a meal with you."

As for the files—

She glanced back at them briefly.

They weren’t even truly her responsibility.

The company had simply piled them onto her desk to keep her occupied.

Otherwise, with no artist to manage—

How could she possibly be busy?

Since Freya insisted, Adelyn didn’t refuse again.

She nodded.

"Okay."

"Then let’s go," Freya said, picking up her bag.

Adelyn quickly sent a text to Nigel, letting him know she would call him later before heading out with Freya.

—————

Meanwhile —

On the other side—

Since Liam had asked Clara to come to the company, she arrived at Starlight Entertainment later that afternoon.

The moment she entered the building—

People gathered around her.

Her identity had never been hidden.

She was the precious daughter of the Scott family—

The beloved sister of the CEO, Liam Scott.

Everyone knew it.

And so, no matter when she arrived—

She was always treated with special attention.

Although Clara often tried to refuse such treatment, no one ever listened.

How could they?

She wasn’t just a top celebrity under Starlight Entertainment—

Her status as the heiress of the Scott family alone was enough to set her apart.

"Sister Clara, we heard you went for Director Rhodes’s upcoming project audition. How did it go?" someone asked almost excitedly.

Clara turned and gave a gentle smile —her signature one.

"It went well. You all should have given it a try too."

"How can we compare to your standards, Sister Clara?" Someone said with a soft chuckle —one mixed with tease and fun. "We’re not as skilled as you. We wouldn’t even dare stand in front of Director Rhodes and try of luck.."

"Yes, I’ve heard Director Rhodes is very strict when it comes to selecting actors," another added. "Even big names in the industry struggle under his criticism. We’re still nowhere in that line."

"Sister Clara doesn’t need to worry about that," someone else chimed in. "With her talent, I’m sure Director Rhodes must have only praised her. Right, Sister Clara?"

Clara didn’t respond.

She simply smiled.

After all—

While she hadn’t been criticized—

She hadn’t been praised either.

"Did you get selected for the role??" Someone asked.

"Of course she did," another replied before Clara could speak. "She must have already been selected. We all saw how much effort she put into preparing. She deserves getting selected more than anyone else."

Everyone nodded in agreement...

However—

Clara kept her composure and said calmly, "Don’t assume it so soon. We haven’t heard back from the director’s team yet. So nothing is confirmed."

The group fell silent.

An awkward silence.

Clara felt it too—

But couldn’t quite understand why.

Just as she was about to ask—

Someone quickly spoke up,

"It’s just a matter of time. The confirmation will come sooner or later."

"Yes, yes," others chimed in. "They’ll announce it soon."

Clara smiled again.

Then, glancing at the time on her watch, she lifted her brows slightly —as if remembering something important.

Looking at them, she said,

"You all carry on. I need to find my brother. He asked me to come for something important."

They nodded immediately, watching her head toward the elevator.

Her easygoing and gentle demeanor was always pleasant—

But it never stopped people from envying her.

After all—

Who wouldn’t want to be the CEO’s sister?

Clara walked toward the elevator—

But halted when someone appeared in front of her.

She lifted her gaze—

Meeting a cold, striking pair of eyes.

Her expression changed.

The other person looked back at her.

But unlike the others—

Who fawned over her identity—

This person remained cold to the core.

"Even if this is your brother’s company," the person said indifferently, "don’t think you own this place."

Clara frowned at those words, her brows knitting together as she stared at the woman.

And for the first time, her composure cracked ...