Chapter 8
5 vouchers
The next day, Yolanda got up early. She had run a fever all night, and it felt like the heat had drained every drop of water from her body. Forcing herself, she went straight to the studio.
But someone was earlier than her.
Ian was facing the wall, practicing the lines for the second male lead in this audition.
His voice was unique–not the common deep male voice, but with a cold undertone, like a cool breeze brushing through the woods.
He had a great build, broad shoulders and a narrow waist. Even the casual curve of his arm holding the script revealed neat, defined muscles, but not overly bulky. That bit of freshness was exactly what girls these days liked best.
Yolanda had majored in film in college. When she heard lan recite another line, she couldn’t help correcting him, “The stress on the last line isn’t quite right.”
Jan froze, his lashes lowering.
She walked closer and glanced at the script in his hand. His fingers were long and well–boned, carrying a faint tension.
“You’ve already started practicing?” Yolanda smiled. “Ian, with how hard you work, you’ll definitely become a big star someday.”
Ian repeated the line. “Like this?”
She nodded, then looked at her phone. “Time to go. Let’s head out.”
lan pulled his cap on and obediently followed behind her.
Halfway down the road, he turned to look out the window. “Wait for me a few minutes.”
Yolanda thought he was just going to grab a pack of cigarettes or something, so she pulled over. “Make it quick.”
Ian got out of the car. He was tall, and even with a cap on, his back alone looked like it belonged on a runway model.
Yolanda didn’t watch him. Instead, she shut her eyes, trying to ease the pounding in her head and the ache behind her eyes.
Her phone rang just then. The screen lit up with the contact name “Honey.”
She answered, and Charles’s casual voice came through the line. “When I got home this morning, the maid said you had a fever last night.”
Charles hadn’t come back last night, saying he was working late.
Over the past two years, he’d used that excuse plenty of times. Yolanda had believed him every time–until that text shattered her illusion.
“Yeah, the fever’s gone now,” she said.
“Why didn’t you call me?” Charles asked.
In the past, whenever she felt unwell, she would call him. Even if his assistant answered instead, at least Charles would respond eventually. The problem was, he always acted concerned only after she was almost recovered.
Yolanda used to be moved by his concern countless times, but now she saw it clearly. His care was just lip service, all part of the act.
With her head still aching, she lost her patience. “Charles, is there anything else?”
In the past two years, she had almost never spoken to him in that impatient tone.
Charles frowned, his fingers tapping lightly on the heavy desk. He heard the sound of a car door opening on the other end and sensed that someone was with Yolanda.
Yolanda had been a housewife for two years now, almost completely cut off from her old circle.
“Is someone with you?” Charles asked.
“It’s a studio talent,” Yolanda said.
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2:12 AM PP.
Chapter 8
B5 vouchers
Yolanda used to be gentle, even when she called to act sweet. But in the past two days, her tone had turned strangely cold.
Last night, Charles didn’t come home. What surprised him was that she hadn’t called once. He figured she was still sulking.
He couldn’t be bothered to play along and simply hung up.
Looking at the disconnected call, Yolanda gave a faint, bitter smile.
She had once thought Charles was a kind man, but now she realized it was just an image he carefully packaged. After all, a stable marriage was good for the company’s stock.
She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. Beside her, Ian took off his cap and handed her a cup of cold medicine he had just prepared.
The bittersweet smell drifted up, and she slowly opened her eyes.
He only looked at her for a few seconds before turning his head away, his handsome face shadowed with something unreadable. “Drink
it.”
She didn’t refuse. Just as she finished the medicine, he handed her a cup of hot chocolate.
Yolanda gave a small smile, her voice slightly hoarse. “Thanks.”
Ian didn’t say anything, just quietly tossed the empty cup into a trash bag.
Gripping the wheel, Yolanda stepped on the gas. The warm, sweet taste of hot chocolate made her feel a little better. “Ian, aren’t you a trained actor?”
“No.” Ian said.
“I’ll help you with your lines from now on,” Yolanda said. “You’ve got the look, and your acting isn’t bad. I watched the shows you were in last night–you’ve got real talent.”
She hadn’t been able to sleep, so she got up and watched every clip of the characters Ian had played.
Ian held the trash bag and stared out the window, lost in thought.
An hour later, Yolanda’s car pulled up in front of Starlight Entertainment. For Sinclair Group, it was just a small division, but in the industry, Starlight was a solid company.
The night before, Yolanda had even made her own business card. She designed the layout herself, with no real name on it–just the stage name, Tessa Gilbert.
The staff who came to greet her smiled as they led the way. “Ms. Gilbert, this way please.”
Yolanda noticed the air felt a bit tense, so she couldn’t help but ask, “Did some big shot come by?”
The staff looked full of admiration. “Mr. Sinclair just came to inspect. He should be upstairs now.”
Yolanda froze. She couldn’t figure out why Charles would suddenly come to such a small company for an inspection.
She glanced toward the end of the hallway and saw Sophie. In an instant, she understood everything.
A sharp sting shot through her chest.
Just then, Sophie reached the stairwell at the corner. Yolanda saw a slender hand reach out, passing Sophie a bottle of water.
Yolanda recognized that hand right away–it was Charles’s.
She was already surprised enough that Charles would bother to come check out this little company. She hadn’t expected him to actually make time to come and keep Sophie company for her interview.
Sophie lifted her chin, like some spoiled little bird. She took the water, her eyes sparkling as she chattered to Charles.
Charles ruffled her hair, overflowing with affection.
Yolanda still couldn’t believe he was willing to put work aside and lower himself to come here.
For the past two years, Charles had always told her that work came first. So she had always been considerate, swallowing her grievances for the sake of his career.
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Chapter 8
5 vouchers
Yolanda took a deep breath, tore her eyes away from Charles and Sophie, calmed herself, and pushed the door open.
An unfaithful man was as disgusting as a piece of gum that had been chewed for too long. And hers had even been chewed by someone
else.
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