Chapter 31

Bella was certain she would get the lead role. Confidently, she stood before the director and his team, delivering her lines calmly. But after only two lines, the director impatiently waved her away. "Enough. Leave."

Bella froze. Two lines! She was Bella Wyatt! This couldn't be happening. Was the director crazy?

"Sir, was something wrong with my acting?" she asked coldly.

"Every performance was obviously fake, and your acting is mediocre. I don't understand how you became an A-list actress," the executive director said sternly. Bella's face flushed, and she trembled. These were the harshest criticisms she'd ever received. No one had ever called her acting mediocre.

"Sir, I'm questioning your judgment. I won the People's Choice Award, and you're calling my acting mediocre?" she said indignantly.

"Winning an award based on online voting doesn't automatically mean good acting skills," the executive director retorted mockingly. "Leave, Bella. You're not suited to be an actress!"

The executive director's words were a crushing blow, seizing her heart with pain.

"You're looking down on me!" she shouted.

"Get her out of here!" the executive director roared.

Bella was ejected, feeling dejected. She clenched her fists, her eyes burning with hatred. Dustin's chuckles fueled her fury.

"If I can't pass this audition, your no-name actress has even less of a chance!" She refused to leave, choosing to wait and watch Camille's audition. She wouldn't feel better until Camille was also rejected. Camille nervously approached the stage.

"Hmph!" Bella scoffed.

How could she hope to become an actress acting like this? The executive director would surely yell at her.

"Relax, girl. We don't bite." The executive director gave Camille a warm smile and joked.

Bella stared in disbelief. He'd been cold to so many, yet he was smiling at this unknown actress? Why? Even she had been treated coldly!

Camille's nerves calmed, and she performed the lead role. Her acting was raw, far from professional standards, but she possessed a captivating spirit.

"What a cheap and unsightly performance!" Bella scoffed disdainfully. She felt Camille's acting was far inferior to hers, and she'd surely be rejected.

"Girl, you're the one we want! Welcome to our crew!" the executive director exclaimed, standing up.

"What?!" Bella gasped, her eyes widening. She couldn't believe it, couldn't accept it. A nobody had just landed the lead role in a popular drama? It was a joke! Even Bella had started as a supporting actress. How could this inexperienced newcomer get the part? Why?

Bella's chest heaved, her eyes filled with indignation and jealousy.

"passed?" Camille asked incredulously, feeling like she was dreaming.

"Yes. You're the new lead." Dustin smiled.

"Yes!" Camille squealed with joy. This was a miracle! She never thought this day would come.

Meanwhile, Simone intently watched Dustin, her suspicions growing. Dustin glanced at Bella, seeing her eyes blazing with rage. Bella remembered his earlier words: "Am Ireally going to end up with no roles? Will I become irrelevant? Is this girl really going to replace me?" Her face twisted in fury.