Chapter 21

Grace's role as an extra was to play a servant girl. Her job was simply to stand where directed and keep her head down. Several servant girls were needed; they waited for the main characters, knelt on cue, and then groveled, saying, "We wish you happiness and peace, Master and Madam."

This kneeling scene earned her an extra $50, bringing her total pay to $130. "I'll just kneel," she thought. "It's only a scene. Even famous stars have kneeling scenes. Besides, when survival is at stake, knees are the least of your worries."

The extras' makeup room was enormous, filled with makeup artists and extras, all awaiting their turn. The artists worked quickly, completing each makeup application in five to six minutes.

When it was Grace's turn, the makeup artist exclaimed, "You have a scar on your forehead!"

Grace shivered slightly. The scar, near her hairline, was barely visible unless examined closely. It was an untreated wound from her prison days. Grace understood the artist's concern: the servant girls' bangs were to be combed flat, exposing the scar.

"Does it matter? Can I still work?" she asked nervously. Her initial worry about Lily had shifted to concern about losing the extra work.

"It's fine, we'll cover it with powder," the makeup artist reassured her, quickly finishing Grace's makeup. Grace checked in the mirror; the scar was completely concealed.

Waiting for her scene, Grace spotted a familiar figure: Evelyn!

Stunned, Grace hadn't expected Evelyn to be in the cast, in addition to Lily. Evelyn looked like a diva, surrounded by assistants—one holding an umbrella, one her bag, another reading her lines.

Evelyn paused, staring at Grace, her initial surprise giving way to a smile. "Why, are you an extra today?" she asked knowingly.

Grace's servant girl costume was revealing. Looking at Evelyn, Grace was amazed. Evelyn was no longer a small-time C-lister; she looked like an A-lister.

Evelyn was still in her own clothes—expensive designer labels and jewelry likely worth millions. Grace doubted Evelyn would wear anything less; her younger sister's pride would never allow it; the humiliation would be unbearable.

"Yes," Grace replied calmly and without hesitation.