Chapter 155: How Dare She?

Olivia turned to Amelia, her eyes brimming with mockery. “You all call me greedy for money. Sure, I am. But have you ever scavenged for food in filthy dumpsides? Have you ever been forced to chug twelve bottles of beer just to pay your rent? Have you ever worked as a waitress, been harassed by customers, and then had your manager force you to apologize to those ‘m-bags’?”

“Do you know what it feels like to hand out flyers in a heavy mascot costume under thirty-something-degree heat, only to be shoved, beaten, and fined by your employer because the costume got dirty? You don’t. You know nothing. You came to this big city and immediately found someone to guide and care for you despite your ignorance. But me? If I didn’t save myself, who would save me? I just wanted to survive, to live like a human being, with dignity. What did I do wrong?”

Olivia was smiling, yet it felt as if she were crying. “So, you, favored by fortune, what right do you have to judge someone living in hell?”

Amelia watched Olivia’s performance, startled. These lines were clearly written as Penelope’s enraged outburst after being exposed, but Olivia delivered them in a calm, almost storytelling tone. The despair of a broken heart and the feeling of self-abandonment completely transformed the essence of the lines. It was Amelia’s first time acting opposite Olivia, and she had never known Olivia’s acting skills could be this good. That was good enough to unsettle her. At that moment, she felt as if she truly understood what Chris meant when he said Olivia’s presence utterly overwhelmed him.

“Why didn’t you tell me? I could have helped you,” Amelia steadied herself, striving to give her best performance.

“Help me?” Olivia laughed, her gaze lingering on Amelia’s flawless makeup and delicate, pretty face. “You took away my lifeline and then blamed me for not telling you in advance? You’re ridiculous.”

Suddenly, Olivia raised her hand. Next was the scene where Penelope slapped the female lead. Amelia was convinced Olivia wouldn’t dare truly slap her and had already prepared herself for Jos to scold Olivia. But in the next second, the crisp sound of a slap rang out as Olivia’s hand struck Amelia’s face hard. Smack! Amelia’s head turned sharply to the side from the force of the blow! The slap was real, and Amelia was utterly stunned!

09:47 Wed, Jan 8

The fiery pain on her face was all too real. In her wildest dreams, Amelia never imagined Olivia would actually slap her so fiercely!

Before she could recover from the shock, Chris rushed onto the scene. He shoved Olivia aside and protectively wrapped Amelia in his arms. “Penelope! Everything that happened to you was your own doing! Don’t blame anyone else! I’ve never loved you!” Chris, playing the second male lead, glared furiously at Olivia.

Olivia, staring at the man who was supposed to be Penelope’s only lifeline, suddenly smiled. Her bright, flower-like smile left Chris completely flustered.

Wait, what am I supposed to do again?

“Cut!” Jos exclaimed, exasperated. Olivia’s stellar performance was completely ruined by Chris!

Daisy hurried over, looking distressed as she examined Amelia’s now bright-red cheek. “Olivia went way too far! Look at your poor face!”

Amelia held her cheek, waves of shock surging within her. It was the first time in her life she had been slapped. And the one who slapped her was none other than Olivia, the very person she had always toyed with and controlled! Looking at Olivia’s composed demeanor, Amelia’s disbelief was written all over her face.

How dare she?

Yet Jos’s next words left Amelia utterly hopeless. “All departments, get ready. We’re doing it again!”

Amelia was stunned. I have to let Olivia slap me again?

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