Chapter 417: Every Minute Counts

"Mr. Wold, please don't make this difficult. We're shooting another television play mid-year. The second lead is quite agreeable. I'll save the role for you," the manager pleaded.

Theodore replied bluntly, "Okay. Tell your father to transfer the money to our account mid-year."

"Okay, okay," the manager conceded instantly. "The second lead. You've got it."

Theodore smiled, wondering why he'd wasted time. He knew the manager couldn't refuse him.

"Her name is Little Bunny. I'll have her contact you."

"Okay, I'll arrange it," the manager agreed. "But Mr. Wold, please let me know sooner if you want a role. Shooting starts in two days; it's difficult to make last-minute changes."

Theodore hung up. He tried calling Little Bunny but hadn't saved her number. Fortunately, she'd just sent her address. He called, saying impatiently, "Little Bunny, have the abortion tomorrow. I've secured the role for you."

"Thank you, Mr. Wold."

"Don't play tricks!" Theodore snapped, hanging up.

Little Bunny was downstairs when she sent the address. Staring at her phone, she felt the world's cruelty. She'd worked hard, prepared diligently, only to be replaced. Now, a simple call from Theodore had restored the role. It was absurdly easy for him. She questioned her continued involvement.

She returned to her apartment. Gabby was loudly complaining on the balcony. Little Bunny heard her sobs: "Didn't you promise me the role? How could you change your mind?"

Little Bunny was unaware of the conversation's details. Gabby continued, "So, I slept with you for nothing? You promised me, on the bed! How dare you replace me!"

"It's your problem. I want the role! Settle it!"

"...How can you do this? I'll go to the media!"

"You bastard! How dare you..."

The other person hung up. Enraged, Gabby smashed her phone. Seeing Little Bunny, she raged, "Are you happy? Are you happy I didn't get the role either?"

Little Bunny ignored her.

"Little Bunny! You think you're a pure virgin? Keep pretending!" Gabby screamed.

Little Bunny retreated to her room. This was the entertainment industry: only self-interest, no friends. Her role had been taken by a so-called friend, and regained in kind. An eye for an eye. This was reality.

In the Cooper Group building, Hannah stretched, having worked until 8 PM.

She called, "Rose, come in."

"Yes, Ms. Hannah." Rose entered.

"Ms. Hannah, you called?"

"These are the candidates for tomorrow's 10 AM interviews. Review them. Join me in the interview hall."

"Yes, Ms. Hannah."

"I'm leaving. Don't work too late."

"Okay."

Hannah grabbed her bag and told Jimmy, "I'm off duty, Jimmy." They left, exiting the elevator. Hannah paused, noticing heart-shaped lanterns outside – unusual, since it wasn't a holiday. She sensed something amiss but dismissed it.

As she stepped away, someone emerged from the shadows: "Mrs. Wells, surprise!"

Hannah recoiled. A man stood before her, amidst the lanterns, holding roses, smiling broadly.

"Don't you miss me?" Oscar asked, raising an eyebrow.

Hannah breathed deeply, exclaiming, "Don't ever scare me like that again! You'll scare me to death!"

Oscar smiled. "I wanted to surprise you," he said.

"Don't you like it?" Oscar offered the roses.

Hannah admitted, "Yeah." No woman could refuse flowers. She accepted them. She didn't want to be unpleasant.

"I'm glad," Oscar said cheerfully. He put a hand on her shoulder. "Did you have dinner?"

"Didn't you?"

"You did?"

"The office canteen delivers my dinner at 6 PM daily." She'd once waited for Charles, resulting in late dinners and a bad stomach. She wouldn't repeat that mistake.

Oscar was dissatisfied.

"I didn't know you were back. Why didn't you tell me?" Hannah complained.

"It wouldn't have been a surprise, would it? Like when you visited me in River Town – I was so happy."

Hannah thought Oscar was childish.

"Let's have dinner. It's late. I'm hungry."

"Okay," Oscar readily agreed. He didn't mind if she was being polite; he was good at avoiding embarrassment.

They drove to a nearby restaurant.

"Oscar, slow down," Hannah said, watching him eat rapidly. "Eating too fast is bad for your stomach." She wiped his mouth with a napkin.

He seemed unlike his usual gentlemanly self. He leaned close and whispered, "Every minute counts."

Hannah frowned, confused.

"You'll know later," Oscar said meaningfully. She seemed to understand.

"I only have two days off," Oscar added.