Chapter 118

Hudter Bay Pictures was a film and television production facility, housing various sets and several active production teams. Jaydon led Irvin into a dressing room.

People greeted Jaydon with a chorus of "Hello, Mr. Grimm."

Jaydon said, "Irvin, come in. They'll style you."

"Okay!" Irvin replied, following Jaydon inside. A makeup artist and stylist began working on Irvin's look.

Outside the dressing room, Lilia asked, "Mommy, can we eat hamburgers after Irvin finishes his audition?"

"Yes, I'll take you all for hamburgers at noon," Joanna replied.

"Great!" Lilia exclaimed, smiling brightly. Lilia's health limited her outings, making this rare excursion with Joanna, Davian, and Irvin a special occasion. It was one of her happiest moments.

Meanwhile, Davian sat quietly, his handsome face tense. Arms crossed, his serious expression suggested deep thought. He was contemplating how to deal with Bruce Everett. I can't let that man bully Mommy! he thought. As the older brother, I must protect her and my siblings!

Noticing Davian's seriousness, Joanna gently stroked his forehead. "Davian, what are you thinking?" she asked.

"Nothing, Mommy!" he replied, quickly resuming an innocent demeanor. I can't let Mommy know, he thought, or she'll stop me.

"Joanna, you can stay with the kids. I'm interviewing two actresses and will be back later," Jaydon said.

"Okay. Focus on your work," Joanna replied.

"See you later!" Jaydon smiled. "I'll be back soon!"

"Okay," Joanna said. "No worries."

Jaydon hurried towards the office. Two actresses were auditioning, requiring his attention. He highly valued this film's production, handling much of it personally, believing that stars couldn't solely rely on popularity; he needed talented actors and actresses, not just famous ones. This was a sound strategy in the film industry; audiences wouldn't support a bad movie.

"Let's go," Joanna said to her children. "There are many interesting things to see here!"

"Yay!" Lilia cheered, eager to explore. Davian nodded in agreement.

Joanna smiled and took Lilia and Davian out of the studio. The facility boasted numerous historical sets and iconic buildings, impressive imitations nonetheless.

In the dressing room, Jaydon explained, "Irvin, this lady will do your makeup and hair."

"Sounds great!" Irvin replied, sitting on a stool.

"Wow, what a cute boy!" someone commented.

"Thank you!" Irvin responded. Even as a young actor, his appearance needed to be impeccable.

Over an hour was spent costuming and styling Irvin. He transformed into an adorable young gentleman from a bygone era.

"Now let's go to the studio for your audition," Jaydon said.

"Great!" Irvin replied.

The assistant led Irvin to the studio.

"Hey, I heard this little actor is Mr. Grimm's illegitimate son," one person whispered.

"What? No way!"

"It's true, but Mr. Grimm hasn't made it public."

"No wonder he cares so much. He even brought him to the dressing room personally."

"That boy's lucky to be part of the Grimm family."

"Who's his mother?" [The following sentence is removed as it contains a website promotion.]

"Mr. Everett's ex-wife!"

Another makeup artist exclaimed, "No way!"

"If so, he has a rich mother. Why film a movie?"

"Many people like new experiences, and many superstars have wealthy parents. It might just be a hobby."

"True, but he's so young! I can't believe he's in this industry already."

"Oh, shut up! Many people want this opportunity and can't get it. With Mr. Grimm's support, he'll do great."

In the studio, the director instructed Irvin to act out a scene expressing sadness and desperation upon learning of his father's murder by an enemy.

"Dad, you can't die! What about me? You can't leave me and Mom" Irvin immediately immersed himself in the role, even adding lines spontaneously.

Everyone was astonished by his performance. They murmured their approval, impressed by his natural talent and ability to cry on cue.

After the audition, the assistant returned Irvin to the dressing room.

"You can remove your makeup now," the assistant said.

"Oh, but I want to show Mommy how I look first," Irvin said, admiring his costume in the mirror. "Sadly, Mommy isn't here."

He reluctantly removed his makeup. Entering what he thought was the bathroom, he mistakenly opened a dressing room door, revealing an actress. Realizing his mistake, he quickly left. A fashionably dressed young man, carrying flowers, passed him. The young man, Derick Haynes (Ingrid's son), did a double-take.

Isn't that Joanna's child? he thought. Derick was pursuing the actress, but she showed no interest. Seeing Joanna's son fueled his hatred.

Joanna took everything from me, he thought. My salary at Haynes Group! If not for her, I wouldn't be looked down upon. Losing my inheritance means I'll never have my old life back. A vengeful plan formed in his mind. I'll get revenge on Joanna!

The studio lacked security cameras to protect the privacy of its celebrities. Its large size made it easy to lose a child in the crowd.

Derick stopped Irvin, feigning friendliness. "Hi, cutie. Do you know where the bathroom is?"

Irvin had briefly met Derick at Raymond Haynes's funeral, but Derick remembered him; Irvin did not.

"Yes, it's over there!" Irvin pointed.

"Can you take me there?" Derick asked. Irvin, also needing the bathroom, agreed.

The bathroom lacked security cameras.

"Here we are," Irvin began, but Derick covered his mouth and dragged him into a stall.

Meanwhile, Jaydon returned to the dressing room.

"Where's the little actor?" he asked.

The makeup artists were surprised. "He left a while ago."

"Where did he go?" Jaydon asked.

"We thought you took him for the audition."

"Didn't he come back?"

"No."

Jaydon was alarmed. He called Joanna. She answered nervously.

"Hello, Jay. Finished your work?"

"Joanna, is Irvin with you?"

Joanna's voice was tense. "No! Didn't you take him for the audition?"

"Let me look around," Jaydon said, reassuringly. "It's okay, he's probably just playing. I'll find him."

Relieved, Joanna hung up. Jaydon frantically searched the studio for Irvin.