Reborn Rich: Prices Dropped, My Savings Didn't

Meeting James Lockwood’s sincere gaze, Cecilia Sterling gave a slight nod.

Just then, the sales agent returned after completing the paperwork. He handed a brand-new property deed to Cecilia Sterling. "Miss Sterling, the transfer is complete. Congratulations on becoming a homeowner at Hearthstone Villas."

"Thank you."

James Lockwood, who was standing nearby, added, "You may not know this, Miss Sterling, but although I was the previous owner, I never actually got the chance to live here for a single day. So, for all intents and purposes, it’s a brand-new house."

Cecilia Sterling’s eyebrows rose in understanding. "In that case, I should be thanking you, Mr. Lockwood. If you hadn’t been holding it, a house in such a prime location would have been snatched up long ago. I suppose I lucked out."

James Lockwood let out a soft laugh. "I’d say it was fate between you and this house. By the way, Miss Sterling, because this was such a last-minute invitation, our company’s official invitations have already been mailed. When you arrive on Friday, just send me a message when you’re outside, and I’ll come out to meet you."

"Okay, no problem."

「Meanwhile, at Lorcain Film Academy.」

From the stage-play rehearsal hall, a large crowd of students surged out in clusters.

"Lily, that was an amazing performance! No wonder the casting director picked you on the spot."

"We’ve only been in school for a few days, and you’ve already landed a role in a major production, Lily. You’re incredible."

"I blame myself for not reading ’Heavenly Destiny as Phoenix’. If I had, I’m sure I could have done a better job."

A small group of girls emerged, clustered around Lily Sterling. They had all just finished auditioning for the production of "Heavenly Destiny as Phoenix."

Film companies have long-standing partnerships with performance academies. Whenever a production needs to cast new talent, they come directly to the schools. Large groups of fresh faces audition at once, and many students seize these chances to land bit parts. It’s a way to get some screen time and build name recognition early in their careers.

The lucky ones might even land an important supporting role, get signed by an agency, and have a whole team backing them from then on.

Lily Sterling grew a little embarrassed from all the praise. Since these classmates hadn’t gotten roles, she felt a strange pang of guilt.

She had the kind of personality that was prone to overthinking and self-blame, subconsciously shouldering responsibilities that weren’t hers to bear.

"I just got lucky, that’s all. And it’s only a maid’s role. I’m sure you’ll all land much better parts in the future." Lily offered a strained smile, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her shirt.

Her roommate, Hannah Warner, couldn’t help but laugh at her reaction. She turned to the other students. "Look at Lily. She’s usually so quiet and meek, but the second she steps on stage, she’s like a completely different person."

Remembering the scene Lily had just performed—the one where she had to strangle someone—her performance had been so emotionally charged and powerful. The students all nodded in agreement. "Exactly! The look in her eyes when she turned around gave me a jolt. I even whispered to Ruby Warner, ’Is that really our Lily?’"

"She must have completely immersed herself in the character to be that convincing. Lily was born to be an actress."

"Anyway, I’m not surprised at all that Lily got the role of Jade. The other performances were just... fine, you know? I didn’t think anyone else was particularly impressive."

Hearing this, Lily waved her hands in a fluster. "Please, don’t say that. It was my first audition. I was just winging it."

Not far behind them, a girl with delicate features watched Lily’s timid display and sneered. ’What a constant act.’

After most of the students had cleared out, one of the academy’s movement coaches walked out, accompanying the casting team.

The man in the lead, wearing-sunglasses, was none other than Sam Fletcher, the casting director for "Heavenly Destiny as Phoenix."

"Director Fletcher, thank you for coming. This year’s class is full of outstanding students. We hope you’ll consider them for more opportunities in the future!" the coach said with an accommodating smile, trying to curry favor for his students.

Sam Fletcher nodded. He picked up the roster and glanced at the names of the selected students. "There are a few promising ones, indeed."

"Because this is a major period drama, we needed to fill a lot of roles like maids and guards. They might not be major parts, but as you know, if the show’s a hit, the exposure is well worth their time. Besides, the students we picked today all have lines that run through the entire series."

"Yes, of course. Rest assured, Director Fletcher. I’ll make sure they drill their fundamentals—voice, delivery, physicality, and expression. They absolutely won’t hold back the production."

"Good. We’ll head out now. We’ll be in touch if anything else comes up."

The moment the coach and the casting team parted ways, the girl from before hurried after the director.

"Director Fletcher, please wait a moment."

Sam Fletcher stopped and turned at the sound of her voice. A girl had run up to him. She quickly smoothed her hair, put on a practiced smile, and said, "Hello, Director Fletcher. My name is Suzanne Sawyer."

Sam Fletcher nodded at her. "I know. You auditioned just now. Is there something you need?"

The other members of his team frowned slightly. Having been in the business for a long time, they’d seen every type of person imaginable. There was no shortage of people who would use any means necessary to climb the ladder, and they’d seen this kind of move from ambitious young actors before.

’Approaching the casting director to lobby for a better role?’

Sure enough, Suzanne Sawyer was a real piece of work. Without beating around the bush, she said directly, "I want the role of Jade."

Sam Fletcher was taken aback. He instinctively glanced down at the roster. "You weren’t rejected. We cast you as Ruby, didn’t we?"

Looking up at her, he gave a slight, knowing smile. "Or are you saying you want to take someone else’s role?"

"Yes." Suzanne didn’t deny it in the slightest. "Ruby is the fourth young miss’s maid. The fourth young miss barely has any scenes in the original story, which means her maid has even fewer."

"Jade is different. She’s the second young miss’s maid. She’s a villain, but she has a lot of screen time and a much wider acting range. I want to fight for that part. Director Fletcher, I promise I’ll do a great job."

She finished her pitch with a look of utmost seriousness, only to be met with laughter from the casting team.

Sam Fletcher glanced at the name written next to the role of Jade: Lily Sterling. He remembered her name most clearly; she had given the best performance of any student who auditioned today.

"Listen, kid, ambition is a good thing. But you’re still young, and you shouldn’t show your hand so early. Once you’ve established yourself in this business, then you’ll have the right to be picky about roles. Understand?"

With that, Sam Fletcher turned to leave with his team, but Suzanne Sawyer’s next words stopped him dead in his tracks.

"Director Fletcher, what if my dad were to invest?"

Sam Fletcher turned to look back at her. At the same time, the smiles vanished from the faces of his team.

A project being short on funds was a serious problem. If they could return from this trip with an investment, the boss would be ecstatic.

Sam Fletcher stared at her for a long moment, then a slow smile spread across his lips. "Suzanne Sawyer, was it? I’ll remember you."