Chapter 345: Chapter 345

Anna Thornton has been in the domestic circle for a short time, with little interaction with everyone.

While waiting for the audition, others were exchanging pleasantries, but she and Mary were left standing there.

Although Anna Thornton has a blockbuster movie, having box office success doesn’t mean her TV ratings can hold up. Her television market has not yet opened. "Step by Step" is the largest investment film and TV drama today, and even the four young actresses came to compete.

Anna Thornton has just filmed an idol drama that’s yet to air, and others don’t really think much of her.

When Zoe Bowen came upstairs, it caused a wave of whispers among the audition crowd.

Zoe Bowen, however, stood proudly to the side, not sitting with anyone.

Mary was busy introducing Anna Thornton to the competitors for the lead female role today, pulling out each person’s work and information for Anna to see.

Because it is said that today’s auditions are divided into pairs for acting out scenes.

Everyone knows the strongest here is Zoe Bowen; she’s been in the industry the longest, has a good relationship with the director from a previous film, and won an acting award.

The grouping list was random, and the staff holding a box for drawing lots went to each actor, letting them draw a number. Actors who draw the same number enter together to do the script reading.

When it was Anna Thornton’s turn, she happened to be in the restroom touching up her makeup.

Coming out, Mary was holding the number with a trembling hand, afraid to show it to her: "Anna, I’m sorry!"

Mary opened her hand, revealing the number she drew for Anna Thornton.

"Four is an unlucky number, and it’s allocated to the death group." Mary quietly pointed at Zoe Bowen, and couldn’t help but slap her own hand in exasperation.

Her luck was hopelessly bad!

If only she’d waited a bit longer for Anna to draw herself, it would have been better!

"It’s okay, after all, there’s only one lead female role in the end. What does grouping have to do with it?"

Mary knew Anna was trying to comfort her, but she still looked worried, whispering an explanation: "Zoe Bowen hasn’t been idle all these years in the industry. Last year, she won Best Supporting Actress at the Huayu Awards, the most recognized acting award domestically. Since her comeback, many young actresses she collaborated with during her supporting role period have been mocked online for their acting, because Zoe Bowen’s terrifying aspect is that her acting is overwhelmingly strong. People are quite afraid of acting alongside her."

Acting is also a skill, for example, when performing a scene with an opponent, the other party can suppress you with just a glance, making you question your life. Zoe Bowen’s acting style is quite overbearing, especially when portraying aggressive characters, many actors find themselves led by her, forgetting their lines and expressions.

"Additionally, Zoe Bowen has a personal relationship with the director, Director Nash is so picky, yet has praised her publicly multiple times. Because of this, Zoe Bowen’s company issued an announcement saying Director Nash felt dissatisfied with just collaborating with her in a supporting role last time, leaving the female lead position for her this time, though it’s unclear if that’s true."

So even for the four young actresses, Zoe Bowen is also a formidable opponent.

Who in the entertainment circle doesn’t value appearance? Who wants to be overwhelmed face-to-face?

Everyone knows Zoe Bowen’s team loves issuing bulletins comparing acting skill, to the point where the young actresses feel insecure around her.

Over here, Zoe Bowen glanced at the number in her hand and then looked at Anna Thornton, a disdainful smile playing at her lips.

Beside her, the agent was introducing: "The one acting opposite us is Anna Thornton, a small star who recently made headway. Her movie sold quite well a while ago."

"Has she won any awards?" Zoe Bowen asked.

Domestic awards have a peculiarity, that is, films usually only win awards if they have heavy themes.

The film Anna Thornton starred in, "Customized Girlfriend," is positioned as a light-hearted comedy, so there was no chance to be nominated for an award.

Hearing that Anna Thornton hadn’t won any awards, Zoe Bowen sneered dismissively at her, paying her no further attention.

Nonetheless, being dismissive doesn’t stop her from seriously reviewing the script handed to her.

Now, the first group has gone in, and she has ample time to prepare.

This is her habit; Zoe Bowen studies whatever script is placed in her hands thoroughly several times, not allowing herself any mistakes.

It’s not that she has an obsession, she just enjoys the satisfaction of comprehensively overwhelming her opponents.

Especially when the actress is younger, and more beautiful than she is...

Anna Thornton is also seriously reviewing the script, the part for her includes a scene where Concubine Jean darkens and returns to The Imperial Palace.

Concubine Jean was expelled from The Imperial Palace and exiled to the border to be a slave for three years, enduring war and suffering. It was the most turbulent, dangerous time of her life, yet also the most peaceful and joyful three years. Because there, a brave and fearless general repeatedly rescued her from danger and wholeheartedly protected her.

She even considered that spending the rest of her life in the cold border region wouldn’t be so hard to endure.

For one person, it’s hard; for two, it isn’t so hard!

However, an imperial edict, a war, a falsified military order stripped away even her modest hope.

The person who protected her, who said they’d elope together, who always clumsily slipped roasted lamb legs and milk wine into her tent, ultimately didn’t return from the battlefield.

Another imperial edict was sent to the border, and thus, Jean Jones completely stepped onto the path of darkening and returning to the palace...

The first group of actors finished their audition, coming out both looking unwell.

This group originally had highly competitive popular young actresses. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ⓝovelFire.net

Downstairs, half the people gathered are their fans. The two of them were also confident, not expecting to be out within five minutes, before the audition was even halfway through.

One of them had eyes a bit red, you’d think they just auditioned for a crying scene.

The artists in the second group waiting for auditions couldn’t figure out what happened, wanting to approach them for information.

The entertainment circle is cultivated by praise groups, asking for details comes with lots of flattery: "Megan, how was it? You’re sure to pass, right?"

The actress caught by the arm stiffened, then just smiled, not speaking.

Everyone’s gaze turned to the other actress with red eyes, looking like she had just cried.

She too silently put on sunglasses and shook her head.

In the face of everyone’s bewildered expressions, only Zoe Bowen knew exactly what it meant.

Director Sean Nash is notoriously stern and strict, not very smooth in his interpersonal dealings. He doesn’t care if you’re famous or how many fans you have; he sees bad acting on camera as an insult.

Because of such high standards, the phrase "Director Nash produces, surely quality" came about.

These two’s acting definitely didn’t meet Director Nash’s requirements, especially that Daisy, whose poor acting likely got her scolded to tears by the director.

Stars are often pampered by praise from fans and staff around them, seldom hearing any genuine critiques, unable to withstand such big grievances?

Yet unable to miss out on such a great director team’s work, many came today willing to be scolded.

In Zoe Bowen’s eyes, that Anna Thornton sure has bad luck, encountering an opposite she will surely be scolded by Director Nash worse than Daisy was.