Finished
“Mr. Taylor, it’s such an honor to have you here. The homeroom teacher greeted him warmly, walking up with a bright
smile
Taylor returned a polite nod and smile
Inade the ssroom, everyone had their eyes glued to the famous TV director. Excitement buzzed in the air
Lacey, however, <b>lowered </b>her gaze.
<b>A </b>creeping <b>sense </b>of unease <b>spread </b>through her chest.
<b>Wasn’t </b>Mr. Tayloring to Sterford specifically <b>because </b>of her?
But when he looked at her just now… he didn’t seem interested. At all.
“Lacey” one of her ssmates leaned toward her and whispered, grin wide and eyes sparkling. “You ready? Your golden nicket’s about to arrive.
“We’re nervous just thinking about it for you!”
But Lacey didn’t feel a hint of joy.
Her lips pressed into a <b>tight </b>line <b>as </b>her eyes flicked over to Taylor. Every part of her screamed this <b>isn’t </b>right.
“Mr. Taylor, we heard you’re here to see a <b>certain </b>girl in our ss?” The teacher chuckled, easing into <b>small </b>talk. “She’s <b>a </b>really talented student—”.
As she <b>spoke</b>, she nced in Lacey’s direction and <b>waved </b>her over,
“Lacey,e up here.”
Lacey stood up automatically.
Her mind was nk
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, she stiffly walked up to Mr. Taylor.
“Mr. Taylor, bello” She gave a small smile and greeted him politely.
This time, Taylor looked at her.
Really looked at her.
And after a moment, he frowned.
The teacher noticed his expression shift and leaned in with a concerned whisper. <b>“</b><b>Is </b>something <b>wrong</b><b>? </b>Is there a problem<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Taylor didn’t sugarcoat things.
“You called her up here to rmend her!” His tone was perfectly neutral. “But I <b>already </b>told you–<b>I’ve </b>made my choice.”
The entire ss fell silent.
Everyone blinked
426 PM <b>c </b>c
Chapter od Mir Taylors Pick
<b>That </bedy twist just turned into a full–on farce.
Lacey how was she going to save face now?
<b>Back </b>at the front of the ss, Lacey <b>stood </b>frozen in ce. The air felt like ice against her skin.
Taylor’s words rang in her ears like a death sentence.
It wasn’t her.
She wasn’t the one
Finished
“But didn’t you say you were interested in the girl <b>who </b>yed the lead in the Hope Cup performance?” the teacher asked again, now clearly confused. “That was her..”
“It <b>wasn’t </b>her,” Taylor replied crisply.
He paused. Then added with <b>a </b>small <b>smile</b>, “As far as I’m concerned, the real star of <b>that </b>y was the tree. She was the soul of
the scene.”
Another beat of stunned silence.
Everyone’s mind raced <b>to </b>catch up.
Wait–he meant…
The tree?!
So that meant Jean?
Lacey’s eyes turned ssy red.
She said nothing.
Just turned<b>, </b>walked stiffly back to her desk, and sat down in silence.
She felt humiliated.
She wanted to disappear.
The teacher <b>was </b>frozen in ce, unable to speak.
It took her a long moment to catch up.
Then she turned to Jean, slowly lifting her hand to point in her direction. “You mean.. that student over there?”
Every head swiveled toward Jean.
All eyes <b>locked </b>on her.
Jean blinked.
Taylor followed the teacher’s hand <b>and </b>looked straight at her. His face lit up
with joy.
“That’s right. It’s <b>you</b>.”
He walked over with a warm <b>smile </b>and stopped beside <b>Jean’s </b>desk. “I loved your performance as the Tree. Would you be interested in joining my new show?”
Lacey bit down hard on her lip.
Chapter 63 Mr Taylor’s Pick
Across the room<b>, </b><b>her </b>ssmates sat in shocked silence. A few couldn’t hide their jealousy.
Il hat kind of tested luck did Jean have tond this??
Finished
<b>Taylor </b>took Jean out to the terrace for a private <b>chat</b>.
“I’m not really interested.” Before he could say a word, Jean cut him off bluntly.
Taylor looked stunned. “Wait–I haven’t even exined anything yet,”
<b>Jean </b>puffed <b>out </b>her cheeks slightly.
She really wasn’t interested.
Filming a variety show sounded like way too much work. Not worth it
<b>Reading </b>was fine <b>because </b>it didn’t cost her much effort–<b>she </b>already knew all the material anyway.
If schoolwork ever got exhausting, she’d probably find a way to take a break from that, too.
She hadn’t forgotten her life’s mission to be a peaceful little cker.
“I think it’s worth checking out before you make a decision,” Taylor said carefully. “Just to be clear, I’m not offering you a guaranteed role. I’m inviting you to audition. If the team thinks you’re a good fit, and you’re interested, then we can talk
contracts.
“Even more reason for me not to go,” Jean muttered “Too much effort.”
Taylor was speechless.
He rubbed his forehead.
This was the first time anyone <b>had </b>turned him down so decisively..
“Look, all I’m saying is, it doesn’t hurt to explore the possibility. If it feels like the right fit, great. If not, no pressure.”
“I don’t even want to explore,” <b>Jean </b>deadpanned.
We’re offering <b>a </b><b>100,000 </b>appearance fee.” Taylor added finally, dead serious.
Jean looked up <b>and </b>met his eyes. “Deal”
Never say no to easy <b>money</b>.
Taylor was speechless.