?Chapter 479:


    Elena, however, posed a real threat to Elyse. True to the core, Elena was the Harper family’s cherished daughter and the sister of Louis. If Elena decided to vie for the same part, Louis’ allegiance would naturally side with her.


    Fueled by this realization, Elyse’s resolve to sideline Elena only intensified.


    Taking a measured breath to steady her nerves, Elyse’s voice dropped to a whisper, a stark contrast to its earlier tone. “Mr. Pearson, your generosity knows no bounds. I’ve been a devoted admirer of your work, having seen each of your films. I understand you have the best intentions… However, some hereck a fundamental grasp of cinema and the craft of acting. Their presence might just disrupt the auditions. Today’s focus should be on finding the perfect Rylee for A Dream Within a Dream. Perhaps it would be wise for those uninvolved to step aside for now.”


    Kenton, having already settled on his preferred choice for the role, found himself in a bind with the crowd of hopefuls around him. Outright dering his preference for Elena would seem tantly unjust. Mulling over strategies to coax Elena into auditioning, he seized Elyse’s cue and queried, “Is that so? Then, could you indulge me by sharing which one of my films you hold in the highest regard?”


    Elyse fell silent almost immediately. She had merely intended her words as apliment for Kenton—she hadn’t anticipated that he would press her for details. The truth was, she hadn’t seen any of his films—a fact that left her mind racing to find an escape.


    “Really?” Someone not far from her scoffed. “She ims to be an admirer of Mr. Pearson yet hasn’t seen any of his masterpieces?”


    “Bold enough to audition without watching his films? And she’s hardly the epitome of mour. What’s the source of her audacity?”


    “It’s curious—some possess such ordinary looks yet hold unshakable self-assurance.”


    As the circle of mockery tightened, Elyse’s anger simmered. Her eyes turned icy, her jaw set firmly. The ever-intrusive Elena had once again meddled in her affairs, sparking this humiliating scenario.


    Elyse didn’t find fault in herself and instead piled every ounce of me on Elena. Biting her lip, her voice quivered with hurt. “You’re doing this just to humiliate me, aren’t you?”


    Elyse unfairly ced all the me on Elena.


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    Elena stayed calm. “You are the one ountable for your own words.”


    Elyse’s hands balled into fists.


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