Yvonne''s hand, still clutching the actor''s, slowly went limp. A single tear finally escaped and traced a path down her temple.


    The actor held her tightly, his performance reaching its peak as he let out a heart- wrenching cry, "Jane!"


    After the scene ended, the actor gently let her go.


    It was the first time Yvonne and this actor had met, yet their chemistry was perfect.


    He bowed slightly with great humility and extended a hand. "A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Jones. I''m Booth Scott."


    "The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Scott. I''ve heard so much about you," Yvonne replied, shaking his hand with equal courtesy.


    Then, they both stood on stage, waiting for York''s critique.


    "OK," York nodded, offering no furtherment. He simply told them, "Go home and wait for our call."


    "Should I call the next person?" Cynthia asked York.


    York nodded. "Go ahead. Let''s not have everyone make the trip for nothing."


    "It''ll be for nothing in the end anyway," Cynthia murmured.


    Despite herment, she continued to call the other actors to audition.


    As expected, after such a ster performance, the subsequent auditions seemedckluster inparison.


    When it was all over, York and Cynthia remained seated, discussing the auditions in low voices.


    Marshall was sitting between them and Mignon, so she couldn''t hear what they were saying, nor did she care to.


    She had been cooped up in the theater all day and was beyond impatient. "Is the audition over? Can I go now? It was just scene after scene of messy acting. So boring."


    York and Cynthia ignored Mignon''sints. Arguing with someone unintelligent would only make them seem unintelligent themselves.


    Marshall cleared his throat awkwardly. "Mignon, you must be tired. Why don''t you have the driver take you home? I''ll call your mother with the results."


    then. I have an


    "Okay, I''ll leave th


    appointment with my aesthetician for a spa treatment. Goodbye, Mr


    Morris Manon said. She gave a


    wave only to Marshall, then grabbed her purse and strode out of the theater in her high heels.


    She didn''t spare York or Cynthia a second nce.


    "That Ms. Powell must have been abroad so long she''s forgotten her manners," York remarked coolly as he gathered his documents from the table.


    "I came back from abroad, and I don''tck manners," Cynthia replied, helping York tidy up.


    Marshall''s expression stiffened. He forced a smile and tried to exin, "Mignon is just a young girl, she doesn''t know any better."


    "If she doesn''t know any better, she


    should stay home and be taught by her elders instead ofing out here to embarrass herself," Cynthia retorted sharply. She then turned her


    attention back to York, ignoring


    Marshallpletely.


    "I don''t think there''s any debate about the male and female leads, is there?" Cynthia


    said, pulling out the files for Booth and Yvonne.


    There was no question about Booth, an A-list star, ying the male lead.


    From the moment ''The Cyan Fox'' was announced, Booth had been the fan favorite to y the part. His image was a perfect match for the character and his acting skills were undeniable.


    But when it came to Yvonne, York was clearly hesitant.


    "Her status isn''t high enough. I''m worried she can''t carry the role."


    "Do you have a better candidate?" Cynthia asked.


    That stopped him. York shook his head with a sigh. The other actresses, despite their high status, had delivered performances that were ultimately underwhelming.


    "I''ll have to think about it," York said.