Since both had performed Scene 26 for their auditions, the public could judge for themselves who delivered the better performance. The difference was obvious to anyone with eyes. Alice wasn’t bad, but Hera had clearly outperformed her.


    However, just as they finalized this n, they discovered that the audition footage had been deleted—along with several other scenes. Only a handful of unremarkable clips remained, likely to make it seem like a random mishap rather than a targeted cover-up. But did Alice and her people really think they could fool Director Nick and Betty?


    They had been in the industry long enough to recognize sabotage when they saw it. Someone was deliberately trying to ruin Hera’s reputation, ensuring she couldn’t clear her name and forcing her out of the role. The situation became even more suspicious when the major investor suddenly requested a change in the female lead.


    Director Nick immediately opposed the idea—not just because he believed Hera was the best fit for the role but also because the screenwriter refused to rece her. They were determined to find an alternative solution to fix the situation.


    However, they all knew one crucial fact: Xavier was backing Hera. If they removed her from the cast, there was a strong chance that Xavier would walk away in retaliation. And if that happened, they would be left with their second-best option—Wesley. But could they really afford to take that risk?


    After news leaked about Hera securing the female lead, it was soon followed by the revtion that Xavier was the male lead. This sparked excitement among Xavier’s fans, who were already anticipating their on-screen pairing. Their enthusiasm had significantly boosted the movie’s hype even before filming had begun.


    If Xavier were to quit in response to Hera’s removal, it wouldn’t just be a casting issue—it couldpletely derail the film’s momentum. The disappointment from fans could tank the project, turning all the early excitement into bacsh. Director Nick knew this was a risk he couldn’t afford to take.


    Although Alice revealed that Hera had indeed secured the female lead role under the guise of "clearing" Hera’s name, she had, in doing so, vited her contract, which strictly prohibited revealing production details.


    However, if the production team attempted to take legal action against Alice, she could easily twist the narrative with awyer’s help. She could argue that the situation warranted her actions and that she was merely trying to salvage Hera’s reputation for the sake of the production team.


    In the eyes of theizens who watched Alice’s video, the film crew would appear ungrateful if they took action against her. Instead of holding Alice ountable, the public might use them of being corrupt—bought off to protect Hera at all costs.


    If they pursued legal action, they wouldn’t just be fighting Alice; they’d be battling public opinion, ultimately dragging both themselves and Hera further into controversy. It felt like a wellid trap, and they had walked right into it.


    Remembering all of this, Hera’s smirk only grew wider.


    <i>’Did they really think I was that easy to bully?</i>’ she mused to herself. Without hesitation, she began typing on her phone, attaching the videos and photos she had asked Sasha to gather. Once everything was in ce, she posted it all on her social media, ready to turn the tide in her favor.


    <strong>[Hera_A: </strong>Hello, everyone. I apologize for the dy in addressing this controversy. As many of you who have followed me from the beginning of my journey in the entertainment industry know, I don’t throw baseless usations—I only speak the truth, backed by solid evidence. That’s why I took the time to gather everything before making my statement.


    First and foremost, I never <i>stole</i> anyone’s role. The casting was done through an open audition, and I simply fit the image of the female lead. I was fortunate enough to showcase what I had learned, thanks to the guidance of my mentor, <strong>@TheDarkWitchOfTheScreen</strong>. I am truly grateful for your wisdom and support.


    Now, regarding the ims that I act like a diva just because I have men supporting me—let’s get one thing straight. As I’ve mentioned in a past livestream, I am fully capable of supporting <i>my men</i> with <i>my own</i> money. Some of you might assume that my wealthes from an "old sugar daddy," but I’m sorry to disappoint you. If you’re so curious, you can easily look up my financial profile.


    For those unaware, I invest in the stock market and use my earnings to fund small businesses, gaining shares in return. Over time, as these businesses grew, so did my wealth—allowing me to support myself <i>and</i> those I care about.


    Some might question: <i>If I had this kind of financial capability, why did I work multiple jobs when I was with Alexi?</i> The answer is simple. At that time, while I had already made investments, my funds were locked and hadn’t yielded returns yet. I treated that money as a long-term gamble, something I might never see again. Meanwhile, I spent my avable resources on gifts, an expensive apartment for the two of us, and other shared expenses. But who would have thought that, soon after, my investments would finally start paying off?


    Stay tuned—there’s more toe.]