Chapter 155

Emily Lowell stood obediently beside Richard Lowell, gently massaging his shoulders.

"Father, don't be angry. Sophia just has a straightforward personality."

Her voice was soft, like a spring breeze skimming the lake.

Richard gazed at his adopted daughter with warmth in his eyes.

"You're the sensible one."

The surrounding staff exchanged approving glances.

"Director Lowell is truly blessed to have such a caring daughter."

"Indeed, she's far better than that troublemaker Sophia."

Emily lowered her head modestly, though the corners of her lips curled slightly upward.

Though the commotion at the opening ceremony had settled, online discussions only grew fiercer.

Julian Lombardi's fanbase was in an uproar.

"We found out! Scarlett Ashcroft is an artist under Lowell Entertainment!"

"She was involved in a scandal last year—caught cheating red-handed."

"How dare someone like her get close to our idol?"

Fans feverishly dug up dirt on Scarlett and Melanie Vance.

But the trail soon went cold.

"Strange... The three of them seem to have no connection at all."

Meanwhile, Scarlett was drenched in sweat inside the rehearsal studio.

She practiced her expressions repeatedly before the mirror.

"Again."

Sophia Laurent sat nearby, lightly tapping the script with her fingers.

"For Empress Xiao Yue's coronation scene, your gaze needs more ferocity."

Scarlett nodded, taking a deep breath.

The woman in the mirror suddenly sharpened her eyes.

A week later, at the "Empress" audition venue.

Director Lucas Sheridan flipped through documents when his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Sophia!"

He strode forward eagerly, though his gaze remained fixed on Scarlett.

"Is this the actress you mentioned?"

Sophia smiled faintly.

"Shall we let her try?"

Lucas nodded impatiently.

"Start now!"

The audition room door slowly closed.

Scarlett took a deep breath and stepped toward her chance to change her destiny.