Chapter 194

194 Eric Arrives
194 Eric Arrives
Eliza went up next, performing a scene where a criminal tortured a hostage.
She was playing the criminal.
It was all pantomime–no props.
She delivered two minutes of lines toward an empty corner.
Her face didn’t even change expression once.
Alice could barely stand to watch and gave her a score of three.
That three was purely out of pity.
After all, Risa had set a rule–no zero scores, otherwise the press wouldn’t know how to spin it.
When Eliza saw the score, she erupted in anger.
“Alice, you’re deliberately insulting me!”
Alice shrugged. “Your acting is right there on display. How could I insult you more than that?”
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Eliza jabbed a finger toward the other judges. “They all gave me sevens and eights, and you give me a three? That’s the lowest score!”
“And what about it?”
“You’re doing this on purpose! You’re deliberately picking a fight with me!”
“Why would I pick a fight with someone I’ve never even met?”
“Obviously because I—”
Eliza immediately clamped a hand over her mouth, her heart lurching as panic spread across her face.
That was close.
She’d almost blurted out what she’d done before.
Thankfully, she caught herself in time.
Even so, her gaze toward Alice turned venomous, like she wanted to tear her apart.
Alice’s lips curved in a faint, mocking smile.
“Go on. Why’d you stop talking?
Eliza stayed silent.
She might’ve been reckless, but she still knew how the industry worked.
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194 Eric Arrives
170 From Come
Taking a deep breath, she finally said, slowly, “In any case, you don’t understand acting, and now you think you can criticize me? You’re not qualified!”
The amusement in Alice’s eyes hadn’t faded.
Look closely, and it was all mockery.
Eliza felt like she was about to explode.
She might’ve only been a second–tier actress, but thanks to her ties to the Lawrences, people in the industry still treated her with courtesy.
Even when she appeared on variety shows or other projects, scripts were tailored to make her look good.
Never–not once–had she been humiliated so publicly.
Rage flooded her head, burning away any trace of reason.
“Alice, who the hell do you think you are? The only reason you’re even sitting here is because Risa counts you as a friend. Don’t forget, without Risa, you’re nothing! You gave me that three out of spite. Just watch, once we’re out of here, I won’t let you get away with it!” she snapped.
The words dripped with threat.
Of course, judging by her expression, even if Alice changed her score on the spot, Eliza wasn’t about to let go of the grudge.
So instead, Alice slowly placed her hands on the table and stood up.
“So what you’re saying is–you want me to act with you to prove whether or not, I know anything about acting?”
Eliza sneered. “Hmph. Acting with me is me doing you a favor.”
Her teeth were clenched tight.
Everyone here knew each other’s personalities.
There was no need to hide behind politeness.
“Alice, from the start, everyone has been questioning you, and what do you do? Sit there smugly under Risa’s protection. Now, I’m offering to act with you because I want to clear Risa’s name. If your acting actually convinces me, I’ll kneel right/here in front of everyone and apologize to you! But if you….”
She didn’t finish the sentence, but everyone
understood.
If she could kneel and apologize, then Alice would have to do the same.
A flicker of surprise flashed through Alice’s smile.
“I didn’t know you liked making bets this way.”
Eliza immediately responded with arrogance.
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194 Eric Arrives
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“If you kneel down right now and beg for my forgiveness, I’ll let this go. I’ll even spare you–for Risa’s sake.”
Risa finally had enough and slammed her hand on the table.
“Eliza, shut the fuck up!”
But Eliza, knowing she was already out of the running, felt untouchable.
“Risa, I know you’re a famous director, you’ve got power, but do you really not care about your reputation? Because right now, I’m seriously questioning what kind of relationship you and Alice actually have.”
On that last word-“relationship“-she deliberately put extra weight, her tone dripping with insinuation. And almost as soon as she finished speaking, Eric and Daniel appeared at the door.
The guards at the entrance straightened immediately, calling out loudly because of Eric’s special status.
“Mr. Eric, you’re here.”
The words caught everyone’s attention.
When Eliza saw Eric, she was momentarily stunned by his presence.
Then she quickly strode over.
“Mr. Eric, perfect timing. I can expose her true colors to you right now.”
Eric’s tone was casual, almost bored.
“Do you like changing skins that much?”
Eliza blinked, confused.
“What?”
Daniel, barely containing his laughter, explained slowly.
“Ms. Lawrence, I think he means your skin must be so thick that even if you peel one layer off, there’s still another underneath.”
Eliza froze for a second, then her face darkened.
“And who the hell do you think you are-‘
”