Chapter 147


    The moment they stepped off the bus, a cloud of dust and sand swirled around them. Apparently, this


    town was identified by the government as one of the poverty-stricken areas in the country.


    There was a man in a white cap and grey waistcoat standing by the entrance of the town. When he


    spotted Jeremy and Skr, he made his way towards them immediately.


    They couldn’t tell how old he was. He had long and thick sideburns that extended down the sides of his


    face. There was something bulky shifting around in his coat pocket.


    “Oh, the both of you came together! I’m Howard Cowley. I am tasked to pick the both of you up.”


    Howard’s eyes were fixed on Skr as he spoke. He couldn’t help but notice how supple her skin


    looked. How beautiful!


    Jeremy was very eager to make himself stand out. He rushed forward and shook Howard’s hand


    immediately.


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    On the other hand, Skr merely smiled timidly at Howard.


    Howard led them to where the production crew was. On their way there, he updated them regarding the


    important details of the shooting procedure.


    Skr turned to him and asked, “Has the director arrived yet?”


    Howard smiled cheerfully at her. “Yes. Regarding your role as the lead actress, the production team has


    arranged for another candidate to film separately. The director will take a look at each of your scenes


    individually before deciding on the lead actress. You guys may go ahead and practice first. We will start


    with the supporting actors’ scenes first.”


    Jeremy was pleased to hear this. “I knew it! A renowned director wouldn’t take the lead actress casting


    so lightly!”


    Howard’s words proved Skr’s suspicions correct. Before this, she had wondered if her sess had


    come too suddenly.


    If she were Daryl’s first choice for the lead actress role, he wouldn’t be treating her so poorly—poor


    enough to have her book her own cab to the shooting location.


    Perhaps he had been acting on impulse back when he chose her, and now he regretted it.


    They finally arrived at the filming site. This was the first time Skr had seen so many cameras around


    her. As the extras paced around the set listlessly, the director barked out orders to the other workers.


    Hearing that Howard had brought the two of them there, Daryl walked over to them, chomping nastily on


    a pear. As she met his bleary gaze, Skr felt a shiver run down her spine.


    Daryl scanned her from head to toe. Skr was in her casual wear.


    A pair of silky white ankle stuck out from beneath the rolled-up cuffs of her jeans. Her features, which


    carried a schoolgirl-like innocence, made her look even more beautiful.


    Daryl had wanted her to be his lead actress all along. However, the production teammented she


    appeared too modern,cking the rustic appeal they were looking for.


    Daryl thought that was hogwash. Unfortunately, Skr wasn’t famous enough for him to speak up on her


    behalf.


    In the past, he would have fought bitterly to keep her as the lead actress. However, since he was making


    an art film this time, he had no choice but to bow down to the investors. Frankly, Daryl was very annoyed.


    If he knew this was going to happen, he wouldn’t have invested so much time into looking for the perfect


    lead actress.


    “Have the both of you taken a look at the script?” Daryl asked.


    Skr nodded. “Yes. I’ve read through the entire thing.”


    Daryl sighed deeply and said, “Well, don’t bother reading it anymore. They’ve changed the lead actress.”


    Didn’t Howard say that we would film separately and be judged based on our performance?


    Initially, Skr thought she might have a chance against the other actress if she gave her best efforts.


    The small spark of hope in her heart was extinguished almost instantly.


    “May I know why?” Skr wanted an exnation—she would be lying if she said she wasn’t


    disappointed. “You could’ve told me about this beforehand so I could be mentally prepared.”


    Daryl replied calmly, “There’s no reason behind it. It’s quitemon in this industry for lead actresses to


    be swapped out at thest moment. However, I do think you’re quite suited for the role of the supporting


    actress. You’re still young, and there will be many more opportunities ahead of you. Sadly, our investors


    have decided that you won’t be ying the role of the lead actress.”


    Skr had read the script of the supporting actress. She couldn’t help but feel that she was nothing but a


    common wench who moaned and griped and seduced men. What an awful character!


    In the end, the supporting actress was the one who ended up with the lead actor. Skr knew that she


    would be getting a lot of hate mail once the film aired.


    Seeing her hesitate, Daryl said immediately, “You can choose not to ept this offer if you don’t want to.


    After all, we haven’t signed a contract yet. If you choose to return home now, the production team will


    absorb the cost of your ne ticket home.”