CHAPTER 422: CONGRATULATIONS

Realizing her fate was sealed, Deborah immediately dropped to her knees before Henry and Sarah, clasping her hands tightly together.

"Please, sir... have mercy on me. Don’t let them take me away. It was all Gary’s idea. He was blackmailing me. If you wanted me to get the role, but it’s only necessary. I’m a victim here too."

"Gary?!" Sarah’s troubled and confused gaze flickered to Henry for explanation.

"Don’t worry baby, I’ll explain everything later. Right now let me take out the trash." Henry replied softly before tilting his cold gaze towards the officers, who were already up on the stage.

"Take this filth and lock her up in your darkest room. I want her charged for assault, attempted kidnapping, and accomplice to attempted murder."

"Ah!" Deborah’s face paled at Henry’s cruel charges. Her horrified gaze darted between the approaching glaring officers and the unforgiving handsome demigod before her. "No..." She shook her head, turning to Sarah and throwing herself at Sarah’s feet.

"Please...best friend..."

"Best friend?!" Sarah raised her brow, snatching the hem of her gown from Deborah’s iron grip. "We were never friends to begin with, talk more of best friends. You made it crystal clear."

"I was stupid." Deborah cried out as Henry shoved her nto the awaiting arms of the cops. "Forgive me. Please... I’m ready to do anything you wish. I’m ready to clean your shoes with my tongue. I’m ready to mop this entire building if you so please. I’m ready to work as your personal maid for a year. Anything at all. But please don’t let them take me away. I am an only child. Have mercy."

A flicker of compassion and forgiveness flashed across Sarah’s eyes as she stared at Deborah’s trembling frame.

However, when she recalled her past nightmare in that changing room and the attempted kidnapping, amongst others, her expression hardened.

"No, Deborah. You need to face the consequences of your actions. You don’t hurt innocent people and expect to go scot free."

"What are you waiting for?" Henry barked at the officers, who were delaying the arrest. "Take this filth away from my sight."

"Yes, Mr Gordon." The leading officer slapped a cuff on Deborah’s wrist and she was dragged out of the hall, screaming and begging hysterically.

A deafening silence lingered in the wake of Deborah’s arrest until Henry’s authoritative voice snapped everyone back to work.

The audition room was cleared, except for a few management staff, Henry’s guest and the celebrating couple.

"Congratulations sweetheart." Amelia came up to Sarah, embracing her tenderly. "You nailed every bit of that role. For a moment, I thought I was in a movie house."

"Thanks, cousin."

"Cousin!" Magdalene whispered from behind Amelia, forcing her to snap her head backwards.

"Hello, Mrs Anderson..." Magdalene extended her trembling hands towards Amelia. "You may not know me but I am a big fan of your cosmetic brand."

"Oh... It’s good to meet you, Mrs..." Amelia shook Magdalene’s hand, beaming.

"It’s Miss Magdalene. I’m the casting director of Mega studios."

"Really..." Amelia drawled, tightening her grip on Magdalene’s hand, the smile on her face vanishing. "So you are that Magdalene."

"Oh dear...." Magdalene’s voice trembled. "I have offended a lot of big people and now I’m in a lot of trouble." Her gaze flickered to Sarah, who was just smiling. "Please forgive me, Sarah. I judged you harshly and I was very wrong."

"It’s in the past Miss Magdalene." Sarah chuckled, nudging Amelia to go easy on Magdalene.

"You are lucky my precious cousin is pleading on your case otherwise you won’t be standing here in front of me. I don’t joke with her and I will ruthlessly deal with anyone who tries to offend her." Amelia released her bone-crushing grip of Magdalene’s soft hand.

"Thank you, Mrs Anderson, and thank you,, Sarah, for being a true inspiration," Magdalene said massaging her hand, while wondering how someone with such a soft palm could maintain an iron grip.

"I’m glad I was able to convince you that I’m not just a pretty face." Sarah pointed out.

"You are absolutely phenomenal, Miss Hunt. I’m not saying this because you are my boss’s girlfriend, or the soon-to-be boss of this studio, or the fact that you are related to the almighty Andersons."

Both Amelia and Sarah chuckled at Magdalene’s exaggerated expression.

"It’s still unbelievable that you are the Sarah Hunt from the triple X band. Why didn’t I see this all along?" Magdalena cooed in admiration.

"Maybe because you were too busy trying to fault my future wife instead of letting her come to me." Henry’s deep voice came behind, causing Magdalene to freeze.

"Mr Gordon..." Magdalene turned around clasping her hands together. "... I’m truly sorry for everything that went down. It was all my fault and I am ready to...

"No, Miss Magdalene." Sarah stepped forward, shielding her from Henry’s fury. "It wasn’t your fault that Deborah turned out to be a crazy psycho. You were simply doing your job. Just try not to jump to a conclusion subsequently."

"Okay, Mrs Gordon... I mean... Miss Hunt."

Everyone hanging around burst into laughter including Henry.

"All right, now that I don’t have to hide our relationship from my staff, can I get a rewarding kiss from my female lead character, for being a good boy?" Henry scooped Sarah into his arms bridal style while everyone gushed over them.

"Only because you act nicely." Sarah plucked his nose playfully, unashamed of the people watching in admiration.

"This is the magical moment when a kiss seals the drama for today ... Scene 73... camera rolling....annnd .,..Action!" The pregnant assistant director, Ophelia called out, causing another ripple of laughter.

"I love you," Sarah whispered as Henry’s lips tenderly brushed against hers teasingly.

"Not as much as I love you," Henry claimed her lips in a passionate kiss while everyone cheered.

---

After a rewarding day at the studio, Sarah finally went home in the company of Henry and Annabelle to break the good news to her family.

However, when she got home, a surprise party to celebrate her success was already waiting for her.

"Congratulations!"

Sarah’s parents, brother and some of her friends screamed in excitement, popping confetti into the air when she opened the door.

"Henry..." Sarah pouted cutely, glancing sideways at him.

"I swear, it wasn’t me." Henry raised both hands in the air, beaming.

"Congratulations, darling." Judith received her daughter warmly. "We watched your performance live all thanks to your cousin."

"Hmmmm.... This was all Amelia’s plan." Sarah giggled. "No wonder she had that mischievous look in her eyes. I suspected her."

"From a shy beauty to a programming wiz, musical band guitarist and now a movie star, I wonder what we are to expect next from the super talented Sarah Hunt." Michael declared dramatically.

"How about a grand wedding on the moon?" Henry suggested and everyone erupted in laughter amid music and fine dining.