CHAPTER 51: THE FOUR ROUNDS

"Today I learned a new thing." Antonio walked to Elara, who was waiting in the lounge for the director to arrive.

The girl raised her brows at him, her gaze shifting to where Andrew was standing with Beatrice, playing her part of being an overly concerned friend. Heck, she didn’t even bring the flame that close.

"What’s that?" Elara asked.

"You don’t always need to use strength to win against someone," Antonio said, referring to the part where she used her lighter to make him let go of her hand.

Elara smirked before pointing at her head.

"Being powerful isn’t enough if you can’t use your brain. This world is leaning more towards the manipulators." She smirked, standing from her position to greet the director who arrived just then.

He clapped his hands to catch everyone’s attention.

Elara could feel someone’s stare on her neck, and she didn’t need to be told who it was.

"Everyone inside, I would like to welcome you all to this contest of live singing and acting, which will decide the main lead singer for the sensational drama that has already started its production shooting," the director said, looking at Producer Li to continue.

"Greetings from the entire team of Fallen Star. The female lead of the drama is here with us to judge the meeting herself." The producer looked at Beatrice, and the girl, dressed in an elegant beige dress, smiled before nodding, her face tinged with a shy glint.

"First, we would like to introduce you all to the three or four phases of the contests that you guys would be facing." The producer said, looking at the director, who nodded.

"This contest will decide the lead singer of the OST and cameo actress for our drama Fallen Star. There will be four rounds..."

Round 1: Blind Singing

"No face is shown. Only voice. The audience will vote based on the voice. The top 6 will advance to the next stage." The director explained.

Carla smirked at the words, while Beatrice nodded confidently. And Elara? She felt strangely calm.

Voice before face. It was a good thing for her, a fair opportunity.

Round 2: Acting + Emotional Scene

"You will be given a short dramatic script. Crying, confrontation, breakdown, happiness—it will be random. One shot, one chance. Judges will score based on how accurately you can portray every single word of the scene." The director said.

Elara’s hand twitched, but she kept her expression still, not wanting her competitors to know that acting made her nervous indeed.

Round 3: Chemistry Acting Scene

"You may choose a male partner to act with. Someone who heightens your emotional dynamic. You will be given a few tasks, along with a romantic couple scene, just to see how well you can portray love." The director said.

Beatrice immediately looked at Andrew with a hopeful smile. Carla smirked at Beatrice. She had known about these phases. That was the main reason why they urged Andrew to come. She was sure her brother would never choose Elara over Beatrice, and it would be enough to break the pathetic doormat.

Elara’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of a romantic scene, her eyes instinctively flickering to Andrew, who was already looking at her. However, as soon as Beatrice touched his hand, he smiled at her, as if reassuring her that he would be with her.

Her fists clenched by her side before she took a deep breath. Antonio felt pity for the girl, but more than that, he felt proud because of how well she was handling it.

Final Round: Live Performance

"Live singing on stage. No edits. A well-known celebrity judge will come to score you guys. Every round will also have its own voting system where the audience will be allowed to share their opinion through comments and live streams of the phases," the director explained.

Silence fell over the room for a few minutes, which was followed by big smiles of excitement and an adrenaline rush.

Carla walked closer to Elara with a smirk before leaning forward. "Hope you memorize this experience, Elara. I am going to make it so worth it for everyone."

Her threat least fazed Elara. She didn’t need to.

Why? Because deep down, Elara knew all this confidence and mockery were just a facade the girl used to hide how nervous she herself was. Her voice was the loudest when she was scared.

The contestants were asked to walk to the lounge to have some snacks, but Elara, who didn’t feel like eating anything, stepped aside to call Nate to tell him what it was all about since the man was busy with the tour signing for one of his only famous artists.

However, before she could hit the dial button, her phone rang.

Her brows raised when she read the name.

Daniel Macroni.

Yes. She deliberately twisted his surname because he had a habit of twisting facts to his pleasure.

"What?" She picked it up after a few seconds. \

"Good. You sound much alive now. So you’ve joined the contest, huh? Want me to send the flowers or a fire extinguisher?" Daniel asked.

"Why would I need a fire extinguisher?"

"Maybe because you are about to set that contest on fire, either with your songs or violence with that lighter of yours. Hard to predict with you," Daniel’s words made her think about the incident earlier, and a smile appeared on her face.

Was she really that easy to predict for him? She wondered, less irritated.

"How are you holding up?" He asked.

"I am fine. I don’t need you to check on me like this," Elara said, still grateful that someone made the effort to.

"Good. Don’t let those idiots get to you, and refrain from murdering while you are at it," Daniel said.

She could practically feel his amusement through the phone and rolled her eyes.

"You know my brother asked me to stay away from you. So let me follow through," Elara said.

Daniel didn’t say anything for a while, and Elara checked the phone to confirm the call hadn’t been disconnected.

But then he spoke,

"Typical George, not happening anytime soon. Because I am already preparing to ruin that contest, and the world will see it happening. I told you—I am backing you, whether you ask for it or not, whether you like it or not."

Elara froze at the words.

"What do you mean?" She almost raised her voice.

"Don’t think too hard," he added lazily. "Bye."

The call ended. Elara could practically imagine him smirking after saying all that, and she pressed her lips into a thin line.

What was this man planning now?