Free Web NovelChapter 1332: Chapter 1329: You Should Change Careers—No Crew Dares to Hire You Anymore
Chloe remained silent for a moment, her eyes lowered. After months of drastic weight loss, her originally slim frame of just under a hundred pounds had plummeted to around eighty. Standing there in the cold wind, she took a deep breath.
Beside her, Lisa quickly read through the interview content and angrily exclaimed, "Wasn’t he supposed to be the diamond bachelor? How come he’s getting married so soon? Who’s the lucky one?"
"Hey you, aren’t you here for the stunt double audition? The director is available now, hurry up and come over." The assistant director from the crew poked his head out and hurriedly called out.
Chloe and Lisa quickly went over.
"Are you auditioning for the stunt double?" The director, surnamed Zhan and nearly fifty, was a well-known TV director in the industry. When he saw Chloe, he froze for a moment and said, "Why do you look so familiar?"
"My name is Chloe Winston. I previously acted in Director Carter’s ’When You’re Lonely, Who Will You Miss.’" Chloe softly reminded him.
Only then did Director Zhan recall the movie that became a sensation two years ago. Although due to Delphine Carter’s influence, the film had high popularity even before its release, the actors in it were full of spirit. However, the lead actress had later disappeared from the scene.
Since Chloe had recently lost a lot of weight, Director Zhan didn’t recognize her at first. Upon realizing she was the young girl who had been blacklisted, he immediately frowned.
"You should switch careers and stop acting." This industry is extremely realistic; Chloe had been blacklisted and had been silent for two years. Now that the blockade order remains, and with no background or backing, continuing on this path is too difficult for her.
"Director, it’s just for a stunt double role, where the face isn’t shown. Is that not possible either?" Lisa anxiously said from the side.
Director Zhan shook his head, frowning as he said, "Young lady, do you know who you offended? It’s Mr. Constantine from Starshine Media. Rumor has it that Mr. Constantine has intricate connections with the prestigious Shaw family in the Imperial City. What crew would dare hire you; even as a stunt double, they wouldn’t dare."
Constantine Stewart is a giant in the investment world, owning his own media empire, Starshine Media. It’s usually heard about how much money Mr. Constantine invests rather than who he decides to blacklist. Chloe was popular for a while back then before disappearing because Starshine Media announced her blacklisting.
"Thank you, Director." Chloe didn’t say more, bowed to him, and then left the set with Lisa.
Lisa, still a bit dazed, asked after a while, "Do you know Constantine Stewart?"
"I don’t know him." Chloe said indifferently, frowning as she quickly thought of other paths to take.
"Right, how could you know such a person? Maybe you offended some higher-ups at Starshine Media, and that’s why you were blacklisted." Lisa mumbled to herself.
Chloe didn’t speak, looking at the enormous billboard by the roadside. It featured the Asia spokesperson for the international makeup brand C, a woman with a pure and enchanting look, her face glowing like moonlight.
"Stop looking. That’s Lois, who rose to fame within six months. Her trajectory is described as mythical, with nothing but one film where she was merely a pretty face, yet she’s inexplicably famous now. She received countless big brand endorsements, and everyone says her backing is terrifyingly strong." Lisa said, a bit enviously.
For people like them, working hard all their lives is just to become known and earn some money. Some people, however, just throw money into the entertainment sector. With such wealth, why suffer acting when they can return home to be a socialite?
Chloe looked away, a mocking smile tugging at her lips. Half a year, and she had already reached such heights, Constantine Stewart was indeed burning money to elevate her.
"Chloe, what do you plan to do in the future?" Lisa sighed, seeing the stunt double path blocked as well.
"Live stream, I guess. Pick an alias and make a living; I don’t know how to do anything else." Chloe said softly. She was attending the performance department of the Imperial City Film Academy, but she hadn’t attended for over half a year. She missed the end-of-term exams last semester, and she didn’t have the money to pay for tuition now, with only eight thousand dollars in her bank account.
"Live streaming is great. If it becomes popular, the tips can be significant, and you can sign with a live streaming platform, ensuring a stable income." Lisa nodded, smiling.
Seeing Lisa accompany her through the cold weather, running to various sets and worrying about her future livelihood, Chloe reached out to hold Lisa’s hand and softly said, "Sister Lisa, I will take care of myself, thank you."
"There’s no need to be polite with me. If you’re in trouble, just call me." Lisa nodded.
Parting from Lisa, Chloe took the subway to a computer city and bought a high-performance assembled desktop for five thousand dollars. She left the address for delivery and returned to her small rented apartment.
After the computer was delivered and installed, Chloe registered an ID on the country’s most popular live streaming platform, naming it Catwoman. With her own streaming room, she clenched her fist, secretly cheering herself on, "Go, Chloe! People must look forward."
*
Shaw Mansion
Richard Shaw’s promotion to Vice Admiral was announced after the New Year, a minor change in title that doubled his authority.
With such a high rank, the position of Vice Admiral’s wife became extremely important. Over the past few months, Richard had mentioned it to his grandmother, who was the wisest. She instantly understood her grandson wanted to propose subtly, and thus increased her interactions within the prestigious circles, often having Leah represent Shaw Mansion at important events.
Leah felt trapped.
Richard frequently rambled in her ear about how others visited with their wives, and how he, a man in his thirties, was nothing but a solitary officer. Receiving foreign guests, others also have their wives accompany them, but he was always alone.
Leah’s ears had grown calluses from his words. Just then, news came from the South Seas that Delphine was pregnant, which made Ignatius exuberant, often boasting in front of Richard.
Richard turned grim-faced, seemingly competing with old Ignatius, increasing the frequency of their bedroom activities more than double. Leah thought life was too decadent, feeling like she was becoming a blow-up doll, so she quietly flew to the United Kingdom to visit Delphine for a few days of peace.
Richard was entangled with work and couldn’t leave on a whim. Seeing Leah go to the United Kingdom to see Delphine, he didn’t say anything, planning to give her a week to play. If she didn’t return, he would go to fetch her.
When Richard returned from the Military District in the evening, he saw his grandmother wearing reading glasses and reading the Financial Figures Weekly.
"Richard, come over and take a look. Is this what’s written about that Winter kid? Didn’t he say he got married last time? How is he getting married again?" The old lady called Richard over, saying, "Ask him. When I call, he thinks I’m going to scold him, but he’s always getting married; it’s not good."
"Alright, I’ll ask." Richard replied with a deep voice.
The man walked to the courtyard, standing under the veranda as he made a call to Constantine Stewart. When the call connected, he sternly asked, "What’s going on between you and Chloe?"
