Edie smiled. "It seems thereās a misunderstanding. In order to get a part in a film, do you not need to audition for it first? If chosen for the role, it all depends on your acting talent. The directors noticed my superior acting skills. Therefore, I got the role in the play!" Edie said, determined to prove her independence by taking the opportunity of contracting her.
Edie purposely said this in front of everyone. Feeling uncontrollable anger was rising inside of Geneva, she stayed silent, trying to control it.
Edie suffered intense anticipatory anxiety interacting with unfamiliar people. Edie could feel their hostility pumping across the room. Their intense stare began to make Edie feel uncomfortable.
"The food here in River State is awful!" Vicky said with arrogance in her voice. She was a typical rich bitch.
From the corner of Edieās eyes, she saw Vicky glance at her and smile. It was clear that she intended to embarrass her in front of everyone. Edie sighed in her heart. She wasnāt surprised, for she had expected such a scene sooner or later.
āBecause she has money, most people put up with it anyway.ā She banished the dreadful tug at her heart that mingled with the thought.
Vicky nudged Geneva repeatedly, trying to get her to help her embarrass Edie, but in return, it only made her look like a narrow-minded snob.
Dolly butted into the conversation. "The Herring family is so rich, and only the Yates family could come close to being compared to it. Miss. Herring, youāve had all kinds of experience with the entertainment industry! You also have many resources, but there are people who are less fortunate than you? Yes?" Dolly stopped mid sentence, and a smirk crossed her face.
The Herring family was well known in the River State. Being compared to the Yates family, they were only classified as an ordinary rich family. Vicky was naive and thought Dolly was complimenting her.
Vicky smiled. "The next time youāre in River State, give me a call, and we can go out for dinner. Iāll take you to one of the Michelin-starred restaurants."
Dolly hadnāt expected Vicky to be so naive. She spoke directly. "Itās nice of you to speak so freely, but the director chose this restaurant. I think maybe next time, you should be a little bit more careful about what you say and who you say it to."
Vicky never realized that when she said the food was awful, she was actually criticizing the directorās choice for picking this restaurant in particular. Her eyes were wide open, which held a blank expression, and her smile froze.
The atmosphere tense. No one spoke. After an uncomfortable silence, Edie was the first to speak to break the awful silence. "Dolly, your handwriting is absolutely beautiful. Is it Textura Quadrata?"
"Yes, it is! Iām surprised, and I didnāt know you were familiar with the different types of handwriting styles." Dolly had practiced her writing for more than ten years. She would often post her work on her Facebook and Twitter pages.
Edie smiled and explained, "I only know a little about it. My handwriting is horrible. I think itās because I lack patience!"
Dolly admired Edieās honesty. "Yes, it does take a lot of patience. Young people nowadays are not so patient, but it must have taken you some time to learn about it? That requires patience! Bravo!" Dolly smiled and clapped her hands.
Being admired by Dolly was not easy, and on the contrary, she did the exact opposite to Vicky. She criticized her. Vicky shrank into her seat, embarrassed, feeling as though she was being teased in front of the entire company. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Vicky abruptly stood up and said, "Miss. Will, Iām not feeling very well. I think Iāll go back to the room." Vicky had a hateful expression on her face.
Not even turning her head to look at Vicky, Dolly smiled and said, "The filming is starting, so hopefully you feel better by tomorrow."
There was a slight smile on Vickyās face. She couldnāt believe what she heard. "Yes, I know!" Then she turned away, and the smile on her face disappeared. Geneva hesitated, "I should be going too." She stood up and quickly walked to catch up with Vicky.
The atmosphere immediately changed. There wasnāt any bickering or arguing. Everyone felt at ease and was able to speak freely. Dolly leaned over and whispered in Edieās ear. "Thereās always someone who tries to make things more complicated than they should be. I hope you donāt take it to heart. There will always be a battle, but lifeās too short."
Edie immediately realized what Dolly was implying. "I know how Vicky got the role of Yvonne Patricia. This isnāt uncommon in the entertainment circle. It may be unfair, but sooner or later..." Edie never finished her sentence, but Dolly knew what she meant. Edie was moved that Dolly was trying to comfort her.
"Exactly, sooner or later! He or she will get whatās coming to them," Dolly shook her head and smiled.
"Thank you for the advice. It means a lot coming from you," Edie said, feeling relieved.
When they finished dinner, everyone returned to the hotel. Edie walked to the front desk and saw Vicky standing there with a look of dissatisfaction on her face. "My room is too small! Itās smaller than the washroom at my home. How do you expect to stay in a room as tiny and ugly as this? I want a presidential suite! Get me one right now!" she ordered.
The receptionist smiled and tried to explain politely, "Miss. Herring! All of the presidential suites are taken. There arenāt any available rooms."
"Go talk to the guests and make arrangements for me. I have the money! I will pay twice the amount for a room," she said, trying to sound confident.
The Herring family was rich, and Vicky was used to getting her own way. In her mind, money could solve everything. By the expression on the receptionistās face, it was clear she was embarrassed. She mumbled and stuttered, "But.... thereās no...I canāt ask them to leave!"
The receptionist noticed Edie, and she pointed to her. "Miss. Herring! Miss. Lara booked the last presidential suite. Maybe she will make arrangements with you?"
Vicky turned and looked at Edie. Vicky remained there, mumbling to herself, her face twisted in rage. "Edie Lara? How is it possible that she gets to stay in a presidential suite?"
Edie never likes being looked down upon and said, "Miss. Herring! Would you like to explain to me why I shouldnāt be staying in a presidential suite?"
Vicky eyed Edie, she looked her up and down. "You donāt get paid enough! How could you afford to stay there? Youāre getting your money from elsewhere, but where?"