At ZX Media—
As discussed with Freya the previous night, after finishing her training, Adelyn came to meet her at the office.
Compared to before, far more people in the company recognized Adelyn now.
Everyone was already aware of how eager the company had suddenly become to sign her.
So, the moment they saw her walking through the lobby again, whispers immediately spread among the employees.
"Does she really have that kind of talent?" someone whispered, eyeing Adelyn as she walked past them. "I heard the company wants to officially sign her and they are going really a great extent to make that happen."
"I heard that too," another person chimed in. "She must have something special. Otherwise, why would they suddenly change their decision...??"
"What do you all know?" another woman scoffed in quiet arrogance. "She only has two advantages. First, she’s beautiful. Second ..." She smirked. "... she’s Manager Finn’s artist."
"You mean ..."
"Heh! What else could I mean?" she scoffed again. "Everyone knows Manager Thatcher has always had it out for Manager Finn. As long as it’s someone Manager Finn discovered, Manager Thatcher will do everything he can to snatch them away. He’s done it before, and now he’s planning to do the same thing again."
"So you’re saying it was Manager Thatcher who suggested signing her?" someone asked curiously.
The woman didn’t answer directly.
But the knowing look on her face was answer enough.
"Whatever the reason," another person interrupted, "she’s benefiting from it either way. I heard the contract prepared for her is just a level behind the top elite-tier. Much ... much better than the ones we signed. If she accepts it, she’ll only gain from it."
"She must be here to sign it today," another agreed.
However, someone else immediately shook his head, interrupting —
"No, I don’t think that’s why she’s here."
"I heard she still isn’t willing to sign with the company."
"She doesn’t want to?"
Everyone looked genuinely surprised.
Even though none of them had personally seen the contract ...
They had all heard enough rumors to know that the terms and benefits being offered to Adelyn were exceptionally generous.
With resources and conditions like that ...
Why would anyone refuse?
"I’m not completely sure either," the man admitted. "But maybe she’s still holding a grudge. After all ... the company had strongly rejected her before."
"Heh..! That’s just a tantrum," another person sneered. "She’ll come around sooner or later."
"Otherwise ..." he added with a cold smile, "... ZX Media has plenty of ways to show her the way out of this industry."
"Passing one audition doesn’t give her the right to stay arrogant forever."
Most of them shared the same opinion.
Some were jealous.
Others were simply waiting to see her brought back down to the same level as everyone else.
So what if she had gotten lucky once?
Everyone had experienced a lucky break at some point in their careers.
But could anyone remain lucky forever?
Of course not.
Meanwhile ...
Adelyn heard every single whisper as she walked toward the elevator.
Yet not once did she slow her pace.
Nor did she show the slightest intention of responding.
Still ...
Their conversation had helped her understand a little more about what was happening inside the company.
Far more than she had known before.
Soon, the elevator doors slid open with a soft ding.
Adelyn stepped inside calmly before pressing the button for the basement level.
A few moments later, the doors opened again onto one of the company’s quietest —and almost deserted —floors.
Stepping out, she walked straight toward Freya’s office.
Stopping before the door, she knocked lightly before gently pushing it open.
Unlike the previous time ...
Freya was already inside. She sat behind her desk, seemingly waiting. The moment she saw Adelyn, a gentle smile appeared on her face.
"You’ve come. Come in and have a seat first."
Adelyn smiled back.
"Sister Freya."
She walked over, pulled out the chair opposite the desk, and quietly sat down.
"How has your training been?" Freya asked, interlacing her fingers before resting them on top of the desk as she looked at Adelyn. "Do you need me to arrange someone to help you practice?"
She had personally seen Adelyn wield a sword before.
Given what she had witnessed ...
Freya honestly didn’t think Adelyn needed any additional guidance.
Still ...
She asked just to make sure.
Adelyn smiled and shook her head. "No, Sister Freya. My training is almost complete. With only a week left now, I can handle the rest on my own."
"That is actually better," Freya replied with a satisfied nod.
Then pausing briefly, she continued, "The other day, I spoke with Producer Polson. In less than a week, they’re going to officially announce the cast through their mediums."
"The netizens will know very soon. So you need to prepare yourself."
She paused before adding,
"The official filming will begin next month ... roughly a week after the announcement."
Adelyn naturally understood what Freya truly meant by prepare yourself.
She wasn’t referring only to the filming schedule.
She was also talking about the inevitable criticism ...
The online gossip ...
The trolls ...
Everything that would erupt once the casting announcement became public.
"Whatever happens after the announcement," Freya continued, "remember one thing."
"You won’t be the first person to go through it. Many top-tier actors before you have experienced the exact same thing when they entered the industry."
"It’s simply a phase. Once everyone witnesses your skills and talent for themselves, those voices will gradually disappear."
A gentle smile appeared on her lips as she added,
"So don’t let any of it discourage you at any point. Just focus on giving your best. The world will eventually see your worth."
Adelyn smiled warmly before nodding.
"Don’t worry about it, Sister Freya. I’ll probably be too busy with the filming schedule to pay much attention to what’s happening online."
Then, after a brief pause, she added with a faint smile,
"And even if I do happen to see it, I don’t think it’ll affect me much."
"... I’ve already lived through something far worse."
Although Adelyn smiled as she spoke ...
Freya still caught the faint sadness hidden beneath that smile.
After a moment of silence, she quietly said, "Your past scandal might be brought up again."
Adelyn simply nodded.
"Unfortunately ... no one can change the past. If people choose to blame me again, then that’s something I’ll have to bear."
She smiled apologetically.
"I’m sorry. You might get dragged into it because of me too."
Freya immediately shook her head.
"It’s alright. Just like you ... I’ve also been dragged through the worst before. So it won’t leave much of an impact on me either."
The two women exchanged quiet smiles.
For a brief moment ...
Neither of them spoke.
A comfortable silence settled between them.
Freya seemed to be gathering her thoughts.
Adelyn patiently gave her that time.
Only after several seconds did she gently ask, "What else is it, Sister Freya?"
Freya looked up at her.
Then, after a brief pause, she reached for a file lying beside her.
Without saying anything immediately, she slowly pushed it across the desk toward Adelyn.
"Read this," she said softly.
"If you think the terms and benefits are satisfactory ... you can sign it."