Chapter 186: Underhanded Means.
Charlotte knew she was being unreasonably overbearing.
But she couldn’t help it.
Seeing Clara lying there—weak, pale, and crying on the hospital bed —made her lose all sense of logic.
At that moment, she didn’t care about reason or propriety. She only wanted everything to fall into place according to her daughter’s wishes so that Clara could recover —quickly, completely.
If it was about a movie ... a role—
Then she would get it for her. No matter the cost.
"Liam, I don’t know how you’ll do it," she said, her voice tight with emotion. "I just know I can’t bear to see my daughter like this."
Liam closed his eyes.
He knew exactly what his mother was asking of him.
And if it had been about anything else, he would have agreed without hesitation. He understood her feelings.
But this—
This was something he simply couldn’t do.
"Mom," he said, opening his eyes slowly, his tone steady but firm, "I can help Clara get better scripts. Even bigger opportunities. But I can’t do anything to get her into Director Rhodes’ movie."
Charlotte frowned deeply.
She clearly hadn’t expected such a firm refusal.
Liam had never spoken to her like this before.
Even Clara’s fingers tightened against the bedsheets, clutching them hard.
Her gaze turned cold as she looked toward her brother —resentment flickering unmistakably in her eyes.
"Liam, you—" Charlotte stood up abruptly, ready to confront him.
But just then—
Liam took a step back.
"I’ll go check with the doctor," he said, cutting off the confrontation before it could escalate. "Let me ask about her discharge."
And without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out.
Clara hadn’t expected him to sidestep the situation so easily.
But since he had, she couldn’t openly react—
Not with Charlotte right there.
Charlotte, however, didn’t like the way Liam had left.
Yet, from the firmness in his refusal, she understood one thing clearly—
No matter what she said, he wouldn’t change his stance.
Suppressing her dissatisfaction, she turned back to Clara, her expression softening as she tried to coax her.
"Dear, it’s just one movie," she said gently. "Liam said he’ll help you find another one. A diamond meant to shine will shine on any stage. You’ll shine, no matter which film you do."
Clara pressed her lips into a faint smile and slowly shook her head.
"I don’t blame Liam, Mom," she said softly. "If he could, he would have helped me."
She paused briefly before adding, her tone measured and understanding —almost too composed,
"It’s just that Director Rhodes is very particular about his work. Once he makes a decision, he doesn’t accept anyone’s suggestions."
"And ..." she added, lifting her gaze toward her mother, "he had already chosen some new actress."
Charlotte paused.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion flickering within them.
"A new actress?" she repeated. "They’re giving such an important lead role to a newcomer?"
Clara briefly glanced at Maria.
And as if waiting for that exact cue—
Maria stepped forward.
"They usually don’t, Madam Scott," she said quickly.
Charlotte turned toward her, and Maria continued, her tone carefully laced with implication,
"Lead roles are extremely important. Directors and producers rarely take risks by casting a new face. But this time ... they did. And it does seem rather ... doubtful."
"Doubtful?" Charlotte asked, confusion knitting her brows.
Before she could question further, Clara snapped lightly, stopping her.
"Maria, don’t say such absurd things."
When Charlotte turned back to her, Clara continued calmly,
"Newcomers can sometimes be more talented than veterans. That’s probably why Director Rhodes and Producer Polson chose her. Don’t make it sound like something improper —you don’t fully understand these things yet."
"But Ms. Scott, she—" Maria tried to protest.
"That’s enough," Clara cut her off again, her tone firmer this time.
Then, gently taking Charlotte’s hand, she softened her expression.
"Mom, don’t listen to her. I’m not wronged."
She paused, then added with quiet emphasis,
"How could I be wronged when I have Liam on my side? He wouldn’t allow it."
She said it so gently—
Yet the implication behind her words only deepened Charlotte’s suspicion.
Charlotte studied her daughter carefully.
The more she looked, the more she felt Clara was hiding something... suppressing some unspoken grievance.
"Clara," Charlotte asked slowly, "are you hiding something from me?"
A flicker of being caught flashed across Clara’s eyes—
Gone so quickly it could almost be dismissed as imagination.
A perfectly timed reaction, masked under a layer of fluster.
"No, Mom," Clara said softly. "What could I possibly hide from you? You know I can’t lie... especially not to you. I—"
Charlotte nodded, cutting her off.
"You can’t," she said firmly. "And that’s exactly why you shouldn’t even try. I can tell when you’re being truthful—and when you’re not."
"Mom—"
But this time, Charlotte raised her hand, silencing her.
Then she turned to Maria.
"You," she said, her tone sharpening, "tell me what you were saying earlier. What’s doubtful about that new actress?"
Maria instinctively glanced at Clara.
Charlotte immediately noticed.
"Don’t look at her," she said coldly. "I’m asking you."
"Madam Scott..." Maria hesitated, then finally spoke,
"That new actress is quite questionable. No one knew her before. She has no acting record, no backing from any major banner —yet she secured such an important role after just one audition. So ..."
"So what?" Charlotte pressed.
"So I feel she might have used some underhanded means to get the role," Maria said carefully. "Otherwise, why would a director like Director Rhodes choose her over Ms. Scott?"
"Maria, enough," Clara said again, her voice firm but restrained.
"It’s not absurd, Ms. Scott," Maria insisted, her tone now carrying clear indignation. "That actress must have seduced the director or the producer to secure the role. This isn’t uncommon in the industry. She’s not the first."
Her voice softened, turning sympathetic as she looked at Clara.
"I just feel like you’ve been wronged. You’re so talented and loved by everyone. How could you deserve such treatment?"
Charlotte heard every word.
And the thought of her daughter being wronged like that—
It didn’t sit well with her.
Her expression turned cold.
Looking back at Clara, she reached out and gently caressed her cheek.
"I won’t let anyone bully you," she said quietly, but with absolute conviction. "You’re my daughter. You will never be mistreated."
