Chapter 246: Was she worth that much?
Maria paused before turning to glance at Clara.
Clara met her gaze and gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. Only then did Maria turn back to Charlotte and speak.
"There’s some insider information coming out of Goldstem Production House."
Both Charlotte and Clara immediately focused on her.
Maria continued, "People within the production house are saying that several investors have been making things difficult for Director Rhodes and Producer Polson. They strongly oppose their decision to cast Adelyn Grace in such an important role."
She paused briefly before adding, "There are even talks that some of the investors have threatened to withdraw their funding if Director Rhodes refuses to reconsider."
The moment Clara heard that, her heart swelled with satisfaction. She knew it. Sooner or later, this was bound to happen.
The entertainment industry was not a playground where anyone could simply walk in and claim whatever they wanted.
Adelyn couldn’t just appear after seven years and take what should have belonged to her. Eventually, reality would catch up. And now it seemed it finally had.
Charlotte, however, reacted differently. Her brows drew together into a frown as she looked at Maria.
"Are they really making things that difficult for her?" she asked.
The concern hidden within her tone immediately caught Clara’s attention. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she turned to look at Charlotte.
Maria nodded.
"The information came directly from an insider, Madam Scott, so it should be reliable."
She continued carefully, "Under pressure like this, most directors and producers usually choose to compromise. Investors are ultimately the ones providing the funding."
"Which means it’s very possible that Adelyn Grace might not be able to keep the role for much longer."
Maria paused thoughtfully before adding again, "Besides, the official cast list hasn’t been released yet. If they decide to replace her now, it won’t cause much damage to the production. So they may genuinely consider doing it."
Charlotte’s expression only became more serious. And seeing that expression, Clara’s own turned colder. Her fingers tightened around Charlotte’s hand.
Why?
Why was she still concerned?
Hadn’t she just declared that she only had one daughter now?
Hadn’t she promised to give all her love and affection to her?
Then why was she still worrying about Adelyn?
Why was she still unable to let her go?
Suppressing the irritation building inside her, Clara gently squeezed Charlotte’s hand and spoke softly. "Mom, I knew it."
Charlotte looked at her. "Knew what?"
"I knew you could never truly let Adelyn go."
Clara’s voice was gentle, almost understanding. "You still care about her."
"And honestly ..." she smiled faintly, "I think you always will."
Charlotte’s expression immediately tightened. "What are you talking about?" she asked with a frown.
"Mom," Clara said softly, her tone carrying just enough accusation to sting, "you’re worried about Adelyn, aren’t you?"
She lowered her gaze as she continued, "I always knew you wouldn’t be able to let her go. That’s why I kept telling you not to take yesterday’s events to heart. Forget what she said. Forget how she behaved. She was just upset."
Charlotte’s face darkened instantly. "Who told you I’m thinking about her?" she asked sharply.
Her brows furrowed deeply.
"I wasn’t thinking about Adelyn at all."
Clara blinked.
"Then ...?"
"I was thinking about you."
This time, Charlotte’s answer came without hesitation.
Clara genuinely hadn’t expected that. For a moment, surprise flashed across her face. "Me?" she repeated.
Charlotte nodded.
"Yes."
Her expression softened slightly.
"Weren’t you looking forward to this role?" she asked. "Now that Adelyn might lose it, doesn’t that mean you’ll have another chance to get it?"
Clara studied her carefully. For several seconds, she searched Charlotte’s face. Only after confirming the sincerity in her words did the tension in her heart slowly ease.
"But Mom ..." she said hesitantly, "Adelyn wanted the role too."
"If she loses it, she’ll probably be upset."
"What does that have to do with us?" Charlotte replied immediately. Her tone carried surprising indifference. "If she can’t hold on to the role, someone else will take it. Isn’t that how the industry works?"
"She can’t control that. Can she?"
Clara lowered her eyes.
"But that someone doesn’t have to be me."
Charlotte frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Adelyn is still my sister," Clara said softly. "Taking something she wanted doesn’t feel right."
Charlotte immediately shook her head. "No." Her voice grew firm. "That’s not wrong at all."
Reaching out, she gently cupped Clara’s face. "If you get the role, it will be because of your own abilities. Because you earned it. Not because you stole it. So there would be nothing wrong with it."
Clara listened quietly. And inside, satisfaction slowly spread through her heart.
This was exactly how it should be.
She was Charlotte’s daughter.
Her happiness should come first.
Not Adelyn’s.
Always hers.
Maria, who had been standing quietly at the side, suddenly spoke again.
"But ..."
Both women turned toward her. Their brows furrowed almost simultaneously.
"But what?"
"What is it?"
Maria hesitated briefly. "There is another piece of information."
Charlotte frowned.
Even Clara’s expression stiffened slightly.
"What information?" Charlotte asked.
Maria glanced toward Clara before speaking carefully.
"They are saying Director Rhodes refused the investors’ demands."
Silence fell before Maria continued,
"In fact, he reportedly made it very clear that no amount of pressure or threats would make him change his decision. He is determined to cast Adelyn Grace in the movie."
Her voice lowered slightly.
"Some people are even saying that if the investors continue forcing the issue, Director Rhodes would rather walk away from the entire project than replace her."
The moment those words fell, Clara’s fingers curled tightly into fists. She had heard rumors before that Director Rhodes selected Adelyn.
But she had never imagined his stance regarding her would be this firm.
Why?
Why was he protecting her so fiercely?
Was Adelyn really worth that much?
Her jaw clenched. No matter how many times she thought about it, she simply couldn’t accept it.
Meanwhile, Charlotte frowned deeply.
"Why would he insist on choosing Adelyn to such an extent?"
She genuinely couldn’t understand. She knew Adelyn had once shown interest in acting. She had even paved her way into some production before.
But hadn’t that merely been a whim?
A childish interest.
A temporary fascination.
Someone had only indulged her because of Benjamin’s connections. Otherwise, Adelyn had never received formal theatrical training.
Her interest in acting had never seemed serious enough to warrant this level of confidence.
"I heard Adelyn performed extremely well during the audition," Clara said through clenched teeth. "Her script was different from mine. Apparently, she impressed Director Rhodes."
Charlotte frowned immediately. "Different?"
She looked confused.
"Why would they give different scripts? Isn’t that basically favoritism? Why would they do something like that?"
Before Clara could answer, Maria spoke first.
"Because Adelyn Grace decided to play dirty."
The room instantly fell silent.
Charlotte’s head snapped toward her. "What do you mean?" Her frown deepened.
This was now the second time she had heard someone suggest that Adelyn had used underhanded methods to get this role.
And this time, she wanted specifics.
"Mom, don’t ask her," Clara said immediately. "It’s nothing."
Her voice sounded hesitant, her mask almost cracking.
If Charlotte had turned her way even for a second, she could have seen through her ...
But unfortunately, Charlotte’s attention remained completely fixed on Maria.
"Tell me." Her voice turned cold. "What dirty game did Adelyn play?"
She asked Maria, her eyes narrowing.
"What exactly did she do?"
