Chapter 3

Ms. Jenkins sent me a script.

The message read: `This project is perfect for you, a real career-maker, but if you want the role, you'll have to audition in person.`

I steadied myself and replied with a simple "Okay."

The audition was in five days.

But at the audition site, I saw two familiar faces.

"Evie, you're here to audition too?"

Brooke Miller smiled and nodded at me.

Then she tightened her grip on Alex Thorne's arm, deliberately pressing her chest against his, a clear provocation.

I glanced at the two of them, tightly intertwined, and felt not even a ripple in my heart.

I lowered my eyes and continued to silently recite my lines.

Brooke tugged at her collar, as if there were pins inside.

Marks, a mix of blue and purple, accidentally flashed before my eyes, showing me just how wild these two had been together.

Alex Thorne instinctively snapped,

"Evie Reed, do you have any manners?

"Brooke greeted you, why didn't you respond? Can't you even say 'sister-in-law'?"

I looked up at the man who always acted so arrogant and scolded me with such disdain.

In my previous life, because I was in love, I believed no one was perfect.

Alex Thorne, the heir to the Thorne empire, with his prominent family background, a little arrogance was normal, I thought.

I just put up with it.

But Alex Thorne actually thought I was truly timid and weak.

He became more and more reckless in front of me.

We weren't even engaged. What right did he have to lecture me like this?

Sister-in-law?

What sister-in-law? My actual brother, Dan, is busy with business overseas.

And Alex Thorne's girlfriend? What the hell does she have to do with me?

My expression must have shown too obvious a disdain.

Alex Thorne's face turned green with anger, and he instinctively started to scold me again.

But Brooke, at that moment, whispered something soothingly to him, then smiled sweetly and linked her arm through mine.

"Evie, don't be mad at Alex. He just has a bad mouth, he doesn't mean anything by it.

"I apologize to you on his behalf, he didn't... Ah!!!"

Smiling and apologizing one second, Brooke's piercing shriek the next left me stunned.

I hadn't even moved.

Yet Brooke sat pitifully on the ground, clutching her ankle and weeping.

Brooke's clumsy, self-directed act...

Anyone with a shred of sense could see right through it, couldn't they?

But apparently, Alex Thorne possessed no such sense. He was utterly blind.

He was standing right behind Brooke, watching the whole thing unfold.

"Brooke!"

He rushed forward, anxiously helping the fallen Brooke to her feet.

The next second, his hand, filled with fury, landed squarely on my face.

"Evie Reed! How can you be so vicious?

"You've tormented Brooke so many times, yet she's never once blamed you, always defended you. And you? You dare to push her right in front of me? You're the one who called off the engagement, why are you taking your anger out on her? You're completely out of your mind!"