Episode 104
Elizabeth rapidly scanned her lines, her posture transforming as she prepared herself. “I’m ready,” she announced with quiet confidence.
Asher’s expression darkened. “Every line in ‘Agarwood’ is meticulously crafted,” he criticized. “How can you possibly comprehend the nuances with just a cursory glance?”
Elizabeth was momentarily surprised. Did he not realize she was the script’s original author?
Revealing her identity now would feel awkward and contrived. Instead, she responded with controlled sharpness, “My capabilities will become evident during the performance. Are you claiming some extraordinary insight into my later performance? Wait, are you unprepared yourself? If that’s the case, I’m happy to wait.”
Her politeness masked an underlying steel. Asher’s persistent provocations had awakened her competitive spirit.
“You’re incredibly presumptuous,” Asher muttered, a flicker of dissatisfaction crossing his eyes.
He set down the script. “Let’s proceed.”
Having dissected the script numerous times, Asher knew every scene intimately.
From the outset, his intention was clear: create obstacles for Elizabeth, hoping she would falter during the audition.
Recognizing his strategy, Elizabeth responded by channeling her entire artistic arsenal into the performance.
As the scene unfolded, Elizabeth’s interpretation surpassed Asher’s most pessimistic expectations. Her line delivery and emotional resonance betrayed no hint of amateurism.
Their interaction possessed an unexpected fluidity—each moment precisely calibrated, their chemistry electric and authentic.
When the scene concluded, Asher was captivated, wanting more.
True to his principled nature, he acknowledged his earlier misjudgment. Approaching Elizabeth, he offered a sincere apology. “I never anticipated your profound understanding of Katrina’s script. My initial perspective was embarrassingly narrow. I’m truly sorry.”
Asher’s motivation stemmed not from personal bias but from a genuine desire to protect the artistic integrity of his idol’s work.
Contemporary romantic dramas often prioritized actors’ appearances and social media popularity over genuine talent. Previous auditions had featured influencers who lacked substantive acting credentials, resulting in disappointingly shallow performances.
Consequently, when an unknown actress like Elizabeth arrived—beautiful and seemingly another well-connected, inexperienced performer—Asher had initially dismissed her.
