Meeting Mr. Jones's sincere gaze, Grace gave a slight nod.

  Just then, the salesperson finished the procedures and came over, handing the brand-new property deed to Grace. "Miss Dorothy, the transfer is complete. Congratulations on becoming a homeowner in The Royal Manor."

  "Thank you."

  Mr. Jones, standing nearby, added, "Miss Dorothy, you should know, although the house passed through my hands, I never actually got the chance to live in it for a single day. So, technically, it's still a brand-new house."

  Grace raised an eyebrow in understanding. "Then I should thank you, Mr. Jones. If you hadn't been the intermediary, a house in such a good location would probably have been snatched up by someone else long ago. I got a lucky find."

  Hearing this, Mr. Jones chuckled lightly. "It ultimately means you and this house were fated to be together. By the way, Miss Dorothy, since your invitation is quite last-minute, the company's formal invitations have already been sent out. When you arrive on Friday, just send me a message outside, and I'll come out to get you."

  "Okay, no problem."

  Meanwhile, at Aethelburg Film Academy.

  In the stage rehearsal hall, a large crowd of students poured out.

  "Chloe, you were really great just now. No wonder the casting director picked you right away."

  "You've only been in school for a few days, Chloe, and you've already landed a role in a major IP. That's amazing."

  "It's all my fault for not having read 'Destined to Be Queen.' Otherwise, I could have performed better too."

  Several girls clustered around Chloe as they exited. They had just participated in the audition for the "Destined to Be Queen" production crew.

  Film and television companies often have deep collaborations with acting schools. Whenever a production needs actors, they come directly to the schools to select them. Large groups of new faces audition together, and many can seize the opportunity to play minor roles, getting their faces in front of audiences early in their careers.

  Those with particularly good luck might immediately land significant supporting roles and get signed by talent agencies, gaining team support for their future.

  Chloe felt somewhat embarrassed by the praise. Moreover, these classmates hadn't gotten any roles, which made her feel inexplicably guilty.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  She had a personality prone to internalizing pressure, often subconsciously taking on responsibilities that weren't hers.

  "I was just lucky, and it's only a maid's role. You'll definitely get better ones in the future," Chloe said with a strained smile, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her clothes.

  Her roommate Vivian, seeing her reaction, couldn't help but laugh and said to the other students, "Look at Chloe. Usually so soft-spoken and gentle, but once she got on stage, it was like she became a different person."

  Remembering the scene Chloe auditioned for—a "strangling someone" part—her performance was emotionally rich and highly expressive. The classmates nodded in agreement: "Exactly! That look she gave when she turned her head startled me. I even whispered to myself, 'Is this still Chloe?'"

  "She must have fully immersed herself in the role to be so absorbed. Chloe is just naturally suited for this work."

  "Anyway, I'm not surprised at all that Chloe got the role of 'Ada.' The others' acting was just so-so, wasn't it? Didn't find it particularly outstanding."

  Hearing this, Chloe quickly waved her hands in flustered denial. "Don't say that. It was my first time auditioning; I was just acting randomly."

  Not far behind them, a pretty-looking girl glanced at Chloe's timid demeanor and curled her lips in disdain. "What's with the act all day long?"

  After most students had left, a posture teacher from the academy finally emerged, accompanying the casting team.

  The man leading them, wearing sunglasses, was the casting director for the "Destined to Be Queen" crew, Adam.

  "Director Adam, thank you for your hard work. Our current students are really quite excellent. I hope you'll give them more opportunities in the future!" the teacher said with an ingratiating smile, trying to secure more chances for the students.

  Adam nodded, glanced at the list of selected students in his hand, and said, "There are indeed a few promising ones."

  "This time, because it's a major historical IP, there's a greater need for maids and guards. Although they aren't major roles, as you know, if the series becomes a hit, then acting in it won't be for nothing. Moreover, the ones selected today all have lines and appear throughout the series."

  "Yes, yes, Director Adam, rest assured. I'll make sure to urge them to practice their 'voice, stage presence, movement, and expression' diligently. They definitely won't hold the production back."

  "Alright, we'll be off now. Let's communicate if any issues come up later."

  As soon as the teacher and the casting team parted ways, the girl from earlier hurriedly rushed up.

  "Director Adam, please wait a moment."

  Adam stopped and turned at the sound, seeing a girl run up to him. She quickly smoothed her hair, then offered a smile before saying, "Director Adam, hello. My name is Cynthia."

  Adam looked at the girl and nodded. "I know. You auditioned earlier. Is something the matter?"

  The other team members frowned slightly. Having been in the industry for a long time, they had seen all sorts of people. Many would use any means to climb the ladder, and they weren't unfamiliar with Cynthia's type of approach.

  Getting close to the casting director to fight for a better role?

  Sure enough, Cynthia was a determined character. Without beating around the bush, she directly stated, "I want the role of 'Ada.'"

  Adam was taken aback, instinctively glancing again at the name on the list. "You weren't unsuccessful. Weren't you assigned the role of 'Cindy'?"

  Then, looking up at her, he smiled and said, "Or are you trying to snatch someone else's role?"

  "Yes." Cynthia didn't deny it in the slightest. "'Cindy' is the Fourth Young Miss's maid. The Fourth Young Miss doesn't have much screen time in the original work, so her maid has even less."

  "'Ada' is different. She's the Second Young Miss's maid. Even though she's a villain, she has more scenes and a greater acting range. I want to fight for this opportunity, Director Adam. I will perform it well."

  After she finished speaking with serious determination, she was met with laughter from the casting team.

  Adam glanced at the name "Chloe" written next to the originally assigned 'Ada'—this name left the deepest impression on him, and she was the best performer among the students who auditioned today.

  "Young lady, ambition is a good thing. But you're still young; you shouldn't expose your ambition so early. Wait until you've established yourself in this circle; then you'll have the qualifications to pick roles. Understood?"

  With that, Adam turned to leave with his team, but Cynthia's next words made him halt abruptly.

  "Director Adam, what if my father can invest?"

  Adam turned back to look at her, and the others simultaneously wiped the smiles from their faces.

  The project's lack of funding was the most critical issue. If they could bring back an investment from this trip, the boss would undoubtedly be pleased.

  Adam stared at her for a long moment, then suddenly curved his lips into a smile. "Cynthia, right? I'll remember you."