Chapter 29: Yes, that’s her.

Chapter 29: Yes, that’s her. Lola and the twins were already walking away, thinking it was a good time to grab a bite or have some fun. After all, she didn’t get much time with them. Watching them go, Melissa’s lackeys—the blonde and the short-haired one—smirked in ridicule. Melissa, on the other hand, secretly hid her smirk behind pursed lips. Serves you right, Melissa thought. Lola, no matter how hard you try, you should learn that your place is always below mine. "Mommy." Chacha frowned, looking up at Lola. Second squeezed Lola’s hand to get her attention, pouting. "Mommy, is it okay if you don’t go to work?" But unlike them, Lola’s mouth stretched into a smile as she tread carefully. "Leaving means more time for you, Chacha, and me! I saw a cake on the buffet earlier. Should we try it?" Their eyes instantly shimmered as their frowns turned upside down. They nodded cheerfully, making Lola smile happily. As she had said, she trusted Director Sarian with the casting. She could always help with production later. Besides, who wanted to go to work when Lola was already disappointed with everything? But just as the three walked away, with everyone staring at them as if they were watching a "defeated" trio, a voice thundered. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE ALL DOING?!" Lola and the twins stopped in their tracks, while everyone else flinched at the loud, angry voice. They turned in the direction of the shout, and Lola’s face twitched. Darn it! Lola clenched her teeth and tugged the twins’ hands, wanting to sneak away. But it was already too late. The man standing outside the doors was staring in her direction. "Isn’t that—Isn’t that Director Sarian?" one of the people around gasped. "Oh no. Lola Young is going to be in deep trouble." "He looks so angry." Another nodded. "Probably because of the commotion here." "They should’ve kicked her out earlier before she caused too much trouble." "Well, I guess there’s another one who’s going to be banned from here." The other shrugged indifferently. Melissa stared at Director Sarian and the others who came with him. Seeing the angry looks on their faces, she quickly stepped forward and lowered her head nervously. "Director Sarian, I’m really sorry if my sister caused trouble," she said shakily, looking up at the director apologetically. "Don’t worry, she’s leaving now. There’s just been a misunderstanding between us. She won’t cause any more trouble." Her two lackeys quickly jumped in, trying to save Melissa from this self-sacrifice. "Director Sarian, it’s not Melissa’s fault," the short-haired woman defended. "She’s not at fault here." "Director, Melissa’s rebellious sister is the one causing trouble," the blonde woman added. "She’s trying to barge into the audition and beg her way in. We were just trying to stop her." "They’re right," one onlooker chimed in, now seizing the opportunity, since it didn’t look good for Lola anymore. Seeing that Director Sarian looked angrier than ever, another person spoke. "Those three are just causing trouble! It’s not Melissa’s fault. In fact, she’s doing more work trying to settle the situation." "Director Sarian, Melissa is just trying to stabilize things," the blonde woman added apologetically. "You can ask the guard. Had it not been for her and the others, those three would’ve caused more problems." "Hah!" Director Sarian was in utter disbelief, staring at all of them. When his eyes landed on the bouncer, the man lowered his head. "I’m sorry, Director," the bouncer said sincerely. "I didn’t want to trouble you, but it’s already too late." Ida, Director Sarian’s assistant, opened and closed her mouth. She had received a message from Lola earlier, saying she couldn’t enter, so Ida rushed out to check on her per Director Sarian’s orders. He had been busy with a sudden call from the higher-ups regarding a well-known superstar’s participation in the project. But somehow, Lola hadn’t answered her phone—or hadn’t responded. Ida had been trying to reach her. Who would’ve known that Lola’s message about not being allowed in would be this bad? Oh no... Ida gulped and peeked at Director Sarian. She pursed her lips and glanced at Melissa and the blonde. They’re going to be in trouble. Meanwhile, Lola crossed her arms, watching Melissa try to save the day. The twins, on the other hand, crossed their arms too, mirroring their mother. They looked in the same direction, their brows furrowed, their lips pouted, and their eyes squinted. "Director, I really apologize for all these inconveniences," Melissa added gently. "It won’t happen again." "Yes!" the lackeys uttered in unison before turning to Lola. "What are you still doing here? If you don’t apologize, just leave." "You’ve caused too much trouble already—" "ENOUGH!" Director Sarian huffed, his entire body shaking in anger. "You... How dare you meddle with my work, huh?!" At this, Melissa briefly smirked as she glanced at Lola and the twins. The lackeys also smirked at the mother and children, only for their smiles to vanish when Director Sarian suddenly pointed at the three of them. "You’re here to audition, yet it seems guarding the door and security matters are more important to the three of you!" he roared, glaring straight at Melissa and her two companions. "If so, why don’t you stay out here and do what you’re so proud of doing?!" They paled, confused. Not just them, but everyone around was equally confused, their brows knitting. "What’s going on?" one person whispered, only to earn a head shake. "I have no idea." "Huh?" Melissa tensed, watching Director Sarian shake his head. Director Sarian huffed as his eyes landed on Lola. He raised a finger, parting his lips to say something, but then he looked at everyone and clicked his tongue, his eyes narrowing back on Lola. "You..." he sighed in defeat, looking at the signature getup Lola always wore. At this point, he couldn’t really blame others for stopping her everywhere she went because of how she presented herself to the public. He marched toward Lola and stopped before her. Just when everyone thought he would scold her as well, he lowered his head slightly. Everyone: "???" Melissa furrowed her brows. "What’s... happening?" "I’m sorry for letting this happen," he said, his tone full of guilt as he straightened his back. His eyes swept over the children, whose faces were painted as well. "Let’s go in," he said. "I’ll settle this at once." The twins blinked and looked up at their mother. Lola smiled at the director’s gesture. "Director, you didn’t have to be so formal," Lola hummed, then gazed at the kids. "Twins, do you want to watch?" "Yes~! We want to watch Mommy work!" the twins cheered, making Lola look up at the director. Before they could leave, however, they paused as one of the lackeys—the blonde one—spoke. "But—but, Director, she was causing trouble—" "Trouble?" Ida cut in, her usual calm demeanor replaced with icy coldness. Her sharp eyes swept over the ladies’ faces and then the crowd. "And what makes you say she’s troubling her own project?" "What?" Melissa’s breath hitched, and everyone’s confusion doubled. Ida’s eyes turned even colder. "The person you’re accusing of causing trouble is the very reason this audition is happening in the first place—Taz, the original creator of The Angel’s Revenge. Ever heard of her?" "Yes," she added almost instantly, tipping her head in Lola’s direction. "That’s her." And the moment they heard the name Taz, the entire floor fell silent.