Colton sat in the investor's seat, accompanied by the film crew's producers and other investors, all of them eager to serve Colton in any way possible.
Surprised by Jennifer's presence, Colton asked coldly, "Is she...the gold-medal screenwriter 'Sunshine'?"
The investigation results from Nelson, including what Sonia had told him before about Jennifer's image - a rural girl, cunning and impulsive, ruthless, and intent on climbing the social ladder... None of these characteristics matched the halo of a gold-medal screenwriter!
What kind of secret was this woman hiding?
Revealing her identity as a screenwriter at this time, and coincidentally appearing in the film crew that Sonia desired, it was hard not to suspect her of having ulterior motives.
Seeing Colton frowning, the producer couldn't help but feel nervous for Jennifer.
"Mr. Redford, Sunshine always behaves like this.
It's just because she loves and cherishes her work, not intentionally targeting anyone.
On another note, although Sonia is a newcomer with a large following, her acting skills are quite commendable.
The director was very satisfied with the demo reels she sent."
Sonia brought her rumored fiancé to help boost her chances, and with Colton, the esteemed individual, present, who would dare not give him face?
Seeing Colton remain silent, the producer wiped sweat off his brow, hoping that the great writer Sunshine would weigh the pros and cons and not make things too difficult.
On the stage, Sonia quickly regained her composure and smiled, "Great writer Sunshine, I'm a big fan of yours.
I gain new insights every time I read your four masterpieces... I apologize for my earlier undermines when I saw my idol.
Please forgive a little fan's lapse in composure."
She defused the awkwardness with a few words, and Director Louis, glancing at a smiling Jennifer, smoothed things over with a smile, "No harm done.
We're all fans of the great writer Sunshine.
I've experienced the same emotions... After all, who would have thought that the famous gold-medal screenwriter would be a beautiful young girl in her twenties and not an old woman as the name used?
It truly makes us old folks marvel at the younger generation's talent!"
Sonia showed a fan's smile, praised Director Louis a few times, and the atmosphere warmed up again.
Jennifer raised an eyebrow, tapped on the table with her finger, "So, Sonia, does this mean you brought the President of GN Group here, not to pressure the film crew or to show off to your peers?"
Colton knitted his brows, and his icy gaze fell upon Jennifer - indeed, she had come purposely to make things difficult for Sonia!
Sonia bit her lip, glanced at Colton, and shook her head slightly, apologetically explaining,
"Colton...it's all my fault for being too nervous since I'm new to the entertainment industry.
So, President Redford took the time to accompany me to the audition.
I didn't expect to cause such a misunderstanding."
She looked at Jennifer with a wronged expression, like an innocent little fan, " writer Sunshine misunderstood; I stand here openly for the audition, prepared to accept any outcome."
Jennifer was waiting for this sentence, nodding her head in admiration, "It seems that I have been influenced by the dirty atmosphere of the entertainment circle and have generalized it."
She placed the script in front of Director Louis, "I heard that Director Louis also appreciates Sonia's acting skills.
Why not give her a try for the role of the female lead?"
Colton frowned: What trick was Jennifer playing now?
Sonia looked at Jennifer in surprise.
Although her worth had risen with the hype, she was still inexperienced.
It was impossible for a newcomer like her to play the female lead in a production like "Sacrifice the Rivers and Mountains."
"Um... It depends on whether Sonia is willing to take a chance," Director Louis said with an embarrassed smile.
His praise back then wasn't for Sonia's acting skills but for the capital power behind her!
Jennifer was clearly mocking him!
Sonia had also put in a lot of effort for the audition.
Being the female lead was something she dreamt of.
Even if she knew there was a trap, she had to give it a try, "I'll try my best, and take this rare opportunity to learn from my seniors."
However, when she looked at the script, her face stiffened— the protagonist's sister betrayed the country, murdered their parents, and framed the protagonist?
This plot was undoubtedly arranged by Jennifer for her.
Colton sensed something unusual in the air, and quietly talked to Nelson for a moment, his face not looking too good.
Jennifer looked at Sonia's pale face and slightly smiled, "If you find it difficult, just say so...
As a newcomer, there's nothing to be ashamed of."
Sonia clenched her fists, "It's okay, I'll get ready..."
A few minutes later, she gradually entered the role.
Her beautiful face turned sorrowful and fierce, looking at the empty space incredulously, "We grew up together as sisters, why on earth would you slaughter our family and destroy our country with your own hands?
Why so cruel?"
Although her acting skills were not mature enough, her performance was commendable for a newcomer.
However, in the highly competitive cast of "Sacrifice the Rivers and Mountains," it was clearly not enough.
After watching for a while, Director Louis awkwardly gestured to Jennifer, "… She's a newcomer after all, so as her seniors, shouldn't we encourage her?"
"A newbie finding it hard to get into the role, let me help her."
Jennifer suddenly stood up and walked towards the stage.
Without saying a word, she slapped Sonia and grabbed her hair, pushing her against the wall, her face full of hatred, "I'm jealous of you!
Why is it that you, just an illegitimate daughter, always outshine me?
As long as you're there, nobody notices me!
The men I want, power, wealth... You get it all so easily, yet act indifferent.
The more carefree you are, the more I hate you!"
"Mother and Father were trapped in the raging fire, yelling your name... In their hearts, you were their only daughter, and I was nothing but a pawn!
I watched their faces wrinkle inch by inch, melting into the fiery magma, screaming in pain, fear and shock spilling from their eyes, turning into bloody tears that fell onto the fiery ashes..."
She revealed Sonia's dark mindset of framing her and harboring hatred over the years, word by word.
It seemed like a drama, yet like reality.
Jennifer's explosive acting skills instantly subdued Sonia, making her unable to distinguish whether she was a character in the play, or in the midst of that rural explosion, under the watchful eyes of her biological parents' shock and hatred.
"No, no... I, I didn't..." Sonia suddenly pushed Jennifer away, a terrifying murderous intent in her eyes.
"You deserve to die!"
"Alright, let's stop here for now!"
Director Louis timely interrupted, sighing. In this scene, Sonia was utterly suppressed, without any power to fight back.
This oddball's talent couldn't be limited to just a "golden screenwriter."
Moreover, Sonia's performance was quite strange... it appeared as if she had a guilty conscience.
Sonia suddenly snapped back to reality, seeing Jennifer standing there with a smile.
It was then that she remembered she was in an audition, not in the midst of the explosion in the rural old house.
In her heart, she suddenly felt a thud — she had looked into Jennifer's eyes and instantly fallen into a trance, as if manipulated like a puppet on strings.
Was this what Jennifer wanted?