Ming Mimi forced a smile, but it barely held.
The corners of her lips curved upward, yet her eyes remained dull, the light within them noticeably dimmed. Second Madam Gong noticed it immediately. She had seen too many forced smiles in her lifetime not to recognize one.
"What's wrong?" she asked again, her tone gentle but probing.
Ming Mimi hesitated, fingers tightening slightly around her clutch before she finally spoke. "I don't think I'll be able to get the role."
Second Madam Gong's brows knitted together. "Why?"
"Director Zhu said he's already found someone," Ming Mimi replied softly. "But what surprised me was… the person isn't even known."
Second Madam Gong paused.
"Not known?"
"Yes." Ming Mimi nodded. "He said she's a completely new face. Someone he met at Gong Rui's banquet."
The air between them shifted.
Second Madam Gong's expression stiffened for just a fraction of a second before she smoothed it out, though the subtle twist of her lips did not go unnoticed. "At the Gong family's banquet?"
"Yes."
Ming Mimi squeezed her hand lightly, almost unconsciously. "You invited many celebrities that night, didn't you?"
Second Madam Gong nodded without hesitation. "Of course. Many of them were your friends from the industry. All well-known names."
She paused, then added with certainty, "There were no new actresses invited."
Ming Mimi frowned faintly. "But Director Zhu said the person was there. A new face. Someone unknown."
Second Madam Gong shook her head. "That banquet was hosted by the Gong family. Everyone who attended had to be of a certain status. A new actress?" She scoffed softly. "How would they dare show their face there? Are they even worthy?"
Ming Mimi fell silent.
She stared at the swirling liquid in her glass, her reflection wavering along with her thoughts. She wasn't angry—at least, not yet. But confusion and an unfamiliar sense of unease crept in.
She had never needed to fight for roles before.
This role, however, felt different. It wasn't just about a comeback. It was Director Zhu Wenhai's project—his return after years of silence. Being part of it would mean recognition, prestige, and an unshakable foothold in the industry once more.
And yet, someone had taken it.
Or rather—someone had been chosen over her.
Slowly, she lifted her head and looked at Second Madam Gong, her composure beginning to crack despite her best efforts.
"I really want to know who that person is," she said quietly. "Mom… can you help me?"
Her voice wavered just slightly.
"I want to see the person who stole my role."
The words slipped out before she could stop them, carrying with them a sense of entitlement she had never needed to question before. In Ming Mimi's world, certain things were simply hers by right.
Second Madam Gong studied her for a moment.
Then she reached out and gently brushed a stray strand of hair away from Ming Mimi's face, her movements soothing, maternal.
"You don't need to worry," she said calmly. "With me here, how could I let you suffer?"
A faint, sharp glint flickered in her eyes.
"I'll make sure we find out who she is," she continued. "And if necessary… I'll make sure that role returns to you."
Color slowly returned to Ming Mimi's face.
That night, after the gala ended and the lights of the city dimmed, Second Madam Gong returned to the Gong mansion.
She did not change clothes.
She did not rest.
The moment she entered her study, she picked up her phone and made a call.
"I want to know where Director Zhu Wenhai has been these past few days," she said crisply. "Everywhere."
"Yes, Madam," her assistant replied without hesitation.
The call ended.
Second Madam Gong leaned back in her chair, fingers tapping lightly against the desk. For reasons she could not yet name, an unsettling premonition settled in her chest.
She replayed the banquet in her mind.
That night, she had been busy—introducing Ming Mimi, exchanging pleasantries, ensuring everyone saw what she wanted them to see. She had paid little attention to the insignificant figures on the edges of the hall.
Yet now, two faces surfaced clearly in her memory.
Lin Che.
Nan Lu.
Two unfamiliar women. Two outsiders.
She had already ordered background checks on them. Neither had any connection to the entertainment industry. No acting experience. No resources.
And yet—
The assistant's voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Madam, Director Zhu Wenhai has been conducting auditions recently, but… a few days ago, he traveled to a village."
"A village?" Second Madam Gong's eyes sharpened.
"Yes. We're still confirming the exact location. But it appears he went there searching for someone."
"For someone?" she repeated.
"Yes. From what we've gathered, he's been looking for this person ever since the Gong family's banquet. The person lives in a village and is rumored to be the female lead for his new film."
Second Madam Gong inhaled slowly.
"Send me the surveillance footage from the banquet," she said. "All of it."
"Understood."
Minutes later, her laptop screen lit up.
She watched the footage carefully this time—without distractions, without bias.
She saw Lin Che arrive.
She saw heads turn.
She saw Director Zhu Wenhai's posture change, his gaze fixating on the young woman in the simple dress. The way his eyes brightened was unmistakable.
Her fingers tightened.
She fast-forwarded.
The engagement announcement echoed through the speakers.
Lin Che left.
Moments later, Director Zhu followed—searching, asking staff, scanning the crowd.
Second Madam Gong snapped the laptop shut.
Her expression darkened completely.
"So it's you again," she sneered softly. "Lin Che."
The name tasted bitter on her tongue.
Every time that woman appeared, something went wrong.
It was time, she decided, to deal with her properly!