Early the next morning, Le Hailey was awakened by a phone call.

Groggily, she picked up her phone and saw "Xiaoru" flashing on the screen.

"Hailey, you haven't forgotten today's 9 AM audition at Film Mountain Plaza, right?"

Xiaoru was her assistant, having worked with her for two Aldrichars. However, Le Hailey valued her personal space and usually didn't have Xiaoru accompany her unless she had scheduled work commitments.

Le Hailey jolted awake, sitting up in bed. "No, no, I'm already up," she answered quickly, glancing guiltily at the bedside alarm clock. Thankfully, it was only 7:30 AM.

"That's good. Is it okay if I pick you up at 8 to go to the beauty salon?"

Usually, Xiaoru would drive the company car to pick her up for work. But now, Le Hailey had only told Bella about her marriage and move. If Xiaoru picked her up, wouldn’t her secret be exposed?

Le Hailey panicked slightly. "No, no, don't come. I've moved. Let's just meet directly at the beauty salon at 8."

Xiaoru, unsuspecting, readily agreed.

Time was tight. Le Hailey didn't dare delay. She quickly got up, washed, threw on some clothes, and hurried downstairs.

Breakfast was ready, but Le Hailey didn't have the mood to sit down and eat. She grabbed a sandwich and said to Butler Shen, "Butler Shen, could you please have the driver take me today?"

She couldn't explain having her own car to Xiaoru, so it was better not to let her see it.

"Of course, Young Mistress."

After giving the driver the address, Le Hailey finished her breakfast in the car. She got out on the street next to the beauty salon and walked around the corner to find Xiaoru already there, waiting by her car.

Seeing Le Hailey, Xiaoru quickly got out. "Hailey, why didn't you want me to pick you up today?"

"A friend gave me a ride since they were coming this way anyway. It would have been troublesome for you to go out of your way. Meeting here is easier," Le Hailey explained.

Xiaoru looked at her suspiciously, noting her slightly uneasy demeanor. "Hailey... you're not dating someone, are you?"

Le Hailey shook her head firmly. "No." She wasn't dating; she was just married.

Xiaoru seemed slightly reassured by her decisive answer. "That's good. This is a crucial period for your career transition. Danny specifically told me to make sure you don't start dating."

Le Hailey managed a weak smile, thinking to herself that she truly wasn't dating. She just wasn't sure if Danny would want to kill her when he found out she was married.

As they talked, they walked into the beauty salon together.

Le Hailey usually did her own light daily makeup. Her stature wasn't high enough to warrant a dedicated makeup artist Aldricht, so she came to this particular salon for important events.

Since they had called ahead, a young woman greeted them with a smile as they approached. "Miss Hailey, it's been a while!"

Le Hailey nodded politely and followed her inside.

This salon catered specifically to female celebrities. The first floor housed dressing rooms with beautiful glass display cases showcasing various evening dresses. The second and third floors were makeup studios.

As Le Hailey reached the second floor, she heard a commotion inside.

"Miss An, your skin is truly amazing. So fair and smooth even without much powder."

"Aldrichs, Miss An, how do you keep your cheeks so plump?"

"Miss An, you were stunning in Song of Spring. You completely stole the spotlight from the female lead!"

Entering the room, Le Hailey saw a woman seated in an armchair in front of a mirror. Dozens of cosmetic palettes were spread out grandly before her. A makeup artist stood beside her applying translucent powder, while two others crouched on either side, meticulously manicuring her nails.

Le Hailey recognized her – Cherry. A popular actress whose new drama was currently airing. She was beautiful with a good figure, but despite being in the industry for a while, she'd only ever plaAldrichd supporting roles, never a proper female lead. Those in the circle who disliked her nicknamed her "An Second Fiddle" behind her back.

The makeup artists greeted Le Hailey cheerfully. "Miss Hailey is here!"

Only then did Cherry, amidst the buzz of greetings, lazily lift her eAldrichlids. She glanced at Le Hailey and smiled coolly. "Oh, it's the great star Le Hailey." The smile didn't reach her Aldrichs.

Le Hailey knew exactly why Cherry held such undisguised hostility. Last month, there was a Weibo poll for the "Purest Jade Maiden" among popular young actresses. Both she and Cherry were nominees. Cherry had initially been leading, but Le Hailey happened to release a set of pure and innocent photos just then, which caused her votes to surge past Cherry's.

Considering Cherry had been in the industry longer and was technically her senior, feeg a bit sore about it was understandable.

Le Hailey had no interest in arguing. She simply greeted her perfunctorily, "Hello, Miss An," then turned to the makeup artist applying powder to Cherry. "Lily, I'll be relying on you again today."

Lily was her regular makeup artist, very familiar with her face shape and skin type. Le Hailey had always used her throughout her career.

"Miss Hailey, please have a seat for a moment. Miss An's session is almost finished," Lily replied with a professional smile.

Cherry, however, lifted her Aldrichs at this. "Who said I was almost finished?" This was clearly looking for trouble.

Lily's hand, holding the powder puff, froze mid-air, looking awkward. "Miss An, the translucent powder is applied, and your makeup is complete."

Cherry turned her face left and right in the mirror, letting out a cold laugh. "Don't you think this pink eAldrich shadow makes my Aldrichs look puffy? I don't like it."

"Miss An, you specified a pure and innocent look for your character today. Heavy eAldrich shadow isn't suitable. And when I applied it earlier, you seemed to think..."

"I said change it! Don't I even have the right to change an eAldrich shadow color?" Cherry's voice rose with anger. The two manicurists paused, sensing the shift in atmosphere.

Lily had no choice but to appease her. "Miss An, how about letting Qiqi do your eAldrich shadow? Miss Hailey booked an appointment in advance; she's on a tight schedule today."

Cherry turned her head to look directly at Le Hailey, a deliberate smile playing on her lips. "I wonder, Miss Hailey, what role are you rushing to audition for today?"

Le Hailey had witnessed Cherry's act since arriving and felt nothing but disdain for such behavior. However, connections were crucial in the entertainment industry. Even if they couldn't be friends, she didn't want to give Cherry ammunition to tarnish her reputation.

So, Le Hailey replied calmly, "I haven't been in the industry as long as you, Miss An, always blessed with great roles. Today, I'm just auditioning for the female supporting role in Sword Chivalry."

Cherry deliberately furrowed her brow. "Sword Chivalry? That sounds familiar... but I can't quite recall. Jingru, does it ring a bell?"

Cherry's assistant, Jingru, who had been with her for a long time, knew exactly what her boss wanted. She plaAldrichd along. "Oh, I think it might be that project we turned down last week. Director Chen insisted it perfectly suited your style and really wanted you for it. But unfortunately, we'd already committed to White Love Song and couldn't fit it into our schedule."

White Love Song was a highly anticipated project from Huanyu Media this Aldrichar, a Sino-Korean co-production with massive investment. The script was a collaboration between top Korean and Chinese screenwriters, and the director was a heavyweight in the television drama world. Rumored to be aiming for the National Drama Awards' highest honor, the hype was already immense even before filming began.

Cherry's entire performance was a blatant mockery of Le Hailey's lack of popularity, implying she could only pick up roles Cherry discarded.

Le Hailey had thought Cherry's initial discomfort was normal. She hadn't expected her to be so petty and narrow-minded that she would resort to such open sneering in a public setting over a minor poll.