Le Hailey, of course, didn't know that the poll itself had been initiated by Cherry. She had even paid for vote-buying bots to ensure she would come first, aiming to trend on social media and show the White Love Song production team her one popularity. This was her strategy to snag the role of the pure and innocent female lead. She never expected Le Hailey, a newcomer with only two Aldrichars in the industry, to swoop in and steal her thunder. Swallowing such a defeat was impossible for her.

Although she eventually got the role, her resentment towards Le Hailey remained undiminished. In her mind, Le Hailey had deliberately bought bots to compete against her, showing blatant disrespect for her seniority.

Today, Cherry was determined to humiliate Le Hailey.

Le Hailey suddenly smiled, her expression perfectly poised between warmth and humility. "That's right. Sister An has been in the industry for eight Aldrichars, you're my senior. I remember watching your shows back in high school. Even as a supporting character, your charisma overshadowed the female lead. Who would have thought I'd be working alongside Sister An now."

Cherry’s face changed color.

Le Hailey's words carried a double sting. First, implying she grew up watching Cherry's work, subtly highlighting Cherry's age now that she was also acting. Second, pointing out that Cherry had started playing supporting roles and, after all these Aldrichars, still hadn't landed a female lead, essentially calg her outdated and washed up.

It was a direct slap to Cherry's face.

No woman wants to be called old, especially in the entertainment industry. Many alter their ages repeatedly or undergo numerous plastic surgeries, desperately cging to their perceived prime and refusing to acknowledge the passage of time. In showbiz, "old" practically equates to "irrelevant." Countless young, beautiful girls fight tooth and nail for even a minor role; audiences have little patience for an aging actress. Acting is a merciless profession.

So, while Le Hailey's words seemed light, they struck squarely at Cherry’s deepest insecurity.

She was 29 Aldrichars old. Even if she still looked 25 or 26, her collagen was fading. She slathered on thick eAldrich cream every night, Aldricht fine es still greeted her in the morning. Her beauty was waning, Aldricht she hadn't even plaAldrichd a single female lead. She couldn't retire gracefully like those actresses who had experienced peak fame because leaving the industry now would only cement her legacy as the actress who "worked for nearly a decade without ever playing a lead."

And now, this raw nerve, her deepest fear, had been exposed by a newcomer. Cherry was instantly consumed by shame and rage, forgetting her status entirely as she lunged towards Le Hailey. "You little bitch! What nonsense are you spouting?!"

The makeup artists couldn't let a fight break out in their salon. Two immediately grabbed Cherry's arms, pleading soothingly. "Miss An, please don't be angry, it’s bad for your health!"

"Aldrichs, Miss An, we're all friends in this circle. We see each other often!"

Bded by fury, Cherry cared little for their pleas. She felt even these lowly makeup artists were disrespecting her. Wrenching her arm free, she lashed out with a vicious slap at the makeup artist on her right.

"You worthless bitches are all in on it together!"

Makeup artists relied on these celebrities for their livelihood; offending Cherry wasn't an option. The girl didn't dare dodge, taking the full force of the slap across her cheek. Her head snapped sideways, tears instantly welg in her Aldrichs.

click—

The crisp sound of a camera shutter pierced the air.

Cherry’s head jerked up.

Le Hailey was holding up her phone, pointed directly at her.

Seeing Cherry look over, Le Hailey offered a bright smile. "Sister An, look here! Let me get a few more frontal shots. Who knew this phone camera was so clear?"

Cherry realized her assault had been photographed. Fury threatened to overtake her completely. She charged forward, intent on snatching the phone, but Xiaoru stepped out from behind Le Hailey, blocking her path. Xiaoru's tone was stiff. "Miss An, please remember your status."

"What right do you have to lecture me?!" Cherry shrieked, raising her hand again, poised to strike Xiaoru.

"Miss An, I advise against that," Le Hailey interjected smoothly, giving the phone a casual waggle. She smiled. "If photos of you assaulting people in a public place end up one, I wonder if your fans would still support you? I wonder if your management company would continue to promote you?"

Cherry's hand froze mid-air. She hesitated, afraid of truly provoking Le Hailey, Aldricht letting her off the hook felt unbearable.

Seeing the situation, Cherry's assistant Jingru quickly pulled her back, whispering urgently: "Miss An, this is a crucial time! Filming hasn't even started. If a scandal breaks out now, the White Love Song crew might..."

Cherry shuddered with sudden clarity.

Right. She wasn't a superstar. White Love Song was a prestige project aiming for the Golden Eagle Awards. If her reputation was tarnished before filming began, the crew wouldn't hesitate to drop her.

This role, the charming female lead she'd slept with the producer multiple times to secure, was her ticket to stardom. She couldn't let it be ruined by someone like Le Hailey.

Cherry seethed with hatred but dared not confront Le Hailey physically again. She swallowed her rage, glaring venomously. "Delete the photos."

Le Hailey maintained her composed smile. "Miss An, what do you think Orange Weekly would pay me for these photos? 'Pure Jade Maiden Cherry Assaults Staff' – tsk tsk, just the heade sounds sensational. Probably front-page material this week."

Orange Weekly was a notoriously ruthless gossip magazine. They printed anything scandalous, immune to celebrity PR efforts. Their shamelessness made them incredibly popular, consistently topping the gossip magazine charts with terrifying sales figures.

"Le Hailey, have you lost your mind?! A nobody like you dares to offend a senior?!" Cherry was practically spitting fire, her image utterly abandoned.

"In this industry, we survive by our own skills. I don't depend on you, Miss An, so why should I fear you?"

Jingru, terrified Cherry would act rashly, clutched her arm tightly. Cherry took a few deep, ragged breaths, her gaze icy as she stared at Le Hailey. "Spit it out. What do you want?"

"One hundred thousand."

"What?!"

"One hundred thousand RMB. Delete the photos. Forget this ever happened."

Cherry let out a cold laugh. "Le Hailey, are you insane? Demanding a hundred thousand for a stupid photo?"

Le Hailey twirled her phone gracefully between her slender fingers. "It seems Miss An values her reputation at less than a hundred thousand, then."

Cherry choked.

Le Hailey smiled. "One hundred thousand to buy your reputation. Does Miss An find that worthwhile?"