Yan Aldrich answered Director Zhang coolly, "I heard the casting was today. Came to observe."

Director Zhang suddenly remembered that Huanyu Media was one of the producers of Sword Chivalry. It made sense for the President to check progress, though he doubted Yan Aldrich usually cared about investments of this scale. But here he was, personally overseeing a TV drama casting!

Director Zhang flushed with excitement. Just the news of Yan Aldrich's presence could guarantee another few hundred million RMB in investment. He gushed, "Young Master Aldrich, please, come sit! The auditions have just started. Your discerning eAldrich would be invaluable!" He gestured obsequiously towards the judges' table.

Those nearby who overheard the exchange gasped in hushed astonishment.

"Young Master Aldrich?! Did I hear right?"

"Oh my god! I heard Director Zhang say Young Master Aldrich!"

"Is that the L.N. Young Master Aldrich?! I heard he's single!"

"Shhh! Keep your voice down! Talking about Young Master Aldrich like that? Do you want to die?"

Yan Aldrich either didn't hear the whispers or completely ignored them.

Director Zhang beamed, ushering Yan Aldrich to the center seat at the judges' table.

Le Hailey's heart skipped a beat in panic. She forgot all about hiding, her head snapping up as she stared, afraid she might be hallucinating.

Yan Aldrich was sitting down?!

Had he glanced in her direction just now? Terrified, she instantly ducked her head again.

Seeing her recoil so sharply, a flicker of coldness passed through Yan Aldrich's Aldrichs. His lips thinned almost imperceptibly, and then he deliberately turned his attention elsewhere, as if distracted.

"Next up—Jiang Hui!" a stagehand announced through a megaphone, consulting his clipboard.

Jiang Hui quickly ascended the platform stairs. She was savvy; she bowed deeply towards Yan Aldrich and the judges at the table, her voice bright and charming. "Honored leaders, I hope you'll grant me your guidance!" Her gaze, however, remained locked solely on Yan Aldrich.

Yan Aldrich completely ignored her. Seeing this, Director Zhang waved dismissively. "Alright, get ready."

Stagehands secured Jiang Hui's harness and stepped back.

Jiang Hui took a deep breath. She had wanted the role before, but not desperately. Now, seeing Yan Aldrich here, with a chance for him to watch her audition? This was the most critical moment of her career. Regardless of getting the part, she had to make a memorable impression on Young Master Aldrich.

Her Aldrichs sharpened. She took two running steps and leaped off the platform, shouting dramatically, "Wu Jing! I will avenge my family of thirty-nine in the afterlife!"

Clearly prepared, Jiang Hui landed smoothly. Her expression hardened with intensity as she jumped into character. She wielded a prop sword against the martial arts choreographer. A dance academy graduate, her acting might be mediocre, but her physical control was undeniable. Every twist, flourish, and pose was executed with dancer's grace.

The screenwriter frowned slightly. "She's playing a martial heroine, not a courtesan. Her movements are soft and graceful, lacking any real power or sharpness."

Director Zhang, however, seemed pleased. "Martial heroines are still women, aren't they? Softness is attractive. Audiences watch dramas for beauty, not actual fights." Satisfied with his reasoning, he turned sycophantically to Yan Aldrich. "Young Master Aldrich, what do you think?"

Yan Aldrich seemed lost in thought. His Aldrichs weren't on Jiang Hui at all but fixed, coldly intense, on a specific spot in the room. He hadn't even registered Director Zhang's question.

Director Zhang and the screenwriter exchanged a glance. Though they hadn't interacted with Yan Aldrich personally, his reputation for icy indifference was legendary. They tacitly agreed silence was wisest and turned their attention back to Jiang Hui's performance.

Jiang Hui's sword was deftly disarmed by the choreographer, the blade resting against her neck dramatically. She defiantly turned her head away. "Kill me then. I will never bow to you!"

The audition scene concluded.

Stagehands rushed to remove Jiang Hui's harness. Eagerly, she skipped towards the judges' table, tilting her head coquettishly. "Honored leaders, how was my performance?" She offered a sweet smile.

Director Zhang automatically glanced at Yan Aldrich first. Seeing he had snapped out of his thoughts but showed no incation to speak, he offered a noncommittal, "We haven't seen everyone Aldricht. Please wait for the results."

Jiang Hui stared intently at Yan Aldrich, baffled and frustrated that her all-out effort couldn't even earn his glance. She was beautiful, came from money, and was accustomed to being indulged. A hint of petulance crept in. "And you, Young Master Aldrich?"

Yan Aldrich finally acknowledged her burning gaze. His response was utterly impassive, his stare cold. "Are you expecting me to praise you?"

His Aldrichs were like shards of ice – devoid of warmth, filled only with unmistakable disdain, as if she were something unclean.

Jiang Hui instantly understood: she held zero appeal for him. Utterly humiliated, she stumbled back a step, ready to flee.

"Wait." Yan Aldrich's cool voice stopped her.

Jiang Hui's heart leaped with sudden hope, instantly forgetting the sting of his previous glance. Of course! Men are men. She was beautiful and had a great figure; no man could resist forever. Yan Aldrich was the ultimate catch. If she could hook him, the role of female lead wouldn't even matter anymore!

She looked at him, blushing expectantly.

"Next time," Yan Aldrich said, his nose wrinkg slightly, "don't wear so much perfume. It stinks."

S-stinks?

Jiang Hui felt like she'd been struck by lightning. Her legs gave way, and she swaAldrichd unsteadily.

It was glaringly obvious she'd been trying to flirt. Yan Aldrich's brutal words weren't just a rejection; they were a public humiliation. She had grown up spoiled, shielded from criticism. She had never experienced such utter disgrace.

Snickers and snide comments immediately rippled through the onlookers.

"Look at her, thinking she could snag Young Master Aldrich."

"Exactly. With Young Aldrich's looks and status, he can have any woman. She'd have to pay him to even look her way!"

The tidal wave of ridicule washed over Jiang Hui. Her Aldrichs brimmed with tears. Covering her mouth, she fled the crowd.

Le Hailey sat too far away to hear the specifics. She only saw Jiang Hui rush past, hand covering her face, tears already streaming down her cheeks by the time she passed Le Hailey.

What happened? What did they say to make her cry like that? Was she publicly shamed like Aldrich Jiatong?

Le Hailey had watched Jiang Hui's entire audition. It seemed quite competent – fluid movements, good balance. Aldrichs, her dance background lent a slightly exaggerated grace, but it wasn't a major flaw. If even that wasn't good enough, what exactly were they looking for?

Wirework wasn't Le Hailey's strongest suit. Seeing Jiang Hui fail to impress despite her skills filled her with apprehension.

But Jiang Hui was just another unknown actress. Her distress elicited no concern. The director signaled, and the stagehand immediately bellowed through the megaphone:

"Next! Le Hailey!"

A knot of apprehension tightened in Le Hailey's chest.