Chapter 57: Under Pressure

Chapter 57: Under Pressure

In the center of the square, a tall, slender boy dressed in white sat casually on the ground, his right hand supporting his weight as he silently gazed up at the soft, cloud-like tufts in the blue sky. He seemed lost in thought, the expression behind his black-rimmed glasses inscrutable. A white dove perched on his broad hand resting on his bent knee, occasionally playfully pecking at it. The boy slowly raised his arm, and the dove, rather than fleeing, tilted its head, staring at him with an endearing innocence. His gaze fell on the bird, and a faint, mesmerizing smile played on his lips.

The sunlight caught the fountain's sparkling droplets, casting a radiant glow on the boy's godlike profile. In that moment, the pristine doves, the proud, aloof boy by the fountain, and the pearlescent spray of water seemed to form a picture of pure, ethereal beauty.

As if sensing her gaze, Ethan Knight's smile faded, and with a casual flick of his arm, the dove soared into the blue sky.

He… he was perhaps destined to be an unreachable dream for her. Witnessing the breathtaking scene just moments ago, Lydia Moore felt even more acutely that she and Ethan Knight lived in entirely different worlds. He was flawless, a prince in every sense, and princes were always meant to be with princesses.

With that thought in mind, Lydia clenched her hands, determined to ignore the pain in her heart. "I'm sure these past two weeks have caused you a lot of trouble. If I step down now, you won't have to be so annoyed anymore. Thank you for putting up with me for so long." Her tone was light, her smile bright. Yet, even as she spoke, it felt as if her heart were breaking into a thousand pieces.

But she knew that stepping down was the best option. She didn't want to make things difficult for Ms. Ling, and she didn't want her plainness to detract from Ethan Knight's perfection on stage. Dean Goldsmith was right; only someone as elegant and charming as Sabrina Shaw could truly complement Ethan's brilliance.

White feathers floated gently in the sunlight, and in the silent glow, Ethan Knight cast a cold glance at her, his voice icy as he replied, "If you lack confidence, you shouldn't have wasted my time from the start." His eyes narrowed, and a chilling light flashed within them. Standing up with arrogant grace, he walked away, the doves fluttering into the air, their silver-white forms cutting through the sky as the crystal fountain sprayed its water to the highest point.

These were the longest words he had ever spoken to her, yet they cut deeper than any wound. Lydia Moore looked up at the sky, refusing to let her vulnerability show.

Suddenly, Ethan Knight paused and slightly turned his head, just enough for her to hear, "I despise people who lack confidence." With that, he left without another word, his tall, slender figure bathed in the golden sunlight, radiating an otherworldly beauty.

Lydia stood frozen, watching him walk away. Had she misunderstood? Why did it feel like there was a hint of encouragement in his words? Could it be that he was telling her she should have more confidence in herself? If so, then she couldn't give up so easily. She wouldn't allow herself any regrets. No matter what happened, she would persist and strive for her best.

A feather landed lightly on her dark hair, its soft touch almost comforting. Buoyed by Ethan Knight's words, Lydia Moore resolved to become stronger and braver. No matter what challenges lay ahead, she would remain confident and never give up. She believed that one day, she would shine with her own unique light.

In the square, where the doves soared in circles and the trees' fragrance filled the air, the boy's departing figure was proud and solitary. He had no idea that behind him, things were quietly beginning to change...

As Lydia Moore's thoughts returned to the present, her eyes grew brighter. She had promised herself to be strong, brave, and full of confidence. So even if the chances of success were slim, she would not retreat. Mentally cheering herself on, Lydia soon regained her confident smile.

Just then, the door to the dressing room swung open, and Bella Rose's personal makeup artist, Zhang Jie, strode in, tossing a bag of clothes at Lydia. "Mr. Taylor said you should change into this!" she snapped, her arms crossed as she looked Lydia up and down with disdain. "Even with makeup, you still look like this. You're not fit to be Delar's leading lady. I suggest you quit now before you make a fool of yourself." Having been in the industry for ten years, Zhang Jie had seen her share of actresses fighting for the spotlight, which had made her sharp-tongued and cynical.

Lydia Moore calmly glanced at the bag in her hand, then politely nodded in thanks. "Thank you for the trouble," she said with a slight bow. Despite Zhang Jie's biting remarks, Lydia remained respectful. After all, Zhang Jie was her elder, and Lydia couldn't bring herself to be rude. Besides, she had grown accustomed to people's disdain and ridicule over the years and saw no point in arguing. What mattered to her was working harder and showing her progress.

She's actually thanking me? Is she mocking me? Zhang Jie frowned, trying to detect any trace of sarcasm in Lydia's smile. But the smile was genuine, pure, without a hint of malice. Was it possible for someone to be so untainted by the world? Zhang Jie was momentarily confused, but she quickly recovered, letting out a cold snort before turning on her heel and leaving.

It seemed that Zhang Jie truly disliked her. Lydia sighed wearily. She took out the light green chiffon dress from the bag and glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes suddenly sparkled like stars in a summer night.

At the shooting location, Michael the photographer, having been overruled multiple times, reluctantly agreed to give Lydia Moore a chance. But he firmly stated that if she didn't pass on the first try, there would be no second chance, and the shoot had to be completed today. James Taylor didn't object, seemingly confident in Lydia's ability. Meanwhile, Bella Rose sat calmly on the sidelines, waiting for Lydia to fail. She couldn't believe that an ugly duckling like Lydia could ever outshine her. She was determined to prove that James Taylor had made a mistake, and that only she was the right choice.

Everyone in the room had their own thoughts, and all eyes were fixed on the closed dressing room door. A strange silence hung over the set.

When Lydia Moore finally emerged barefoot, wearing the light green chiffon dress, everyone in the room was stunned.