Freya's POV
Michael scrutinized me from head to toe and inquired, "I didn't catch sight of your resume."
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Freya, a 25-year-old graduate from the acting department at Film University."
"In what types of films or television shows have you acted?"
My fingers clenched and my voice dropped. "None."
"None?" Michael appeared slightly taken aback. "So you lack acting experience."
I remained silent.
"If you haven't worked in the industry since graduating, why do you now wish to pursue it again?"
I spoke truthfully, "I'm in need of money."
Michael regarded me with surprise.
I pressed on, "Furthermore, I require a reputable job to prove my worth. Director Harper, I implore you to grant me the opportunity to audition for the role and reconsider your decision."
Before Michael could respond, a noise emanated from inside the room, causing him to retract into the space before reemerging a few moments later.
As the door closed, I caught a fleeting glimpse of two long, elongated legs clad in suit pants swiftly traversing the room, disappearing in a flash.
"Well, I shall grant you that chance," Michael glanced at the clock, "and when you're prepared, you may begin. Remember, you have only five minutes."
A staff member handed me the script.
In an instant, my nerves tensed, and I swiftly committed the lines to memory.
Two minutes later, I raised my gaze. "I'm ready."
Michael nodded. "Let's proceed."
As I lifted my eyes, the calmness in my gaze evaporated, transforming into a soft and delicate expression.
Just as I was about to utter the lines, everyone in the room froze, remaining silent until the conclusion of my performance.
Michael did not offer praise or criticism, but whispered something to the person beside him. Then, he raised his eyes and said to me, "Try another passage."
My eyes lightened. It seemed there was hope.
I glanced downward at the new script and beheld not the character I had just played, but the third female role in the play.
However, I couldn't help but question why Michael allowed me to attempt the scene of the third female role, considering that the third female role had already been chosen.
Despite my doubts, I refrained from further inquiry, diligently committing the lines to memory. Raising my gaze, I sought Michael's signal to commence.
With a nod of his head, Michael silently conveyed the start of the performance.
Upon its conclusion, a heavy silence descended once again.
"Why didn't you continue your career after you graduated?"
After a few minutes, Michael broke the silence to voice his concerns.
Deep in thought for a fleeting moment, I ultimately divulged the truth, "Because I've got my mate."
Another moment of silence ensued, broken when Michael spoke again, "Leave your contact information, and I'll inform you if I hear anything."
As I stepped out of the room, I felt my heart gradually regain its composure.
Novia, who had waited outside, rushed toward me, her words tumbling out, "Why did it take so long? I was about to call the police!"
Grasping her wrist, I whispered, "Let's talk outside."
Once we settled in the car, I recounted what had transpired inside, causing Novia's eyes to widen. "Oh no, Michael wanted you to audition for the third female role? Did he intend for you to play that role?"
I shook my head in uncertainty. "I'm not sure."
Novia then asked, "Did Michael say anything after your performance?"
I shook my head again. "He just asked for my phone number."
Smiling, Novia exclaimed, "Wonderful! Let's celebrate with a nice dinner later."
Chuckling, I responded, "We don't know for sure. Isn't it a bit premature to celebrate?"
"Then let's rejoice in the fact that you'll soon be leaving Kingsley. It's also joyous thing regardless."
At that moment, my gaze fell upon Theo and a young woman exiting a parked white Audi across the street.
The woman possessed shoulder-length hair and wore an elegant and youthful ensemble, adorned with expensive garments.
Upon stepping out of the vehicle, she promptly linked arms with Theo in an intimate gesture.
Theo wore a smile upon his face, a rare expression that had eluded me since childhood.
He suddenly turned his head. Upon catching sight of me, he furrowed his brow and delicately removed the woman's hand from his arm, gesturing for her to proceed ahead.
He pursed his lips and made his way towards me, his voice taking on an elder's tone, devoid of any embarrassment from being caught in an intimate rendezvous by his daughter.
"Freya, what brings you here?"
I turned my gaze towards the spot where the woman had vanished and deadpanned, "When did this all begin?"
Perhaps my questioning tone made Theo visibly uneasy, he said unhappily, "And what's with that tone?"
"Then tell me what tone I should use? My mother is dying and you don't have time to come and see her, yet you have time for sex with other women!"
Theo became angrier. "Mind your tone!"
I clenched my fingers, a chilling sensation engulfing my heart.
With an impassive expression, I inquired, "What is her name?"
Clearly wishing to steer the conversation away, Theo redirected, "Did you deliver the gift I asked you to?"
I pursed my lips and responded with a noncommittal "hmm."
"Are you now going out with Kingsley?"
"No, I'm with a friend."
Theo frowned, "Remember that you are Kingsley's mate. You should focus on pleasing your Alpha. After all these years, you haven't even given him a child. How do you expect the Shadowmoon Pack to accept you as Luna?"
Each word uttered sickened me, serving as a harsh reminder of the transactional nature of my union with Kingsley. Kingsley and I were never equals, and my role was merely to appease my Alpha, to secure his favor over my family and the Dark Moon Pack.
How could Kingsley ever regard me with respect in a relationship so entwined with ulterior motives?
Theo was about to say something more, but his aspiration was abruptly interrupted by the shrill ring of the telephone.
He promptly picked up the receiver, turning his gaze toward me after hanging up, and declared, "I still have pressing matters to attend to at the company. I must depart at once. You, on the other hand, ought to head home early. Kingsley has toiled all day; the least you can do is prepare a warm meal for him."
After Theo's departure, Novia, concealed within the shadows, emerged and berated, "Your father is truly remarkable. He didn't care about you at all, yet treats his son-in-law as if he were his own kin!"
Accustomed to Theo's snobbish demeanor, I turned my head and inquired of Novia, "Is the car driving recorder activated?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?" she responded.
I stepped into the vehicle and examined the footage captured by the recorder.
Due to the unfavorable angle, only a fleeting glimpse of the woman with Theo was caught.
I downloaded the image, fixating on her countenance, but failed to recollect where I had encountered her before.
"What's happening?" Novia queried.
I fell silent for a moment, whispering, "I have an uncanny feeling that I've seen this woman somewhere before."
"Where might that be?"
I shook my head. "I cannot recall."
"In that case, let us ponder while we eat. If you cannot recollect, we shall enlist the services of a private detective."
As Novia concluded her statement, her phone abruptly rang.
She pressed the answer button.
"What is it?" Novia's visage underwent a drastic transformation, and I, too, suddenly grew anxious.
After hanging up the call, Novia anxiously addressed me, "Freya, something has occurred at my family's company..."
I hastened to reassure her, "Do not fret. We can promptly make our way there and ascertain what happened."