A Night of Desire-Chapter 144: Hoist by One’s Own Petard

"Yes, I know that path." Just as Clara finished speaking, Director Keane, who was standing in the center, spoke up. "That path may be a shortcut, but it’s remote and difficult to traverse. Never mind a delicate girl who likes to stay clean—even a grown man would find it a bit dangerous and hard to find a foothold."

As he spoke, he gave Clara an approving smile and nod, then continued, "Clara, the fact that you were brave enough to take that path, without a care for your appearance, just to make it to the booting ceremony on time, shows commendable courage and admirable professionalism."

Director Keane’s words instantly flipped the script. In everyone’s eyes, Clara’s image transformed from an arrogant, big-shot wannabe who didn’t know her place into a punctual, professional, humble, and well-behaved actress.

Who would dare disrespect Director Keane? The moment he finished speaking, the cast and crew broke into applause for Clara.

The reporters all nodded in understanding, their cameras zooming in on her pant legs and shoes for several tight close-ups.

Seeing Director Keane speak up for her and her colleagues applaud, Clara habitually scratched her hair. She glanced down at her dirty shoes and pants, then smiled a little sheepishly. "All I could think about was how to not be late, so I didn’t really have time to worry about being scared or how I looked."

But that one smile instantly dazzled all the reporters.

In truth, people had thought she was pure and pretty from the moment she appeared. But the entertainment industry was never short on beautiful girls, and the reporters’ tastes had grown jaded. Besides, her outfit was far too plain.

A white T-shirt, a pair of jeans, a pair of flat white sneakers—amidst a crowd of gorgeously and fashionably dressed actresses, she simply didn’t stand out.

But at that moment, her shy, timid smile truly made her resemble a bashful flower, her beauty exuding a fresh, natural aura.

And so, the reporters’ cameras focused on her even more intently, the CLICK-CLICK-CLICK of their shutters growing more frantic.

Faye Jennings, however, had to swallow her frustration. She had been so close to seeing Clara humiliated, only for it to fall apart at the last second.

Worse, her attempt had backfired, turning what should have been negative press into a positive story. It not only gave Clara a chance for exposure but even ended up singing her praises.

It had allowed a minor supporting actress like her to steal the spotlight, even if just for a moment.

But no matter how furious she was on the inside, she had to keep a smile plastered on her face.

’But it doesn’t matter,’ she thought. ’My first and second steps failed, but I still have a third, and a fourth...’

After that little interruption, Clara obediently returned to her spot at the very back of the line.

She had just gotten settled when she heard a low, unfriendly scoff from beside her.

She instinctively glanced over and saw an unfamiliar girl’s face.

’She’s probably another one of the supporting actresses,’ Clara guessed to herself.

"So you’re Clara?" The girl met her gaze directly, her tone laced with a strange hostility and disdain.

Clara didn’t understand why this strange girl was hostile toward her. Although the other girl was unfriendly, Clara didn’t want to make enemies on her first day, so she deliberately ignored the animosity and gave a polite nod.

"I’m Clara. Hi."

Unexpectedly, the girl just gave her a disdainful eye-roll before turning her head away, refusing to look at her again.

Clara found that a bit odd, but she didn’t dwell on it, turning her attention back to the front.

The booting ceremony officially began, starting with a speech from Director Keane.

Clara was listening intently when the person standing in front of her suddenly turned around, lowered their voice, and said, "Hello."