Reborn With a Money-Making System: Ruined Actress to Nation's Treasure-Chapter 104: The Second Audition (2)

I smiled warmly. "That really means a lot to me," I said. "I’ve been practicing this role for days, so I just hope I managed to capture her personality the way it’s written."

"Well, I’d say you nailed it, Helcia!" the producer chimed in. "Honestly, I don’t even have much to criticize right now."

The director and producer exchanged a quick glance before turning back to me with polite smiles.

"We’ll be discussing everything with the rest of the team," the director said. "After that, we’ll contact you once the final decision is made."

"Right," the producer added with an approving nod. "We’ll let you know soon, Helcia. You’ve made quite an impression today."

I bowed slightly, still smiling even though my heart was pounding. "Thank you so much for your time. I really appreciate the opportunity."

As I walked out of the audition room, the door quietly closed behind me. The moment it did, I finally exhaled a long, shaky breath.

Even though I still had to wait for their final decision, I was confident they were already considering me for the role of Elena.

Still, if I actually got both roles—Elena and Mia—which one should I take? Or maybe I could do both? Elena’s role in the series wasn’t that big, so maybe I could fit both projects into my schedule.

Besides, actresses did that all the time. I knew Marissa probably wouldn’t recommend it since I was still a rookie, but if I could convince her that I could handle it, I was sure she’d agree.

Still, I shouldn’t get ahead of myself when the results weren’t even out yet, even though, deep down, I knew I had nailed both auditions. More than that, I was sure I could prove to people that my acting range was wide, since Mia and Elena’s personalities were completely opposite.

[Host, remember, this is the first day of your weekly mission.] Penny suddenly chimed in.

’I know, I know,’ I replied in my head. ’Stop nagging me and stressing me out.’

Anyway, Lando still hadn’t said anything about the Brixton Charity Gala, even though the event was only two days away. Maybe he didn’t know how to start the conversation, or maybe he was worried his family might cause trouble for me.

I wasn’t sure, but I had a feeling I was right. When I got home, Henry told me Lando wanted to see me in his office, so I went straight to him.

"Helcia, we need to talk about something important." He was sitting behind his desk, with a shiny gold gala ticket lying right in front of him. "Please, sit down."

He looked a bit tense, maybe because this was the first time we’d talked properly again since his so-called "I don’t want to be just friends" proposal, or maybe because of the gala invitation.

Maybe both.

I walked over and sat across from him, my eyes instantly catching the ticket. "Your family invited us to the gala?" I asked without hesitation.

Lando raised a brow. "You already knew about the event?"

I let out a small laugh. "Of course, husband. Only someone living under a rock wouldn’t know about it."

The Brixton Charity Gala was one of the most talked-about events every year. Even someone like Helcia, who hadn’t fully stepped into the entertainment industry yet, had heard about it online.

"Besides," I added with a faint, bitter smile, "my father and Madeline always go to that event. So yes, I know it well, but I didn’t expect us to get invitations."

Lando let out a soft sigh. "This is actually the first time they’ve invited me to it," he admitted. "Usually, they don’t want me at public events."

He was only allowed to attend private gatherings, and that was just so Victor Brixton could show off to his socialite friends that he was such a ’kind father’ who cared for all his children, including the disabled and ’useless’ one.

"Do you want to go?" I asked softly. "We don’t have to if it makes you uncomfortable."

Penny had warned me that failing to complete the weekly mission would lower my rating, but honestly, my husband’s comfort mattered more to me than some system score.

If he didn’t want to attend because he was tired of being treated like a doormat, then I wouldn’t go either.

But Lando simply waved his hand and said casually, "It’s not a big deal. Actually, this could be a great opportunity for you to make a public appearance. At least the media will see you as more than just a Zentra influencer."

I squinted slightly. "So, you have been watching my Zentra videos."

Lando smiled faintly. "Of course, I have." Then his tone turned serious again. "But as great as it sounds, there’ll be plenty of annoying and foolish people there. Try not to lose your temper, okay?"

Was he talking about his family? Or maybe just his brothers? Probably both.

"I also have a few annoying family members," I said with a smile. "Let’s just remind each other not to do anything stupid while we’re there. But, husband... are you sure you really want to go? They might say awful things about you."

"I’m used to it. Don’t worry." He reached out and gently patted the back of my hand. "But, Helcia, if we attend this event, people will know that you’re married. Are you sure you’re okay with that?"

Marriage status could be a tricky topic for celebrities. Some fans didn’t mind, but others could get upset once they found out their favorite actress was already married.

Still, I couldn’t hide our marriage from the public forever.

"I’m fine!" I said with a bright smile. "It’s better they know from the start so no one gets disappointed later."

Besides, as long as I had real talent, my personal life shouldn’t matter. And honestly, I doubted anyone would dare insult Lando blantantly.

He wasn’t just handsome and kind, but he was also disabled. In this modern age, only a heartless person would openly mock a disabled man and expect others to agree with them. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

That’s why I wasn’t worried about how the public would react. If anyone dared to make fun of him, it would only expose their own ugliness to the world.