Huh?

  The smiles froze on their faces, their expressions oddly uniform—a mix of confusion and disbelief.

  "What did you say?"

  Cynthia, reacting, frowned tightly, looking as if she doubted her own hearing.

  Vivian, standing beside her, scoffed. "Chloe gets eight dollars per episode. Did you hear that clearly?"

  "Impossible! Stop trying to fool me!" Suspicion welled up in Cynthia's eyes. Even with Vivian's confirmation, she refused to believe it.

  A newcomer actress in a minor role, getting paid per episode? Eight dollars per episode?

  That was absolutely impossible.

  But looking at Chloe's calm face before her, she subconsciously felt Chloe wouldn't tell such a childish lie. Lies like that were the most fragile, easily exposed at any moment.

  Unless...

  Cynthia's heart sank. She pressed on, "Just who are you playing?"

  If it really was eight dollars per episode, wouldn't the total payment for the whole series be over four hundred dollars? A role with that kind of payment definitely wouldn't be a minor part!

  Chloe replied mildly, "The filming starts in two days. You'll find out then."

  This Cynthia had harbored inexplicable hostility towards her from the very beginning, so Chloe deliberately didn't clarify, wanting to make her anxious.

  Sure enough, irritation spilled over Cynthia's features. She pressed urgently, "Hurry up and tell me! You have to tell me right now!"

  Seeing this, Bianca and Mina simultaneously reached out to pull Chloe behind them. Vivian sneered, "What's the hurry? Won't you know on the first day of filming? Don't worry, it'll definitely be a pleasant surprise for you!"

  She had gone to great lengths, making her family spend 500 dollars to snatch the role of the second daughter's maid. And Chloe, having turned misfortune into fortune, had landed the role of the second daughter herself. Just thinking about how Cynthia would have to serve tea, pour water, bow, and kowtow to Chloe on set filled them with immense satisfaction.

  It was easy to imagine how spectacular Cynthia's reaction would be then.

  "Chloe, ignore her. Let's go."

  Shooting Cynthia a disdainful look, they protectively ushered Chloe into the restaurant.

  Even someone as domineering as Cynthia wouldn't resort to extreme actions at that moment. She could only watch Chloe leave helplessly, the sense of unease she had just dispelled now surging back stronger than ever.

  If Chloe's role was more important than hers, then the role she bought with money would become a joke, wouldn't it?

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Thinking this, Cynthia felt even more anxious and irritable.

  "Pfft, that was hilarious. The expression on Cynthia's face just now was more colorful than a palette. Seeing her get her comeuppance is so satisfying," Vivian couldn't help but laugh as soon as they entered the private room.

  Bianca looked at Chloe with admiration. "Chloe was surprisingly sharp for once. Even though it was just one sentence, it was enough to make Cynthia question her life."

  Vivian nodded with a smile. "Exactly! When she heard Chloe say 'eight dollars per episode', her eyes almost popped out of her head. It was so funny."

  Chloe felt a bit embarrassed by their praise. She had rarely actively challenged anyone in her life. But Cynthia had provoked and picked on her repeatedly, which was why she couldn't help but retort just now.

  Now, belatedly, her heart was beating even faster than before.

  She really wasn't cut out for this kind of thing. She hadn't even done much, yet she had frightened herself considerably.

  Only Mina remained level-headed. Seeing Chloe silent, she reminded her, "Chloe, try to avoid direct conflicts with Cynthia once filming starts. Her father is a minor investor after all. Offending her won't do you any good."

  Chloe nodded at Mina. "I understand. I'll just focus on doing my job well and won't interact with her too much."

  Just then, the server brought the menus. Instantly, they put Cynthia out of their minds, huddling together to order.

  After fulfilling the school leaders' photo request, Grace walked back to her dorm while searching for flights back to Novastra on her phone.

  "G-Grace."

  A timid voice stopped her just as she reached the dormitory building.

  Surprised, Grace looked up. Seeing who it was, she was slightly taken aback, then smiled in greeting. "Charles."

  Charles also smiled slightly. His fair face still carried a hint of boyishness, and his smile was endearingly honest.

  He was holding a shopping bag filled with various items. Given his location outside the girls' dorm, Grace guessed he was here again to deliver things to Scarlett.

  "Should I call her for you, or shall I take it up?" Grace offered politely.

  Charles quickly replied, "Could you please just take it up? Just let her know I stopped by."

  Grace nodded and took the bag. Glancing inside out of habit, her eyes widened slightly in surprise.

  She didn't pay attention to the other items, but the pack of sanitary pads on top was particularly eye-catching.

  "You even buy this for her? Did you go buy it yourself?" Grace asked, looking at Charles.

  In Grace's experience, many guys felt too embarrassed to buy feminine hygiene products for girls.

  Charles didn't seem bothered by this at all. He nodded as if it were perfectly normal. "She's very forgetful, doesn't keep track of things. Once, she ran out and didn't buy more in time, which almost caused an embarrassing situation. So since then, I've memorized her cycle and buy them for her a couple of days in advance."

  Upon hearing this, Grace couldn't help but show an expression of utter astonishment.

  "Wow, Charles, you're the ultimate manservant!" Grace exclaimed in admiration. "You're the most thorough guy I've ever met."

  Charles smiled sheepishly at this, a faint blush appearing on his cheeks. He adjusted his glasses before saying, "Well, I'll be going then. Goodbye, Grace."

  Even saying goodbye was so earnest. Truly adorable.

  Back in the dorm, Scarlett was energetically learning the latest girl group dance from a video on her computer, twisting her hips, thrusting her pelvis, and tossing her hair with great effort.

  Seeing Grace return, she swayed her way over, hooked an arm around Grace's neck, and started dancing intimately close to her. "Darling, am I hot or what?"

  "Hot, hot, hot," Grace played along. Seeing Scarlett about to do the splits, she quickly stopped her. "Hold on. Charles brought you something."

  She handed the shopping bag to Scarlett. Scarlett glanced at it casually, as if already accustomed to it, and set it aside without a second thought.

  Seeing this, Grace couldn't help but remark, "Your little manservant is incredibly thoughtful. He even remembers your... dates."

  Scarlett pouted. "His tuition from childhood through university was paid by my dad. So, his doing these things is kind of expected, right?"

  "Huh?" Grace was puzzled. "Don't his parents pay his tuition? Working as a driver for your family should pay decently, shouldn't it?"

  Scarlett explained, "He attended the same private schools as me since we were kids. Tuition isn't cheap for Uncle Charles's family. My dad thought he was sensible and insisted he go to school with me. Honestly, it was just so he could look after me."