Chapter 7  

After leaving the mall, Evans and Abner did not talk.

Before parting ways, they exchanged a strange glance at each other, then both discreetly averted their gazes.

How could they bring this up? Were they going to ask directly: Did you see subtitles appearing above Audrey’s head?

Phrasing it that way would probably make them sound like lunatics, wouldn’t it?

Certain matters necessitated gradual verification through personal exploration.

Audrey and Linda opted not to prolong their shopping expedition. Just as they were poised to exit, Linda unexpectedly called out to Audrey.

“Audrey, I’ve been thinking—you don’t necessarily need to join the company to outshine Charlotte.”

Audrey arched a skeptical brow in response to Linda’s words, offering a poised gaze that awaited the imminent unveiling of Linda’s undoubtedly ludicrous idea.

“I believe you can win favor with your elder brother. In the ongoing struggle within the Lance family, your elder brother seems to hold the greatest potential for success. If you manage to foster a strong rapport with him, once your stepfather relinquishes his authority, you’ll emerge as the ultimate victor.”

Linda’s proposal, upon Audrey’s hearing, nearly elicited applause. Audrey had mulled over a similar notion—whether cultivating a harmonious relationship with Aubner might shield her from the prospect of exile to Africa.

However, Aubner wasn’t the easiest person to please. For all she knew, her efforts could potentially backfire.

Audrey steadfastly upheld her belief that her pursuit should be focused on personal career development, self-reliance, and above all, abstaining from becoming entangled in the power struggles of the three Lance siblings.

“Forget it! We fought horribly in the past. Involvement now would only complicate matters further,” Audrey candidly admitted.

Linda, upon absorbing Audrey’s response, grew increasingly agitated. Since Audrey’s unauthorized departure from the hospital the previous day, Linda had detected a subtle shift in Audrey’s demeanor, a departure from the norm.

The root of this change remained elusive. Audrey used to readily heed Linda’s suggestions.

Yet today, she not only abstained from sharing shopping expenses, but she also rebuffed Linda’s well-intentioned counsel

“Audrey, what’s come over you today? Aren’t you interested in asserting your rights anymore? Your mother married into the Lance family makes you a rightful inheritor. You deserve some of the Lance Family inheritance.”

Audrey struggled to stifle a laugh at Linda’s words. She almost pondered whether the original Audrey’s cognitive functions were askew compared to the average individual. How else could she have bought into such nonsensical assertions?

“Linda, my current focus is solely on nurturing my acting career. As for these intricate matters, I’ll think about them in the future.”

Linda anxiously gripped Audrey’s arm, her tone urgent, “Audrey, are you worried about winning your elder brother’s favor? Don’t fret; I’ll help you with that. We can begin by understanding his preferences. Since you both reside in the same abode, astute observation will undoubtedly unveil his inclinations.”

Audrey’s eyes almost rolled involuntarily at Linda’s transparent strategy. Linda’s intention was quite apparent—to gather knowledge about Aubner’s preferences under the guise of assisting Audrey.

“Linda, you might not be aware, but my elder brother rarely resides in the family mansion. Let’s drop this idea,” Audrey asserted with unwavering conviction, her stance unyielding against Linda’s persistent persuasion.

Ultimately, frustration overtook Linda, leading to their parting on strained terms.

Audrey’s disposition remained unperturbed. She simply boarded a car and returned home.

Engaging in a direct confrontation with Linda wasn’t her immediate plan. She recognized the value of maintaining Linda’s involvement in order to retrieve the items she had taken from the original Audrey. A facile resolution wouldn’t be equitable in Audrey’s estimation.

Yet, Audrey displayed no urgency. She held firm in her belief that it was merely a matter of time before Linda herself reached out.

En route home, Audrey’s phone chimed with an incoming call from her agent, Daniel.

Daniel had featured prominently in the original narrative. A proficient agent, he had propelled several prominent stars to fame.

In the original version, Audrey had held a dim view of Daniel, discounting his counsel. Their paths eventually diverged, with Daniel being poached by the female lead in this book.

Audrey accepted the call, and Daniel’s voice echoed, “Audrey, what about the photos? Without evidence, who will believe your claim as a true heiress of a noble lineage?”action

Audrey said, “There are no more photos. I don’t want to create such a fake persona.”

“Fake?” Daniel’s tone brimmed with exasperation. “Initially, it was your idea to construct this identity, and as the heiress of the Lance Family, it’s hardly a sham.”

Audrey harbored no intention of obfuscating the truth from Daniel. She addressed him directly, “I’m not the heiress of the Lance Family; I’m a stepdaughter. This contrived identity is destined to unravel as a falsehood. I believe that channeling my focus into my acting career is the prudent path.”