Love or Die: CEO’ s Daily Dose of Swoon (Cordelia)

Chapter 74

Merry stood there, stunned for a second before she cracked a joke at Cordelia, “Lia, I thought the whole point was for me to be myself.”

Cordelia looked confused. Isn’t this all about acting?”

In acting, you’re supposed to become the character, not be yourself, right? Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Of course, Cordelia wasn’t so vain as to think Merry imitating her would make her invincible. When she first walked in, the stage manager had looked at her with such fervor. It seemed the role must fit her to a tee.

And earlier, while the others were auditioning, she’d awkwardly navigated Twitter and stumbled upon the play. It was adapted from a novel. After a quick search for the source material, she’d used her sharp summary skills to find the relevant passage. The novel described the character as ethereal as an angel. Upon her tragic death in a car accident, it mused that such an angelic being must have returned to heaven.

From these descriptions, Cordelia deduced that the character wasn’t meant to be a saintly figure like Leila but more of a distant and aloof type.

That was why she’d made the suggestion.

Merry didn’t say another word. She trusted Cordelia implicitly, nodded, and entered the audition room.

Inside the audition room.

Bland was idly fidgeting with a pen, frowning as he asked, “Does that girl just now have anything to do with being angelic?”

The assistant director sighed, “No choice, you saw for yourself. She’s got the best look we’ve seen today. We can coach her a bit and shoot her from the back in long shots. We can’t afford to dawdle in this school forever. Students are just that. None of them have that kind of presence.”

As these words slipped out, Bland inexplicably flashed his mind to Lia, standing in the doorway of the equipment room. Bathed in dim light, Lia was surrounded by people yet seemed utterly alone and aloof, fitting the role to a tee.

But Lia was far from interested in acting!

Suddenly, Bland lost all enthusiasm, slouching back, his eyes lazily half–closed, “Whatever.”

The assistant director was equally disinterested, just wanting to wrap up the auditions quickly and cast the role. They’d spent too much time here already.

Just then, the door opened, and the same graceful figure entered. But compared to the previous candidate’s confidence, this one’s gaze was shifty, lacking grace and poise.

The assistant direitor was taken aback, “You again?”

As Merry entered, she glanced at Bland… specifically, his forehead. The bruise was quite noticeable, which explained the stares

Initially irritated because Bland had complimented Leila, she instantly forgave him at the sight of his disheveled state. She nearly blurted out, “Oh no, darling, are you hurt?”

She held back, but her face betrayed her guilt and remorse. How could she have hit her beloved?

Just as she was wrestling with her nerves upon seeing her idol, the assistant director’s voice brought her back. to reality, “Huh?”

The assistant director glanced at the list – Merry Jordan. And the previous one was Leila Jordan.

He got it, “Twins?”

Upon hearing this, Bland finally lifted his gaze.

13:08

“Oh no, my idol is looking at me!” Merry tensed up, avoiding direct eye contact. She felt Bland’s gaze sweep over her. In her nervousness, she stumbled over her words, “Ah, yes, um, twins.”

The assistant director frowned at her demeanor and said, “Alright, you can leave now.”

This meekness wouldn’t work on stage.

Merry went pale. She knew that meant rejection. It was her nervousness around her idol that had cost her. She wanted to ask for another chance but felt too embarrassed.

With her head down, she took one last look at Bland and turned to leave..

That was when Bland’s mischievous voice sounded, “Can you play the piano?”

Merry stopped in her tracks, her eyes lighting up. Was her idol talking to her?

She nodded eagerly. “Yes!”

Bland gestured to the piano, “Play something for us.”

Merry wasn’t dumb. She understood this was another chance from Bland. If she couldn’t nail it, it would be

over.

Her idol would be in the play, likely in love with the character she was auditioning for.

She couldn’t let Leila ruin it and couldn’t let Leila sully her man!

With that thought, her fighting spirit returned.

Taking a deep breath, Merry straightened up.

What was Lia like? Above it all, as if nothing and no one could catch her eye.

Merry had always had a rebellious streak, and now, taking things seriously. The director and Bland saw the transformation in Merry in the school uniform:

She sauntered over to the piano, sat down, and placed her hands on the keys. Then she began to play.

The assistant director brightened his eyes!

Despite still wearing her uniform, her playing was cool and detached, her eyes filled with the story.

Merry had far more potential than the last one! She was born to act!

As Merry finished her piece, the assistant director declared, “You’re it”

Merry turned around. Upon hearing the verdict, she nearly jumped for joy. She was going to act with her idol! Acting meant close contact!!

Her gaze landed on Bland, only to find him reclining lazily in his chair, his foxy eyes watching her intently.

In her excitement, be drawled, “Pretty tough pencil case, huh?”

Merry froze, her exhilaration and anticipation instantly cooling. She slowly looked up, her expression cracking.

Bland recognized her.

Oh no…She couldn’t face him now!

When Merry walked out of the audition room, she was nearly tripping over herself, her face far from cheerful, looking almost on the verge of tears.

Cordelia looked at her in surprise. Had she given the wrong advice? It didn’t seem so.

The others, seeing her like this, jumped to conclusions.

Hayley sneered, “Look at her, anyone would think she just got dumped!”

Merry was speechless.

But wasn’t it just like a breakup?

Leila, however, smiled, “Merry, don’t be too down. You can still be an extra, right? Who knows, you might get up close and personal with Bland. And hey, if you want an autograph, my offer still

stands. After all, I’m playing Bland’s first love in the play. Getting a signature should be easy for me.”

After the final words were uttered, the door to the audition room swung open once more. The assistant director emerged, his face beaming with delight. He announced the result, “The one who nailed the audition today is… Merry Jordan!”

With the announcement, Leila stood up, her face blossoming into a smile.

But in the next instant, her smile froze.

Wait a minute… Who did the assistant director just say?