Chapter 5
Samantha immediately toned down her exaggerated smile, eyes darting away as she quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, who cares how badly she flopped? Honestly, justice served! So Amelia, got any plans today?"
Amelia caught her best friend's intention and didn't push further. She replied, "I've got a voice test this morning, final audition for Goddess Nuwa. Picking up a car in the afternoon."
"A car?!" Samantha's eyes lit up. "When did you buy one?"
"Just browsed online a few days ago. Found a decent one with good value. I can't always make you play chauffeur." Amelia gave her a small smile. "Paid the down payment with my own savings."
Samantha was genuinely delighted for her. She threw an arm around Amelia and teased, "Look at you, Amelia! One divorce and you rocket into action mode! I'm impressed. Once you land that role today, your girl's taking you out for a feast tonight!"
The two laughed and joked for a while. Amid the cheerful banter, a fleeting thought crossed Amelia's mind.
Did Eric sign the divorce papers yet?
The next morning, Amelia got ready under Samantha's encouraging chatter before heading out.
She wore a light mauve blazer skirt suit, simple yet classy. Her makeup was subtle, enhancing her sharp features and natural grace. Today was a big deal—she was going to one of the top gaming giants in the country.
LY Interactive was investing heavily in their latest flagship title, a mobile game based on The Legend. High budget, high stakes. And they were hunting for the voice behind Su Daji, a character equal parts seductive and tragic.
Amelia, known in the voice-acting world as the enigmatic "Sunset Stardust," had been personally recommended by a seasoned director to the project lead at LY.
She stepped into LY's grand lobby, heading toward the front desk to ask for the location of the voice studio. Just as she approached, she overheard the receptionist—a trendy-looking girl—chatting with coworkers in a small group chat, head down and grinning.
"Heard that Sunset Stardust chick's coming in to audition for Daji? The name's kinda artsy... but watch, it's probably one of those cases where the voice is the only good thing. You know what I'm saying."
"Not even in the same league as Chloe!"
Amelia paused briefly, keeping her expression calm as she stepped up to the desk. Her voice was soft but clear. "Hi, could you tell me which floor The Legend voice test is on?"
The receptionist looked up. The second she saw Amelia's face, her dismissive attitude vanished. What replaced it was a stunned, almost slack-jawed admiration.
The woman standing in front of her had features like a painting—snow-pale skin, elegant eyes, a cool aura with a hint of gentle allure. She was striking in a way that made even top actresses seem ordinary.
She instinctively thought the woman in front of her was a newly signed actress or an auditioning talent, so her tone became much more respectful as she pointed to the next building. "If you're here for an audition, please head over to QS Media next door. We mainly do game development here..."
"I'm not auditioning," Amelia smiled politely and corrected her, "I'm here to do a voice test. I'm a voice actor—'Sunset Stardust.'"
"Sunset Stardust?" The receptionist's eyes widened like saucers, mouth slightly agape—big enough to fit a whole egg.
Wait—this absolute goddess is the Sunset Stardust she had mocked in the chat group? No way. With looks like that, she could easily top the entertainment charts!
Suddenly snapping back to reality, her face flushed crimson. She fumbled and pointed toward the elevator. "Oh! Sorry! The voice booth's on the 7th floor—take the elevator, then it's the last meeting room on your right!"
"Thanks." Amelia nodded gently and walked off with grace toward the elevator.
The receptionist could only stare, stunned by Amelia's elegant figure until the elevator door closed. Then she frantically snatched up her phone, fingers shaking as she typed like mad into the small group chat: [OMG OMG I take it back! Sunset Stardust is here!! In the flesh! Jaw-droppingly gorgeous! Absolute kill on vibes! A hundred times hotter than Chloe!!!]
Just after she sent it, a system message popped up: [You have been removed from the group by the admin.]
The receptionist was confused. What just happened? Why'd they kick her out?!
At that moment, as Amelia stepped onto the 7th floor, Jason Reeves emerged from the private elevator. Right beside him was Eric, face ice-cold as usual. They were here to talk over a collaborative project.
Jason's easygoing, flirtatious vibe made a sharp contrast to Eric's chilly, stoic demeanor.
As they passed the front desk, Jason tossed the receptionist one of his usual charming smiles and joked casually, "Hey beautiful, anything interesting happening in the building today?"
Still stewing over her humiliation and sudden group chat exile, the receptionist stammered in response, "Hi, Mr. Reeves... Not much really. Um, just Director holding auditions for Su Daji's voice on the 7th floor."
Jason raised a brow like something clicked in his mind. "That Sunset Stardust the Director won't stop raving about—she here?"
She quickly nodded. "Yes, yes! Just went up!"
Jason looked intrigued, about to dig for more when he caught the frosty look Eric gave him out the corner of his eye. He instantly dialed back, coughed lightly, and said to the receptionist, "Give Director a ring for me. Tell him I need to talk."
Once the call connected, Jason moved away and dropped his voice, "Hey, hold off on signing Sunset Stardust for now."
At the other end, Director —known for being all about the art and not shy about it—wasn't having it. "What's your angle here, Mr. Reeves? I picked Sunset Stardust after sorting through tons of voices. Her tone, emotive delivery, the way she gets the character, it's all spot on. Perfect for Su Daji. Paperwork's already being drafted—we're signing right after the test if it checks out!"
"No, listen to me, George," Jason rubbed his temples in frustration, shooting a glance at Eric, whose mood seemed cloudier than a thunderstorm. "I've got someone else in mind who might be a better fit—she totally nails the vibe we're going for in the promo deadlines..."
"Vibe?" George cut him off, sounding every bit the stubborn artist he was. "I'm talking voices, not vibes. I need a voice that breathes life into the character! Sunset Stardust is it. That's the one. Jason, you stay out of the casting talk. I'm slammed over here—bye!"
"Hello? George?" Jason stared at his phone as the line went dead, sighed, and trudged back to Eric. "Guy's impossible. Says the contract's locked in."
Eric had caught the entire exchange. His deep-set eyes didn't reveal emotion. "Contracts can be broken. Have LY pay double the penalty to buy Sunset Stardust out of the role."
Jason blinked, taken aback. "Eric, that's pushing it, don't you think? If word gets out, it might hurt our reputation. And George won't take it lightly either."
Eric turned his head slowly, gaze sharp. "That Baytown development? Reeves Corp. can shave off three points."
Jason sucked in a breath. That project was a goldmine. Three percent from Reeves was a jackpot for LY. He looked at Eric in disbelief—over a game voice actor? That sort of deal just wasn't Eric's style... unless...
Jason's eyes narrowed, his voice dropping. "You trying to push Sunset Stardust out... is this about Chloe?"
Eric didn't say a word.
Jason knew that look. Once Eric decided something, it was nearly set in stone. After tossing the risks around in his head, Jason sighed. "Fine. I'll think of a workaround. But getting George on board..."
"That's your problem," Eric said flatly.
Just then, his eyes flicked toward the elevator, catching the tail end of a familiar silhouette.
As the elevator opened, Amelia stepped out. For half a second, their eyes locked—recognition hit both sides.
She quickly averted her gaze, gave a brief nod to Jason, and walked straight for the door.
Jason looked between them, unsure. "She didn't even notice you?"
Eric didn't answer. Jaw tight, he marched out after her.
By the time he caught up, Amelia stood by the curb, phone in hand, skimming through something, head dipped slightly. She wore her hair in a soft low ponytail, her whole figure looking calm yet distant.
"What are you doing here?" Eric's voice came out clipped, almost cold enough to bite.
Great. Running into him first thing in the morning? Yeah, not exactly how Amelia wanted to start her day. Her voice instantly sharpened. "You're here, aren't you? Why can't I be?"
Eric gave a quick scoff. "Still playing this stalking game? Not over it yet?"
Amelia's brow twitched. Seriously, where did this man get his ego from?
Seeing her remain silent, Eric grew more certain of his own assumptions, and, oddly enough, his mood lightened a little. Still, his tone stayed icy. "If you wanted to know my schedule, just call me. No need to beat around the bush like this."
Amelia bit back her response but finally snapped, "Eric, has no one ever told you how shameless you are? Who the hell followed you? Did I look like I was tailing you when I stepped out of the elevator? Did I even say a word to you? Who exactly is following who here?"
A muffled laugh came from the shadows—Jason couldn't help himself.
Eric shot a glare in that direction, and Jason immediately ducked out of sight.
Holding his frown, Eric asked, "Then what are you doing here?"
Amelia shot him a glance, her voice sharper than his, "What's it got to do with you?"
Eric's eyelid twitched hard. One more word and they'd probably explode into another argument. He held back his temper and stiffly said, "Natalie's back. Mom wants us over for dinner tomorrow."
"Oh." Amelia sounded disinterested. "And why should I care? We're about to get divorced, remember? No point faking smiles for your family anymore, right?"
"Faking?" Eric's anger, barely suppressed, snapped again. He scoffed, "You're the queen of faking, aren't you? So, what are you angling for this time? Clothes? Bags? Jewelry? Or maybe another project for your dad? First it's divorce, then it's disappearing acts—hell of a performance. Just how greedy is Victor this time? There has to be a limit."
Amelia's chest tightened. Her fingers started trembling, and she slowly clenched them.
The diamond bracelet on her wrist—he gave it to her their first year of marriage for her birthday. Or more accurately, she'd asked for it. Valentine's Day, anniversary, her birthdays... every time she acted cute just to get him to remember those special days.
What she thought were sweet memories, he saw as endless demands and manipulation.
Her face went pale. She lowered her gaze, hiding her emotions behind her lashes. Just when Eric wanted to take a closer look, she raised her eyes—now they were cold and shattered.
Without a word, she unfastened the bracelet and said flatly, "After the divorce, you won't have to deal with this anymore. Whatever you do with my family from then on—your call."
As she finished speaking, the bracelet slipped into the pocket of his suit jacket.
A rideshare car pulled up. Amelia took a few steps, then suddenly turned. She looked back at him with a faint, bitter smile. "Why the hell was I still expecting something from you?"
Then she got in the car and left.
Eric stood frozen, glaring at the direction the car had gone, eyes burning.
"So... Amelia's really divorcing you?" came Jason's gossip-laced voice from behind.
Eric shot him a frosty look. "Never seen a couple fight before? Mind your own damn business."
