After completing this part of the plot, Maya Monroe quickly checked her plot excitement rating.
Ever since Maya unexpectedly died, she had been trapped in endless book transmigration tasks. This book world was her final mission; as long as the plot excitement value reached the standard, she could choose to resurrect in any world and live a life uniquely her own, not merely running through plots like a puppet.
The plot excitement rating is quite literal—as there are readers outside the book world, the satisfaction level of the readers directly reflects the plot excitement rating.
The reason Maya drove herself to run through the plot was to highlight the protagonist's awesomeness, all for this plot excitement rating.
Two point nine percent…
Maya raised an eyebrow in surprise; this starting value was higher than any of her previous ones.
As soon as Maya walked out, she saw Scott, who was guarding the door with a makeup bag, his face filled with anxiety.
Seeing that Maya's hair was perfectly in place and her face lacked any trace of snot bubbles, Scott was first stunned and then let out a heavy sigh of relief.
At least she doesn't look like a beggar this time...
Every time Maya had to do a crying scene, her face would undoubtedly be covered in snot and tears, so seeing her so clean this time meant she definitely didn't perform such a scene.
But if she didn't cry in this tragic scene… wouldn't that be even worse?
Scott was almost certain that whatever Maya performed in there was nothing good, given the prowess of their beloved "ancestor."
"Maya, let's head back to the company later; I heard Ryan has other arrangements."
Scott chose not to mention anything about the audition, planning to avoid touching on Maya's sore spot.
On the way to the elevator, they happened to encounter Kiki and her entourage. Kiki was wearing a pristine white pleated skirt, surrounded by a group of people who made her look like a noble princess.
As Maya passed by them, she couldn't avoid being the subject of their gossip.
Seeing Maya, Kiki immediately ran over affectionately grabbing her hand: "Sister, how did your audition go? With your talent, you're sure to land the role!"
Maya slightly squinted her eyes, wondering if Kiki was truly comforting her or intending to kill her with kindness.
But none of this mattered. Maya would certainly not miss out on such a good opportunity to attract hostility.
Maya withdrew her hand: "Don't try to get close to me! Just wait, this time the role is definitely mine! Don't come crying under your blanket when that happens!"
Maya left with Scott, and on their way out, she heard someone cursing her for having a big mouth and poor acting skills, only knowing how to brag.
Maya chuckled silently—this was exactly the effect she wanted.
*
Maya was driven back by Ryan Spencer.
"There was an urgent notice at the company today, so I couldn't make it to your audition. Just perform normally; don't put too much pressure on yourself, there will be more opportunities next time."
Ryan, with his gentle and refined demeanor, maneuvered the steering wheel, a pricey watch adorning his wrist.
The audition results would be notified by the production team, but Ryan knew Maya's abilities all too well—in his view, the outcome was already fixed.
Maya lounged lazily in the back seat, her eyelids drooping sleepily, leaving it uncertain whether she was even listening.
Ryan was a well-renowned talent agent in the entertainment industry, known as Valerius Entertainment's star-maker, having propelled several actors and actresses to stardom.
Initially, Ryan had been enamored by Maya's stunning looks; he thought even without talent, she could make it big solely on her looks, so he signed her in a spur of the moment, aiming to take her international. Yet, Maya somehow gained popularity for all the wrong reasons—full of controversy. Forget international fame, Ryan spent most of his days cleaning up after her messes.
Seeing her lackluster attitude, he routinely preached patient advice: "The newly signed Kiki Monroe is developing rapidly, it's likely she'll get the role this time. Once her status is elevated, your resources will be greatly reduced. For an entertainer, resources are life; without them, how will you stay relevant?"
"I have money."
Maya replied briskly this time.
Although having money didn't actually help, she certainly couldn't outperform Kiki, otherwise, how would the story unfold?
Might as well set a small goal for herself: quickly wrap up this world with a tragic ending.
Ryan glanced back at her through the rearview mirror, a mixture of emotions swirling inside.
What a waste of her good looks.
The car finally stopped in front of a luxurious villa neighborhood, a top-tier rich district in Kyston known as "Isledene," where land prices were said to be as high as gold.
Ryan knew Maya's family was super wealthy, and didn't mind, only reminding her of one thing:
"Don't forget your etiquette class tomorrow."
Valerius Entertainment required its artists to continuously hone various skills to boost their chances of landing roles.
Ryan arranged for Maya to take etiquette classes most often, despite the lack of results thus far.
*
The Rowe Family Villa:
Vincent Summers stared at the steaming dishes on the table, feeling he was facing the greatest challenge of his food-loving life.
Oh... Perhaps it shouldn't even be called "food" anymore.
Not to mention the diabolical combination of tomatoes and bananas, there was also the dish that, after adding some mysterious ingredient, turned the beef brisket soup an ominous black. Was it soy sauce…? Ugh, why was there a burnt smell?
"Mr. Rowe, this, this stuff can't be eaten, right?"
Across from him, a man in the simplest shirt and trousers, with light embroidery at the cuffs, had snow-colored chin offset by crimson lips. Frameless glasses perched on a tall nose, and his elegant, refined visage was unparalleled in nobility.
Such a breathtaking man, yet his words were "vicious."
"Try it."
Vincent clutched his forehead in agony, his other hand pinching his nose.
"Just looking at this stuff, there's no way it's edible, Mr. Rowe! Take a good look! Can this damn thing be eaten?!"
Though known publicly as Ian Rowe's assistant, only a few knew that Vincent and Ian were like brothers since childhood. The Summers family had their own businesses, and Vincent became Ian's assistant mainly to learn from him.
Vincent finally saw through Ian's "evil intent." The Rowe family matriarch had specifically requested to eat dishes personally cooked by Ian at her birthday banquet, so this culinary novice was using Vincent as a test subject!
"Are you going to eat it?"
"Of course not…"
Ian smiled faintly; behind his glasses, his eyes glinted with a cold light, and his smile sent shivers down one's spine.
"Are you sure?"
Vincent froze, forcing a smile on his baby-faced expression: "Mr. Rowe, how could I not eat? With our relationship, I'd even eat your shoe if you gave it to me!"
Vincent closed his eyes tightly, pinching his nose as he shoved a mouthful down, chewing with a smile: "Delicious… ugh!"
Ian picked up a piece with his chopsticks and didn't speak for a long time.