From Scandal Starlet to Vengeance Heiress, This Time, I Hold the Script - Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Just then, the sharp sound of high heels clicked rapidly closer, stopping outside the door.
My heart warmed—I knew that familiar rhythm.
It was my adoptive mom, Academy Award winner and renowned director Rebecca Stone.
The door opened and Mom looked frantic with worry.
When she saw me, she breathed a huge sigh of relief.
She was about to speak when Bridget jumped in first, looking at her with worship and shock: "Oh my God! You're Ms. Stone! What are you doing here?!"
She turned excitedly to Jake: "Hey! Brother! Did you set this up for me? I want to break into acting too, so that's why she's here?!"
Jake shot me a smug look and nodded: "Harrison Industries has connections everywhere. Whatever my sister wants to do, I'll support her. Unlike some people who have to sell their bodies to get ahead."
My mom's expression darkened: "Sell their bodies?"
Bridget put on a sickeningly sweet act: "Ms. Stone, didn't you know? She—Serenity—started doing full-frontal nude scenes right after graduation!"
"If she hadn't put herself out there like that, with her acting skills, how could she possibly be famous?!"
Grandma's face went dark with rage, but before she could explode, my mom was already furious:
"Who the hell taught you to insult art like that!"
"Besides, Serenity used a professional body double for that film! How dare you spread lies like that?!"
Bridget was speechless, staring at my mom in disbelief: "Ms. Stone... don't let her fool you... I'm prettier than her and I act better too. You should be promoting me instead!"
"Plus my big brother can get me tons of resources! I come with financing!"
My mom swayed with anger, and I quickly steadied her: "Mom, don't let them get to you."
"MOM?!!!"
Everyone in the room suddenly froze. "She's your mom?!"
I smiled slightly: "Let me introduce you—this is my adoptive mother, Rebecca Stone."
Richard looked complicated: "That's impossible! Back then clearly...!"
He paused and changed his tone: "I mean, why didn't Serenity mention this earlier? If we'd known, things wouldn't have gotten so ugly."
My mom let out a cold laugh: "Oh? If you'd known earlier that I was her Academy Award-winning adoptive mother, you wouldn't have bullied her? How exactly did you describe Serenity's upbringing on that livestream?!"
Bridget's eyes filled with tears as she choked out: "Ms. Stone, you can't go back on your word! My brother said you promised to give me a role! In that show Serenity's supposed to star in!"
Next second., her voice suddenly turned sharp: "Why does she get to be the lead?! Just because she's your adoptive daughter?!"
"If fans find out about this, they'll know she only got where she is through connections!"
My mom was famously committed to staying single in the industry—never any scandals in all these years, and nobody knew she had a daughter.
Since my debut, I'd never publicly mentioned her either, so naturally no one would connect me with "getting ahead through connections."
Bridget was basically making a veiled threat.
Jake backed her up: "Ms. Stone did promise me. As an Academy Award winner, surely you keep your word?"
"Don't forget—Harrison Industries has invested heavily in your projects."
My mom gently stroked my hair, a meaningful smile playing at her lips: "When did I say I wouldn't give her the part? She can come audition."
I knew my mom's personality well.
If she was saying this, Bridget was in for a world of hurt.
As we were leaving, Grandma glared daggers at Richard: "Mark my words! Someday I'll throw you out of this house!"
Richard hunched his shoulders and didn't dare make a sound.