"Is she the woman that was pushed in from upstairs?" Michael looked at the person standing behind Sullivan, his thick eyebrows slightly furrowed towards the middle, asking in a stiff tone.
"Mm." Sullivan responded lightly.
The volume of their conversation was sufficient for everyone present to hear. A sense of tension swept through the room, as the focus shifted toward the newcomer. Whispers buzzed among the group, and eyes flicked toward the door, where she stood. Many in the assembly room exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and disdain. She was a person who came in just because of her connections; it was unclear which executive had sent her. The murmurs spread quickly—after all, this was Stellar Entertainment, a place for the talented, not the well-connected.
Clara James glanced at the eleven people in the room, a faint tremor of doubt running through her, but it was quickly replaced by defiance. She would prove to them all that she was more than just a product of connections. She was here because she had something to offer, and she would make them see that.
"Hello everyone, my name is Clara James, please take care of me in the future." With a firm, steady step, she walked to the front of the room, bowed gracefully, and spoke neither too humbly nor arrogantly, her voice clear and confident.
Isabella Sheffield's gaze remained fixed on her, studying every detail. When their eyes met, she felt an unexpected surge of surprise. It wasn't because of Clara's extraordinary beauty—though she was certainly stunning—but it was the way the woman carried herself. There was an aura about her, a magnetism that was hard to ignore. Her beauty was raw, unpolished. It was seductive yet not overbearing, devilish yet not vulgar. It was the kind of allure that couldn't be manufactured, only possessed.
As the room settled into a somewhat uneasy quiet, it became clear that this was no ordinary newcomer. The rest of the group exchanged quick glances, some with intrigue, others with quiet disapproval, unsure of how to place her. Clara's presence was an enigma to them, and uncertainty clouded the room. Would she live up to the expectations of being in Stellar Entertainment? Or was she just another person trying to climb the ladder using someone else's name?
After the brief introductions, the group proceeded with the next stage—dormitory allocations. As fate would have it, Isabella Sheffield and Clara James were assigned to the same room, an odd pairing that would soon be tested by their differing personalities.
The first month at Stellar Entertainment passed neither too fast nor too slow. Each day was packed with rigorous training, and each hour seemed to stretch into eternity. Isabella Sheffield quickly realized just how difficult it was to be in the public eye. The glamorous images of celebrities on screen were only the surface; behind those images were countless hours of hard work, failures, and sacrifices. The pain and exhaustion were all-consuming. Even Isabella, who had always prided herself on her resilience, found herself physically and mentally worn down. There were moments when she felt like giving up, moments when her body screamed for rest, but she pushed through it all, knowing that she was not just working for herself, but for something much larger.
As the days wore on, she grew accustomed to the grueling schedule, the constant training, and the never-ending assessments. Yet, amid all the hardship, there were moments of solace. The highlight of her day, every day without fail, was the evening video call from Alexander Cole. No matter how late it was, no matter how exhausted he was from his own duties, he would always take the time to check in on her. The simple act of hearing his voice, his calm words of encouragement, reminded her why she was doing this.
Sometimes they spoke about the smallest things—his day, her struggles, shared stories of their childhood, or the random thoughts that drifted through their minds. But in those moments, as Isabella listened to his soothing voice, she felt the weight of the world lift from her shoulders. He listened patiently, offering advice when needed, but mostly, he just listened. He was her anchor in this storm of competition and stress.
And yet, despite her growing fondness for their nightly talks, there was a feeling lingering deep inside her—a feeling she wasn't entirely sure how to handle. After a month apart, she realized, perhaps for the first time, that she missed him more than she expected. It was a strange sensation, to miss someone you were technically still married to but hadn't seen in weeks. Yet, the thought of him brought a warmth to her heart, something she hadn't anticipated.
But it wasn't just Alexander who occupied her thoughts. During her time at Stellar, she had made a few close friends. Rita Carter, a bold and outspoken girl with a knack for bringing levity to even the most stressful situations, had become her rock. They spent their days encouraging one another, laughing off the tough moments, and keeping each other sane in an environment that could be incredibly isolating. Rita's carefree nature was a refreshing contrast to Isabella's more reserved demeanor.
Another person who had quickly become a trusted companion was Clara James, the enigmatic woman whose aura still captivated Isabella. Though they had been assigned as roommates, their relationship had evolved into something more. Clara had a quiet strength, a resolve that reminded Isabella of herself in many ways. Though they were different in many aspects—Clara was confident in a way that Isabella couldn't always be—there was an unspoken understanding between them. They respected one another, and that was enough.
Despite the friendships she was building, there was still a thorn in Isabella's side—Rachel Stewart, or rather, the incessant rivalry that seemed to exist between them. Rachel's disdain for Isabella had never truly gone away. If anything, it had only intensified since the first day they met. She was constantly trying to prove herself superior, to outshine Isabella at every turn. But Isabella had learned to ignore it, knowing that some people could never be pleased, no matter how much effort you put in.
But now, as March 20th approached, everything seemed to converge on this one day. It was the final competition, the one that would determine whether they would stay in Stellar Entertainment. Isabella's palms were clammy as she sat with Rita and Clara in the competition room, awaiting the beginning of the evaluation. The weight of the day was overwhelming.
"Bella, are you feeling nervous?" Rita asked, glancing over at Isabella. Her eyes were full of concern, but there was a playful hint in her voice, trying to lighten the mood.
Isabella blinked, trying to focus. Her nerves were on edge, her thoughts racing as she tried to calm herself. She swallowed and looked up at her friends. "Isn't it said that the big boss of Stellar Entertainment is coming to inspect us personally today? Aren't you nervous?"
Rita scoffed and waved her hand dismissively. "Don't put too much pressure on yourself, Isabella. Just perform as you normally do. You've got this."
Clara, sitting next to Isabella, offered a gentle smile. "Believe in yourself. You've come this far. Just trust in your abilities."
But Rita wasn't having it. "Do you two have any sense of ambition? Don't you care about making an impression?" She rolled her eyes at them, half-joking. "Even if we get eliminated, you'll still have me. Stick with me, and you'll be fine."
Isabella couldn't help but smile at her friend's antics, but deep down, she knew how serious this day was. This wasn't just about her performance—it was about proving that all the hard work, all the late nights, all the struggles had been worth it. This was the moment that would define her future.
As the clock ticked down, Isabella's mind raced. She wasn't just competing for a chance to stay in Stellar Entertainment; she was competing for her place in a world where only the best survived. But little did she know, as she walked toward the stage, that her future would soon take a turn no one expected.
The doors to the room swung open.
And everything changed.