The Substitute Bride Is Reborn and Loves Her Husband No more - Chapter 64

Chapter 64: we are both animals

“Your acting skills are great. Keep up the good work,” the judges said to one of the actresses. She had been the best performer so far.

Rose nodded in agreement with the judges and kept her opinion to herself. She watched quietly as the next candidate walked in.

He was a tall male with long blonde locks and blue eyes that resembled the sea. His tall frame made him stand out, and a tattoo of a sword was inked on his right arm. Rose raised a brow as she observed him.

She wondered how he would act and what kind of performance he would deliver.

Hooligans had no place in her company. The boy looked like a rogue werewolf, and they were known for causing trouble because they believed the world had treated them unfairly.

“Why are you gawking at him so much?”

Rose snapped out of her thoughts and turned to Rolan. He had been watching her for a while. Her brows furrowed slightly before she sighed and looked at him, her lips falling into a frown.

“I’m just looking at someone who might work here in the future. Is that a problem?”

“Well, you’ve been staring too much,” Rolan hissed, rolling his eyes.

Before Rose could respond, one of the female judges cleared her throat.

“Ahem.”

Realizing she had been distracted, Rose smiled awkwardly at the judges and refocused her attention. She wouldn’t let Rolan distract her anymore—she needed to stay focused.

The male standing before the judges began reading his script and performing.

Rose’s eyes were glued to him. His acting was impressive.

Would the judges think the same?

She glanced at them, but their expressions remained stern.

Turning back to the performer, she kept her expression neutral. He had done well, but the judges didn’t seem impressed. Should she speak up and say she wanted him as an actor in her company?

“Your acting was awful,” one of the judges said.

The male lowered his head, his confidence visibly shattered.

“I have never seen anything this terrible in my life,” another judge added.

Rose rubbed her palms together, her brows furrowing slightly. They’re being too harsh.

The judges were going too far. Should she intervene? She couldn’t let them throw away someone she believed had talent.

Just as the judges continued their harsh criticism, Rose spoke up.

“Judges, I think he is a good actor and should stay.”

Everyone turned to look at her—including Rolan.

Her hands trembled slightly, as if warning her to back down, but she controlled herself. She was the boss too, and if she couldn’t stand by her own words, how would she grow as a leader?

She stood her ground.

“What makes you think that you are a better judge than him?” the middle-aged judge asked, his tone now more grumpy.

Rose paused for a moment, unsure of how to respond.

Even as she hesitated, she couldn’t help but feel the need to speak. She couldn’t remain silent and inactive.

“I see potential in him… that’s why I say let him stay,” she said firmly.

Her words echoed in the judges’ ears. Rose hesitated to meet their gazes but stole a few glances. A part of her wanted to look away, but she forced herself to hold her ground.

One of the judges picked up his pen, twirled it between his fingers, then looked back at Rose.

Rose’s heart pounded, anticipating his next words.

“Very well. This is lovely and great. I was expecting this from you. You did well,” the judge said.

Rose raised a brow. What does he mean by that?

“You passed the test, Miss Rose. We just wanted to see if you could make decisions for yourself. This was all an act. The boy played his role well, but the real test was whether you would stand up and decide if he should stay,” the female judge in the green suit explained.

Rose nodded, her mind still processing the revelation. So it was all a test?

The judges had merely been testing her ability to make independent decisions. She glanced at them, unsure whether to keep a neutral expression or show her annoyance. But in the end, she let a small smile bloom on her face.

“I fell for that,” she admitted with a chuckle.

The lighthearted remark eased the atmosphere. The judges then turned to the male actor and officially informed him that he had passed the audition. The boy bowed several times before rising.

He knew that he had been accepted because of Rose, and the look in his eyes made it clear—she was his new benefactor.

After the boy left, Rose turned to her side and met Rolan’s cold gaze.

“Don’t look at me like that. What’s with those eyes?” she hissed, frowning slightly.

Rolan’s stare remained dead cold as he said,

“Oh? You seem to have taken an interest in some fresh meat.”

“Yes, I have taken an interest in some fresh meat,” Rose snapped back.

She wasn’t here to play along with his petty remarks. He shouldn’t forget the real reason he was seated beside her today.

Rolan’s expression turned even sourer as he looked away, refusing to meet her gaze.

Rose ignored him and turned her focus back to the judges, who were still discussing amongst themselves. Then, deciding she had more important matters to attend to, she pulled out her phone and called Mr. Kelvin.

She answered the call immediately when he picked up.

“Hello, Mr. Kelvin,” she greeted.

“How was the studio run?” Mr. Kelvin’s voice came through the phone.

“It was nice, though it almost turned into a disaster,” she replied.

“That’s good,” he hummed in response.

Rolan raised a brow, watching Rose immerse herself in the conversation. His frown deepened.

“Rose, why are you still talking to this man? You haven’t spoken with me on the phone as much as you do with him,” Rolan muttered, irritation clear in his voice.

Rose was in the middle of an important conversation when Rolan started making unnecessary comments that were bound to annoy her. She waved a hand at him dismissively, ignoring him as she continued speaking on the phone with Mr. Kelvin.

Rolan clenched his jaw, his expression unreadable.

“Oh yes, I understand. It will all be done,” Rose said politely before ending the call with Mr. Kelvin. She then turned to Rolan with irritation.

“What is the meaning of all this? You can’t just interrupt my important conversation!” she snapped.

“When did I do that?” Rolan raised a brow, feigning innocence.

“You—! Ugh, I can’t even argue with you,” Rose spat, turning on her heels and walking toward the door. She had had enough of the tension in the air around Rolan.

Before she could leave, he grabbed her wrist.

Rose froze, feeling his grip tighten around her hand. She struggled, tugging at her arm repeatedly, but he wouldn’t let go.

“Rolan, let me go!” she demanded.

“We are a couple in the eyes of the cops and the werewolf council, dear wife,” his voice dropped to a husky whisper as he leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear.

Rose’s shoulders tensed. His proximity made it difficult to focus, and she barely managed to stammer out a response.

“That doesn’t give you permission to misbehave. Control yourself. Don’t act like a wild animal,” she hissed.

“We are both animals,” Rolan murmured, his voice deep and rough.

A sudden peep of his phone came from his pocket.

Rolan’s grip loosened, and he finally released her wrist.

Rose’s heart skipped an awkward beat as she watched him take out his phone.

“Hello, Jennifer,” he said. “I’ll be there soon.”

Rose’s heart sank. She felt like biting her tongue at that moment.

“I’m leaving now,” Rolan said, slipping his phone back into his pocket.

“Stay, Rolan. Don’t go anywhere,” Rose blurted out subconsciously, not even knowing why she wanted to stop him.

It was as if she was waiting for something.

“I can’t,” he replied.

His words made her chest tighten.

“I see. You can go,” she muttered, forcing indifference into her tone.

What was she expecting, anyway?

Rolan hesitated, his gaze lingering on her like he wanted to stay. But it was as if something was pulling him away—as if his very soul was forcing him to leave.