Chapter 409 - 405: Signing Up for Best Supporting Actress

With the broadcast of her new drama, Lily Sterling’s market value had skyrocketed, and her popularity continued to trend upward in recent days.

Offers for advertising endorsements and commercial events also came flooding in.

「Goldman Golding」

"What is all this junk?"

The manager of the coordination department flipped through the collaboration proposals related to Lily Sterling that her subordinates had submitted, her brows furrowed as she chided, "Where did these brands I’ve never even heard of pop up from? Did you do any background checks?"

"They’re all new and small brands," a staff member explained in a low voice. "You know how it is, these third-rate little brands love using newly popular actors who are just starting to make a name for themselves. They think it’s cheap and effective."

"Cheap?" The manager chuckled, pausing her work and looking up. "Have you quoted them our price? Lily Sterling is not cheap. You could say her rate is the highest among all newcomers."

"We did, but the brands probably think all newcomers’ quotes are inflated and are hoping to negotiate later."

"Negotiate my ass. Even if I agreed, would Connie? Connie’s artists have a fixed rate. If they can’t afford it, they can find someone else."

In the end, the manager meticulously sifted through the offers, winnowing dozens of proposals down to just five.

"Reject all of these. From now on, don’t send these kinds of proposals to me. Just pass them directly to the individual agents. If any of them want to take one, that’s their business. But remind them to do their due diligence before accepting. We don’t want anyone’s career collapsing because they endorsed some shady, unlicensed product. Don’t be penny-wise and pound-foolish."

With that, she took the handful of proposals and knocked on the door of Connie’s office.

Inside the office, Connie was chatting and drinking tea with Beau. Lily Sterling was there as well.

"Connie."

The manager’s expression changed in a flash. The dark, foul look from just a moment ago was instantly replaced by a sincere smile as she pushed open the door. "I’ve filtered out a few event proposals for Lily Sterling. Would you like to take a look?"

Hearing this, Connie looked at Lily with a smile. "You see? Once the show started airing, these kinds of offers started coming right to our doorstep."

However, Connie knew Lily’s personality and figured she wasn’t very interested in these things. But you couldn’t reject them entirely. No matter how much an actor held themselves above it all, they couldn’t stay hidden behind the screen forever.

Besides, whether it was endorsements or fashion events, they were, to put it bluntly, the easiest and most hassle-free way for an artist to make money.

Lily Sterling understood this as well.

"Let me see," Connie said, extending her hand. She took the documents the manager passed her and began to flip through them.

Just then, Beau, who was sitting opposite them, looked at the manager and teased, "Manager White, don’t just work for Connie. I’m in need of these things for my people, too. Lend me a hand, won’t you?"

"Oh, come on, Beau. Who’s more of an expert at this than you? What major deal can’t you close over a couple of drinks? Stop kidding me."

Hearing this, Lily Sterling secretly pressed her lips together to hide a smile. She had joined the company relatively late, but she had heard whispers of Beau’s talent for ’sealing deals over drinks’.

Beau rubbed his nose awkwardly and feigned displeasure. "Tsk, can’t you take some pity on me? If you helped me out a little more, maybe I could drink a couple fewer glasses, right?"

Manager White laughed. "Everyone knows you love your drink like it’s your life, Beau. Even if I took over all the business contracts for your artists, it wouldn’t stop you from having a drink."

"Now, what kind of thing is that to say..."

Just then, Connie put down the documents and said calmly, "He recently had a check-up that showed his liver isn’t doing so well. The doctor has already urged him to quit drinking. You should stop teasing him about it. Don’t get his cravings going."

Beau pouted. The moment he heard the words "quit drinking," his good mood vanished.

"None of these will do. Send them back," Connie said.

Manager White was taken aback. "Huh? Connie, these are the ones I picked out from dozens of proposals. Three of the endorsements are from well-known brands, and the two commercial events are decent, too."

Connie shook her head. "No. The brand images are too low-end. They’ll cheapen Lily’s image. With these kinds of contracts, it’s quality over quantity. We must be selective."

But a new series typically only airs for a month or two. If a newcomer can’t maintain their popularity, their commercial value will quickly bottom out.

But Manager White didn’t say this out loud, because Connie knew it better than she did.

So she just nodded obediently. "Alright then, I’ll reject them all."

"Hey, wait!" Beau quickly reached out to stop her, a grin on his face. "Manager White, sorry to trouble you, but... Connie is protective of Lily’s reputation, but I’ve got people over here who are about to starve. Can you try pushing Jessica Reynolds for these instead?"

"Are you serious, Beau?"

"Of course!" Beau said, his expression turning serious. "Jessica Reynolds’s popularity is on the rise, too! She’s the second female lead in *Heavenly Destiny as Phoenix*, and that show is a huge hit. But our Jessica isn’t raising her rates; we’re still using her old quote."

Seeing that Beau wasn’t joking, Manager White nodded. "Alright, I’ll pitch Jessica Reynolds, but I can’t guarantee anything!"

"Thanks."

After Manager White left, Connie finally spoke. "Jessica Reynolds made her own mistake and got shelved by the company for half a year, and in the end, all the pressure lands on you. Yet you’re still willing to worry about her."

Connie recalled how when she had visited the set, Jessica Reynolds had made a point of coming over to pledge her loyalty, hoping to be transferred under Connie’s management. Now, seeing Beau having to humble himself and ask Manager White for help on Jessica’s behalf, Connie couldn’t help but feel a pang of melancholy.

Beau sighed. "She’s been with me for so many years. I can’t just stand by and watch her hard-won achievements go to waste. The competition is already fierce. Thankfully, this show became a hit. She has to ride this momentum to make a comeback. If she misses this chance, I’m afraid it will only get harder for her later on."

Lily, who had only been half-following the conversation, asked curiously, "Connie, what happened with Jessica? She was shelved by the company?"

Connie and Beau both turned to look at Lily Sterling. What an innocent kid, just like a little white Rabbit.

"It’s nothing. It’s all in the past," Connie said dismissively.

Beau, however, looked away awkwardly, thinking to himself, ’I guess it was just Jessica’s fate to run into trouble. Why did she have to go and pick a fight with someone she couldn’t afford to offend?’

"Lily, the show’s broadcast timing is perfect. We can submit your name for this year’s Golden Magpie Awards right before the deadline," Connie suddenly announced, sharing some good news.

Lily’s face lit up. "Really, Connie? I can apply?"

The Golden Magpie Award is one of the three major television awards in the country, a highly prestigious and official honor.

"Of course. The submission slots for Best Supporting Actress went to you and Sophie Grant. But I can’t guarantee you’ll be shortlisted. Winning awards often comes down to luck, so you need to keep a level head, you understand?"

Lily nodded joyfully. She was certainly eager to win an award, but she didn’t dare to dream of winning one for her very first drama. Just getting shortlisted for a nomination would make her happy.

Beau also chimed in, "You’re still young, you’ll have plenty of opportunities in the future. Look at today’s trending topics—viewers are all praising how beautiful you are on screen. I think so too. You’ve got natural talent, and with Connie guiding you, you’ll probably be on the big screen in no time!"