Chapter 551 - 547: The Opportunity is Gone

Although Director Alan phrased it as a question, his tone was one of clear certainty.

Kiara Holden froze. But before she could speak, Director Alan looked directly at Rowe. "Didn’t you tell the actress it was best to come completely bare-faced today?"

An experienced agent like Connie would have immediately understood the situation. She would have taken the fall for her client, followed the director’s lead, and claimed she had forgotten to pass on the instructions.

But Rowe had clearly never faced a situation like this. She lacked the experience to react to sudden developments. And since she had just confirmed with Kiara Holden that she wasn’t wearing makeup, she blurted out in response to Director Alan’s question, "Director, she isn’t wearing any makeup! That *is* her bare face!"

Director Alan just laughed. He wasn’t angry, merely shaking his head with a helpless smile. "I’ve shot so many films, and I personally oversee the makeup for practically every actor. I know better than anyone what someone looks like with makeup and without. I can tell the difference without a second glance. So please, don’t assume I can’t tell if a woman is wearing makeup just because I’m a man."

Kiara Holden’s heart sank.

Rowe was dumbfounded. She glanced uncertainly at Kiara Holden. Although Kiara was panicking, her mind raced. She quickly apologized, "I’m sorry, Director. I am wearing a ’no-makeup’ look. I thought it would be rude to meet you for the first time completely bare-faced, so I took the liberty of putting on just a little."

But Director Alan completely ignored her excuse. Instead, he cut right to the heart of the matter. "There’s a pretty big difference between your appearance with and without makeup, isn’t there?"

"Uh..." Kiara Holden’s face stiffened, her expression turning pained.

Director Alan didn’t even need her answer. He simply said, "It’s actually quite common. I’ve seen many actresses who look drastically different without makeup, including many top A-listers. But that’s their true self, and I don’t think you should fight it. A bare face has its own unique charm, a kind of raw beauty. Some of my favorite cinematic shots are of bare faces. Often, those scenes carry the most impact."

"Of course, I don’t want to see your bare faces just to ’feel your impact.’ I simply want to see if your natural features are suitable for the big screen. If they are, then I hope you can film a career-defining scene in my movie. After all, the newcomers I pick generally do quite well for themselves. No one who’s been in one of my films has faded into obscurity."

As he spoke, Director Alan looked at Lily Sterling again and praised her with a satisfied nod. "Your natural features are excellent. Connie also showed me a few clips of your acting. Other than your on-screen presence and enunciation being geared more toward television, there are no other major problems."

"Thank you, Director. I’ll work hard on my line delivery," Lily Sterling said quickly.

"That’s a minor issue. Once you’re on set with more experienced actors, you’ll quickly get a feel for the rhythm of film. You have a knack for this."

Receiving one compliment after another from Director Alan, Lily was absolutely thrilled.

Connie, listening from the side, could tell that Director Alan had clearly taken a liking to Lily. She seized the opportunity to ask, "In that case, Director, would you be willing to give our Lily a chance to learn? We’re not picky about the role. Whatever part you think suits her, she’ll take it."

Alan smiled. "If it were just for a minor role, I wouldn’t have gone to all this trouble."

He pondered for a moment before continuing, "In a while, the crew will be holding auditions for roles in Lorcain. Have her come then to read scenes with the actors who are auditioning. That will give me a chance to see her range."

Reading scenes with the auditioning actors was tantamount to guaranteeing Lily Sterling a role in the film.

Before Lily Sterling could even process it, Connie turned to her with excitement. "Lily, hurry and thank the director for this opportunity! Other people would kill for a chance like this!"

Snapping back to her senses, Lily Sterling shot to her feet, bowing with an ecstatic expression. "Thank you, Director! I promise I’ll do my very best."

"Sit down, sit down. You don’t have to thank me. A director’s success and an actor’s success are intertwined. You perform well, I’ll capture it well on camera. That’s what’s most important."

Lily Sterling nodded emphatically. She truly hadn’t expected Director Alan to be so unconventional yet affable.

"Director," Connie said, striking while the iron was hot with a sheepish smile. "Would you reconsider our Heather? She draws huge numbers. She’s a guaranteed box office draw!"

This wasn’t the first time Connie had pitched Heather Keaton to Director Alan.

But just like before, the director listened with a polite smile, shook his head, and delivered a blunt refusal. "I’m afraid not. Your Heather Keaton is perfect for the small screen; it highlights her strengths. But she’s genuinely not suited for the big screen. At the very least, she’s a terrible match for my style. You can try asking directors of commercial blockbusters. They’re the ones who care more about box office numbers."

Deep down, Connie already knew the answer, but with this opportunity, she couldn’t resist trying to make a case for Heather.

Director Alan was right. Given Heather Keaton’s popularity and status, blockbuster directors adored her, and she had accepted plenty of scripts for commercial films.

But blockbusters don’t win awards. Heather Keaton was on the verge of sweeping all the major television awards, yet she had zero film awards to her name.

In terms of popularity, she had practically reached the ceiling. To elevate her status any further, she needed the prestige of major awards.

And film awards held far more weight than television awards.

Connie had done her best, but unfortunately, Director Alan refused to give her an opening.

Seeing the fresh-faced Lily Sterling so smoothly land a role, Kiara Holden anxiously poked her agent, Rowe, in the side.

Rowe was panicking too, her forehead beaded with sweat!

"Director, I’ll have Kiara go take off her makeup right now. It’ll be quick. Could we please trouble you for just a few more minutes?" For her client’s sake, Rowe had no choice but to brazenly make the request.

Kiara Holden knew how crucial this opportunity was. She and Lily Sterling had debuted around the same time, and their fanbases were bitter rivals. If Lily got a role and she didn’t, she’d be letting her rival walk all over her from then on.

She was fiercely competitive and refused to fall behind.

"Director, I’ll just go wash my face. I’ll be right back."

Kiara Holden said as she stood up. But while Director Alan appeared calm and good-natured on the surface, he was, at his core, a man of incredibly strict principles.

Opportunity is a mysterious, fleeting thing. Sometimes it’s right in front of you, but if you fail to grasp it, it’s gone. It won’t just linger, waiting for you to take it.

"It’s time for my meal. As I said earlier, I don’t like to discuss work while I’m eating. We’ll see if there’s a chance in the future."

In other words, her chance was gone.