Chapter 579 - 575: Charge

"Us?"

Hearing Lily Sterling’s words, the others couldn’t help but exchange glances.

Hannah Warner was the last of the four to land a role and join a cast, so she was the least confident about auditions. She immediately shook her head and backed down. "Count me out. It was hard enough just to get this one role, and I got chewed out by the director constantly during filming. I wouldn’t dare get near Director Alan. I’d probably be too scared to even get my lines out."

Before Lily Sterling could speak, Anna Sanders chimed in. "We’ve only played a few minor supporting roles. Is a resume like that even enough to get past the casting director? Movies have much higher standards for actors to begin with. Lily, you’ve got the talent, that goes without saying, but I don’t think I’m cut out for it."

"I’d actually like to give it a try," Nina Zimmer said regretfully from the side. "But I’m about to join another production soon, and the role this time is a bit more substantial. I really cherish this opportunity."

After she spoke, the three of them looked at Lily Sterling, each with a different expression in their eyes.

Lily Sterling looked at the three of them and let out a slow sigh. "Remember when we first started college? I was the one who was the most insecure and introverted. Back then, all three of you were so proactive. You even reminded me that I couldn’t be so passive, or I’d never even get a chance to be chosen."

Hearing this, the three of them lowered their heads, looking a little guilty.

It wasn’t that they were insecure, really. It was just that after entering the industry and experiencing more, they had a clearer view of reality.

Reality is harsh. Sometimes, even if something doesn’t happen to you directly, just witnessing it as a bystander can indirectly tame you, smoothing away your sharp edges.

Lily Sterling wasn’t detached from their reality. Of the four of them, she had seen, heard, and even personally experienced the most, so she could understand their thoughts and worries.

"Hannah," she said softly, looking at Hannah Warner first. "Have you forgotten that one audition? You finally worked up the courage to challenge yourself with a better role, and you got it, just like you wanted. Shouldn’t that experience have given you more encouragement? Now that an even better opportunity is here, you want to give up without even trying?"

Hannah Warner pressed her lips together. She had indeed been greatly encouraged at the time, but after joining the production, she was constantly berated by the director for her lack of acting experience. Over time, that spark of motivation had fizzled out.

Lily Sterling then turned to Anna Sanders. "Yvette, you have even less reason to be worried. The most important thing for an actor is to not write themselves off. You haven’t even gone to the audition yet, so why do you already think you’re not as good as the others?"

"Besides, the way these big-name directors see people isn’t something we can predict. Do you know how many times Connie recommended Heather to Director Alan? But Director Alan just wouldn’t use her. Someone with Heather Keaton’s qualifications! In Director Alan’s eyes, she just wasn’t a good fit. So we can’t substitute our own judgment and ideas for the director’s. After all, we’re still newcomers, and we definitely lack experience. But what’s the most important thing for a newcomer?"

Anna Sanders pursed her lips and answered with a clear head, "Opportunity."

"Exactly! Opportunity. As long as there’s a chance, who cares if you’ll make it or not? You just have to go for it. What if it works out?"

"And you, Nina!" Lily Sterling said, turning to Nina Zimmer.

Nina Zimmer was taken aback and quickly explained, "I’m not doubting myself! I really do want to go, but I have another project coming up."

"I know, but give me your information first, and I’ll help you submit it. If the casting team approves it and calls you in for an audition, you have to find a way to take a couple of days off and go. That’s what I did—I took time off to meet Director Alan."

"Huh?" Nina Zimmer hesitated. "I’m just a minor actress. Will the production even give me time off?"

"Leave it to me. If the opportunity arises, I’ll definitely help you."

Hannah Warner and Anna Sanders exchanged a look, their expressions firming with resolve. "Lily, we’ll give it a try too."

"Lily, you’re right," Anna Sanders said. "When you come across an opportunity this good, you just have to go for it. If we get picked, it’s a huge win. If not, we don’t lose anything."

Exactly. What was there to be afraid of?

Hannah Warner suddenly had a moment of clarity. "Besides, we’re all still nobodies. It’s not like we have a reputation to lose. And there’s no shame in fighting hard for an opportunity!"

Seeing their fighting spirit suddenly ignite, Lily Sterling smiled in satisfaction. "That’s right. There’s no shame in trying hard. This isn’t the time for any of you to be timid and second-guessing yourselves. Everyone, charge ahead!"

"Charge!"

The four of them raised their glasses, and the atmosphere instantly became lively and passionate.

"Lily, that sexual harassment scandal on your set was a pretty big deal. We all heard about it."

While they were eating, Nina Zimmer suddenly brought up the incident. At the time, Cecilia Sterling had used Blair’s livestream to broadcast George Lowe’s vile behavior on set to the entire country, which sent massive shockwaves through the entertainment industry.

A veteran artist, respected and revered in public, turned out to be a lecherous old creep who could do whatever he wanted in the entertainment industry behind the scenes.

Although he later got his comeuppance and was paralyzed by a stroke, this belated justice meant nothing to the women he had already victimized.

Lily Sterling actually didn’t want to think about the incident again. She herself had already witnessed George Lowe use his power, temptations, or outright force to harm two people.

Still, she reminded her friends, "George Lowe isn’t an isolated case. There are probably countless other George Lowes in the entertainment industry. We’re all women, so you must protect yourselves."

The others nodded in silence. Then Nina Zimmer looked at Lily Sterling and couldn’t help but ask, "So, Lily... is your sister really an investor?"

Hannah Warner and Anna Sanders also turned to look.

Lily Sterling glanced at them and admitted openly, nodding. "Yes. But I found out at the same time as everyone else. It was only on the day of that incident that I learned my sister was an investor in film and television."

Before they could ask more questions, she continued honestly, "Including the role of Flora in *Heavenly Destiny as Phoenix*, the subsequent human trafficking-themed film, and *March Alley*—they were all related to my sister’s investments. She gave me the greatest possible freedom in choosing my roles."

Initially, the others had been wondering if they should even bring up the topic. But since it was already a publicly known fact, deliberately avoiding it would have seemed artificial, which was why Nina Zimmer had brought it up first.

Now, seeing that Lily Sterling didn’t seem burdened by it at all, they couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief.

Anna Sanders said happily, "Lily, it’s wonderful to have a sister like that. We’re all so envious."

Hannah Warner and Nina Zimmer nodded in agreement. They were both only children, unlike Lily Sterling, who had not only an older sister but also a younger brother.

Lily Sterling smiled faintly. "No need to be envious. I have a sister, but you have me. I’ll do my best to help you get more opportunities. But the most important thing right now is not to forget to put your information together and give it to me. I’ll help you submit it to Director Alan’s casting director."

"Oh, right. The photos must be completely makeup-free. Director Alan places a lot of importance on an actor’s natural state."