Chapter 657 - 653: Exclusive Buyout

Yuna opened her mouth, wanting to ask for Lily Sterling if the gown could be altered a little. But in the face of Leila Smithson’s powerful presence, she simply closed it again, swallowing her words.

’This was such an important person.’ She was afraid of misspeaking and causing offense. It wouldn’t matter if it was just her, but she was afraid of getting Lily into trouble.

Even Connie hesitated for a moment before venturing, "Is it possible to alter the size of the dress?"

"Connie?" Leila Smithson’s expression soured. Even though she was talking to one of the top agents in the business, she didn’t pull any punches. "You should know my work. My designs are cut to create the most exquisite silhouette for specific measurements. The slightest alteration would ruin the entire piece. I’m saying this for her own good. The red carpet is a place that will eat you up and spit you out, especially now, in this age of trial by internet."

As she spoke, Leila Smithson turned to Lily Sterling, sizing her up for a moment before her lips curled into a knowing smirk. "You certainly have the face for it. But if you can’t pull off the effect, it would be a waste of this gown."

"I can do it, Ms. Smithson!" Lily Sterling heard her and quickly promised, "I can lose the weight. I still have half a month. I will definitely be able to squeeze into it."

"That’s the spirit. To be a star, you need ambition. Stop thinking about being comfortable. In the fashion world, the more awkward the pose, the better the shot. That is a timeless truth!"

Leila Smithson might have been arrogant, but she placed the utmost importance on her work and its final presentation.

Lily Sterling may not have mattered much in her eyes, but the gown was what she cared about most. She was blunt, but every word she spoke was true, all drawn from experience.

Far from finding her words grating, Lily Sterling actually felt she had learned something.

Once Leila Smithson had left with her team, Connie came over to comfort Lily Sterling. "That’s just her personality. Everyone in the industry knows it. Your sister paid a hefty price to secure her exclusively for this year’s Golden Magpie Awards. You’re the only one who gets to wear her clothes, so just try to bear with it."

"My sister?"

Since Cecilia Sterling’s identity had been revealed to Lily Sterling, Connie no longer held back. She nodded. "Yes. This is the first mainstream award you’ve been nominated for, and more importantly, it’s your first major red-carpet event since your debut. I originally reached out for you, but you weren’t a big enough name, and Leila Smithson’s team rejected me without a second thought. Afterward, I told your sister what happened. She’s the one who got them to come."

"She didn’t tell me." Lily Sterling was touched. ’For my sister to hire someone even Connie couldn’t get, she must have spent a fortune.’

"So, let’s just put up with her terrible temper. Achieving the result we want is what’s most important in the end." Connie patted Lily’s shoulder. "It’s going to be tough on you for a bit. Eat less, exercise more."

Lily Sterling nodded in understanding.

As Lily Sterling stepped out of the conference room, a figure in white suddenly darted out from the side, making her jump.

She took a closer look and breathed a sigh of relief. "Beau, you scared me to death!"

"Heh heh, Lily, how did the fitting go?"

Lily pouted and shook her head. "I’ve gained weight, so I can’t fit into it. I have to go on a diet."

Beau looked Lily over, confused. "Where have you gained weight? But a dress by Leila Smithson is worth the effort. You’re going to stun everyone, I’m sure of it."

Lily Sterling smiled and countered, "I recommended a few of your people to the production my sister is investing in. How did that go? Any results?"

"Yes, absolutely! That’s exactly why I wanted to thank you in person." Beau clasped his hands together, his face full of gratitude. "It was a real lifesaver. Never mind the size of the roles, at least my people have all landed jobs on set. That’s a great sign. Whether they can make anything of it from here is up to their own luck, but you’re the one who gave them the opportunity. I told them all that. Thank you, I really mean it."

"Don’t mention it, Beau. I meant what I said. You’re a good agent, and I’m happy to help."

"By the way, is Yuri Tucker’s contract finalized?" Lily Sterling asked.

Beau beamed. "All finalized. He didn’t have a company or an agent, so the paperwork was a breeze. He’s one of my clients now. And I even went to bat for him with our company. Since he landed the role in Director Alan’s film before he signed with us, the company agreed not to take a commission from his salary. He gets to keep it all."

Lily Sterling’s face broke into an I-knew-it expression. "I had a feeling you’d do that. And sure enough."

"Of course. He’s a friend you recommended, so I have to take good care of him. Showing him that he’s a priority is just another way of thanking you."

"I’m sure you’ve already learned about his situation, Beau. He has several years of experience as an extra, so he’s not unfamiliar with the business—he knows more than I did when I first started. I hope you can help him achieve some real accomplishments. I can’t make any other guarantees, but Yuri Tucker is definitely serious about acting. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have spent nearly his entire first big paycheck on acting classes. Besides, being chosen by a director like Alan is proof enough that he’s got what it takes."

"I know, I know. Don’t you worry. Hey, Lily, how about you find some time in the next few days and I’ll treat you to a drink?"

"A drink?" Lily Sterling gave him a look of disapproval. "Weren’t you just diagnosed with alcoholic liver disease?"

Beau caught himself and tapped his own mouth, chuckling. "Force of habit. What I meant was, let me treat you to a meal."

"Let’s skip the meal, too. I have to diet, remember? Maybe another time."

"Right. The diet is more important."

Just then, Yuna came out, carefully holding the gown. "Lily, Connie said you should take the gown home. It’s not safe to leave it at the office with so many people around."

Lily Sterling nodded, said her goodbyes to Beau, and then headed out of the building with Yuna.

Everyone in the office instinctively turned to watch her pass. The murmuring only began once Lily Sterling was a safe distance away.

"Wow, Lily’s momentum is insane. Is she already wearing Leila Smithson’s couture?"

"Connie really pulled some strings. Didn’t Heather only get to wear one of her pieces once? And that was when she won Best Actress. Talk about two lifetime highlights at once."

"I doubt Connie was the one who arranged it. You know how snobby the fashion world is. I think it was Lily Sterling’s sister who pulled the strings."

"I agree. You can’t get Lily Sterling into a Leila Smithson original without spending a ridiculous amount of money."

"Doesn’t matter who did it. Lily is winning big this time. Just imagine how the fans of those other popular starlets are going to lose their minds."

Lily Sterling was completely serious about losing weight. Connie hired a nutritionist to create a custom meal plan for her, and Lily posted it on her refrigerator and her bedroom door as a constant reminder to stay on track.

And that very night, she went for a ten-kilometer run on an empty stomach.

At the same time, online betting odds for the various categories at the upcoming Golden Magpie Awards began to circulate.

And the odds for the two categories Lily Sterling was nominated for, Best Newcomer and Best Supporting Actress, were at completely opposite extremes.