Chapter 26

"Don't trouble yourself about it." Miranda brushed off Serena's hand with a dismissive wave, turning slightly as she scrolled through her contacts to find Adrian's number.

Serena didn't protest further.

She simply stepped back, watching Miranda's poised posture while listening intently, a knowing smirk playing at the corners of her lips.

Within moments, Adrian's cool, detached voice came through the speaker. "Yes? What is it?"

After a calculated pause, Miranda explained, "Mr. Blackwood, we need to discuss Serena's situation. She's been pushing herself relentlessly for this audition, barely sleeping, to the point where her cardiac condition has flared up again. She's made several discreet hospital visits without informing most people. About the role—"

Adrian immediately latched onto the crucial detail. "Hospital? Why wasn't I notified?"

Miranda detected the shift in his tone and adjusted her approach accordingly. "Mr. Blackwood, Serena didn't want to burden you unnecessarily. But truly, it's nothing critical. You know how fragile her health can be. Even minor stress aggravates her condition, and she always minimizes it."

She allowed a strategic silence before steering the conversation back. "The real concern is how passionately she wants this role. With her credentials, she seemed the obvious choice, but unexpectedly, the producers changed their minds, and now—"

Adrian, ever perceptive, caught her implication instantly. "From now on, inform me immediately about any developments. Tell Serena to rest and not worry."

"The lead role is hers without question. I'll visit her personally when I return to Crestwood."

"Understood. Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Blackwood." Miranda ended the call with a triumphant smile, turning to Serena. "All settled. I told you Adrian would never ignore your wellbeing."

Serena lowered her gaze with a delicate sigh. "Thank you, Miranda. I'm sorry for troubling you and Adrian."

"Trouble? You're my star—your success is mine. Who does Vivian Hartley think she is? Out of the picture yet still daring to challenge you. Doesn't she realize Adrian only cares for you? It's utterly ridiculous!"

Miranda slipped her phone away, adding thoughtfully, "But between us, Adrian's attention goes beyond mere concern. He seems ready to move mountains for you. For a man of his stature, that's extraordinary. I don't know why you two parted ways, but after all this time... have you considered reconciliation?"

Serena hesitated briefly before offering a mysterious smile. "We'll let fate decide."

After hanging up, Adrian turned to Ethan with decisive authority. "Find that production team Serena auditioned for. Inform them the Blackwood Group will invest—on the condition she gets the lead role."

The director's reaction was immediate—a mix of elation and conflict.

The original script's lavish scenes had been trimmed due to budget constraints, a constant frustration.

Now, the Blackwood Group's sudden interest appeared like divine intervention.