Page 19 of Billionaire's Second Chance

“No,” I said. “It doesn't matter anyway.”

“Okay.” He smirked.

I slipped my phone into my pocket. The dull echo from the auditions in the adjoining hall seeped into the near-empty room. It was a makeshift office with no plaques on the walls or Oscars on the shelves. Harry was seated at the other side of the desk, his tablet in hand, while I remained standing. I’d rather deal with the plain walls than the mock smirk on his face.

“The auditions are going fine,” Harry said.

So what?

Were they her? Did they wear Rose’s sleeves and walk in her shoes? They could audition all day for all I care.

“Did you get a hold of her agent?” I turned to face him.

“I thought that’s bygone.”

“Just answer the damn question, Harry.”

“I did.”

Then why isn’t she here?

I stared at Harry. He stared back. Then I sank into the empty chair. Harry’s look had changed. His brows gathered at the bridge of his nose, and his smirk disappeared.

“What?” I asked.

His chair creaked before he answered. “We’ve had a decline of the scandal hashtags in the past two hours, and it has been accompanied by an increase in the public's worry of who’s playing Rose.”

My phone dinged on the desk. Notifications. Once in a while, some doofus would be brave enough to tag my official handle in a meme. If only Harry would let me press charges.

“You certain about that decline?” I mocked him, pointing to my phone.

It wasn’t the only thing I was unsure of. Ava’s agent was supposed to be here already—with Ava. Getting a hold of him was now almost impossible.

“Are you sure he gave you his word?” I asked again.

“He did,” Harry confirmed, knowing exactly who I was asking about.

“What did he say again?” I scratched my head.

“Same thing I told you when you asked me ten minutes ago, Damon. He said he’d contact her immediately, and she’d be thrilled.”

“Just make another call, Harry,” I snapped.

An uneasy silence filled the room. Harry dragged his feet as he whipped out another smartphone from his pocket.

“Speak of the devil.” He raised his head. “He just texted me. They’ll be here soon.”

I nodded. Harry stared at me, his arms crossed over his chest. I knew that pose.

“Say it,” I raised my voice.

He shrugged. “I’m worried we’re focusing on the wrong thing here. You need to be part of the auditions. The sooner we find a worthy replacement for Lily Rae, the sooner we get out of this social media mess.”

I held his gaze. “Why do you think I want Ava?”

“Oh. I had no idea.” His eyes bulged with realization.

“You clearly don’t.” I shook my head. “Just do your job, and let me handle mine.”

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