Chapter 2: Compatibility?

Over there, a few chuckles were heard, followed by an astonishing number.

Venus Kellogg couldn't control her volume, which shot up: "How much?"

Steward Moore, feeling no guilt at all, repeated the number with complete confidence.

"Four... thousand... ten thousand!" Venus Kellogg's forehead veins bulged, and she spat out each word through gritted teeth, "You’re asking for such a huge sum. Where am I, a nameless and insignificant actress, supposed to get that kind of money?"

Venus Kellogg was truly shocked. She never imagined that her gambling-addicted father would dare to bet such a large amount. She even wondered if Steward Moore knew about Malcolm Godwin giving her compensation money.

Steward Moore didn't care: "Aren't you the mistress of some rich guy? I looked him up online; he's worth hundreds of millions. This amount is nothing to someone like him."

Venus Kellogg's tone turned cold: "Using your daughter's money to gamble, you really have no shame."

Steward Moore, stung by her words, grew angry: "Are you going to give it or not? If you don't, I'll go to that man's company and cause a scene. After all, I'm his half-father-in-law. If you won't give it, he will."

Venus Kellogg had always known her father was shameless, but she was still shocked by his outrageous words. She sat down on the sofa, took a few deep breaths, and finally calmed down a bit.

"If you don't want to be beaten up by the Gu family's security, you'd better not go. I can give you the money, but remember, this is the last time!"

If he really caused a scene at Malcolm Godwin's place, all the dignity she had managed to maintain over the years would be trampled into the mud.

Hearing Venus Kellogg agree, Steward Moore, no longer caring about anything else, immediately beamed with joy and agreed.

The money she had just received hadn't even warmed her hands before a large part of it was gone. Looking at the balance in her bank account, Venus Kellogg felt her heart bleeding.

She no longer had the mood to rest and took the contract given by Malcolm Godwin to find her agent.

The contract from Malcolm Godwin was for the lead role in a new film by the rising director Nelson Francis. Without Malcolm Godwin, she wouldn't have been able to land such a role with her current status.

Agent Wang was even more excited than Venus Kellogg when she saw the contract.

She grabbed Venus Kellogg and insisted they go for the audition right away.

Everything went smoothly, but just before the filming was about to start, something unexpected happened.

Director Nelson Francis called Venus Kellogg over, looking somewhat awkward.

"Little Lin, we might need to change your role."

Venus Kellogg was taken aback, not understanding what the director meant: "What do you mean?"

Nelson Francis coughed, "We need to replace the lead actress. If you want to stay in the production, we can offer you a supporting role. If you don't want to stay, we will pay you a breach of contract fee."

Replace the lead?

Wasn't this project funded by Malcolm Godwin, and wasn't the lead role given by him?

Now they were saying they needed to replace her. Could it be...

Venus Kellogg's face paled, and she asked in a low voice, "Is this Malcolm Godwin's decision?"

Nelson Francis's expression froze for a moment.

Before he could reply, a commotion was heard outside.

Venus Kellogg's gaze was instantly drawn to the man walking in.

The man was dressed in a high-end suit, with a strikingly handsome face, but his phoenix eyes, cold as ice, showed no warmth.

More impressive than his looks was his aura, which was so overpowering that it made people feel suffocated.

The man was none other than Malcolm Godwin.

Venus Kellogg's heart skipped a beat, wondering why Malcolm Godwin was here.

Could he be here to see her?

This foolish thought was quickly dismissed.

Malcolm Godwin was cold and indifferent, having countless women around him over the years. Why would he come to see her?

Soon, a tall, slender woman followed Malcolm Godwin into the room.

Malcolm Godwin's long strides were quick, and the woman struggled to keep up, standing in place and saying something coquettishly.

Hearing her, Malcolm Godwin slowed down, and his expression softened.

The woman smiled and looped her arm through his, looking around curiously as they walked.

No matter how calm Venus Kellogg tried to be, she couldn't help but feel a jolt in her heart.

In all these years, she had never seen the usually aloof Malcolm Godwin stop for anyone.

As the two approached, Venus Kellogg's pupils constricted when she saw the woman's stunning face.

The reason was simple: the woman bore a striking resemblance to her, about six-tenths similar.

The difference was that the woman exuded an innocent and pampered air, unlike Venus Kellogg, who had entered society too early and now had a worldly and mature look in her eyes.

Nelson Francis glanced at Venus Kellogg, a hint of sympathy in his eyes.

They, as insiders in the upper echelons, had their channels and knew about Venus Kellogg's relationship with the president of the Gu family.

"That's Kristin Bennett, the eldest daughter of the Song family. She and President grew up together. She has been unwell since childhood and was sent abroad for treatment six years ago. She only returned two months ago."

In an instant, Venus Kellogg understood the hidden connection.

Six years ago, when she stumbled into Malcolm Godwin's world, and two months ago, when Malcolm Godwin cut ties with her.

So, Malcolm Godwin suddenly pushed her away because Kristin Bennett returned.

He chose to keep her because she resembled Kristin Bennett, didn't he?

Venus Kellogg told herself that she was with Malcolm Godwin only for the money, but she still couldn't help feeling humiliated.

Her body instinctively felt nauseous, and she barely suppressed the urge to vomit.

Seeing the assistant director bowing and welcoming the two, Venus Kellogg clenched her fists and asked Nelson Francis, "Is Kristin Bennett taking my role?"

Nelson Francis nodded: "Miss Bennett has always wanted to enter the entertainment industry. She really likes this role, and President personally ordered it. We have no choice."

Venus Kellogg gave a cold laugh, feeling like a joke.

What was this?

Because his beloved had returned, she was meant to be played with?

All her hard work for over a month, wiped away with one word from him.

Six years of close companionship, worth nothing in his eyes.

She was just like this role, easily replaceable by Malcolm Godwin.

"President is coming." Nelson Francis gently nudged her. Venus Kellogg looked up and saw Malcolm Godwin approaching with Kristin Bennett.

Nelson Francis hurried to greet them.

Kristin Bennett, graceful and poised, bypassed Nelson Francis and smiled warmly at Venus Kellogg: "You must be Miss Venus Kellogg, right?"

Venus Kellogg's expression was cold: "Yes."

Kristin Bennett immediately took Venus Kellogg's hand and said softly, "Miss Lin, thank you so much for letting me have this role. I really love this script, and Brother Han also said that I fit the role very well. I am very grateful for your kindness. Can I offer you some compensation as a token of my gratitude?"

Let? Fit very well? Compensation?