Adelyn exchanged a glance with Freya before turning to Alia.
As Alia waited expectantly, Adelyn nodded and said,
"Yeah, the scene required to portray the final war sequence from the script."
Even Freya was taken aback.
She had read the script. She knew exactly how demanding that climax scene was —how much control, precision, and emotional intensity it required.
And hearing now that Adelyn had perford that very scene during her audition ...
She finally understood.
The role hadn’t simply landed in their hands.
Adelyn had earned it with all her rit and nothing less.
No wonder Director Rhodes had chosen her so decisively.
She must have proven her worth.
Freya looked at Adelyn, a soft smile forming on her lips —one filled with quiet pride.
Adelyn didn’t notice it.
And just as she was about to turn away—
Alia suddenly exclaid, "See! I knew it!"
She turned to Freya, looking as though she had just solved a mystery that had puzzled them for ages now.
"These moves —this is what got her selected! Director Rhodes must’ve seen all this and decided on the spot. There’s no way he wouldn’t. She did know a little about the swords and those moves that twist and turn that co with it."
Freya raised a brow at her excitent, but Alia continued, completely imrsed in her own conclusion.
"And on top of that—" she added, her expression brightening in relief, "we just saved on training costs!"
She let out a breath as though a huge burden had been lifted off her shoulders.
"I an, I wasn’t against hiring a trainer before ... but recently, after knowing how much they charge for each session, I honestly didn’t know how we were going to afford one."
Then she turned to Adelyn, shaking her head dramatically.
"Good thing our Adelyn solved that problem for us. Now we don’t need a trainer —you can manage on your own."
Adelyn smiled at her.
But for a split second, sothing in that smile made Alia uneasy—
Like she was about to say sothing she wouldn’t like.
And before Alia could even guess—
Adelyn spoke.
Still smiling, she stepped closer and extended her hand toward Alia, almost demanding.
"Since I helped you save such a huge expense, Sister Alia ..." she said lightly, "how about giving my share of the profit?"
Alia blinked, caught off guard.
"Your share of the profit?" she repeated.
Adelyn nodded without hesitation.
"Mhm. Of course —my share. Don’t you think I deserve a portion of what you saved?"
Alia stared at her, completely speechless for a mont.
Then she shook her head in disbelief.
"My fault," she said dryly. "I shouldn’t have praised you just now. I knew I’d regret it imdiately."
Adelyn didn’t mind at all.
She simply withdrew her hand with a small shrug, picking up the towel again and casually dabbing the nape of her neck.
"Regret it all you want," she said. "Just don’t forget to transfer the money to my account later."
With that, she stepped past Alia, heading toward the locker room.
"I’ll be waiting," she added lightly.
Alia stood frozen for a second—
Then, suddenly turned, pointing at Adelyn’s retreating figure.
"You —you ... you’re such a money grubber!"
Adelyn paused just slightly.
She didn’t turn back.
But her lips curved into a faint smirk as she replied,
"I won’t deny your complint —once you prove it, Sister Alia."
Alia nearly exploded.
"You—!"
But Adelyn had already walked away, completely unbothered —clearly enjoying how easily Alia could be teased.
Once Adelyn disappeared into the locker room, Alia turned back to Freya.
"Did you hear her? She—"
But before she could continue, Freya let out a soft laugh, unable to hold it in any longer.
Stepping closer, she placed a hand on Alia’s shoulder and nodded.
"I heard. She was rely teasing you."
"Teasing ?" Alia’s eyes widened. "She was teasing ? I’m older than her! I’m her senior. How can she tease ? Who told her that I’d accept that?"
Freya tried to suppress another laugh.
"Well ... you gave her the opportunity. She just didn’t let it go."
"Freya... even you—" Alia pouted slightly, looking wronged.
But then she paused.
Her gaze lingered on Freya’s face—
On that rare, genuine smile.
"... Fine," she said after a mont, her tone softening. "I’ll generously let it go this ti ... just because ..."
She paused, her eyes brightening.
"... she made you laugh like this."
Freya stilled.
The words struck her more deeply than expected.
Perhaps she hadn’t even realized it herself.
Alia noticed the shift imdiately and quickly added, her voice gentler now, "Do you even know how long it’s been since you laughed like this? Years ... probably."
Freya looked away, discomfort flickering across her face.
"Years," Alia repeated softly. "If I hadn’t seen it today, I might’ve forgotten what it looked like ... before Kathlyn left us."
"That’s enough, Lia," Freya cut in quickly.
Her tone wasn’t harsh —but it was firm.
"I think we should head back to the company," she added, stepping away. "I’ll get the car. You bring Adelyn."
And without waiting, she walked off —almost too quickly.
As if afraid that if she stayed any longer—
Old wounds would resurface.
The ones she had barely managed to bury. And she would start doubting it all over again.
Doubting everything, she had forced herself to believe for good —
Choosing Adelyn ...
Choosing herself ...
Choosing a path she had once sworn to abandon ...
Alia didn’t stop her.
She simply watched her leave —until her figure disappeared completely.
A quiet sigh left her lips.
After a mont, Adelyn stepped out of the locker room.
She imdiately noticed Freya’s absence, though she didn’t dwell on it.
"Sister Freya left?" she asked casually.
Alia shook her head.
"No, she’s waiting in the car. Since you’re ready, let’s go."
Adelyn nodded, and the two of them walked out together.
However—
Just as they were about to leave the area—
Samuel happened to pass by from the sa side.
He slowed, then stopped entirely as Adelyn walked past him.
Sothing in his expression shifted —subtle, but unmistakable.
He turned to look at her.
His gaze deepened, turning serious ...
As if he had just caught a glimpse of soone he once knew.
She ...
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