Chapter 25

Morning sunlight spilled into the courtyard as Aria Bennett set down her coffee cup. The director strode in with a group of people trailing behind him.

"Everyone, the trainees have arrived," the director announced, clapping his hands. "For the next three days, you eight will be mentoring them."

Jonah Pierce scratched his head. "How exactly are we supposed to mentor them?"

The director explained, "The forty trainees will be divided into eight groups of five. In three days, they'll perform a countryside-themed song and dance. You'll serve as both guests and mentors."

Caleb Monroe raised an eyebrow. "No pressure at all."

Serena Blake suddenly interjected, her voice sweet but her eyes sharp with calculation. "How will the groups be decided? Do we choose, or do they?"

[Serena’s trying too hard.]

[The least famous one here, yet she acts like the center of attention.]

Aria watched Serena’s performance coldly. After losing face in yesterday’s cooking challenge, the woman was clearly trying to regain ground elsewhere.

The director feigned hesitation. "Any suggestions?"

Serena immediately spoke up. "How about we spend half a day getting to know them, then let the trainees pick their mentors in the afternoon? The mentors can then make their final selections." She straightened confidently, certain her charm would attract the most trainees.

The director’s eyes lit up—this idea was dramatic enough to spark buzz.

But Wesley Hart and the others frowned. It was obvious most trainees would flock to Damian Cross and Nolan Reed. Wouldn’t that leave the rest of them embarrassed?

"What if everyone picks Mr. Cross and Mr. Reed?" Jonah joked.

The director tossed the question back to Serena. "Ms. Blake, what do you think?"

Serena was prepared. "We can do multiple rounds. Those who aren’t picked in the first round can choose another mentor."

The trainees exchanged uneasy glances, torn between excitement and anxiety.

"I disagree," Aria suddenly said, her voice crisp.

Serena’s smile froze. She hadn’t expected Aria to openly oppose her.

"Ms. Bennett, do you have a better idea?" Serena forced a smile, though her eyes turned cold.

Aria replied calmly, "Half a day isn’t enough to get to know anyone. Letting trainees choose will only cause chaos. A random draw would be fairer and more efficient."

She remembered how, in her past life, Serena had used this exact tactic to snatch the best trainees, leaving her with five troublemakers. That group’s poor performance had cost her dearly.

This time, she would defy expectations.

Serena gritted her teeth. Since when had Aria become so difficult to handle?

The director stroked his chin. A random draw was fair, but lacked drama...

"I think Aria makes a valid point," Damian, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "A draw is the fairest method."

The moment the award-winning actor voiced his opinion, the atmosphere shifted.

Serena paled. Her carefully laid plan had just been effortlessly dismantled by Aria.

A faint smile curved Aria’s lips. In this second life, she wouldn’t let Serena have her way. Every time she disrupted the script, Serena’s influence weakened.

This battle had only just begun.