The Killer Queen

Yvonne strutted among a group of actors waiting to audition, her nose in the air. “I’m the young lady of the Schnabel family. Since I’m here for the audition today, this role is as good as mine!” The other bit players looked at each other, a bit lost. But Briony, sitting in the corner, suddenly had a lightbulb moment.

Ms. Schnabel? The same Schnabel family that livestreamed their birthday bash around the world?

She remembered trying to watch the livestream but got kicked out because of a lousy internet connection before she could see Ms. Schnabel’s face. And now, she could actually see her here in the flesh!

Yvonne paraded around with her chin up, scoping out her competition for the role.

Her brother had agreed to let her audition, and she wasn’t about to settle for some minor role where she would have to kneel and serve the lead. The mere thought made Yvonne’s skin crawl.

“Ms. Schnabel, this role is definitely yours, but as for the other roles…”

Yvonne glanced at Briony, who had spoken, and frowned, “Who are you to speak to me?”

Briony wanted to suck up to her, but Yvonne wasn’t buying it at all! And now Yvonne had embarrassed her in front of everyone, leaving Briony with no way to save face.

Some people around them snickered, clearly unimpressed by Briony’s brown–nosing. Yvonne’s gaze swept over the actors and landed on a woman who hadn’t said a word.

+

“You, drop out of this audition.”

“Me? You sure?”

Yvonne felt a strong sense of threat from this woman. If she was around, Yvonne was sure she wouldn’t land the lead role.

“I’m talking to you, missy. Which company are you with, huh? Got no eyes or what?”

“I’m Yasbel, with East Sea Culture Company. What advice do you have for me, Ms. Schnabel?” Yasbel sat there cool as a cucumber, legs crossed, oozing charisma with just a glance, making all the auditionees‘ eyes pop.

She looked at Yvonne, who was dressed like a peacock, her sly eyes slightly mocking.

Yvonne was taken aback at the name.

Yasbel? Wasn’t she the actress who just snagged the Best Actress award? Her brother just mentioned the female lead in this play was supposed to be an award–winner. Could it be Yasbel?

11:15

Chapter /5

“Drop out, let me take the role. Name your price, I can pay.” Yvonne looked at Yasbel, thinking if she could just get the role and act opposite Stirling, the grand slam actor, she would be an overnight sensation.

Yasbel looked at her as if she were a fool. “Ms. Schnabel, I’m not short on cash.”

Yvonne waved her hand impatiently, shooing her away like a fly. She couldn’t believe these showbiz girls didn’t need money. If they weren’t in it for the dough, why act at all?

“Just tell me how much you want.”

Yasbel gave Yvonne a look like she was looking at an idiot. Was this Schnabel family gal out of her mind? “Ms. Schnabel, better move aside. I’ve got an audition to attend.”

Yasbel clicked her heels and walked past Yvonne, her presence felt from dozen feet away, not giving a second glance to Yvonne, who was now red–faced with anger, then left.

Seeing Yasbel leave, hardly anyone bothered with Yvonne anymore.

Ms. Schnabel? She was just out here losing face for the Schnabel family, Wasn’t she?

Briony sidled up to Yvonne, hoping to curry favor. “Ms. Schnabel, don’t worry, the role’s in the bag for you. Just put in a word with the Schnabels; I hear Stirling’s invested in this play.”

“What’s Stirling’s investment got to do with you? The lead role is mine, for sure!”

Briony was fuming. Was Yvonne deaf to hints? She had made it so obvious!

After all, Yasbel was an award–winning actress, and the lead role had already been discussed with her. Now, she was just going through the motions with her audition.

Yvonne felt her eyelid twitch at the sight of Yasbel. With her around, there was no chance of nabbing the role! Her gaze then fell on the obsequious Briony, who seemed to have popped out of nowhere, looking every inch the country bumpkin.

“Get Yasbel to give up the role for me, and I’ll let you play a minor role serving me coffee.”

Briony clenched her teeth. This was a period drama, and if she couldn’t be the lead, she would be reduced to playing a kneeling maid. No way she was going for that!

If she could get Yasbel and Yvonne to both drop out…

Briony walked up to Yasbel and cooed, “Miss Yasbel, I’m a huge fan. I’ve always loved your work…”

Yasbel rolled her eyes at the person responsible for putting her boss through hell in the Lambert family and thought, “With that look and smarts, she dared to think she was prettier than my boss?”

“Then tell me what works I’ve done.”

Briony was stumped! How would she know what Yasbel had acted in? She didn’t have time to keep up with showbiz gossip.

11:16

“I can’t think of any at the moment, Miss Yasbel. I really admire you, but Ms. Schnabel sent me to ask you to drop out of the audition.”

Yasbel rolled her eyes again, still a picture of beauty. “What Ms. Schnabel? Some nobody that. even the Schnabel family doesn’t acknowledge has the nerve to claim she’s Ms. Schnabel? Last time I checked the live stream, the Schnabel sisters didn’t look anything like her.” © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

As Yasbel spoke, she tilted her chin up arrogantly, looking down at Yvonne, who was on the verge of going ballistic.

What on earth was this woman blabbering about? She had the nerve to bring up that livestream from Noella’s birthday bash–God knows what kind of love potion Tristan got slipped by Noella and Elara!

After that birthday fiasco, she became the butt of the joke among her circle; her so–called friends wouldn’t even call her for a card game, literally giving her the cold shoulder.

If it weren’t for that, would she stoop so low as to do this kind of penny–ante gig to make money?

“Zip it! Do I need you to tell me if I’m Ms. Schnabel or not?”

Yasbel shrugged nonchalantly, her red lips parting in a seemingly harmless smile.

Yvonne was so livid she could punch someone! She wanted to rip Yasbel’s face apart and see how she would strut around then!

Before Yvonne could pounce, a cold voice pierced the air from outside.

“What’s all the racket? If you don’t want to audition, then get lost!”

A man in a sharp suit walked in, exuding authority and looking dashing, his jawline sharp as a blade and sleeves rolled up, a natural–born leader. His presence silenced the room instantly. Everyone was so in awe you could hear a pin drop.

Yvonne quickly sidled up to him, tears welling in her eyes. “Stirling, this woman’s bullying me! She won’t even let me audition. I just wanted to play a small role. How can she bully me just because she’s been around the block in showbiz? I’m your sister…”

Stirling didn’t even glance at Yvonne, his gaze settling on Yasbel. “Sorry to interrupt, but my sister says she’s a huge fan of yours. She’s waiting in the car outside. Would you mind meeting her?”

It was the first time Yasbel had heard Stirling use such a gentle tone in all the time she had known him. Looked like the boss’s new family was much more attentive to her than the Lambert family ever was.

“Of course, I’m quite interested in Ms. Schnabel too, but as for this Ms. Schnabel impersonator…” Yasbel cast a meaningful look at Yvonne, who was shivering like a leaf, then strutted away in her five– inch heels.

She walked straight to the Cayenne, opened the door, and sat down, handing over the earrings

11:16

she was wearing to Noella.

“Boss, next time, tell Phecda and the crew to upgrade this thing. This bug is so ugly, it’s cramping my style.”

“Got it.”

E