Chapter 3 He Must Have Been Mistaken

Nicole hurried through her statement for the police before she signed and hurried to the set.

Still, after being delayed by her act of saving the kid, she was late.

Walking onto the set, she found the assistant, who was assigned to her by her agent, waiting, eyeing her up and down like she was a problem to solve.

"Nicole, why are you dressed like that? You do know it's audition day, right? Just because the assistant director likes your face doesn't mean you can do whatever you want and ignore Danna's instructions."

The assistant made no effort to hide her annoyance, even throwing in a dramatic eye roll.

The person she mentioned, Danna Hardy, was Nicole's agent.

Nicole ignored the harsh words, which only seemed to wind the assistant up even more.

"I am talking to you. Why are you just ignoring me? You think you're some kind of superstar now? Is that it? Do you think you are someone like Elaine Hewitt? You sure know how to act like you're already above everyone."

Nicole had no interest in responding until that familiar name reached her ears.

Elaine Hewitt, the Hewitt family's heiress.

Before Nicole was kicked out of the Hewitt family, her path had crossed with Elaine's once.

Elaine had been the pampered daughter, the true heiress misplaced at birth.

Nicole, on the other hand, was the unwanted impostor raised by a mother who disliked her.

But a DNA test had finally set everything straight ten years ago.

"Wait, Elaine's auditioning for the lead role, too?"

Nicole shook off her thoughts and asked the question casually.

A dismissive laugh escaped the assistant. "Elaine doesn't need to audition for the role. She has already signed on as the lead actress. And you're here for the supporting role, just so you know."

The supporting role?

A crease formed between Nicole's brows. She didn't care what role she played in a small project like this, but if Elaine was in the film, she wanted nothing to do with it.

She made up her mind to leave right then, only to see a crowd walking over from the other end of the set.

Someone at the center drew every eye-a woman dressed in a soft lavender gown.

One glimpse at that familiar face had Nicole ducking behind a nearby wall, hoping to stay out of sight.

Voices carried through the air.

"Elaine's even prettier in person. She's got that model look-tall, slim, always so elegant."

"No kidding. She is not only a famous star but also the social queen of Crustin. And her fiancé is none other than the heir of the Gill family."

"It's only a costume fitting today, but Mr. Gill insisted on coming with her. Look. The man standing by her side is him!"

"Some people just have it all. Elaine has the good looks, the high status, and a handsome, doting fiancé! I'm so envious!"

Leaning against the wall, Nicole let out a small snort, her face expressionless.

This project had real potential, and the assistant director clearly knew what he was doing, but Nicole knew she had to walk away now.

Once the voices faded, she slipped on her sunglasses, lowered her head, and wove through the crowd, making her way to the exit.

In the center of the crowd, Lanny Gill caught a flicker of movement and turned.

For a brief second, he caught sight of Nicole's profile before she vanished.

He froze mid-step.

"Lanny, what are you looking at?" Elaine's voice floated over, light as a song, while she gently tugged his wrist.

A moment passed before Lanny's focus returned. He held her hand and shook his head. "Nothing. Come on, let's get going."

He believed he must have been mistaken.

Nicole had left Crustin ten years ago. She wouldn't be here now.

Elaine smiled, slipping her arm through Lanny's with practiced grace.

"Today's heat is no joke, and you've all been amazing," she said to the crowd. "Lanny and I are treating everyone to iced coffee. Please enjoy."

"Thank you, Miss Hewitt!"

With a playful glance, Elaine turned her head toward Lanny. "Can you get me a strawberry shortcake later? Just don't go overboard with the sugar this time."

Lanny nodded absentmindedly as the memory of that shadowed profile clung to the edge of his mind, but Elaine didn't notice his distracted state.

***

After leaving the set, Nicole put on her helmet and guided her motorcycle toward a boxing club.

For the past few years, besides sporadic acting gigs, she worked as a sparring partner at a boxing club on Crustin's south side.

Skipping the film role just meant she could pick up a few extra shifts.

The moment she walked through the door, the owner of the boxing club approached.

"Nicole! I was hoping you'd show up!"

Nicole slid him a skeptical look, eyebrow raised.

Whenever he greeted her with that much enthusiasm, it was never about anything good.