Chapter 15 President Brooks and Eliza Walker

• Cody looked steadily at Eliza while speaking in a deep and attractive voice.
• Those below the stage held their breaths, and Reese’s excitement was obvious.
• Snorting with a provoking look, Eliza simply lowered her head and started playing mobile games without even looking at him.
• She knew whose name she would end up hearing…
• “Eliza Walker,” Cody announced steadily and forcefully.
• The spotlight fell entirely on Eliza. As she covered her mouth, her eyes suddenly reddened.
• She didn’t know whether she had burst into tears of joy or was shocked by Cody’s sudden surprise.
• She really thought she had missed out on this role by a narrow chance, but she didn’t expect Cody to give her such a huge surprise.
• Not only did he still look cold and indifferent the day before, but he even showed up on this day with Reese’s arm slipped through his.
• Amid the fans’ deafening screams and the celebrities’ congratulating voices, Eliza walked up on stage and stood beside Cody gracefully.
• She looked neither haughty nor humble.
• The rest of the film’s main creators and cast members walked up on stage and were interviewed one by one, whereas Reese was left out thoroughly.
• Reese had never expected such an outcome.
• The film role she wanted had slipped through her fingers again because Eliza had forcibly snatched it from her. How could she stomach such humiliation?
• However, she maintained her composure on the outside and clapped her hands with a magnanimous expression.
• The cheerfulness on Eliza’s face could hardly be concealed as she held Cody’s hand naturally while being interviewed by the reporters.
• The reporters in show business were sharp-witted enough to notice that Reese was the candidate announced as the film’s lead actress at first, but Eliza was cast instead.
• They would never believe that there was nothing fishy behind this.
• A reporter asked a sharp question. “President Brooks, why was the female lead role of ‘The Keorin Palace’ suddenly given to Miss Eliza Walker instead of Miss Reese Watson?”
• Since someone had asked a question to get the ball rolling, another reporter quickly followed up. “President Brooks, is there a special connection between you and Eliza Walker that makes you look at her in such a different light?”
• Cody didn’t turn a hair in the face of the questioning.
• Eliza smiled without ever letting go of Cody’s hand which she was holding.
• Then, Cody shot back indifferently, “Do you think it’s safe to cast a new and inexperienced actress in the lead role? Or is it more appropriate to cast a Best TV Actress Award winner for the role?”
• The reporters looked at each other.
• “Besides, I’m just an investor. An investor always strives to make big profits with a small investment,” Cody explained from a realistic point of view. “The right to decide who’ll play the heroine isn’t with me, but with Tyler.”
• As he finished speaking, Tyler—the director—took the microphone with a smile. “I have talked to many actresses before settling on Eliza. She’s perfect for the role of Catherine the Great, so she deserves to be cast in the role. When I look at the actresses in this industry, Eliza is the only actress who satisfies me.”
• Tyler’s words silenced the reporters effectively.
• Tyler’s status in show business spoke for itself, and Eliza was indeed the only one for whom he spoke up so frankly.
• “Since the director thinks so highly of me, I think I’d have to kill myself to apologize if I don’t act well in the film,” Eliza said exaggeratedly just in time while putting her hand on her heart. Her movements, though obviously affected, made people blush.
• Tyler burst out laughing; one could tell that he was on good terms with Eliza.
• Cody stood expressionlessly the entire time as he didn’t even bother to say a word; he merely seated himself cooperatively.
• When the interview session ended, Cody immediately stood up, and so did Eliza.
• However, the actor next to Eliza bumped against her by accident, and the heels she was wearing were too high, which made her stagger.
• Cody swiftly supported Eliza and put his large hand around her waist naturally. Eliza, on the other hand, was startled for a moment before she gave him a soft smile.
• “Don’t wear such high heels next time,” Cody warned.
• “Alright,” Eliza responded softly with a submissive expression.
• They were conversing in a voice that only the two of them could hear, but everyone at the scene saw their excessively intimate behavior toward each other clearly.
• A reporter couldn’t help asking, “President Brooks, what’s your relationship with Eliza Walker? What made you see her in a new light?”