Zoey turned to the wall, tiredly squeezing her eyes shut as she mentally prepared herself for what was about to come.
Living with a snake like Kate Smith for a year was something she never thought would be her situation.
Not only did she have to patronize her, but she also had to keep her mouth shut most of the time or risk offending her parents.
Was this even living?
"Do not turn your back to us, Zoey Smith!" Henry thundered behind her.
Already expecting this reaction, she pressed her lips tightly together and turned to face them.
"Who is Wealthy Mister?" Gina questioned without lifting her head, eyes still pinned on the text in Zoey's phone.
To be honest, that question made Zoey think.
He was just a random man she met last night and happened to exchange numbers with. Plus, he did look to be in his twenties.
But she couldn't exactly tell them any of this. So she settled for a vague response. "A… friend."
"You've barely been back for two days, sister. How is it you already made a friend whom you saved as 'Wealthy Mister'? Where did you even meet this man, and what exactly did you do with him after school?" Kate pressed, resisting the urge to scoff.
Zoey pressed her lips together even tighter.
"I didn't meet him today. The only reason I'm getting home this late is because you left in the car before I got outside the school."
This allegation didn't faze Kate one bit as she laughed mockingly.
"Oh, stop, sister. I waited for you outside for over ten minutes after school closed, but you were nowhere to be found."
"So I figured you came home with Austin Cross since you two seem to have gotten close."
Henry Smith's face immediately darkened.
"Austin Cross? Wealthy Mister? Are you forbidden from making female friends? You're marrying into the Leith family soon, what will your fiancé say when he finds out you've been hanging out with the opposite gender?"
Kate shifted uncomfortably in her seat, hesitating a little before sighing. "As a matter of fact, I think there's something sister isn't telling us."
"Earlier today, she perfectly portrayed Brielle Sloane, the main character in Day of Reckoning. Most people in the city have only just gotten their hands on a copy."
"But sister auditioned for the role of Brielle Sloane, getting it so well that she even got to play her."
Gina's eyes lit up out of nowhere.
"She got the role to play Brielle Sloane? Isn't that the role they said even seasoned actresses haven't been able to replicate emotionally?"
Kate frowned.
She was complaining, not praising Zoey. So why did it seem like her mother was suddenly impressed rather than scolding her?
Zoey suddenly snapped her fingers, reining in her smile as everyone's eyes shifted to her again.
"Ah, so that's what this is about. You left school without waiting for me because you're still sulking that I got the role of Brielle Sloane?"
"S-Sulking? Zoey Smith, mind the nonsense you spout!" At having herself seen through, Kate didn't know when she yelled.
Behind them, Henry sneered and chided Zoey, "Just because you got the role of Brielle Sloane doesn't mean you should aggravate your sister!"
"From what I hear, she's been the female lead for every drama in her class, so she must be more than qualified to pass the audition but simply chose to let you have it."
"You still have a long way to go with acting. Since your sister is experienced, make sure you get acting tips from her, do you hear me?"
Zoey stared at him blankly.
So annoyingly overbearing and dismissive.
Nevertheless, she lowered her eyes respectfully, "Yes, Father."
Kate grinned sheepishly and gently waved her hand at him.
"The festival isn't until three months from now, so we have time to practice. In the meantime, I worry about sister's grades."
"Given how she's still new to our education system here, it'll take her a little time to get used to how we work and learn."
"Though she's just two months late into the school year, she'll benefit greatly and be prepared like everyone else if she's enrolled in a cram school."
Neither Henry nor Gina found anything wrong with what she said, so they agreed.
"You should be grateful to have a sister like Kate who looks out for you despite your many flaws." Henry snorted at Zoey, flashing Kate a proud smile.
Zoey narrowed her eyes in confusion.
Flaws?
He wore medicated glasses, yet he couldn't even see she had no flaws?
And as for Kate, what exactly did she have in mind suggesting cram school?
She expected her to push for the identity of 'Wealthy Mister' but she'd dropped it so fast and moved on to something else.
It was too suspicious.
Gina suddenly closed the distance between them and handed Zoey her phone with a straight face, "We already had dinner, so if you want something to eat, do it in your room."
"Also, Kate spent several months reading Day of Reckoning. I expect you to do the same now that you have a very important role in it."
Kate watched them quietly, her eyes darkening as Gina's voice grew softer.
She wasn't mistaken—this woman… was doing nothing to hide that she was proud of Zoey for getting the role.
She had considered taking offense, but if she did, it would only make her seem insensitive and self-serving.
After all, it was Zoey's first day at school and she landed such a big role. It was only normal that she be happy for her, not try to blame her for taking her role.
So she stepped forward to offer, "You know what, Mother? I was going to go revise my notes upstairs, but given how fierce the competition at the festival will be, I'll impart the knowledge I have about Day of Reckoning to Zoey, just like Father asked me to."
Gina immediately beamed and patted her on the head lovingly. "Oh, you're so nice to your sister. Seeing you two get along so well makes me happy."
Her words had just fallen when Henry snorted.
"They're not getting along at all. Don't you see Zoey holds a grudge against her sister? All this while, Kate has been the one meeting her halfway, but instead of being grateful, she frowns before accepting help."
Kate smiled righteously and lowered her head.
Ha! At last!
"If Father hadn't said this, I would've forgotten what Sister said when I offered my help after she got the role of Brielle Sloane."
Zoey quickly knew where she was going and laughed softly, "Why tell them something so meaningless? I now feel bad they hadn't seen our auditions."
"But I hear Prof. Hartwell always records her students' auditions. That way, she's able to guide them better in the future."
"Instead of telling them how the audition went, why don't we invite them to the school so they can watch the recording themselves?"