Chapter 110

Aria Bennett instantly detected the hidden meaning in Audrey Lane's words.

"Must be a female guest to get you this excited," she teased, blinking playfully.

Audrey clapped her hands. "Bingo! And she's quite the heavyweight."

"Who?" Aria leaned in curiously.

"Vivienne Archer!" Audrey whispered dramatically. "The infamous 'Iron Diva' herself."

Aria arched an eyebrow. "The director actually managed to book her?"

"Originally, it was supposed to be Valerie Knox," Audrey revealed conspiratorially. "But Vivienne suddenly expressed interest—courtesy of Damian's connections."

Aria immediately understood. "Excellent switch!"

She knew Valerie all too well—Serena Blake's latest rising star. In her past life, that man had ridden Serena's coattails from teen idol to award-winning actor.

But with Vivienne in the picture? Things just got infinitely more interesting.

"Rumor has it Vivienne's been... moody lately," Audrey hinted. "Something about relationship troubles."

Aria connected the dots instantly. Vivienne's fiancé Owen Archer happened to be Serena's newest conquest. In her previous life, Vivienne had been systematically destroyed by Serena—career ruined, family shattered. This time, history wouldn't repeat itself.

"Sounds like this episode will be explosive," Aria remarked meaningfully.

The two women exchanged knowing smiles.

Back in the rehearsal room, Damian Cross was coaching trainees. Spotting Aria, he naturally gravitated toward her.

"Drink run?" she suggested.

Damian nodded.

Outside, Aria cut straight to the chase. "Vivienne Archer was your doing?"

"She volunteered," Damian chuckled. "I merely greased the wheels."

"You've been investigating Owen?"

Damian's eyes turned frosty. "Serena's been cozying up to him lately."

Aria understood perfectly. Vivienne must have caught wind of the affair.

"This episode just became must-see TV," she smirked.

Damian ruffled her hair affectionately at her mischievous expression. "Don't overplay your hand."

"Relax," Aria winked. "I'm just looking forward to watching an iron rose crush a delicate flower."

Their shared laughter spoke volumes.

Returning to rehearsals, they found the trainees on break.

"Ms. Bennett! Mr. Cross!" The students swarmed them eagerly.

Aria distributed drinks. "Practice hard—recording starts tomorrow."

Her gaze flicked to the wall clock. Less than twenty-four hours until Serena Blake and Vivienne Archer's explosive confrontation.

This time, without protagonist's plot armor, she'd see exactly how Serena planned to handle the storm that was coming.