To some extent, June already expected the results.

That doesn't mean he can't be upset about it, though.

Lin Zhi stood from his seat and bowed at the judges before bowing to everybody else. He had a fake look of surprise, and Kai thought that maybe, just maybe, he did deserve the part.

He was darn good at pretending to be innocent.

With that, the applicants started leaving the extravagant house with heavy hearts. June felt bad for those who did better than Lin Zhi but didn't pass. And it sucked to think that he couldn't do anything about it at the moment.

Meanwhile, Lin Zhi was called by Director Bong, the two of them appearing to be chummy buddies as they entered a private room together.

June shook his head and stood from his seat, preparing to leave.

However, before he could arrive at the door, Hana called his name.

She had a look of disappointment in her eyes, causing June to chuckle.

"You look even more upset than I am," June said.

Hana pursed her lips. "I still think you should have gotten the part. I was genuinely afraid when we did the dialogue a while back. You gave Yian a completely different flavor that I think the audience would have liked."

"But you already got your villain," June said. "Good luck with the movie, I guess. I would wish for it to fail since I didn't get in, but seeing that you're in it, I'll be wishing the movie prosperous results."

Hana shook her head in amusement. "It's really a shame. I was the one who recommended that you become part of the list of applicants. You definitely didn't disappoint. The director just has a different creative judgment compared to what I expected."

"It makes me wonder if the other director should have gone here too," she muttered.

June glanced at his watch and saw that it was already late in the afternoon. Jay must be waiting by himself in the garden since most of the applicants had already gone home.

"I best be going—"

Before he could finish his statement, another person interrupted and called his name.

"June," a woman said.

Hana and June turned to the source of the voice, only to see Miss Risa with a hesitant expression looking at them.

June immediately bowed as soon as the writer of the show arrived at their spot.

"Oh, there's no need for that," Risa said.

June shook his head. "I'm just paying respect to the person who wrote this production. I only read a small portion of the script and the character detail, but I can tell you've put a lot of thought into it."

Risa scratched the back of her head.

"I could say the same thing to you," she said. "You added the perfect lines at the very end of your audition just now."

"I was just carried away by the moment," June said. "I hope you don't take it to heart that much."

"Oh, definitely not," Risa said. "In fact, I'm even thinking of adding some of what you've said to the script—if that's okay with you, of course."

"It's fine with me," June said. However, he couldn't even recall the lines he had added just now. It was truly a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing.

"Well, thank you for this opportunity. I guess I'll be seeing you around," June said as a final greeting, but it seemed like Risa had other plans.

She bit her lip before speaking once more.

"Actually, I came here for another reason," Risa said, making June halt once more and pay full attention to what she was saying

"Your interpretation a while back was not the direction we were looking for," she started off.

"The Yian I wrote is truly just a shallow character—an epitome of an enemy that unreasonably took revenge on a person who does not deserve it."

"Your interpretation, I believe, is almost that of a main character. It wasn't the Yian we were looking for."

June nodded in understanding.

He was still upset that Lin Zhi got the role, but after hearing Risa's explanation, he felt more at ease. Maybe his understanding of Yian was truly different and inaccurate.

"But it might be what I'm looking for in another character," Risa continued, making June narrow his eyes in confusion.

Hana, too, looked at Risa with wide eyes, hope swelling inside her heart.

For some reason, she wanted June to participate in this particular project. Maybe it was because she wanted to show the world his acting skills…or maybe she just wanted to be in the midst of his presence more often.

"I still haven't released the full script," Risa said.

"Up until now, the script that had been sent to the confirmed actors has been unrevised. However, I've been thinking to myself, and I felt like the movie needed something…more."

"So, I took it upon myself to revise the script as I had wanted…

and thankfully, the directors gave me the opportunity to do so until the end of the month."

"Some changes are already final, while some are ongoing. However, there's one thing certain—there's another interesting character that I want to be portrayed by a good actor."

"At first, I wanted to find some raw talent on the streets. After all, this is just a minor character. However, even if the role is small, I feel that it is very essential."

"His name is Jian," Risa continued. "And he's the brother and closest friend of Yian."

"With this in mind, I want to offer the role to you, June," she said, looking into his eyes.

June froze after the offer was made.

As one door closes, another one opens.

June didn't know what this 'Jian' character would be like. He didn't even know if he would have any lines since Risa said it was just a minor character.

However, he knew that he wanted to become a part of the production.

Not only so he could complete his mission and show the world his acting skills…but also to gain the opportunity to become closer to Lin Zhi and finally destroy him.

For good this time.

"This hasn't been communicated with the directors just yet," Risa continued. "But I believe I have the right to make grand decisions for what I have written."

"And right now…I believe you're perfect for the role."

"So," she said. "Are you up for the challenge?"

Hana and Risa looked at June with expectant eyes.

Then, the handsome man smiled.

"You know I'm always up for a challenge."