Reborn Heiress: Taking Back What Is Rightfully Hers!
Chapter 366: Battle for the Lead

Chapter 366: Battle for the Lead

"Exactly! These days, the film industry is all about star power. If we cast a famous actress in a supporting role, it might provoke backlash from her fans."

"I absolutely disagree!"

"I disagree as well!"

The company executives and shareholders voiced their strong opposition.

Eric, with a lazy smile, remarked, "Having Miss Fox in a supporting role would actually make audiences even more curious about the lead actress. They’d want to see if she can hold her own against someone like Miss Fox. That curiosity will draw more viewers."

Richard nodded. "Exactly. The more controversy, the greater the interest!"

Brian sneered, "At LXL, we aim for quality. We choose actors based on suitability, not celebrity status. So, I support casting Tiffany as Ashley."

The young, up-and-coming director Austin also agreed, "I also believe Miss Fox fits the role of Ashley perfectly."

With that, even the remaining senior shareholder cast his vote in favor.

With a six-to-five vote in Ella’s favor—and with her allies all being shareholders—the other executives had no choice but to accept the decision, despite their reservations.

For the other roles, there was general agreement, until they reached the lead actress.

Ella naturally selected Amanda, as the lead character begins as a delicate, vulnerable figure and is the sole heir to the family in the mysterious Eight Sins Mountain. Being an "heir" sounds grand, but in reality, she’s a strange and eerie character—qualities that Amanda’s demeanor fits well, mirroring the original vision of the lead character, Qingzhu.

This decision sparked another round of opposition from the executives, who argued that, while Amanda might be Richard’s current favorite, her skills still needed honing. They felt casting her as the lead would inevitably result in her being overshadowed by Tiffany!

Once again, however, Eric, Richard, and their supporters cast their votes for Amanda, much to Sarah and the others’ frustration.

"Mr. Nelson, with casting decisions like these... I worry this film will end up costing us a fortune, and what if we don’t make it back?" a concerned shareholder said.

"Yes, if the film flops, Mrs. Nelson will have to take responsibility. After all, she personally chose both the lead and the supporting actress without taking any of our feedback," Sarah remarked coldly. "If the lead actress is outshone by a supporting role, what’s there to watch in the film?"

Richard’s face darkened. "Ms. Torres, the film hasn’t even started production. How can you be so sure Amanda will be overshadowed by Miss Fox?"

Ella maintained her calm composure, "Director Torres, whether the film is good or not isn’t for you to decide; that’s up to the actors and the director. And if the film loses money, I’ll take responsibility. But if it turns a profit, are you suggesting you wouldn’t want a share of the bonus?"

Sarah’s face flushed slightly. With a cold snort, she fell silent.

"Just focus on doing your own jobs and stop the complaints," Eric said icily.

The other executives stayed quiet, knowing the losses wouldn’t affect their bottom line. But if it was profitable, they’d receive a cut of the earnings—definitely a favorable outcome for them.

"The meeting is adjourned. With the casting decided, Richard, when do you plan to start shooting?" Eric asked his friends.

"In about a month," Richard replied with a smile. "We’ll give the actors time to get into their roles. That way, production will go smoothly."

"This film is going to break ten billion!" Richard grinned.

Ella pressed her lips together. Ten billion? Her ambitions reached far beyond that. With Amanda and Tiffany, plus some rising stars from the domestic scene, this film would undoubtedly be packed with appeal.

Although the male lead was relatively unknown, the other supporting male actors had significant recognition. And the lead actor, though lesser-known, held great potential. Having waited for an opportunity like this, he’d surely give his best performance.

So... her target revenue was twenty billion. That, to her, would be a true success.

As the meeting dispersed, Sarah and a few others left with evident dissatisfaction, though powerless to alter the outcome.

Shortly after, Tiffany received a personal call from Eric confirming her role. She responded with a gentle smile and expressed her gratitude, her demeanor calm and unfazed.

Ella observed Tiffany closely. She hadn’t expected this actress to remain so composed upon learning she’d been cast as a supporting role. Tiffany’s easygoing attitude suggested a seasoned confidence. If she was indeed masking any dissatisfaction, her ability to keep up appearances hinted at a subtle complexity beneath the surface.

"Tiffany, I understand this supporting role might not be what you expected, but I genuinely believe it’s perfect for you. Ashley’s character has grit and depth, and you’re the best fit for it," Ella remarked with a light smile.

Tiffany’s eyes crinkled with a sincere smile. "It’s all good. For me, playing a role well is what matters, whether it’s the lead or not. My interest lies in bringing my characters to life with as much power as I can."

Ella found herself increasingly impressed by Tiffany’s attitude. She returned the smile, saying, "I’m glad you’re on board, Miss Fox. If you need anything, feel free to reach out to either me or Mr. Nelson."

Tiffany winked playfully. "If I end up contacting Mr. Nelson too often, Mrs. Nelson, would you be jealous?"

"Oh, of course! I’m so jealous, I even ask the chef to add a dash of vinegar to my dishes every day!" Ella’s response drew laughter from everyone around.

After Ella and Eric left, however, Tiffany’s smile slowly faded. She had rushed to the company after receiving word of her role assignment, only to learn she would be playing a supporting role.

Michelle, her manager who had come with her from Country W, scoffed in irritation, "LXL went through all this trouble to bring you over, only to stick you in a supporting role? It’s absurd!"

Allison, Tiffany’s assistant, also snickered. "Tiffany, what’s their deal? Spending a fortune to bring you here, just to give you a secondary role? What’s the point?"

Tiffany shook her head. "Mrs. Nelson made a good point—maybe the role really is a great fit for me. I’ll go through the script carefully and study the character."

Michelle and Allison exchanged a resigned look. They knew Tiffany to be grounded and unpretentious, but even they weren’t entirely convinced.

When the official cast list was released, however, it sparked a storm of online backlash. Given the hefty investment LXL made to secure Tiffany, fans were outraged to see her in a supporting role. Angry posts flooded in, with some even bashing LXL’s decision-makers as clueless.

Amanda, upon seeing the backlash, felt a surge of pressure and quickly called Ella, worried she might lack the skill to carry the lead role.

Ella replied calmly, "If you’re content with mediocrity, I’ll find someone else. But if you have the fight in you, then give it everything you’ve got."

Amanda was momentarily stunned, but Ella’s words sparked an unshakable resolve in her. "I’ll go all out, Ella. I won’t let you down!"

Amanda was ready to prove herself, for her own future, for her admiration of Ella, and to silence the critics doubting her and LXL. She was determined to deliver a performance that would leave no room for regrets.

Meanwhile, many of the company’s higher-ups harbored low expectations for the film, secretly hoping it would flop. They figured that if the film bombed at the box office, it would serve as a well-deserved setback for Ella, who they viewed as overconfident.