Chapter 220: Once a fallen star, it will always be a fallen star.
Manager Kang and Simon were in a good mood on their way to the venue where the first reading would happen. They were so sure of what to expect today; they had already heard it from someone in the production.
"Simon—"
"Manager Kang, can you please not talk to me?" Simon stopped him before he could even say a word. "I’ll try to focus first and internalize."
"Ah, right, right," Manager Kang laughed. "Of course. Don’t worry about me, Simon. Just try to focus, okay?"
Simon nodded and then closed his eyes, clearing his thoughts from everything, and started internalizing. No, he wasn’t thinking about the role given to him. Rather, he was internalizing Ryker’s role. If Cedrick were getting fired today, he needed to sweep the role fast.
Melissa and Manager Kang had already opened this opportunity for him, and he wouldn’t disappoint them in seizing it.
Manager Kang smiled in satisfaction, seeing that Simon was focused on their goal. Losing that part because of Cedrick had hurt his pride, so Simon wouldn’t make the same mistake again. Hence, he went quiet throughout the ride.
When they were near the location, Manager Kang couldn’t help but notice the traffic. He wasn’t surprised; after all, the entire cast would be gathered in one place, plus the production. Cars heading to the same place were not an unusual sight.
"Isn’t it a little too crowded, though?" Manager Kang murmured, noticing there were more people than expected. "Are they from the production?"
It was just a reading, so the entire production team wasn’t needed.
"What’s going on?" Finally, Simon spoke after a full hour of silence. His tone and aura were different. "Is there an accident?"
"An accident?" Manager Kang snorted, then turned to the driver. "What’s going on up there?"
The driver, who had been trying to get a glimpse ahead, looked back. "It seems there’s a rally going on."
"A rally?" Both Manager Kang and Simon looked at each other before looking away.
Simon, who had been spending time trying to get in character, didn’t let that affect him. But Manager Kang smirked, chuckling to himself.
"Goodness, just look at that," he laughed quietly. "I didn’t even leak the location of the reading, and yet, there’s already a rally."
He was one hundred percent sure this was a protest to take Cedrick out of the series. With how huge the criticism of the series had been over the past few days, there was no doubt that this was Cedrick’s end.
Why even try when you already fell? Manager Kang sneered. Once a fallen star, it will always be a fallen star. I’ve never seen a fallen star return to the sky. Never.
"Manager Kang, I don’t think this traffic will move anytime soon," said the driver after analyzing the situation. "Some people have already started walking."
Manager Kang’s thoughts stopped as he looked out, seeing some others already getting out of their cars.
"Simon, we’ll have to walk from here," he said, and Simon quietly nodded.
Having said that, the two of them jumped out of the vehicle and moved to the side. With the traffic congestion, people even started walking between the cars.
"Simon..." Manager Kang trailed off when Simon didn’t even glance at him. "Right. You’re already in character."
"Manager Kang, you’re starting to upset me now."
"I’m sorry, sorry!" he laughed, treading beside him on the side of the road.
As they went, Manager Kang spotted a few actors also walking ahead of or behind them. Some were on the other side, while very few were walking just between the cars. All of them were busy in their own world—some reading the script while walking, while others were already in character.
Pride quickly swelled in Manager Kang’s chest as he glanced at Simon, who paid no attention to his surroundings.
Soon, with their patience, Simon and Manager Kang reached the large group of people that was causing this congestion.
"Kyahh!!!" one screamed as soon as they saw some familiar celebrities walking in their way. "It’s Lourie~!"
"That’s Royalty~!!!!"
"KYAHHH!"
Security guards already stood tall in their spots, blocking the huge fans that had arrived. Fortunately, the production was quick to provide security, keeping the celebrities coming in safe. Though, they couldn’t say the same for their ears.
"SIMONNNN!!!!" Another woman screamed her lungs out, almost as if she would have died if she screamed a little more. "Simon!"
"Simon~! Hello~!"
Screams and shouts, calling Simon’s name, erupted in the air as soon as they spotted him. However, Simon didn’t bother with them, keeping his momentum. Meanwhile, Manager Kang secretly smirked. But as the two of them reached the entrance, they suddenly heard someone.
"Is that Cedrick?"
Manager Kang and Simon intuitively stopped dead in their tracks.
Cedrick? They both thought, looking back.
Sure enough, they quickly caught Cedrick coming in from the other side. Like everyone else, he was walking with his manager, Silo, and an assistant, Haji.
"He still showed up, huh?" Manager Kang sneered, noticing that the crowd suddenly went quiet.
Every artist who came here had fans screaming for everyone, especially Simon. But now, they were just quiet.
"Ce—Cedrick!" one of the girls in the front line shouted, taking steps forward nervously, and subsequently tripping. "KYAH!"
The girl was quickly pushed forward as if someone pushed her from behind, about to fall on her face, when a strong arm caught her. Her breath stopped, looking up, only to see Cedrick’s face up close.
"Ce—ce—ce..."
Cedrick smiled at her until his eyes squinted, helping her get to her feet. "Be careful," he said. "You could’ve hurt yourself."
"Huh?" the lady stood before him in a daze.
He then turned to all the women standing on the side. "It’s the same for all of you," his voice gentle and light. "I understand you are excited, but don’t get yourself hurt, alright?"
"Tch," Manager Kang snickered. "Did he think that doing that was going to save his career?"
There was no way—
But then, the ladies who had stared at Cedrick in a daze only snapped back to reality when Cedrick resumed his steps. And thus, another roar erupted in the air, much louder than everyone had ever heard.
"Kyahh!!! It’s really him!"
"That’s my Cedrick~!!!"
"CEDRIII—ACK!"
"KYAH!!"
All the ladies who had just been hit by his charm continued screaming until their throats felt dry. When Cedrick, Silo, and Haji reached the entrance where Manager Kang and Simon were standing, Cedrick offered them a smile.
"Nice to see you again, Manager Kang, Senior," he said, lowering his head slightly. Without idling, they walked past him and went in.
Both Simon and Manager Kang whipped their heads in his direction, then back at the fans, who until now were still screaming Cedrick’s name even though Simon was still there and a few other actors were coming.
"What... what’s going on?" Simon blurted out, looking at Manager Kang.
The latter shook his head and mumbled, "I have no idea."