CHAPTER 3

After a few moments, the doctor emerged from the emergency room and approached Estella.

"The patient must remain in this facility. She must be restrained." The doctor said, then paused. He sighed and took his surgical gloves off his hands

"I'd like to be straightforward. Your mother needs surgery due to a large lump in her belly. That's causing internal hemorrhage. There is no other option than surgery, so be prepared to spend a lot of money. " The doctor added. Making Estella freeze.

"You must sign this waiver before we begin the operation." She was handed a piece of paper by the doctor.

"I'm also reminding you of something. The patient's health is under threat. She only has a 50% chance of surviving. So. We're speeding up the process, and you'll make your decision tonight. " Even though she didn't have the money yet, she undoubtedly signed it.

She'll also figure out a method to make a lot of money tomorrow. She'll talk to the manager to give her projects, just to have money for her mother's operation. She'll beg for projects in desperation.

When Carla heard the news, she went to the hospital right away.

"What are you up to now?" Carla asked Estella.

"I'll talk to the management about giving additional projects, so I can pay for Mother's surgery."

Her friend regrettably averted her gaze. "If I had money, I would have lent it to you. This is why-"

"I understand you have a family as well; as long as you support me, that will be enough."

They exchanged a friendly smile. "You'll be able to get through it all. You're strong." Carla's words of encouragement made her cry, and tears welled up in her eyes.

She left the hospital as soon as she saw the sunrise in the morning. Her brothers were in the care of Carla, a friend who was staying with them all day.

"Please, no acting practices for me. I need projects that can be completed quickly. " Estella is like a dog, crying for a manager to accept her, but the management refused since she needed to go through rehearsal acting first.

"I'm so sorry, but-"

"As long as I have projects, I'll do anything, in whatever position. Just please help me," she pleaded as she knelt. Her eyes welled up with tears.

He took her hand and helped her stand. "Fine, I'll figure something out. Just make sure you don't let me down," said the manager. Estella's lips curved into a smile. Her grin was contagious.

"Yes, yes. Promise! Thank you very much."

Estella sat in her manager's office, waiting. She wandered across the office. She stood in awe at the portraits of well-known artists in the entertainment industry in her manager's workplace, until the manager arrived. He and someone with him who looked decent, so she was happy to greet him.

"Good morning," she greeted.

He gave a forced smile before speaking. "I spoke with the chairman. Vanessa from Skyrim Entertainment has returned, according to the Chairman. As a result, Lucius has a partner and there are no open projects for a beginner. Because you're a newbie, you won't get anything right away. Please excuse me, I have to go."

She can't return to the hospital since she doesn't have enough money to pay for her mother's surgery.

"Estella-"

She ran away, crying, and didn't know what to do. She has no idea where to go as long as she runs while shedding tears in her eyes. Estella doesn't know what to do next. She was slowly losing hope.

Her cellphone, which had a keypad, unexpectedly rang as she was running. She stopped in the park and sat down. Only numbers were revealed. She felt a little jittery and hesitant to pick up the phone. But, in the end, she answered.

"Hello, Estella. I'm Delia, one of the best managers in Skyrim Entertainment. Someone will pick you up there in the park, just wait for a moment, and we can talk about your price. "

And then the call ended.

When the call abruptly stopped, she would have responded. She felt jittery and unsure. She didn't know where she got her number or even who she was. There are questions banging in her head. Her mind wanders to the question, but she needs money. The van sped away and was parked in the large parking lot in a matter of minutes.

"Good morning, Ms. Estella Velasquez. We can discuss my offers here," a woman said as she walked inside the van.

"W-Who are you?" She stuttered while asking due to nervousness.

Delia gave a big smile. "My name is Delia. I heard you need money, a lot of money, for your mother's operation, am I correct? "

"What do you want from me? Why do you know those things, who told you these?" she asked the lady, her expression astonished. She didn't know the woman, and Delia didn't know her at all, but why did she know these details?

"Are you looking for fast cash?"

"Yes, you are correct; I need immediate funds; do you have an offer for me? I can do anything as long as the exchange is big money," she stated. The woman smiled and handed her an envelope, but Delia acted quickly and snatched the envelope out of her hands as if she were playing a silly game.

She was going to take up the envelope when the woman took it. Delia, on the other hand, snatched the envelope again, as if she were toying with her. "Easy. Being an artist is not what I'm offering to you. I'm offering you a project that has the potential to derail an artist's career. Still interested?"

"Let's go right to it. What is it?"

Delia slightly chuckled. "All you have to do now is to smear Lucius Hudson's name and reputation in public. I want you to destroy him but don't worry. Scripts are provided. It can be your training ground as an actor," Delia said, then smiled.

She was speechless. She was taken aback by Delia's offer, which piqued her interest.

"Why? Why do you feel tempted to wreck his life? "

"It's none of your concern. Do you accept my offer, or are you going to back off?"

She can't afford to damage someone else for the sake of profit, yet her mother's life is at stake. In exchange, she must get it before others do, even if it is against her will.

"Fine. I'll accept it as long as that money is exactly 200 thousand pesos." Estella said while pointing at the envelope that Delia was holding.

Delia gave a devilish grin. "There's more money in this envelope than you're asking for."

There's nothing to be concerned about. " Delia stated and offered the envelope. She promptly accepted it without a doubt.

"Tomorrow morning. Someone will be interviewing you here in the SKYRIM Building. Good luck!" She added. The woman exited the car and demanded that the driver take her to the hospital. She knew it was wrong to damage someone's reputation, but she didn't have a choice. For the sake of her mother's surgery and her family's future.