Chapter 93: The Director’s Dilemma

The silence stretched on after Mariana's final, choked cry. The tension in the room was thick. Beatrice, her expression unreadable, steepled her fingers and leaned forward. "Ms. Silva," she began, her voice clipped and professional, "your performance was...interesting. However, your resume indicates a background in business administration. Acting seems like a rather significant departure." Mariana straightened in her chair, a hint of defiance flickering in her eyes. "That's true, Ma.," she admitted. "But acting has always been a passion of mine. The opportunity to tell stories, to embody different characters, it's incredibly fulfilling." Across from her, Andrew, the man in the crisp suit, leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips. "Passion is commendable, Ms. Rodriguez," he drawled. "But tell me, what exactly sparked this sudden interest in acting after delving into the world of finance?" Mariana felt a prickle of unease crawl up her spine. Andrew's question fel