Transmigrated as The Best Female Character of the Year

Wayne Payne didn’t dare to speak up.

"Raymond Ford, today was just a small taste of the interest you owe," Melody Monroe said before helping Rose Shaw head for the exit.

Raymond Ford clutched her face and stomped her foot in fury.

"You’re just going to let them walk away like that?" she roared at Wayne Payne.

"Or what? There were more of them! Did you want to stick around and get beaten some more?"

Raymond Ford choked on her words. She was so furious she felt like she would explode, but she had no way to retort.

Melody Monroe helped Rose Shaw outside, her heart aching at the sight of her friend.

The Rose Shaw she remembered always wore impeccable makeup and dressed in a chic, professional style. Her lipstick was always a commanding shade of queenly red, radiating an aura of total control.

But the Rose Shaw before her now had bloodshot eyes and looked unbelievably haggard.

Her once-sensual red lips were now dry and chapped.

"Winter, you take Talia and head back first. I’ll drive Rose home."

"Are you sure you can handle it?" Rose shot back. ’She just got her license and she’s already this confident?’

"Get in." Melody Monroe pulled open the passenger door and ushered Rose Shaw into the car.

Rose Shaw stared at Melody in a daze. After fastening her seatbelt, she quietly reached up and gripped the grab handle above the door.

Melody Monroe deftly started the car and pulled smoothly out of the parking garage.

Rose Shaw: ’Not bad! For a new driver, her skills are impressive. I’m seeing her in a whole new light!’

Ever since Melody had gotten the car, she’d taken Evan Fairchild out for a drive every day. Between that and her decent handling, you couldn’t tell she was a beginner at all.

"I’ll take you home. Just give me directions."

"Turn right up ahead. My place isn’t far from here."

Following Rose’s directions, Melody pulled up in front of her apartment building.

"Want to come up for a bit?" Rose invited.

"Of course."

As Melody stepped into the apartment, she was struck by the gray, cold-toned decor. It held no warmth at all; even on a hot day like this, the place felt icy.

’So this is where Rose lives.’

’Is this a home? It’s more like a cage.’

’The wounds in Rose’s heart must be like shackles she can never escape.’

"Want some water?" Rose asked, heading toward the kitchen.

Melody noticed that the fridge was completely empty except for some alcohol.

Rose handed Melody a bottle of mineral water.

"Rose, why didn’t you tell me something this huge was happening?"

"What good would telling you have done? Could you have pulled eighty million out of thin air? I just couldn’t accept it, I didn’t want to admit defeat so easily. But after busting my ass for the past few days, I’ve come up with nothing. I guess sometimes, you don’t have a choice but to admit defeat. Reality will always be there to shove your head down, forcing you to lie on the ground, unable to look up, like a pathetic coward."

Suddenly, Melody reached out and hugged Rose.

The sudden embrace left Rose stunned.

A flicker of warmth spread through her heart. She slowly raised her arms and hugged Melody back.

"I’m fine, really. I’ve already figured it out. If we really can’t get the money, we’ll just put this show on hold for now. I’ll see if I can book you some other acting jobs. Even if they’re just supporting roles, you can still blow up if you pick the right project!"

Melody sniffled, tears welling up in her eyes.

’Just how strong was Rose, to be able to stay so calm and lay out a step-by-step plan at a time like this?’

’Lana Sheffield must have gone to the office just to humiliate her.’

’It was tantamount to ripping her heart out and then rubbing salt in the wound!’

’The fact that Lana Sheffield was able to pull the funding was the biggest blow to Rose. It proved that Christopher Sterling still trusted Lana. Maybe, because of my arrival, the relationship between Christopher and Lana had changed as well.’