Echoes of Hollywood

Standing in front of the soundstage, Carey Mulligan didn't immediately enter. Instead, she paused to take a good look at it. Although the warehouse-turned-soundstage had undergone some changes, she vividly remembered this was where she and Murphy Stanton had once witnessed James Franco, a pedophile, playing forbidden games with a teenage Lily Collins.

James Franco and Lily Collins had just publicly announced their relationship this year. She never expected these two to end up together.

What Carey Mulligan didn't foresee was that the once inconspicuous Lily Collins had become quite a famous young actress among the new generation. Compared to her, what was Carey? A nobody with nothing to her name...

Sighing deeply, Carey Mulligan stepped into the soundstage and immediately recognized familiar faces.

The assistant cameraman, a representative from the Screen Actors Guild, and a few unfamiliar faces were present. Directly facing her was the person who should be the casting director, someone with a familiar face—a longtime member of Murphy Stanton's production team.

Looking at that still-young face, Carey Mulligan quickly recalled who he was.

This person was probably named Billy Van Horn, introduced to Murphy Stanton's production team by Paul Wilson as an intern back in the day.

With more memories flooding in, Carey Mulligan remembered that Billy Van Horn had once served as her temporary assistant on set a few times, doing tasks like fetching coffee, handing towels, and moving chairs.

She vaguely remembered that he had treated her with utmost respect, almost as if she were a Hollywood superstar.

Instantly, her mindset shifted slightly, though she tried hard not to show it on her face.

Life's twists and turns are unpredictable, sometimes bringing about surprising changes.

As Carey Mulligan entered, Billy Van Horn immediately recognized her. After all, she had once been a very special member of their team.

Billy Van Horn then glanced at the corner where Gail Gadot was sitting. She seemed engrossed in a conversation with Kara Faith and didn't notice Carey Mulligan's arrival.

Billy Van Horn frowned slightly and asked his assistant, "Who invited her?"

The assistant, a newcomer, had no idea about the events from years ago and said, "This actress is a client of CAA..."

"Eliminate her," Billy Van Horn said decisively. "She's not suitable for this role or our crew."

Able to serve as an assistant with some degree of autonomy, the assistant was sharp enough to catch that Billy Van Horn's last sentence was the key point.

After another look at Carey Mulligan, Billy Van Horn gave no further explanations and simply instructed her to perform a few moves highlighting her figure.

Though reluctant to be directed by a former assistant, Carey Mulligan had grown a bit wiser over the years. Without throwing a fit, she gritted her teeth and complied with Billy Van Horn's requests, performing a series of poses showcasing her physique.

Billy Van Horn never imagined he'd one day be in a position to command someone he once looked up to.

As he watched Carey Mulligan, he had an epiphany: perhaps this was the difference between sticking with Murphy and leaving him.

Thinking of this, Billy Van Horn glanced again at Gail Gadot in the corner. This action caught Carey Mulligan's eye.

Noticing two people looking her way, Gail Gadot glanced at Billy Van Horn's side, seeing nothing unusual, and then turned to the temporary audition set, where her eyes met Carey Mulligan's.

That familiar face immediately reminded Gail Gadot who she was. She smiled slightly and gave Carey Mulligan a polite nod.

Carey Mulligan, however, averted her gaze, presenting Gail Gadot with a cold profile.

Gail Gadot shook her head, inwardly relegating Carey Mulligan to a zero-threat status. Such a person wouldn't elicit any goodwill from Murphy. Even a dozen like her could be easily dismissed.

"All these years," Kara Faith's voice murmured beside her, "and she's still as willful as ever."

Shaking her head, Kara Faith continued, "Back then, Murphy promised her friend an audition opportunity but never said they'd get the part. He chose the more suitable actor instead. This woman couldn't accept Murphy and Bill Rosseus's multiple explanations, fighting with Murphy over an outsider. I don't know what to say."

Gail Gadot withdrew her gaze and asked softly, "You know her?"

"Of course," Kara Faith nodded. "Before she met Murphy, we were already friends. She was a willful, rebellious girl back then. Who knows about now."

Without her connection to Murphy, Kara Faith couldn't care less about her fate.

"Don't worry," Kara Faith patted Gail Gadot's shoulder. "Everyone has pasts they'd rather forget. Murphy is no exception."

Gail Gadot wasn't bothered by such things. Seeing Carey Mulligan leave the audition area, she merely shook her head and smiled.

For many, it was destined to be a busy day.

The warehouse set in the outskirts of Venice continued operating as planned, unaffected by Carey Mulligan's appearance. More cars carrying auditioning actors arrived, including an inconspicuous black Ford sedan that gradually parked near the business car Carey Mulligan had arrived in, stopping several feet away.

Turning off the engine, Sheriff Gatlin Collins kept a close watch on the business car.

Since taking on Murphy Stanton's bullet threat letter case, old memories had resurfaced, haunting his nights. The urge to teach the culprit a lesson drove Collins to privately reopen the investigation.

However, there had never been any evidence to indict Murphy Stanton, and years later, it was even harder to find any.

Collins knew Carla Faith, the woman who was likely privy to everything, wouldn't talk. Her position as a high-ranking Fox executive deterred him from pressing her.

Finding nothing there, Collins targeted the first two people who appeared alongside Murphy Stanton—Jessica Chastain and Carey Mulligan.

He had already contacted Jessica Chastain once, who claimed to know only about Murphy Stanton's initial film work. He was still waiting for the right opportunity to approach Carey Mulligan.

After some investigation, Collins decided today was the perfect chance. Carey Mulligan auditioning for Murphy's crew—if it didn't go well, old grudges might resurface...

"So, how did it go?" her agent asked as Carey Mulligan returned to the waiting room.

"Forget the role," she replied, her expression grim.

"Why?" her agent frowned.

"I said forget it!" she snapped, raising her voice.

Many in the waiting room turned to look. Her agent quickly led her out, encountering several people who cast curious glances their way.

Unable to do anything else, her agent led Carey Mulligan out of the warehouse set and across the street to a nearby café.

As soon as they entered, a raspy voice greeted them, "Isn't this Miss Mulligan?"

An old man emerged from behind the café bar, standing before Carey Mulligan and her agent.

"Who are you...?" Carey Mulligan scrutinized the elderly man.

He adjusted his disheveled hair, asking, "Don't you remember me?"

Mulligan, full of confusion, wondered how she could possibly know this inconspicuous old man.

At that moment, the glass door behind them opened, and a clear, magnetic female voice called out, "Old Lynch, what are you up to?"

Another woman's voice followed, "Don't dawdle, bring us two lemon waters, as usual."

The elderly man, Old Lynch, turned to instruct the bar staff, then gestured, "Gail, Kara, make yourselves comfortable."

Carey Mulligan glanced back to see two exceptionally tall women enter. The one in front, with long, straight legs, was particularly striking.

It was the Israeli woman she'd seen in the audition room.

"Mulligan, really don't recognize me?" Old Lynch persevered, sighing when she showed no recognition. "Your first film, 'Hard Candy,' was shot in my former café."

Reminded by this, Carey Mulligan finally recalled. She nodded but said nothing further.

Old Lynch sighed again, turning back to the bar, his old face tinged with displeasure.

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