Chapter 92: Beatrice's Metamorphosis V

"But she—"

"Have you really not seen her potential?" Gideon turned to her and asked.

Marianne pursed her lips.

To be honest, she did.

Even with her unable to surpass or do what she did in the audition again, Marianne could tell that Beatrice had an underlying talent.

Gideon sighed, "It is only because the majority wishes for her to be expelled that I went along with it. I can't risk the harmony of the group for only one person. But I still feel that it was a waste we had to let her go."

Marianne sighed.

She was indeed ticked off by Beatrice's words, but Gideon was right, Beatrice had a talent.

She was only lacking confidence.

"The one I talked to moments ago. I think that is the person we wished to have seen from her at the beginning," she told him.

"Just that, she already deems herself overqualified for this group," Gideon lamented.

He was not the least bit mad. Instead, he really feels that it was too bad Beatrice had to have her confidence when she was already expelled from their group.

"But that could also be a double-edged sword," Marianne replied.

If Beatrice were to become overconfident then she may fall harder.

Gideon smiled, "Do you wish to bet?"

Marianne tilted her head to the side.

"Whether it will cause her demise or would it be what will allow her to fly higher? Especially when that person was to actually rope her in."

Marianne squinted her eyes. She knew who he was talking about.

Even though LC was currently in the top 3, it was already close to being top 2. While ED was the top 1, no one tried to compare the two with one another.

Each group had its own strength, and their artistic directors even greatly respected one another.

Gideon Hale is a seasoned creative force. His leadership is a balance between artistic risk and structure.

This suggests he has experience, likely relying on a blend of bold ideas and tried-and-true methods to create polished, impactful performances. His approach seems calculated, thoughtful, and rooted in both creativity and discipline.

While Lawrence Caldwell is a prodigy.

Someone with sharp instincts and bold, emotionally charged concepts. His work leans more on innovation and intuition. While Gideon balances creativity with structure, Lawrence seems more focused on pushing artistic boundaries and experimenting with new visual storytelling techniques.

Despite the fact that Lawrence was younger than Gideon, Gideon respected his capability which allowed Echelon Dominion not to stagnate but to even rise to greater heights under his command.

Even now, LC could go against the top 2, but ED was still a stretch away, Lawrence's predecessors were that great, and Lawrence pulled away even further.

Adding the fact that some of the current members of their group were roped in by Lawrence before he even became the artistic director of ED.

"You seem confident," Marianne said.

Gideon glanced at the audience again where Beatrice was seriously taking down notes.

"Because at this moment, I can see a drive in her eyes that I have always seen in Lawrence's eyes. If she continues, he will surely reach out to her."

Marianne blinked.

Gideon rarely complimented others, but when he did, it meant that person had a future ahead of them when it came to acting.

"One day, I hope I'd get the chance to work alongside her, since this time, it is no longer possible," he shrugged before turning to leave the back of the stage.

"It will be a meal at the chosen restaurant," he then added, causing her to frown.

"The bet. I bet that she'd be in ED and you bet that she won't," he said finally before disappearing into the darkness of the backstage.

Marianne was agape, "I did not agree to any of this!!"

But alas, her words were never heard.

…

Beatrice stretched as she stepped out of the theater.

'She really won't be the head of acting and performance if she did not have the talent,' she lamented, remembering how Samantha portrayed the character of today.

Even though Samantha was an obvious bully, she had the talent to back up her confidence, though it should not be used for bullying.

'I should analyze this together with what I got from ED's last performance. There's so many things to do.'

She walked with a slight smile on her lips.

"She actually watched Miss Sinclair's performance," Victor commented as they walked behind her.

"That girl… I want her in ED," Lawrence grinned.

Rowan slapped her forehead with her hand.

All three of them came to watch the show today, just for reference to many more shows they were planning to have. It was Lawrence's idea, not just to watch the show of LC but even the rest of the acting groups near them.

And if they could, he also encouraged them to watch even those from the smaller ones.

'There are gems everywhere,' he grinned at them.

It was during the time that he first stepped up as the artistic director.

From then, he gained more respect from the rest because of how he was able to bring ED different colors, giving the aspiring actors the chance to explore more on what they can do.

But he was also known for his intuition. When it kicked in, he would follow it unconditionally.

However, it was not right from time to time.

"Are you sure about this? We have seen her perform before during the very few times she got to perform. And even with the minor character she was playing, you have seen it all… how lacking it was," Rowan sighed, knowing she wouldn't be able to stop him anyway.

"As long as she keeps this up, that one will become a monster, I tell you," Lawrence smiled widely.

The other two with him could only shrug.

Well, his confidence this time could be proof enough that his instinct would be on point.

"But I'll be the one to check her," Victor spoke up.

Lawrence's eyes twinkled, "Will you?"

Victor sighed, "What else can I do? That one is obviously more on the acting side. And I am the head of it."

Lawrence laughed, "I'll leave it to you then."