In This Life, I Want an Oscar, Not a Husband - Chapter 90

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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This life, I choose The Oscars over a husband.
Chapter 90

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Lia Kai.
A Chinese-American actress who had firmly established herself in Hollywood for over two decades.
Having just arrived at a hotel in Milan, she spoke to her Manager.
[“Good grief. I flew straight from an interview in the United States to Milan. I’m absolutely exhausted, you know?”]
It was only natural, considering she was in her fifties.
The problem was that after a long flight, she had to attend the Bella Simo Fashion Show in just one hour.
So her Manager answered carefully, gauging her mood.
[“That’s because everyone wants you, Lia! There’s no artist as brilliant as you, Lia! Look—Bella Simo is still begging you to come, aren’t they?”]
She regarded her Manager with a pitying gaze.
After all her years working in Hollywood, she had seen it all.
In America, everyone expresses their grievances immediately, so actually, those who hold back become the fools.
So it had become her habit never to let even small injustices slide—
‘…But what fault does she have?’
She spoke to her Manager.
[“Hmph. They want to use Asian talent too, I suppose that’s why they called me. They’re probably afraid that if they cut business with me, people will cry racism.”]
Bella Simo had faced various minor controversies lately because their newly hired designer had been showcasing bold styles.
Among them were cases where clumsily mimicked Orientalism in clothing had sparked accusations of racial discrimination.
Well, still….
[“The dress they showed last season was decent enough.”]
She had seen it herself—a rookie actress from Asia had worn it and it was posted on their website.
At that remark, her Manager spoke excitedly.
[“Right? Bella Simo’s designs are really beautiful. They’ll look absolutely stunning on you, Lia.”]
Empty flattery.
Still, after twenty years in Hollywood, she had become someone who deserved at least this level of treatment.
Recalling the rookie actress who had stood so rigidly on the Red Carpet, she let out a soft chuckle.
I was like that once too, she thought.
[“So Bella Simo is targeting the Asian market these days?”]
[“It’s overdue, really. Other brands have already succeeded in capturing Asia.”]
[“True enough.”]
[“So….”]
Her Manager quickly called over a stylist.
[“Would you like to choose an outfit?”]
[“Choose? What’s there to choose? I’ll just wear whatever Jenson gives me. I don’t have the energy to try on multiple outfits.”]
The stylist called Jenson quickly grabbed one outfit at her words.
It was the most modest piece from this Bella Simo collection, despite the bold cuts and slits throughout.
[“Once you change, I’ll proceed with the styling right away.”]
Lia Kai, watching the smiling Jenson, thought to herself, “Whatever”—

‘Insane. Bella Simo.’
She regretted it soon enough.
The new designer at Bella Simo was Alessandro, wasn’t it?
She knew Alessandro’s designs were all audacious.
But this wasn’t a matter of audacity.
As a global star, she was naturally scheduled to make her entrance last, and only when she stepped out of the car did she realize it.
These insane people had really done a proper job of it.
She observed the outfits of the famous celebrities, influencers, and local ambassadors who had already begun entering.
Every single one had bold slits in their garments, frayed edges, and what looked like bloodstains in a rusty red-brown color.
To anyone’s eye, the collection’s concept was violent.
The bloodstains on the wrists and neck were absolutely horrifying.
Of course, her own outfit was merely a jacket with slits only at the hem, a top that subtly revealed her well-maintained abs, and loose-fitting slacks, but she knew this outfit would still be perceived as an extension of this concept.
Hadn’t she endured all manner of controversies during her time in Hollywood?
She deliberately kept her face rigid and took photos sparingly before entering the fashion show venue.
Then, turning to Jenson who had followed her inside, she gritted her teeth and spoke.
[“I had no idea the concept would be this horrific. This is definitely going to be social media terrorism. #Self-harm is not a trend #Bella Simo is disgusting #Lia clearly agrees with this concept, right?”]
[“That… that might be going too far…”]
Seeing Jenson’s flustered expression, Lia fixed him with a sharp glare.
She decided to use the Hollywood communication style she had endured so much from and thus knew how to wield well.
[“If you didn’t know, that’s a problem in itself, and if you did know, you should have told me, Jenson. I don’t think we’ll be seeing each other after tomorrow.”]
You’re fired.
It was a termination notice.
Leaving the sniffling Jenson behind, she walked toward her assigned front-row seat.
That was when it happened.
A woman seated in the second row stood up with a startled expression.
An Asian woman whose face was oddly familiar.
‘Where have I… seen her before?’
The woman came straight over to greet her.
[“Lia Kai. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m a real fan. I grew up watching your films since I was little.”]
Lia Kai stared at the woman, who spoke English quite fluently, and soon recognized who she was.
[“Ah, the one in that Bella Simo dress back then…”]
As Lia said this, she suddenly scanned the woman’s outfit.
She was wearing a white one-piece dress with bold slits and bloodstains—exactly the same.
However—
she was wearing an additional piece from a previous collection layered over the outfit.
A velvet jacket with white lotus flowers embroidered across the sleeves and chest.
That very jacket that had been criticized for its clumsy attempt at an Eastern aesthetic.
But that jacket had completely transformed the image of the entire ensemble.
When the lotus-embroidered jacket was paired over the garment that felt like self-harm commodified as fashion—
‘It’s as though a lotus has bloomed anew through adversity and hardship.’
As a second-generation Chinese immigrant, she understood perfectly what the lotus symbolized in Asia.
The flower that blooms only in mud, the symbol of Buddha.
The most noble power that emerges from the lowest place.
So this was a symbol of rising above one’s wounds.
Moreover, unlike the other celebrities who styled themselves elaborately with wet hair, the actress before her had calmly braided her hair down in a composed manner.
And while everyone else was applying heavy makeup with the thought that they needed to stand out, thereby making this desolate concept even more desolate, this actress alone had applied subtle yet vibrant makeup that actually drew the eye even more.
‘Clever.’
This person.
Back then, I thought she was just a stiff rookie actress….
But—
‘If her acting doesn’t back it up, it’ll be difficult to survive in this world. And with a South Korean passport, there’s even less chance she’ll make it in Hollywood.’
That was when Lia thought this.
[“It’s Eun-rae. Ha Eun-rae. You’ve probably seen her on Netflix. She appeared in Purgatory.”]
A familiar voice interjected from beside her.
It was global idol Rowen.
Since the two of them saw each other frequently at the fashion show venue, they had developed a fairly intimate relationship.
Rowen had even signed an autograph once because Lia’s niece was a fan of MillionX.
And upon hearing those words, Lia’s eyes widened.
[“She appeared in Purgatory? I watched that entire series!”]
At those words, Ha Eun-rae smiled faintly.
[“I played a character named Ryun there… a detective role.”]
As Ha Eun-rae said this, she felt her heart racing rapidly.
Wow… I’m so glad I studied English diligently in my previous life.
She gazed at Lia Kai before her, her eyes sparkling.
This was the first time she had ever seen a Hollywood actress in person, across both her previous and current lives.
‘This is what it feels like to see a real actress.’
I’m trembling so much.
But she didn’t know.
[“My goodness! You’re Ryun?!”]
That Hollywood actress was in fact feeling the exact same ‘what it feels like to see a real actress’ sensation while looking at her.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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