No one could have predicted that Mirabelle would face her defeat with such composure, her attitude almost brazen in its calmness.
But when the staff came to take her microphone, a fleeting shadow of well–measured sadness crossed her eyes–there one moment, gone the next.
She glanced up at Joanna on stage and, in that instant, understood everything.
Mirabelle was the epitome of grace under fire.
Even when everyone could see she’d been robbed of her award, she stood tall, dignified–never losing her cool, never stooping to anger.
On stage, Joanna could barely maintain her composure.
She had underestimated this quiet, unassuming woman.
Who would have thought Mirabelle was so deeply calculating?
She’d deceived everyone–including Joanna herself.
Meanwhile, the live broadcast was setting the internet ablaze.
[Mirabelle doesn’t owe you anything! If you want to watch some rigged drama about the darling trophy wife, go right ahead!]
[Don’t cry, sweetie. We’ll always stand by your side!]
[Damn! Whatever I thought before, right now my heart breaks for Mirabelle!]
Mirabelle’s fans launched a full–blown online campaign.
Even bystanders began to feel for her.
[Joanna’s been around for years, and her acting is still the same old routine. Does she really need to cling to roles that should’ve gone to someone younger just to stay relevant?]
[Don’t talk nonsense about her!]
[Then explain this–what entitles her to win Best Actress for a third–string supporting role?]
That pointed question left Joanna’s fans speechless.
They could brag about their idol’s talent all they wanted, but deep down, doubts lingered.
172
17:33)
Chapter 14
Everyone knew the stories about Joanna and Chester.
Rumor had it she was about to marry into an old–money family.
But picking a fight with a rising star over an award at a time like this? To anyone watching, it reeked of backstage manipulation.
And the more people tried to silence the critics, the more determined the internet became to fight back.
Back at the ceremony, Joanna forced a smile as she accepted the trophy, but the dazzling diamond gown she wore suddenly seemed garish, almost vulgar.
Behind the scenes, Zeke’s gaze was fixed on Mirabelle’s feed, for once ignoring Joanna completely.
Something about Mirabelle’s earlier words had tugged at him–it was infuriating how well she played the victim.
Still…
“She’s my woman, after all. Is the awards committee trying to embarrass me, or do they just not respect the Sterlings?” Zeke’s tone was ice–cold as he snapped at the committee from his seat in front of the monitors.
The head of the committee broke out in a cold sweat. “Mr. Sterling, I assure you, this was never our intention! Someone must have made a mistake. I’ll notify the ceremony team right away!”
Inwardly, he was panicking.
This Mr. Sterling changed moods as quickly as the weather.
He’d just spent three hundred million to rig the Best Actress award in Joanna’s favor–anyone could see it was a move against Mirabelle. And now, suddenly, he was taking Mirabelle’s side?
Before the crowd dispersed, an announcement interrupted the evening banquet:
“Tonight, we still have one last special award to present–the Most Charming Actress Award!”
It was a prize the Magnolia Awards had only ever handed out once before.
The criteria were vague–popularity, perhaps, but hardly any real merit. The last time it was given, it went to a heartthrob boyband star, after his fans spent millions voting for him. The backlash was so fierce, he was nearly blacklisted from the industry overnight.
17:33
Chapter 1141
Since then, the award had vanished from the program.
Celestine listened to Vernon’s whispered explanation, her brows knitting together.
Her first thought: Surely the committee wouldn’t stoop so low as to hand this to Mirabelle?
Almost everyone in the room was thinking the same thing when the presenter awkwardly announced, “Congratulations to our own Mirabelle!”
A smattering of uncomfortable applause followed.
[Unbelievable! Magnolia Awards, you’re disgusting. Slapping some bogus ‘royalty‘ title on Mirabelle, are you kidding me?!]
