Chapter 2-A star

“Emily, Emily, Emily!” Her name echoed through the buzzing crowd, a symphony of admiration from excited voices. She strode elegantly along the crimson carpet, her poise commanding attention as cameras flashed in rapid succession. The world seemed to pause for her; every journalist, photographer, and fan vied for her attention. Emily Petals was no longer just another actress; she was a star—a beacon of grace and talent in the entertainment industry.

“Emily, let’s take a picture,” her manager, Rachel, urged, pulling her gently to a waiting photographer.

The cameras continued their relentless flashing as Emily struck a pose beside Rachel. Her smile was radiant, her gown shimmering under the dazzling lights. For a moment, the noise around them faded, replaced by the hum of admiration. When the photo session ended, the pair stepped off the photo ground to mingle with the crowd of celebrities gathered for the prestigious awards event.

“You’re stunning, inside and out,” a deep voice purred from behind. Emily turned to find Mr. Richard, one of the most influential producers in the industry. His reputation, however, preceded him—known not for his talent scouting but for his tendency to prey on young actresses.

“Thank you,” Emily replied politely, though her stomach churned as his fingers trailed lightly down her arm. She fought the urge to recoil, her discomfort hidden behind a practiced smile.

As she turned to leave, he grasped her arm gently but firmly. “Hey, Emily, don’t be in such a rush to leave. The show hasn’t even started yet. Why don’t we chill and get to know each other better?”

Emily’s eyes flashed with irritation. She pulled her arm free, her voice firm yet composed. “I don’t know what you want to talk about, but I’m not interested. Excuse me.”

Without waiting for a response, she walked away. Her heart pounded—not with fear but with anger. As she approached her seat, Rachel appeared at her side, her clipboard in hand.

“The show is about to start in ten minutes,” Rachel said, guiding her towards their reserved seats.

On the way, Emily caught sight of a familiar figure waving at her from the crowd. She pretended not to notice, her gaze fixed ahead. It was Mika, an old acquaintance turned rival, and Emily had no intention of engaging with her. Mika, however, was determined. She approached with a wide, insincere smile.

“Hey, Emily! I was waving at you, but I guess you didn’t see me, so I thought I’d come say hi.”

Emily’s irritation flared, but she masked it with a tight-lipped smile. “Oh, I see. Nice to see you, Mika.” Her tone was polite, but her eyes betrayed her disdain.

As Emily turned to leave, Mika called out, “Come on, friend, let’s take a picture together.”

Emily hesitated, knowing this was yet another ploy to provoke her. Stepping closer, she lowered her voice, her words sharp but her expression serene. “I don’t know what you want from me, but please stay away from me.”

With that, she turned gracefully and walked away, Rachel at her side.

The event commenced with a dazzling opening performance, followed by the announcement of various awards. The atmosphere was electric, with laughter, applause, and the occasional gasp filling the grand hall. Emily watched quietly, clapping for her fellow actors and actresses as they ascended the stage to accept their accolades.

Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived. The host stepped up to the microphone, holding an envelope with a dramatic flair.

“For the last award of the night, ladies and gentlemen, we present the Best Female Actress of the Year. The nominees are...”

As he listed the names, Emily felt her heart race. She didn’t expect to win, though Rachel had assured her she was the frontrunner.

“And the winner is... Emily Petals!”

For a moment, Emily was frozen in disbelief. Then, as the applause erupted around her, she stood, her face glowing with joy. Rachel and a few of her colleagues accompanied her as she made her way to the stage. The audience cheered enthusiastically—everyone except Mika, whose face was a mask of barely concealed envy.

“How did she rise so high?” Mika muttered under her breath, her jealousy boiling over. Beside her, Jaden, her manager, nudged her sharply.

“Mika, keep your voice down. Don’t let people hear you,” he whispered urgently.

Mika’s expression darkened. “Let’s get out of here,” she snapped, standing abruptly. Jaden followed reluctantly, sensing trouble brewing.

Onstage, Emily accepted her award with grace, holding the trophy aloft as the crowd roared. When the noise subsided, she stepped up to the microphone.

“I want to say a very big thank you to my incredible crew, the CEO of Starlight Entertainment, and, of course, my beloved mother. I promise to keep making you all proud. I love you all. Have a wonderful night!” Her voice was steady, but her eyes glistened with emotion as she waved to the audience.

Back in the crowd, Mika halted mid-stride, Emily’s words stopping her in her tracks. Her jealousy flared anew, and she turned back towards the stage. Jaden grabbed her arm, whispering her name urgently.

“Mika, don’t do this. Let’s just leave.”

But Mika ignored him, marching towards the stage. She was nearly there when two security guards intercepted her.

“Young lady, you’re not allowed up there,” one of them said firmly, blocking her path.

Mika struggled against their hold, her voice rising. “Emily doesn’t deserve that award! I’m far better than her!”

Gasps rippled through the crowd as heads turned to watch the commotion. Emily, though she heard every word, remained composed, refusing to acknowledge Mika’s outburst.

From his seat, Mr. Richard observed the drama with keen interest. A sly smile spread across his face as an idea began to form. If Mika’s bitterness was this strong, she could be a useful pawn in his plans to humble Emily.

Meanwhile, another figure in the audience was also watching intently. Noah, CEO of Starlight entertainment industry.Although his presence was anonymous,had been captivated by Emily from the moment she walked the red carpet. Turning to one of his bodyguards, he whispered instructions.

“Find out everything about those ladies. I want to know who they are.”

The bodyguard nodded, slipping away discreetly.