Chapter 71

With mounting anticipation, John announced, “Let’s give a warm welcome to Queenie!”

The crowd froze, eyes wide with astonishment. Who? Queenie? they wondered.

As John's words faded, Isabella emerged from backstage, moving with slow, elegant grace, like a queen gliding across a stage. Spotlights instantly converged upon her, bathing her in a brilliant glow. She looked every bit the superstar, radiating confidence and beauty.

Jayden's fingers twitched. This Isabella… I’ve never seen her like this before. She’s… different, he thought.

Isabella stood at center stage, a serene smile captivating the audience. With a casual wave, she effortlessly commanded their attention. “Hello to all the viewers of Healthy Folks,” she said, her voice smooth and steady. “I’m Queenie.”

The crowd gasped, utterly amazed by her dazzling appearance. The audience below erupted.

“Queenie? Could she be… the Queenie? The legendary healer?” someone whispered. “This show is insane! How did they get her?”

“No way,” another voice countered. “She’s some kind of celebrity, right? Look at her! Stunning!”

“She’s beyond gorgeous,” a fan gushed. “My new obsession! I love her!”

“Mom!” a young girl declared. “I’m her fan now!”

Phones flashed as the audience frantically photographed her.

John, still smiling, briskly approached Isabella. With a mischievous gleam in his eyes, he addressed the audience. “I’m sure many of you are curious about Queenie’s true identity. You probably think she’s a rising star in entertainment, right?”

The crowd buzzed with speculation.

John grinned, enjoying the suspense. “But let me tell you, no, no, no…” He glanced at Isabella, admiration shining in his eyes. “Queenie is the disciple of the renowned Clement. A rising star in the medical world, she’s treated countless difficult and rare cases…”

As he spoke, the crowd’s confusion morphed into shock. What! She’s… a miracle doctor? they thought. With a flourish, he delivered the final revelation: “That’s right! She’s the healer even top doctors call a genius – Queenie!”

Stunned silence fell over the audience. Oh my god! We came to see celebrities, and now we’re witnessing a legend? they thought incredulously. Even those unfamiliar with Queenie knew her name; it was famous, even among children. Every eye in the room was fixed on the stage.

“No way!” someone shouted. “Am I the luckiest person alive? Did I just see Queenie!”

“Wow,” another fan said, shaking their head. “This is amazing.”

“Yeah, she’s way more impressive than any celebrity,” someone agreed. This kind of fame isn’t from the spotlight; it’s earned through real skill, they all thought.

Isabella smiled humbly. “You give me too much credit,” she said.

The host, overcome with excitement, shook his head. “No, no! There’s no such thing as an overstatement when it comes to you, Queenie! Everyone here knows I always speak the truth!”

Isabella smiled politely, saying nothing further. John, still energetic, gestured for her to sit. “Please, Queenie, take your seat!”

Isabella nodded gracefully, but her steps faltered as she approached the seating area. Alex and Stella occupied the right side of the couch, leaving only the middle seat next to Jayden.

Her eyes flickered with displeasure, quickly masked.

Jayden, noticing her approach, stood slightly, offering the seat beside him—the closest to both him and the host.

But Isabella bypassed him, approaching Stella with a gentle smile. “Stella,” she asked softly, “do you mind if I sit with you?”

Jayden’s smile froze, his eyes flashing with anger. That damn woman! How could she ignore me like this? he thought.

Stella was taken aback. The producers didn’t tell me about this… she thought, instinctively glancing at Jayden. Is it okay to steal his spotlight?

But Isabella stood before her, radiating warmth. With the entire audience watching, Stella couldn't hesitate. She smiled brightly and nodded. “Of course!”

She nudged Alex, who quickly understood and moved to sit next to Jayden.

The tension on stage was palpable. Every single one of them’s a big deal, John thought. If I upset just one, today’s recording could go up in flames.

Jayden smiled, but the air around him grew colder.

John, noticing the shift, nervously started to sweat. Please, he prayed silently, don’t lose your temper, not today…

Meanwhile, George, in the audience, calmly observed. Though the crowd was oblivious, he understood the situation perfectly. He couldn’t see Jayden’s expression, but he noticed the actor’s stiffening. George raised an eyebrow, feeling a surge of pride. That’s my girl! he thought. Let Jayden realize that even as a movie star, not everyone kisses his feet.

John, trying to regain control, picked up a cue card and began explaining the concept of Healthy Folks, steering the show back to its main topic.

The next segment was a simple interview, with each guest sharing their thoughts on health management. Alex and Stella offered generic advice about early bedtimes and wake-up calls, eliciting lighthearted laughter. The microphone then passed to Jayden, and all eyes turned to him.

He smirked as the camera zoomed in. “For me,” he said with a casual shrug, “the words ‘health management’ don’t really exist in my life.”

Intrigued, John asked, “Oh? Why’s that?”

Jayden leaned back, his tone slow and deliberate. “In our line of work, we’re constantly on set, pulling all-nighters. Sometimes, we spend hours perfecting a single shot, forgetting to eat or sleep. So, for actors, health management is the least of our concerns.”

His words sent his fans into a frenzy.

“Aaaah! He works so hard!” one fan cried.

“My poor baby!” another wailed. “But I love him even more for it!”

Isabella, seated nearby, suppressed a sigh. How ironic. That’s not even remotely true! she thought. The pride and honor she once felt now felt awkward. Jayden had done plenty of films, but he’d never worked himself to exhaustion. Everyone in the industry knows it, she thought. He wouldn’t stay on set past midnight. His success? Ninety percent was thanks to the scripts I chose for him. And his acting? Baseline for any actor. So now he’s talking about perfecting shots until he forgets to eat or sleep? How ridiculous.

George, watching from the audience, rolled his eyes. Jayden, you’re such a fraud, he thought.

Alex and Stella, familiar with Jayden’s reputation, exchanged knowing glances. The circle was small, and rumors spread fast.

John, still playing the enthusiastic host, smiled admiringly at Jayden. “Well, that’s why you’re the best. It’s never easy to be at the top.”

He then turned to Isabella, his tone shifting to one of respect. “And what do you think, Queenie?”