Chapter 76: Slapping Master, Censor Master

The second female lead, pretending to have been contacted by Isabella, was seen making a secretive phone call. Meanwhile, Isabella, in the hospital, anxiously reviewed a medical report.

The second female lead frantically tore at her clothes, pleading for Christopher's help. Simultaneously, Isabella, realizing something, tearfully tried to reach Christopher, but he was preoccupied rescuing the second female lead.

Christopher confronted Isabella, accusing her of malicious framing. Isabella defended herself, but Christopher, skeptical, froze her black card and dismissed her claims of illness as feigned. Left alone, Isabella subsequently fell ill and had her picture uploaded online.

Later, Christopher and the second female lead confronted Isabella, threatening, "You're a commoner; we're artists. To clear our names, we must sacrifice you. Since you love me so much, you'll cooperate, right? Otherwise, I'll divorce you."

Isabella, feigning weakness in her wheelchair, suddenly sprang up, striking Christopher to the ground. With a swift backhand, she slapped the second female lead, sending her into Christopher's arms, then pretended to repeatedly stomp on them both.

"Shameless and despicable couple! You slander me with baseless accusations! Even the police need evidence; you judge based on rumors! Do you think you can solve cases without proof, based solely on hearsay? The state doesn't tolerate such garbage!"

Offstage, William and Jennie overheard whispers. William, his face numb, felt the lack of evidence keenly.

Christopher retorted, "You have no proof of your innocence either!"

Isabella stomped towards his face, making Christopher question whether the action was genuine anger or acting.

"You demand proof from your wife, but not from a stranger? Is it because she's delicate, and you want to protect her? If she accused me of murder without evidence, would you jail me tomorrow? I'm not delicate; I don't cry, so I'm the villain?"

"You didn't have sex with her, so you claim no wrongdoing, no infidelity, and remain innocent." Slap!

"Any resistance from me is unreasonable, untrusting, and ununderstanding?"

Christopher, despite excellent acting, struggled with the constant head-turning. He expertly portrayed indignant anger, convincingly portraying innocence. "What if I found another woman and did what you did, yet professed my love—would you accept that?"

Christopher's face hardened with embarrassed anger.

"You're despicable! A double-standard jerk talking about love? Your love is repulsive! I must have committed heinous crimes in a past life to deserve this!"

William, clutching his head, slumped against the wall, gasping for breath. Jennie watched anxiously. The commotion drew attention from backstage, but seeing William and Jennie's distress, they hesitated to approach.

The tables seemed to have turned.

Rosalie whispered, "He seems to have a headache."

Thalia surmised, "He's realizing what's happening."

Connor urged, "William, don't let them manipulate you. You're the victim."

Onstage, Christopher looked aggrieved.

Isabella scoffed, "You think not cheating is a great favor? That I should be grateful for your 'sacrificing' your true love for a complete family? You found your life agonizing, burdened by this? Leave if you want to cheat; why drag me along? Stop deluding yourself with your nobility and guilt-tripping me! Who wants your sacrifice? Do you think you're air, and I can't live without you? You're nothing but a pile of stinking sh*t!"

Even Connor was stunned. William, staring blankly at the screen, paled. Isabella's accurate mind-reading and insults felt like lightning strikes, momentarily darkening his vision and leaving a metallic taste in his mouth.

The screen continued: "You're even more vile, despicable, and shameless than her. [Bleep! Bleep! Bleep!]"

The audience was confused by the censorship. Was it too vulgar? Or was Isabella self-censoring?

Isabella, deeming her language too crude, continued to censor herself. The Quirk family, however, found her insults incredibly satisfying. The lights dimmed, leaving only a spotlight illuminating scenic photographs on the screen.

Isabella's voice, echoing, said, "Without you, I might've found true love—respect, cherishment, support, devotion. I deserve that. Even if not, I can reclaim the effort wasted on you and use it for…"

The audience, initially focused on the conflict between the teams, was stunned. The play's theme—true love—included self-love. They applauded Isabella inwardly.

The lights dimmed completely. Everyone thought it was over.

Isabella's voice, mischievous, echoed again, "Life has lunatics; stomp on them and move on. How else can life be exciting? Look ahead; a new life begins!"