Chapter 289: Plot Twist

What was coming, eventually arrived. An inexplicable surge of excitement swept through the audience. The question hung in the air: between these two women, would there be war or reconciliation? The answer lay in a single moment.

Xia Yangyang finally spoke. “Sister Bingbing once said that if I won Best Actress, she would quit the entertainment industry. I hope she will keep her promise.”

The venue erupted again. It seemed Xia Yangyang had chosen war. Disregarding Shen Manbing's dignity, she launched a direct attack. Everyone admired Xia Yangyang's aggression; she wasn't content with her achievement; she was aggressively pushing her opponent, giving the industry queen, Shen Manbing, no retreat.

All eyes were on them. If Shen Manbing remained silent, she would be branded a cowardly promise-breaker. But if she fulfilled the bet and quit the entertainment industry, the cost would be immense.

The camera focused on Shen Manbing. The large screen behind the stage showed a standoff: one woman cold and alluring, the other calm. Silence hung heavy, charged with lethal hostility.

Just as the audience wondered what would happen next, a video appeared on the screen. It showed Shen Manbing and Xia Yangyang in their award ceremony attire; their conversation was clearly audible.

Shen Manbing’s voice was the first to be heard: “So, you intentionally stepped on my dress on the red carpet to humiliate me publicly?”

Xia Yangyang replied, “You brought it on yourself, Shen Manbing. To others, you may be a diva, but to me, you’re nothing.”

“Xia Yangyang, you actually did that? And was the crazed fan who almost pushed me down a staircase a few days ago also your doing?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Xia Yangyang, stop pretending! Security at the Shichuan Building is rigorous. I investigated the elevator footage. You went upstairs with him in the same elevator. Xia Yangyang, you tried to murder me, didn’t you?”

“Baseless accusations; you have no proof.”

“Xia Yangyang, I know what you did, and I won’t let this go easily. Remember what you said—if you didn’t win Best Actress, you would leave the entertainment industry.”

“I might as well tell you, I’ve already secured today’s Best Actress award. Let’s see who leaves the entertainment industry—you or me.”

The video showed a recent confrontation in the dressing room. The footage was clear, even showing the timestamp, proving its authenticity.

The audience was stunned. The drama was overwhelming. The auditorium erupted in uproar.

“So she really did step on the diva’s dress to humiliate her!”

“The assault by the diva’s crazed fan—could Xia Yangyang be the premeditated murderer? How can we allow a murderer to be crowned Best Actress?”

“Look how certain she is! She must have known she’d win. Something shady is going on! I can’t believe the highly reputable SH Film Awards has been compromised!”

No one knows who shouted it first: “We refuse to accept Xia Yangyang as Best Actress! She is not worthy!”

Others joined in: “No acceptance! No acceptance!!”

The host, unprepared for this turn of events, was momentarily speechless.