Chapter 89

Lucas’s dramatic hip wiggles made Amara nauseous. “I can’t take this anymore! What’s happening? I don’t want to watch!” Amara was speechless.

Once the other team members finished their introductions, the group began a cute dance. After their performance, the judges playfully teased them, urging them to repeat their adorable moves, further energizing the atmosphere.

After recording, Isabel and Amara completed their work. Backstage, Rosy visited her son. Their family’s sole goal was to propel Lucas into the spotlight, hoping he would become a star and improve their lives.

“Lucas, you worked hard, and I know you’ll be famous. Your performance was amazing!”

“Mom, I feel the same way. Once this episode airs, my popularity will definitely soar!” Lucas was self-satisfied.

“When you become a star, our family’s situation will improve.”

“Mom, I’d like a glass of water.”

“Of course, dear,” Rosy said, departing to fetch water. She accidentally bumped into Isabel, who was leaving. “Isabel, what are you doing here?” Rosy asked sharply.

“None of your concern.”

“Oh, I see! You must be working for them! It looks like the Yates family hasn’t treated you well!”

Yolanda had always disliked Rosy, and Rosy knew it. Rosy felt her failure to secure a wealthy husband for her daughter, Amelia, had paved the way for Isabel’s success. Isabel no longer wished to engage with her.

But Rosy, so proud, felt even more slighted by Isabel’s silence. “Stop! Did I give you permission to leave? You little brat!” Rosy yelled.

“Isabel, who is she?” Amara asked, her heart racing. Rosy seemed quite aggressive.

“A lunatic,” Isabel replied casually.

Rosy advanced on Isabel, clenching her fist and raising her hand as if to strike. Isabel quickly grabbed her wrist. “On what grounds do you think you can hit me?”

“The Clyde family cared for you for eighteen years, and you have the nerve to sabotage Ethan! Do you know you’ve ruined his future? Our family is in this situation because of you!”

Isabel released Rosy’s wrist with a push, sending her stumbling. “That’s all on him. Instead of reflecting on your family’s actions, you blame others—it’s disgraceful!” Isabel retorted.

Previously, out of compassion, she had planned to let things go after Ethan’s death. But Roger had tried to further entrap her by deceitfully luring her to a hotel. That was his own doing.

Seeing Isabel’s defiance, Rosy dropped her pretense of class—after all, the Clyde family was bankrupt. She began to cry out, “Help! I’ve been hit! She’s awful!”

Rosy fully embraced the victim role. The backstage staff gathered to watch. “This young lady is so unreasonable!” Rosy lay on the floor, feigning tears.

Her display lacked the grace expected of a wealthy woman; she was a disgraceful thug. Seeing this, Lucas rushed to his mother’s side. “Isabel, how could you hit my mom! Your behavior is disgusting!” he scolded angrily.

The onlookers began to criticize Isabel.

“Who is she, with such bad manners that she would hit an elder?”

“She must be an ill-tempered student.”

“Absolutely outrageous! She has no basic morals!”

Seeing this, Amara quickly defended Isabel. “What nonsense! She tried to hit Isabel first!”

“Unrepentant! Such a person has no right to be here! I will expose this!” Someone produced a phone to record.

Isabel grabbed Amara’s hand. “Let’s go!”

“Stop! Do you think you can leave without an apology? Do you have any sense of right and wrong?” Someone blocked their path.

“I’m sorry; if you say I lack morals, I’ll accept that. If I have no morals, why should I apologize?” Isabel answered coldly.

The crowd was speechless. Isabel and Amara pushed past the obstruction and hurried out.

“This is completely outrageous! It needs to be exposed!”

“She should be fired if she works here! We can’t let her stay!”

“Absolutely, she shows a glaring lack of decency!”

As Isabel and Amara left the television station, Amara seethed with anger. “Isabel, this isn’t your fault! They attacked you for no reason; it’s terrible! You should have stood up to them!”

“Would it have mattered? I have one voice, and they have many. It’s pointless to argue.” Since Rosy was chasing fame, Isabel decided to let them have a taste of it before the truth emerged.

The next day at school, Emma greeted Isabel with disappointment. “Isabel, this was a great opportunity for growth, yet you caused a scandal. Joy Entertainment has decided to let you go, and Yvette will take your place.”

Isabel remained silent, seemingly unfazed. Amara, however, felt angry on Isabel’s behalf.

Amara spoke up, “What happened that day isn’t as it appeared online; that woman started the fight.”

Emma replied, “Amara, regardless of what really happened, the online uproar has grown, and this is the reality we face now.”

Amara remained silent, accepting the reality. Emma was right; she couldn’t fight against social media, and the truth no longer mattered.

After class, students flocked to Yvette.

“Yvette, it’s definitely your role; even if it were given to Isabel, she wouldn’t be able to handle the work like you do!”

“I always said Yvette is amazing—this proves it!”

“Yvette, this dress is fantastic! Can you take me to the television station!”

“I want to go too! I want to see the star; Lucas has been so popular lately! I want to see him in person!”

“How outrageous! Isabel, they’re mocking you!” Amara protested.

“It’s nothing,” Isabel replied calmly. She would let Lucas enjoy his fleeting fame for a few more days. Only when he reaches the top will his fall hurt.

That day, the first episode of Idols Reloaded aired, and Lucas had already skyrocketed to the top of the popularity charts. Beyond his charm, the scandal involving Rosy amplified his attention.

Joy Entertainment crafted a sympathetic image for Lucas—a boy from a once-wealthy family now facing hardship after bankruptcy and his mother’s alleged bullying. The public immediately sympathized, showering him with support.

Blake was nearing the end of his negotiations when he received a call from Richard. “Blake, your precious one has been bullied!”