Chapter 73
The provocative exchange sent shockwaves through the audience, instantly sparking chaos.
Cameras zoomed in on the waiting area, where Harrison Montgomery and Vanessa Sterling sat among the other teams, their expressions dark with fury.
Are they mocking us? What does Julian and Evelyn have to do with this? Yet, they’re the ones stirring trouble. Do they really think we won’t retaliate?
The other teams exchanged glances, some amused, others wary—all sensing the brewing storm.
No one was fooled. Team Rebirth had deliberately chosen to face Team Elite, clearly aiming to humiliate them after their earlier insults.
The public was already obsessed with Harrison and Vanessa’s scandal. Their recent performance was supposed to be their grand reveal—yet here they were, overshadowed once again.
The internet was ablaze with speculation about this supposed "love story," ensuring any team pitted against Team Rebirth would be ignored.
The live broadcast was meant to boost their own fame, not waste an episode as mere background noise.
Still, many thought Julian and Evelyn had gone too far.
If you’re given an inch, don’t take a mile.
Since they couldn’t steal the spotlight, they should’ve accepted their fate gracefully. Instead, they’d thrown shade right from the start, fueling the drama. Even if it was scripted, the backlash would be brutal.
Not only had they failed to gain attention—they’d invited criticism. It was like they wanted the backlash.
The backstage guests and audience cringed on their behalf.
Interest in the upcoming performance dwindled. At most, Julian and Evelyn would make a brief appearance before their actual act. What everyone really wanted to see was the inevitable confrontation afterward.
Only Richard, Margaret, and Genevieve remained riveted, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.
On stage, the scene shifted—now resembling a school play. Evelyn and Julian took the lead roles.
The two families were neighbors, the boy and girl growing up side by side.
In elementary school, he brought her breakfast every morning. In middle school, he rode his bike to pick her up. In high school, they studied together, sharing laughter and tears. From carefree childhood to the first sparks of romance, they were each other’s world.
One pursued acting, rising in the entertainment industry. The other traveled with a camera, her photos gracing prestigious magazines.
The stage’s backdrop split into two scenes. On the left, a young man’s journey—his relentless acting grind, his triumphant award win.
On the right, breathtaking landscapes—mountains, oceans, snowfields—each photo pulsing with life. Awards and magazine features lined the display.
Evelyn’s acting was stiff, but the story was undeniably compelling.
Another tale of childhood sweethearts—but with a twist. Unlike Team Elite’s clingy wife narrative, this was a story of equals, thriving independently.
It felt like a direct challenge.
The audience sat straighter, electrified. No one had expected Julian and Evelyn to be this bold.
Are they exploiting the drama for attention?
Holy hell, this is better than reality TV. It’s about to get messy!
Online comments exploded. Fans who’d been ready to drag Julian and Evelyn now leaned forward, hooked.
The production team panicked. This wasn’t in the script!
They scrambled to intervene—until they heard the live viewership had surpassed Team Elite’s numbers and was still climbing.
One photo lingered—a lone polar bear under the northern lights.
She’d spent a month in the Arctic Circle for that shot.
I used to have such fire… What happened to me?
Natalie Whitaker’s breath hitched, her chest tightening. The words echoed in her mind:
"Between being a world-renowned photographer and him—who would you choose?"
Harrison and Vanessa trembled—hers with rage, his with something darker.
For Harrison, it was like a hammer to the chest. The performance was exaggerated, but the core was true. He recognized those photos.
Then came the realization—Natalie must have orchestrated this. She’d waited for this moment.
She’s working with Julian and Evelyn. This is revenge.
Even now, he couldn’t accept that the woman who’d once loved him so deeply would strike back.
Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe it’s just a coincidence.
But it didn’t matter. Public opinion favored the side with more fans.
And right now? The fans were loving the show.