Chapter 5 Main attraction

When it was revealed that Stella Peterson would present the night's main attraction, the audience sat in hushed expectancy.

She was one of Hollywood's most promising new actors, and when she made her debut, people were talking about her slender figure for a while.

Before they hoisted her up on stage in the whimsically adorned chair, Clara nodded her consent. If one were to identify one characteristic that set her apart from Stella while wearing the mask, aside from the fact that they are different in height-something that Clara's high heels made up for-it would have to be her neck. Other than that, nobody was able to distinguish the difference.

But it didn't matter.

Better things are in store for her.

When Clara's, in disguise as Stella, climbed elegantly to the stage on the chair, the performance had already achieved its peak.

She was quickly the center of attention.

Clara fastened the necklace around her neck, treating it as though it were the most valuable item in the world. Her flawless neck became the center of attention as her fingers touched the diamond's surface. They all fell into a trance, utterly enthralled by her perfect, silky skin, and the night's event was entirely forgotten as they focused on the alleged Stella.

She arched herself to sit in model-like postures to promote the company, and her neck extended beautifully. Similar to a photo session.

The cameras were then slowly lifted.

Desperate to catch the essence of her, their flashes were insistently bright.

Clara kept working on it, but she was secretly getting ready for the surprise assault.

Many people were already planning to buy the necklace because of how stunning it looked on her.

She had a ridiculous influence.

The lights went out as the crowd stood up to applaud her for presenting the lovely object with such ease.

The audience was astounded to witness such a technical malfunction.

Mr. Hall felt humiliated and angry.

In the dark, he was shouting for them to restart the system.

Clara seized the opportunity to attempt her planned escape.

Try is the keyword.

The revelation of a face that was not Stella's gave them the shock of their lives as the lights came back on.

They all let out a gasp.

The actress put on the mask frantically and acted as though she was equally terrified of being discovered.

In the end, she was unable to see enough to escape effectively.

Like the ideal mannequin, the phony Stella stood on stage.

Pulling at his already crumpled-up designer suit, the man, completely gray from the top of his head to his white beard, stared at Stella in dread.

Her performance tonight had first astounded him, but after witnessing this, he understood the significance of the favor that Starz Entertainment's co-owner had asked of him: to prevent anyone from speaking to Stella. Her silence had been required for a cunning reason that he was unaware of, but Jake had not explained to him why it should be a part of their agreement.

"Clara Raymond? Why are you here?

How another actress had magically replaced Stella shocked everyone.

And had on her dress.

Mr. Hall gestured at the woman before him, his countenance growing gloomy. "What does this signify? As Janel's agent, I recruited Stella Peterson for the evening. Where had she disappeared to? You're wearing her dress, but why?

"I knew that wasn't Stella!" From the audience, someone shouted.

"She doesn't have such a lengthy neck, and I've been a fan of her for years. I even had a close-up look at her recently! She certainly doesn't look like that.

I'm grateful for devoted fans.

Clara was the center of attention, and it was impossible to ignore the reality.

As they gradually came to the realization that Stella's fanboy was correct, everyone's mouths started to fall to the ground in shock.

Stella wasn't there.

She wasn't the one all along.

Clara Raymond?

The actress who washed up? Why had she come here posing as Stella?

As the reporters all attempted to get a glimpse of her, the lights went off in a flurry.

"Miss Raymond! Raymond, Miss! What's happening exactly? Stella Peterson was supposed to be at today's show, as everyone knows, so why are you here instead?"

"FG put you on a blacklist two years ago, Clara. Other than a few modeling gigs here and there, you haven't communicated with the public. Are you attempting to use this as an occasion to announce your comeback to the big screen since they are no longer the leading entertainment firm in the industry?

"Are you trying to steal Stella's job as a dried-up actress? Are you so desperate that you tried to snatch her opportunity to represent a company? Are you intentionally attempting to generate excitement over this? Did you plan this, Clara?

Talia walked on stage to escort her off because she was tired of this absurd situation by this point.

But the boisterous media didn't find her strong enough.

Panicked, she glanced around.

Clara was ready to start hurling objects to show them that she was serious when two guys arrived to assist her off the stage.

The woman flinched at the sight of their robust physique, fearing an attack, but they reassured her that "Mr. King sent us."

In disbelief at the new knowledge, Clara's eyes darted across the room, but she couldn't find the man she'd heard about.

In any case, she let the security lead her away from the flurry of reporters and down the platform.

"Clara Raymond, I'll see you in court! I refuse to be humiliated in this way by you or your business." Outraged, she heard Mr. Hall exclaim.

She was not in the least way frightened or sorry for what had transpired.

After all, it was what she had hoped for.

Clara found the man she was searching for backstage in a remote location where the large men who had led her down were on guard.

Despite all of the mayhem, he looked extremely delicious because he was wearing a Gucci suit. Without considering the repercussions, she may leap his bones at that very moment. Clara was flushed scarlet by the inappropriate thoughts that were floating about in her head.

Unfortunately, Nicholas assumed that the new color on her face was a result of the awkward stage moment.

"Are you a complete imbecile?" Clara was shocked by how harsh his question was.

He spoke in a harsh, unrepentant tone.

"The moment they saw you when the lights came on, you should have run off the stage, not stood there like an idiot trying to put the mask back on!"

For a minute, Clara's heart stopped beating.

"I know what I'm doing."

"Oh? Two minutes earlier, it didn't appear that way. He mockingly cocked his head at her.

Nicholas had no idea why he was so agitated.

His blood pressure increased as he witnessed Clara's vulnerability on stage, with all the cameras pressed up to her face and insults directed at her.

He wanted to hold everyone accountable for saying something offensive to her.

Although he had first declined, he was scheduled to attend this occasion. David changed his mind after learning about his new wife's embarrassing deed of substituting for another actress.

Nicholas King, you see, was a man with eyes and ears everywhere.

Clara's lips thinned at his impolite demeanor.

She sternly reminded him, "I thought I told you to stay out of my business." "Mr. King, I never took you for not being a man of your word."

Nicholas stood there, a wound created by the woman who had been feeling sorry for just a moment ago's heartless shot at him.

Was she really that naive that she would let her business treat her in this manner?

Nicholas assumed she was based on her calm and collected demeanor.

The fact that he had married a pushover made him feel utterly ashamed.

How embarrassing, oh.

What was going through his mind?

He spat aggressively, "Fine," "Do as you like. Even though your choices are completely stupid. I won't even blink an eyelash at you when you're in a tight spot the next time, since it will inevitably happen."

"Thank you." Clara gave him a courteous nod.

At her dismissal, Nicholas's fists clenched.

"Good night, Miss Raymond." His voice was clipped.

Nicholas King left with a more dejected feeling than he had ever experienced in his life.

He would have put an end to the idiots responsible for this if she had asked! Clara was unwilling to discuss the subject with him even though she knew he was capable of doing that much.

Nicholas could see that she would have to handle the abuse alone.

And he knew that meant she was not going to do something about it, given her altruistic, Mother Teresa-like reputation.

He was much more enraged by that.

How could she have been so foolish?

Clara didn't want Nicholas involved in this, even if she could see his point of view regarding her behavior.

She was fighting this battle.

In addition, she didn't know him well and was afraid of his response if she confided in him about her private problems after being so adamant about keeping them to herself. Clara didn't want to settle in too soon because that would make her feel insecure enough to approach him for assistance.

In the entertainment sector, Nicholas was king.

If she wanted him to, he could have Jake eating out of her palm with a single sentence.

However, she didn't want to use him any more than she already did in their fictitious marriage.

That would be utterly self-serving of her. to take advantage of him in this way when she was still considering getting a divorce. Since no one was aware of them, it would at least be a low-key affair. However, it was she who inquired. Why should she make such a proposal without considering his circumstances?

Furthermore, Nicholas King was notorious for how he handled those who had previously attempted to exploit him. The violators were dragged down to the mud and left utterly damaged, and there were always naughty retaliations that involved public humiliation.

Clara didn't want to be the next victim on his list, whether she was his wife or not.