"Oh no, what is this?" Monica's sudden outburst echoed through the room, capturing the attention of the entire audience and leaving Alice visibly shocked.
"Alice, why would you betray me like this? The dress you're wearing isn't my design. As my contest model, why wear someone else's creation?"
The stage was in disarray as Monica's shouts and tears disrupted everything, leading to the abrupt cessation of the entire performance.
'So, this was Monica's plan to ensnare me?' Alice thought with regret, acknowledging it was futile to cry over spilled milk at this point.
It wasn't just Monica's wailing that attracted attention; the commotion escalated as she accused a high-profile Hollywood actress, garnering a large audience.
Breaking news reached the media: a lesser-known designer accusing a famous celebrity. Even the organizers and judges were left in disbelief.
Alice's career kicked off as a model on the ramp, winning several contests before making a seamless transition to Hollywood, where she excelled yet again. Her remarkable journey from a model to a top actress deserves applause.
After a considerable hiatus, Alice's return to the runway as a model sent shockwaves through the industry. The accusation further plunged her into an abyss, leaving the organizer grappling with how to handle the media frenzy and paparazzi who had already stormed the stage.
"Miss Alice, is it accurate that you chose the wrong attire?"
"Was it a strategic move or an unintended error?"
"As a well-known actress, what prompted you to take on a modeling role? Is there a financial setback?"
"Miss Alice Cooper, can you provide insight into why you're not refuting the designer's claim? Is there substance to it?"
"Is it correct that this was a deliberate act on your part?"
"What led you to betray your ex-designer and an old friend from the hometown?"
Alice was taken aback. Her connection with Monica was a concealed secret shared only among the closest confidants. How did the reporters uncover it? Monica, even more than Alice, detested the idea of it being exposed. Who manipulated the situation for both of them?
Uneasy with the barrage of questions, Alice rubbed her forehead. A savior appeared as Skylar took the stage with crew members, consoling Alice by holding her hand. Meanwhile, Ella stood steadfastly by Monica's side.
While the security team attempted to control the unruly media, the questions directed at Alice persisted. As the celebrity, any vague news linked to her would undoubtedly garner more TRP for their channels than the uproar caused by Monica.
"Was there discord between you and Monica? Any lingering personal conflicts?"
"Breaking News: Alice Cooper, the actress, reportedly betrays her old town pal."
"Alice Cooper parts ways with her designer, opting to grace the runway in a different ensemble."
"The designer breaks down on stage as her model dons the wrong outfit."
"Designer Monica Parker finds herself deserted by her model and friend, Alice Cooper."
Despite the relentless questions from reporters and journalists, Alice maintained a stoic silence. It's only a matter of time; she must endure the chaos. Soon enough, she plans to exact revenge on Monica.
In the midst of the tumult, Monica's phone vibrated, ceasing her cries as she checked a text from an unknown number: "Great job; continue the act."
A sinister grin played at the edge of Monica's lips, catching the attention of just one person in the audience. That person reciprocated with a smirk, glancing at their phone screen, where they had just sent a text that Monica had observed.
"Alice, you won't rest tonight, just like I couldn't when..." The woman mumbled to herself.
She stowed the phone in her purse, rose gracefully, and made a stylish exit from the auditorium.
On the stage, as security grappled with the unruly media, another loud yell captured everyone's attention. Designer Sophia emerged, having previously caused a commotion in the lobby, now unleashing it in front of the audience.
"Oh my goodness, that's my dress! Alice Cooper is wearing the dress I created."
In the greenroom, Sophia raised a fuss while searching for her main outfit which was missing. Her anger flared when she found it on the stage, worn by Monica's model.
The revelation from Sophia left many, including Alice and Skylar dumbfounded, but the reporters were buzzing with excitement.
"Miss Alice, can you confirm if you're indeed in another designer's outfit?"
"Why the choice to wear the incorrect outfit?"
"Did you intentionally opt for someone else's designed attire?"
Questions from the media inundated Alice, overshadowing everything else, yet Sophia proceeded purposefully toward Monica.
"Monica, this is all your fault. You haven't fixed your habit of stealing. You're still shamelessly taking credit for other people's designs and outfits. It's outrageous." Sophia screamed with indignation, and Monica was left floored by the accusation.
On course, she foresaw Sophia stirring up trouble, expecting the blame to fall on Alice. However, she never envisioned turning her attacks towards her, a senior who held favor with the chairman.
It was as if God had sent Sophia as Alice's savior. The moment she confronted Monica, reporters swarmed in with their probing questions. Sensing the chaos, Skylar seized the opportunity, pulled Alice out of the crowd, and briskly led her to the greenroom.
"Alice, hurry up and change; we need to get out of here," Skylar said. Alice nodded as she walked.
Now, the reporters are bombarding Monica with the same questions they posed to Alice.
"Miss Monica, is this accusation merely a misunderstanding or the truth?"
"If there's no basis, why are you facing blame?"
"As a senior designer at Pristine Moments, a leading fashion house, why would you allegedly steal designs from a junior colleague?"
"If the fault lies with you, why shift the blame onto Miss Alice Cooper?"
Monica, at first, was stunned by Sophia's unexpected entrance onto the stage, accusing her. However, she spotted Alice discreetly leaving the stage unnoticed, prompting her to devise yet another cunning plan.
'Alice, facing the media is your responsibility. Fleeing when the focus shifted was a foolish move, providing me with the perfect opportunity to exploit your absence and shift Sophia's accusation onto you.'
In her thoughts, Monica smirked inwardly, presenting an innocent victim facade in front of the media.
"I want to clarify that I didn't take any design or outfit without proper authorization. Also, I was dealing with health issues not too long ago, and you can verify this with my doctor. My assistant, Ella White, has been present since the beginning."
Monica tilted her head towards Ella, who stood beside her, and blinked subtly.
"Ella handled the situation; she escorted Alice to her greenroom. None of us knows what transpired afterward and how Alice ended up in Sophia's designed outfit. If I were guilty, why would I admit this on stage in front of judges and the audience?" Monica responded to reporters' questions with remarkable composure.
Executing a flawless act, she framed Alice as the wrongdoer and portrayed herself as the victim.
"I believe Alice Cooper could provide a more suitable answer to your question than Monica," Ella stated, looking towards the spot where Alice was positioned.
"Oh, where could Alice have gone? Has she managed to slip away, deceiving everyone?"
With a feigned shout and a show of shock, Ella redirected the entire focus of the media, judges, audience, and organizers to Alice's disappearance from the stage. This heightened suspicions about Alice.
"Dear audience, did you catch Miss Alice Cooper's abrupt disappearance? This unexpected vanishing act raises numerous questions. Is she to blame for today's incident? If not, why did she choose to evade the situation?"
"Be with us for updates, as the media delves into the truth. We'll make an effort to engage in a conversation with former Hollywood actress Alice Cooper. Stay tuned to our news channel."
Reporters delivered live reports to their news channels and ventured backstage to locate Alice.
Andrew witnessed the entire chaos on the live news channel from his cabin, angrily tossed the remote control, and rose to his feet. At that precise moment, Ronny burst into his cabin, displaying impatience.
"Boss, Miss Alice is in trouble."
"Order the guards to shield her and escort her to the parking lot. And I mean it—no news, I repeat, no news, should be published or broadcast against Alice," Andrew said it earnestly and dashed out of the cabin.
In swift motion, Alice emerged from her greenroom and made her way to the elevator. Unfortunate for her, the media caught wind of her presence, rushing to intercept. Yet, before they could close in, she found herself surrounded by a team of black-clad guards.
Quickly, Ronny led her to the elevator, pressed the button, and in the blink of an eye, Alice vanished, shielded by a multitude of guards, eluding any chance for paparazzi and the media to capture her image.
Skylar stood stunned by the unexpected turn of events. She had always been by Alice's side, with or without security, regardless of the situation. How could Alice be taken away by so many guards without Skylar having any clue?
'How come these many guards appeared for Alice? It's not like I didn't know if she would have hired a security service. Is there anything hidden?'
Skylar took a moment to ponder, swiftly removed her heels, and descended the stairs in haste. She leaped down numerous steps with remarkable speed to catch up with Alice, but by the time she reached the bottom, Alice had disappeared. All Skylar could see the distant silhouette of Alice amidst the cluster of guards.
Upon spotting Ronny at the forefront of the guard group, Alice instantly realized that her newlywed husband had organized the security detail. Andrew's care and consideration deeply moved her.
The front car door creaked as Ronny unlatched it, allowing Alice to slip into the passenger seat. As she settled, she noticed Andrew in the driver's seat, his demeanor cool and unyielding, focused on the road ahead. A moment of shock washed over her. Andrew, sensing her reaction, tilted his head to catch a fleeting glimpse of her face before resuming his forward gaze. "Hi there..." She offered a slight bow and mumbled her greeting. His response was a mere nod of the head as he drove away. A palpable awkwardness lingered in the air between the newlyweds. Alice, being uneasy, cast glances around, and Andrew broke the quietude with a subtle throat clearing. "The windows of my car have privacy tint; no one can see through," Andrew mentioned, his tone characteristically cold and matter-of-fact. In surprise, Alice turned her eyes toward him. Despite his stoic appearance, there was a gentle and caring side that lurked beneath his cold exterior. "With a serene demeanor, Alice questioned,
'You might be a bit on edge, I'm perfectly fine. I'd like some solitude for a while, but I'll be back before you know it.' 'Finish the given task, and we'll discuss the next steps during our call.' 'Prepare yourself for the challenge ahead; it won't be a smooth ride for now.' High above, Alice edited texts for Skylar, despite the impossibility of delivery. Aware it was futile, she engaged in redundant tasks to kill the time and, crucially, evade Andrew, who sat across with a sour expression, leaning on a pile of files. Refusing to make eye contact, Alice confronted the consequences of her actions. She had unwittingly stirred a formidable storm, vividly remembering the moment she succumbed to irrational impulses triggered by the mere mention of the word 'honeymoon.' "What, honeymoon?" she whispered. "Yes..." Andrew extended his hand in front of her. Andrew's face and open palm captivated Alice, setting her heart racing. Without hesitation, she quickly placed both hands beneath he
"No, no, this isn't possible!" Monica flipped through multiple tabloids, shouting in disbelief. She switched news channels sequentially, growing increasingly furious. "How could this be?" Her scream echoed as she violently hurled the remote control, shattering it into fragments. She unleashed her frustration on inanimate objects, tossing and scattering them. Afterward, she grabbed her phone and dialed Mason. "Mason, you've got 15 minutes. Get here." Dismissing an order with arrogance, she contemplated tossing her mobile phone, but she restrained herself, mindful of the expensive model gifted by Mason that she couldn't afford to damage. In the luxurious penthouse of Royman Hotel, London, Andrew surfed through news channels, seeking the same news broadcasted everywhere. "The rekindled embers of quenched flames. A day earlier, the celebrated actress Alice Cooper came under scrutiny, accused of deceiving her designer during her tenure as a model in a designer contest." "This fresh t
'What a cousin or sister? How is that even possible?' Andrew was bewildered as he thought about it.For the first time since Vicky began working for him, he failed to unearth such crucial information which astonished Andrew."Is Monica your sister?""No, no, no, no..." Alice gestured with a dismissive sway of her hand."No, she's not my sister; don't you grasp it? We bear distinct titles. She's my cousin, the daughter of my aunt, but adored by everyone in the family."Sadness crept into Alice's voice; tears gathered in her eyes. She sniffed, took the final sip from her glass, and emphatically placed it on the table. Andrew perceived her pain in her words, yet the undisclosed truth remained a mystery that Vicky couldn't unveil."Do you feel jealous of her?""Hmmm, no..." Alice shook her head emphatically."In fact, it's the opposite. She's been envious of me all her life. She covets everything I possess." Alice wiped away tears, gently rubbing her rosy cheeks.Andrew empathized with her
Despite a rough start, Alice delved into her work, determined to stage a comeback with a blockbuster. She spent the entire day in constant communication with her manager, Skylar, refining plans through calls and messages.After dedicating hours to decisions and script review, Alice, weary from the effort, decided to take a brief rest. Her relaxation was short-lived as her phone rang, revealing "Mr. Money calling" on the screen, prompting her to spring back into action."Ahh, why is he calling me now?" Andrew's call stirred memories of last night's embarrassment for Alice.She was hesitant for a long time before receiving the call, but ended up sliding the green button before it slipped away."What took you so long?" Andrew's usual stern tone carried an added edge, leaving Alice sensing his irritation.Alice couldn't help but think, 'Did I annoy him last night when I was tipsy?' as she nervously bit her lower lip."Why did you call all of a sudden?""Get ready in an hour," Andrew's auth
"Mason, for heaven's sake, spare me from repeating myself. I've already told you, and I'll say it once more – I don't know where Alice is. Stop calling me for the same answer!" Skylar's frustration echoed through the call.Mason persistently dialed her number countless times in the last two days, skeptical of Skylar's ignorance regarding Alice's whereabouts. However, even when contacted through a private number, Skylar remains clueless about Alice's location."Skylar, mind your language. Disrespect is not acceptable, regardless of the situation. Failure to adhere to this will result in consequences, and I'll ensure you face termination."Mason's vexation heightened due to his inability to reach Alice, and Skylar's temper served as the final straw. His discontentment grew more palpable."Do as you please, but please refrain from calling me again." Skylar ended the call and rested her head in her hands."How could she have the nerve to hang up on me?" Mason seethed, infuriated by Skylar'
After enduring a lengthy 7-hour flight, Alice was chauffeured home by Andrew himself. Relieved to escape his scrutinizing gaze, she eagerly anticipated the comfort of her own space after a challenging 3-day journey.She was in her la la land and a bit late to realize that the turn to her neighborhood had long gone. They are on some other route."Excuse me, Mr. Kingston, you missed the turn to my place; please take a U-turn."Alice thought he made a mistake, but that wasn't the case."We're heading in the right direction," Andrew remarked nonchalantly, then abruptly made a sharp turn and slammed on the brakes."But this is..."Alice's sentence trailed off as Andrew, with a click of a remote control in his car, opened the imposing iron gate of a mansion and smoothly drove inside."This is my private mansion and our bridal house."'What?' It was as if a bomb had dropped on Alice's head; the idea of living with him felt overwhelming, and she still needed her space."I'm only at home in my
"Alice, have you lost it? Why do you want to do this just before your audition?"Alice appeared at Skylar's office, disclosing Mason's desperate attempt to seek her assistant for Monica. This revelation left Skylar deeply frustrated, leading her to express her anger with a vehement outburst."To bagged this role." Alice replied with a mischievous grin."Now, what's that supposed to mean?" Skylar scratched her head."You'll find out soon enough." Alice said with a wink, leaving Skylar convinced she had a plan."You've become quite mysterious lately. First, you postponed our meeting last evening, and now you've barged into my office early today with fresh news.""What's going on? Is there anything wrong with you, and I am oblivious?" Skylar asked and raised her eyebrows.'That's true, but I can't disclose it to you. I got married behind your back, and this new relationship brought many changes in my life.' Alice thought with dismay."Come on, spill the beans. What's going on in that head