Chapter 563: Awards and Schemes

It was as if he’d known all along.

This outcome left many people feeling utterly disappointed.

’Why didn’t things go the way we imagined?’

’What kind of spell did Melody Monroe cast on Evan Fairchild? Has she completely captivated him?’

After that, a few more awards were announced. Melody Monroe took home two of them: Best Supporting Actress and Best Newcomer. No one had ever won both of those awards in the same year.

And what made everyone burn with jealousy was that Evan Fairchild personally presented both of Melody Monroe’s awards to her.

Melody Monroe had left Stellaris, struck out on her own, founded a studio, signed new talent, and even secured an investment from Starfall. Her new drama boasted a top-tier production, and with her starring as the female lead, she was poised to jump straight to the A-list.

’So it seems even having a child out of wedlock can’t bring Melody Monroe down?’

Perceptions had changed. The rise of female independence had improved the social standing of single mothers considerably. As long as the child wasn’t the product of an affair with a married man, the scandal could be easily managed.

For those who had been plotting her downfall, their latest scheme had fallen through.

There was a banquet after the awards ceremony, and Melody Monroe couldn’t leave early. Evan Fairchild attended as well. Melody had planned to avoid him, but he showed no such restraint.

He was glued to her side from the moment the banquet began.

Lois Hughes was about to explode with rage when she saw them. ’If only I were as beautiful as Melody Monroe,’ she thought, ’I could be bold and approach Evan Fairchild too.’

Cheryl Rhodes was simmering with resentment.

She couldn’t care less about the banquet itself; she was glued to her phone, busily interacting with her fan group chat.

"Don’t worry, Cheryl. She only won this one battle. We’ll be back next year!"

"Exactly! Some people are just too conniving!"

"Cheryl, don’t be sad. We’re here with you. We’ll never leave your side."

Cheryl typed back: "Thank you all for the kind words. I’ve actually calmed down. To be honest, when I heard she won the award, I breathed a sigh of relief."

"I’m just a minor actress. I just want to do a good job with every role I choose. As long as you all enjoy my work, that’s the greatest recognition I could ask for." Cheryl Rhodes continued to play the pitiful, weak victim.

A fan replied, "I think MM is too overbearing. At this rate, her career won’t last long."

Cheryl sent another message: "To be honest, I’m actually relieved that I lost. If Melody Monroe had lost instead... I don’t even know what she would have done. Even though we’re not at the same company anymore, I’d still be terrified."

Her message was loaded with implications.

It implied that she didn’t dare compete with Melody Monroe. It implied that Melody would retaliate against her. And it implied that Melody was a terrible person.

Every part of that message, down to the punctuation, was laced with insinuation.

About a minute later, Cheryl Rhodes deleted the message. This act only made her fans’ hearts ache for her even more.

"Cheryl, don’t be afraid! You still have us!"

"Anyone who gets in Melody Monroe’s way comes to a bad end. If she had lost, given her personality, she definitely would have gone after Cheryl."

"The user above makes a good point."

"Is there no one who can put that vixen in her place?"

"Everyone, hurry! Melody Monroe is trying to clean up her image! All the posts and comments we made earlier are gone! We have to rally together, we can’t let her whitewash her reputation this easily!"

"Really? I’ve got to go see this. Let’s see how Melody Monroe tries to spin this."