Chapter 69

Vivian Laurent crossed her arms, making no move to shake hands.

Victoria Roscente shrieked, "AN, how dare you treat Sophia like this? She's an A-list actress! You should feel honored!"

A mocking smile curled Vivian's lips. "Sorry, I don't follow celebrity gossip. Seems Miss Evans isn't as famous as she thinks."

Sophia Evans paled, her nails digging into her palms. "It's fine if you don't recognize me. I don't know you either."

"Obviously. I'm not in your industry." Vivian scoffed. "What's surprising is how forgettable you remain after all these years in showbiz."

Sophia's chest heaved with anger. This bitch knew exactly where to twist the knife.

"I—"

Vivian cut her off. "Enough small talk. Victoria, you admit to using unauthorized materials in your competition entry?"

Victoria jutted her chin. "So what? It's not illegal abroad."

"The issue isn't legality." Vivian's voice turned icy. "You violated contest rules, giving yourself an unfair advantage."

She turned to Samuel Garten. "Additionally, this contestant attempted to bribe the judges. I have email proof."

"What?" Samuel's eyes widened in shock.

Vivian handed him her phone. The screen displayed Victoria's bribery attempt.

"Fake!" Victoria screamed. "This is a setup!"

She thanked her stars the email had been sent through an intermediary with no direct ties to her.

"We'll see about that." Vivian said coolly.

Just as Samuel moved to revoke Victoria's award, Sophia dramatically collapsed.

"Sophia!" Victoria wailed. "You made her faint!"

Vivian knelt, pressing two fingers to Sophia's wrist. The pulse was strong and steady.

She stood, looking down at the faking actress. "Come find me when you're actually dying."

With that, she strode away without a backward glance.

Victoria glared at her retreating figure, hatred burning in her eyes.

Inside the ambulance, Sophia "regained consciousness."

"You scared me to death!" Victoria clutched her chest.

Sophia smirked. "If I hadn't fainted, your gold medal would've been revoked on the spot."

Victoria's eyes welled up with grateful tears. "Sophia, you're the best!"

A calculating gleam entered Sophia's eyes. "Call Ethan now. Tell him I collapsed because of her."