Ste stood steady, her voice unwavering. "If I truly had the money, power, and connections people im,
you''d only hear that thepetition was canceled suddenly due to some ''unexpected event.'' You''d never
know it happened because of me.
My name would never even surface online. No one would dare insult me like this.
As for revenge..."
Her gaze swept over the audience, sharp and clear. "When you were all shouting for me to withdraw from the
really concerned about someone seeking revenge on my behalf-or is it just easier to pick on someone you
think can''t fight back?"
She let a small, knowing smile y on her lips. "I think we all know that I''m the official ambassador for Neo-
Vespera''s charity organization. I represent their image.
I''m open to any reasonable, fact-based questioning. But I won''t tolerate baseless nder or malicious gossip.
As the face of Neo-Vespera''s charity, I won''t allow anyone to smear that reputation.
Today, in front of the whole country, I promise you: I will not retaliate against anyone.
Every word I say, I''m willing to stand by in a court ofw."
The room erupted in a swell of shock and disbelief.
Even the live chat on the stream froze for several seconds.
Howard, who was running the broadcast backstage, couldn''t help but mutter, "This Ste... she''s incredible.
Confident, sharp, and every word on point."
As viewers processed what she''d said, the torrent of insults died down, reced by more thoughtful doubts.
"She... does make some sense, actually. If she really had powerful connections, why would she let herself get
dragged through the mud online? She could just make it all disappear."
"Come on, you don''t get it! She wants the attention, the controversy. Even bad press is still press. That''s how
people stay famous!"
"Ste doesn''t need controversy to be famous. She''s already a well-known charity ambassador for Neo-
Vespera, officially recognized and everything.
Go look her up-she has millions of followers. She doesn''t need stunts like this. The idea isughable!"
"People who don''t know a thing about Ste are just here to smear her... Who''s paying you trolls, anyway?"
Among her devoted fans, few had
spoken up before-they''d sensed
something off about the relentless
criticism. They''d been waiting for the
right moment to push back.
To their surprise, Ste handed them that chance herself, stepping up in front of everyone to defend her
name.
They knew, in that moment, that their faith in her was well ced.
Back in the auditorium, after Ste''s speech, not a single person darede up and confront her directly.
It was easy to spread rumors behind her back. But deep down, everyone knew those usations didn''t have
a leg to stand on.
The heckling evaporated in an instant.
Ste had invoked her status as the official charity ambassador—a title nobody could challenge.
Who''d be foolish enough to risk speaking out now? Ste could take legal action against any of them.
She waited a moment. When no one
spoke, she addressed the crowd, "If
there are no further questions, I''ll
begin my performance."
She turned to the host, her smile
gentle. "Could I trouble you? Once
my performance starts, please have
the staff keep an eye out. If anyone
in the audience has doubts during
my act, let theme up
immediately. I''m open to all
criticism."
The host nodded, almost without thinking.
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. In just a few minutes, Ste had takenplete control of the room.
...
Her performance went off without a hitch. No one dared interrupt.
When the scores were announced, Ste was the undisputed first-ce winner.
After thepetition, she didn''t stick around. She called Abby and Joshua, and the three of them headed out
together.
But just as they were leaving the venue, a young woman lurking near the exit red at Ste, her eyes
glittering with malice.
She raised her hand and hurled the egg she''d been clutching, aiming straight for Ste''s face.
The charity ambassador, untouchable? She''d make sure the whole country had something tough about.