?Chapter 1084:


    As the event drew to a close and “Ste” prepared to step onstage to present awards to the rising talents, a sudden figure darted across her line of sight.


    Before she could react, bodyguards rushed forward, tackling “Ste” just as several gunshots rang out.


    The hall immediately descended into chaos. Screams filled the air as people leapt from their seats, pushing and scrambling toward the exits in blind panic.


    One of the bodyguards grabbed “Ste’s” hand while ordering the others to track down the shooter.


    A second shot came from the upper floor, and the bodyguard quickly shoved “Ste” aside. She crashed into a pir, twisting her ankle. The bullet grazed her shoulder, and the sharp pain knocked her unconscious.


    The entire venue dissolved into pandemonium. Gasps and cries rippled through the crowd as they caught sight of “Ste” lying motionless on the floor.


    The security team quickly formed a human shield around her, carefully lifting her limp body from the ground.


    From behind the stage curtain, the real Ste watched everything unfold. Her sharp eyes followed the figure on the second floor as he retreated in haste, and a cold smile curved across her lips.


    She had already predicted the assassin’s escape route—the second-floor exit—and had prepared an ambush there hours earlier.


    William’s men were stationed there, and Ste was certain they wouldn’t fail her. Now, what mattered most was Jasmine’s condition.


    Meanwhile, Jasmine, bleeding from her shoulder, was rushed to the hospital under tight security, while news of the shooting exploded across social media within minutes.


    Following the prearranged n, William wasted no time releasing the venue’s security footage online.


    The video was crystal clear, capturing every angle of the shooter’s face as if filmed by a professional camera. Within moments, online investigators and gossip forums erupted,unching a full-scale hunt to uncover the man’s identity.


    “That guy’s a mercenary. I’ve seen his profile before! Someone definitely hired him!” onement read.


    “Unbelievable! Who’s insane enough to attempt murder in broad daylight?” another user posted. “Is Ste okay? She looked like she was shot. There’s no update yet. Could she really be dead?”


    “If Ste’s gone, the Carter family won’t rest until the shooter is taken down. They’re one of the most powerful families in Choria.”


    L??€$? ￠??t??я? ?η ?@ln?νêl?.￠??


    Ste skimmed through the online chatter for a while before locking her phone and turning her attention back to the pale woman lying unconscious in the hospital bed.


    The doctor had said Jasmine was severely malnourished and physically weak. The bullet hadn’t struck any vital organs, but her body was too fragile to withstand the shock. It might take some time before she woke up.


    Ste knew Nina was probably somewhere out there, waiting for updates, hoping Jasmine wouldn’t survive.


    She nced at Luca. “Spread the word. Say my condition is critical and that the doctors don’t think I’ll make it through the next few days.”


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