?Chapter 1082:


    The crowd around them began scanning their surroundings, searching for Kaiden. As they did, more people joined in, their eyes darting about in curiosity.


    “Hey, pal, what are you looking at?”


    “Me? I don’t have a clue! Just seeing what everyone else is looking at.”


    The scene quickly turned into aedy of errors. Even as the award ceremonymenced, the audience remained puzzled, not knowing what they were trying to find.


    “Akira, you should express your gratitude to Briggs for securing you a seat here.” Ellie leaned slightly to her right.


    In Peerless Grace, Akira was merely a team leader. Ellie was present as a substitute for Charlie to ept an award, whereas Akira wasn’t even qualified for an invitation.


    Sitting to Ellie’s right, Akira felt a shiver run down her spine. She shot Ellie a cold re.


    After a few moments, she regained herposure. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”


    Ellie shed a subtle, knowing smile. “Oh, really?”


    “Ellie, what do you mean? Exin yourself!” Akira demanded, grabbing Ellie’s wrist.


    The air grew thick with tension.


    “Next, we invite Ellie Gordon, designer of costume and makeup for Peerless Grace, toe on stage to receive her award! Congrattions!” The host’s voice boomed through the speakers.


    The spotlight cast its radiant beam upon Ellie. Enormous screens on each side of the grand stage disyed Ellie’s exquisitely beautiful and dignified face.


    Ellie allowed a slight smile to grace her lips, her voice unwavering as she said, “Ms. Steele, please release my hand. It’s time for me to get my award.”


    Akira, her expression turning grim, reluctantly let go of Ellie’s hand. Yet, she subtly extended her foot.


    Freddy sprang to his feet, ready to assist Ellie. But before he could act, a masked man emerged from behind Ellie, stepping into the spotlight. The man extended his strong arm, offering it gantly to Ellie.


    ???ЯE ??P?ΛTΞ? IИ GΛ?И?VΞ??.???


    Unexpectedly, the spotlight, which had been solely illuminating Ellie, shifted away, causing a ripple ofmotion.


    “Take my hand,” the man said.


    Ellie, assuming it was Edwin since he had been seated behind her, didn’t hear the voice clearly but thought it must be him. Just as she prepared to step forward, the man issued a cold instruction. “Move your foot four inches forward. Step on it!”


    Ellie, without understanding but instinctively trusting, obeyed.


    Akira’s scream of pain pierced the air. Ellie felt something beneath her foot and, connecting Akira’s scream, quickly realized she had stepped on Akira’s foot.


    Akira had tried to trip her?


    With a cold expression, Ellie steadied herself on “Edwin’s” arm, then deliberately extended her foot and stomped down hard.


    “Ah!” Akira screamed again, her voice filled with usation. “Ellie, why did you step on me?”


    Ellie responded with feigned innocence, “Did I step on you? Sorry, I can’t see. You could see, so why didn’t you move your foot?”


    Kaiden, unable to contain his amusement, smiled, his eyes brimming with affection and indulgence. He loved seeing Ellie boldly confront those who mistreated her. After Ellie spoke, she delivered a swift kick to Akira.


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