However, whenever her presence was felt, those people would walk away before she would open her mouth to speak to them.


    "What is she even doing here? Wasn’t she canceled and cklisted after what her family did to her sister?"


    "I thought the same too. I wonder how she was even nominated in the best actress category. She has not been active for over a year already."


    "I guess the sponsors of this award invite just anybody now. Do they want to get a bad name for inviting someone like her?"


    "Her perfume is so strong, I can’t breathe."


    One by one, those people murmured their opinions to each other, degrading Michelle wherever she went. Although their voices were low, Michelle could still hear everything they were spilling about her. And she couldn’t help but want to go over there and give them a piece of her mind.


    "You people shouldn’t bother to cover your mouths as you speak against me. I can hear everything you’re saying to me," she said after she walked up to them.


    The actresses speaking against Michelle couldn’t help but scoff when they heard her.


    "Who said we didn’t want you to hear what we were saying? We wanted you to hear so that you can have some shame at least. Although I doubt you even know what that word means."


    "You have no right to talk to me like that?!" Michelle bellowed, feeling a surge of anger pass through her body as she red at the people before her.


    Due to the volume of her voice, she was able to gain unwanted attention from others around. However, luckily for her, they didn’t pay too much attention before going back to her business and not poking their noses.


    "Your dress is rather...." Another drawled, sizing Michelle up and down. "You’re not dressed like someone who came to win an award. Rather, it seems you came here to seduce the handsome men here. Am I right, Michelle?"


    Michelle took a few steps back as if she’d been used of the greatest thing ever, pretending as though her ears couldn’t believe her.


    The others ced their hands over their mouth as they gasped dramatically.


    "That’s nonsense! You should think before speaking," she defended.


    Unable to handle their scrutinizing gazes, Michelle turned to walk away while their mockingughter stabbed at her back like a dagger.


    Just when she was about to take her seat, she bumped into someone.


    "Hi, Michelle! Long time no see," Anastasia said, a wide smile stretching on her lips. "Did you miss me?" She asked, staring at Michelle who seemed ufortable by her presence.


    "Anastasia..."


    "I can see you came to this event looking all dolled up. I mean, look at your dress, it’s so thin and scanty it barely covers anything," Anastasia said, feigning concern. Then she hummed, cing her hand on her chin as she expressed her worries, "If you keep walking around like this, people are going to think you’re trying to seduce men tonight. That’s if you haven’t already seeded and just want to seduce some more."


    "W-what are you talking about?" Michelle stuttered.


    Anastasia released a sigh, casually darting her eyes around the hall, before her eyesnded on Michelle again who’d been on the edge since she went silent.


    "Look at yourself. You’ve lost so much weight. Aren’t the people you’re staying with treating you well? Aren’t they feeding you properly?" Anastasia asked, remembering to feign concern once again.


    "Stop spouting nonsense, Ana! You know nothing! So, stop acting like you do and watch me win that award." Michelle smirked when she thought she’d gotten Anastasia on a soft spot. "Remember our bet? You shouldn’t have messed with me from the first day, and now I’m going to make you regret ever doing so."


    Anastasia had to bite her tongue just so she wouldn’t burst out inughter, which would have people wondering what caused it.


    Still, she was amazed at Michelle’s confidence.


    "Do you remember a year ago—at this same event—you used me of sleeping my way to the top after I won?" She asked. "Michelle, you seemed to have taken your own words into consideration."


    Michelle frowned deeply when she heard Anastasia’s words. When she was about to part her lips to ask what thetter meant, she was interrupted.


    <i>’Please settle down everyone. The award show willmence in a few minutes.’</i>


    "Will you look at that? The award show is starting." Turning to Michelle, she picked a strand of thetter’s locks—making her stiffen and tugged it behind her ears. "Go take your seat, and let the show begin, sis," she added in a low tone.