Chapter 624: Pathetic Acting

The internet exploded.

“No way! I thought Phoenix Alliance Group was incredible, but is it all just a scam? This is unreal.”

“If this is true, every company that partnered with them will demand damages; this could destroy them!”

“They’re finished.”

“Wait… doesn’t anyone else find it strange? Why is the livestream still on? If this were fake, wouldn’t they have cut the feed already? Does anyone know?”

“There’s no way this is staged! Lawson Group is handling the event, and they wouldn’t keep the livestream going if it were fake. It’s obvious.”

“The CEO of Phoenix Alliance Group is something else. He’s so calm, even with all these accusations, like nothing can shake him.”

Meanwhile, Diana finally realized Bianca had seen this coming.

“No wonder Bianca invited Reece,” Diana muttered as her eyes landed on Blake’s smug face on the screen. “She must have seen this coming.” Her lips twisted into a sneer. “That snake Blake… did he forget he used to work for Emerald Artists Agency? Ungrateful!”

Reece pushed up his glasses, his phone buzzing nonstop. “Forget him. The companies under contract keep calling. Go answer them and stick to the script I gave you.”

Diana turned to Brandon. “Go help! You heard Mr. Barton.”

They had grown much closer. Brandon showed up every day, spending hours at the office, talking and laughing with Diana like they’d always been inseparable.

Brandon smirked. “So you’re giving me orders now?”

Diana scoffed. “Got a problem with it? Then don’t come to me anymore.” She rolled her eyes and added, “I gave you that order because I thought you were actually useful. How dare you complain?”

Brandon laughed. “No complaints, boss.” He knew better than to push back, especially with their secret relationship giving her words extra weight.

He leaned closer. “Diana, don’t you think Dave and Bianca are a little too calm? What are they planning?”

Diana’s face darkened. “And I told you not to get this close to me at work.” She reached out and twisted his ear playfully.

“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

“Ow, ow! No, I swear I didn’t!” Brandon winced.

Reece slammed his phone on the table. “Enough! If you two won’t work, then leave. Stop flirting in front of me, it’s irritating!”

Diana and Brandon flushed red and hurried out.

At the competition venue, Bianca took a deep breath before walking onto the stage to face Blake.

“Blake,” she said firmly, “I’ve already told you the truth about your father. Do you even realize what you’re doing? If you stop now, you can still keep some dignity.” She gave him one last chance. “It’s not too late.”

Blake sneered. “Bianca, you’ve been tricked by Dave, just like everyone else! This whole event is nothing but a trap. But I’ll expose the truth. I’ll show the world who Dave, the so-called CEO of Phoenix Alliance Group, really is!”

He suddenly grabbed Brenda’s wrist, gripping it hard. “Tell them! Didn’t Dave order you to get plastic surgery?”

Ashley flinched, her eyes flicking toward Dave before she shook her head sharply. “No! It wasn’t him. Let go of me!”

Blake’s eyes narrowed. “You’re lying. What did he promise you? If I hand you over to the police for a DNA test, the truth will come out.” He leaned closer, his voice low and threatening. “Once I press charges, you’ll spend the rest of your life in prison.”

Ashley trembled, then suddenly pointed at Dave. “It was him! He gave the orders! I had no choice, I was only following orders!”

Bianca’s eyes narrowed. The woman in front of her was lying. Brenda… no, she looked too much like Ashley. How could that be? But only Ashley would dare to pull off something this reckless.

Bianca shook her head. If this really was Ashley, then she had completely lost her mind.

Dave, who had stayed silent until now, let out a short laugh. “Pathetic acting.” He walked onto the stage, carrying an air of authority that drew every eye to him.

“Blake,” he said smoothly, “is this really the best you’ve got? What a waste of a performance.” His lips curled into a smirk. “You should’ve stuck to singing.”

At that moment, Ashley tore free from Blake and bolted. According to the plan, she was meant to be caught by his men, taken overseas to hide, and then return with a new face after surgery.

“Don’t let her escape! Catch that imposter!” Blake’s shout cut through the air, urgent and sharp.

Ashley slowed her pace on purpose after a few steps. If she wasn’t caught by the people arranged ahead of time, she’d be in serious danger.

Just then, footsteps echoed from up ahead, most likely Blake’s men coming closer. But to keep the plan on track, those men had already been swapped out with Rupert’s infiltrators inside Lawson Group.

“Come with me,” Wyatt said in a rough, low voice, tipping the brim of his hat.

Ashley slowed, eyeing him with suspicion. “Why does your voice sound different?”

“I’ve got a cold. Hurry, we need to use the back entrance and head straight to the docks.” His answer matched the plan perfectly, and Ashley felt relieved.

Back on stage, Blake had no idea the operation was falling apart. The men he sent to capture Ashley had already been dealt with by Wyatt.

“Hmph, my business has nothing to do with you.” Blake’s face twisted in a deep scowl, veins rising at his temples, not because of Dave’s words, but because Dave stayed calm. His composure only made Blake burn with rage.

Dave had taken the woman he loved. Dave had driven his father to death. Both were sins Blake had sworn to avenge.

But the scene Blake had imagined, the one where Dave would break down, beg for mercy, and drown in regret, never happened.

“You’re a fraud, Dave! What right do you have to speak here? Everyone is watching! This whole competition is a sham! Universal Pictures never planned to work with Phoenix Alliance Group or Emerald Artists Agency! Do you even know how many people you’ve deceived?”

Blake sneered at him, tapping his temple. “Use your brain. Do you have any idea what’s coming next?”

Meanwhile, the internet exploded with comments.

“Unbelievable! So this was all a setup? Phoenix Alliance Group is done for! Forget fraud charges; penalties alone will bury them. Breach of contract fees, termination costs, legal compensation… they’re heading straight for bankruptcy. Phoenix Alliance Group’s stock price is already crashing…”