It really was her.
Although Stella Flores had already been bracing herself, the actual sight of the presenter announcing Hallie Morgan's name still caused a prickling pain in her heart.
The composure she had maintained was now somewhat distorted, and it took considerable effort to barely hold herself together.
The Host finished speaking, and the camera panned to the seats.
Hey, why isn't Hallie Morgan there?
Where is she?
"Hey, our newly crowned Best Actress, winner Hallie Morgan, are you not here?" the presenter professionally eased the awkwardness.
"Is it possible she was too nervous to hear the result and snuck out?"
"No need to hide anymore, it's confirmed, the Best Actress is you!"
However, she was still nowhere to be found at the site.
Stella Flores recovered a bit and, pretending to know nothing, started looking around as well.
The organizers began searching too.
How could this happen? How could she just vanish?
No one had said beforehand that she wouldn't come.
