As the attendees began to pour into the opulent banquet hall, the atmosphere grew charged with an almost electric tension. The vast space, adorned with glittering chandeliers and luxurious drapes, seemed to shrink under the weight of the high-profile guests and their whispered conversations.
The arrival of the state president intensified the already palpable pressure. His entrance was marked by a wave of hushed murmurs and stares as everyone in the room acknowledged the gravity of his presence. And as the last distinguished guests settled into their seats, a heavy tension hung over the room. The attendees, from the glittering elite to the curious onlookers, could hardly contain their skepticism. The event was more than a mere charity auction; it had become a spectacle where every moment would be analyzed and every misstep magnified.
Whispers rippled through the crowd, punctuated by stifled laughs and dismissive shakes of the head.
"Can you believe it?" One attendee murmured to another, her voice dripping with disdain. "She used to work in a tavern. How could someone like that possibly manage an event of this magnitude?"
Another guest, adjusting his cufflinks, added with a smirk, "She's completely out of her mind. It's laughable that Zack Avere would leave this to his uneducated wife."
As the grand casino banquet unfolded, the TV screens around the venue flickered to life, broadcasting the event live on the largest social media platforms.
Streamers and commentators seized the opportunity to indulge in mockery. The top comment on the screen read: "Is this a joke? How is someone with no experience supposed to manage an event of this caliber?"
One prominent streamer, their face illuminated by the glow of their screen, commented with a smirk, "I can't believe Zack Avere left this to his wife. What a trainwreck!"
Amidst the murmurs of scorn and negative comments, the reception hall suddenly plunged into darkness, and a low-pitched humming filled the air, creating an anticipatory buzz among the guests. Then, the hall was bathed in the enchanting glow of holographic butterflies and fireflies drifting gracefully through the vast space. The audience marveled at the lifelike holograms of their favorite fantasy characters. The musical characters serenaded the crowd with cheerful tunes, their voices harmonizing in a magical chorus. As the animated figures sang, the butterflies metamorphosed into delicate fairies, and the fireflies transformed into tiny, colorful creatures with iridescent wings.
The stage underwent a breathtaking transformation, becoming a shimmering, mystical forest gateway. Through this portal, the holographic characters exited as the lights slowly returned to the hall. The large TV screens flickered to life, displaying a blue circle adorned with a red ladybug at its center.
As the holographic figures faded, one captivating character remained—a mesmerizing fairy in a revealing pale pink gown that accentuated her graceful curves. Her gown shimmered with every movement, and her pink hair was adorned with sparkling pink and gold crystal accessories. Her ethereal beauty was enchanting, captivating every gaze in the room. The camera focused intently on her, and the live broadcast comments section erupted with excitement and curiosity. Viewers flooded the chat with questions, eager to identify the striking fairy and speculate about the fantastical world from which she had emerged.
"Good evening, everyone. I'm Yuna Collins Avere. Thank you all for coming to this charity event and for your support. On behalf of my husband, Zack Avere, I do apologize for his absence. He's deeply committed to this cause, and I hope you'll bear with me as we carry on with the evening."
She had a soothing quality that seemed to wrap around the audience, holding their attention effortlessly.
Gasps of disbelief filled the air as they slowly recognized that the captivating figure before them was Yuna Collins—the woman they had openly ridiculed.
Her welcome speech concluded effortlessly, her poised delivery leaving a lasting impression. As the audience settled, the livestream comments flooded in, and murmurs of admiration spread among the attendees.
["Wow, she is stunning! All those who said Zack has no taste should take a look!"]
["LOL... Her dress speaks volumes—clearly, she's got nothing to hide!"]
["I can't take my eyes off her almond-shaped eyes on the screen. She's so beautiful I might faint!"]
["Even with her revealing dress, she exudes such grace and modesty."]
The once-skeptical crowd now buzzed with admiration and awe, their earlier judgments overshadowed by her breathtaking presence.
[Duh! Once a rat, always a rat, even what she wore.]
[Is she conducting a charity event for attention?]
[She's there looking for possible prospective clients. Hide your rich husband, everyone.]
"People, please be sensitive in your statements. Regardless of who is the host today, it still serves a great objective."
The people had both positive and negative reactions. However, Maureen, the famous speaker was solely concerned with emphasizing the critique.
Yuna could see the malicious goal in her eyes.
"You look stunning today. It's been a long wait to finally meet Zack's wife in person."
The well-known celebrity, dressed in a striking crimson slit V-neck gown, spoke with an air of excessive confidence that bordered on intimidation. As one of the industry's top talk show hosts, she exuded an aura of authority and assertiveness. Her presence was commanding, and her gaze held a mix of scrutiny and challenge as if she were relishing the opportunity to confront Yuna in the spotlight.
"Thank you, Maureen. I'm glad you could join us today and share your presence at this event. It means a lot to have your support."
Yuna smiled with genuine warmth, her calm demeanor not betraying any of the tension she felt.
"It is my pleasure." How are you? You must have been overwhelmed to be the focus of attention these days. The press and social media can be cruel. But please try not to worry about it too much."
She smiled courteously, patting Yuna's back as if concerned about her feelings, conveying to the audience that she understood what she had gone through.
"Thank you for your kind words. It's been a whirlwind, but I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an important event. I'm trying to stay focused and positive despite the challenges."
Yuna's response was warm and appreciative, deftly sidestepping any direct comment on the news about her and Zack. She remained aware of Maureen's underlying prying, but her reply focused on the present moment and the event itself.
"Oh, I feel for you, Yuna. Zack seems to be quite cruel to leave you here alone like this. He really should be here to support his poor wife."
Maureen glanced at the screen, where the negative comments from the online audience were prominently displayed.
"The viewers can be quite harsh. It's almost ludicrous to imply that Zack didn't attend this event with you because he's embarrassed by your presence."
She glanced pointedly at the screen displaying the negative comments, her tone emphasizing the absurdity of the criticism.
Her purpose was to make Yuna a laughingstock while destroying Zack's reputation. Maureen was working hard to get Yuna to say something unpleasant about people.
"I am so nervous, but I anticipated it," Yuna said with a gentle smile, speaking slowly and deliberately. "Honestly, when the unlooked turn came. Zack decided to cancel his plans despite all his blood, sweat, and tears invested in this event, it was a huge disappointment. He sacrificed so much, working on three hours of sleep each night because he had a goal. That goal is now my mission to fulfill tonight."
She glanced at Maureen before continuing, her expression calm yet determined. "Yes, I insisted on pushing forward with this event, even knowing I might face scorn. I accepted my Zachary's grandfather's challenge to host tonight not because I don't want to ignore his hard work…"
Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she paused, turning her focus to the camera. "…but to support the hundreds of nonprofit organizations involved. From the Green Planet campaign to animal rescue, cancer research, student loan relief, refugee aid, and orphan support—these organizations have the power to help millions in need. How could I let such a significant opportunity go to waste?"
Yuna's words were filled with purpose and conviction, shifting the focus back to the event's noble objectives and her commitment to making a difference.
When Yuna mentioned Zack's grandfather, it became clear that he might have played a role in his absence, leading many to believe he intended to embarrass Yuna. This shift in perception turned the situation to Yuna's advantage, undermining Maureen's attempt to make her a laughingstock.
...
As Zack watched the live stream, his face lit up with smug satisfaction. His smirk widened each time Yuna gracefully handled Maureen's provocations, clearly relishing her composed responses and the shift in public perception.
In stark contrast, his grandfather's face grew increasingly dark and angry. The old man's scowl deepened, his frustration palpable as the results turned against their plan, revealing the futility of their attempt to embarrass Yuna.
"So, she's your wife?"
His grandpa said in a sneezy voice.
"Yes. Grandfather."
Zack replied in a compliant tone.
"You have chosen good tools, huh?"
He drank his tequila while flicking the ash off his tobacco.
Zack's grandfather exuded an aura of formidable intimidation. The sheer weight of his experience and the cold, calculating sharpness in his eyes made others feel both small and cautious in his presence.
"What exactly do you mean, grandfather? I married her because she is a wonderful person whom I love." Zack maintained a pitiable expression, his voice tinged with a touch of sadness, as he spoke.
"Love? Hahahahaha. Do you still believe in that word?" His voice dripped with mockery as he laughed insidiously at Zack. Taking a long puff of his cigar, he blew a thick jet of smoke directly into Zack's face. "You can't teach an old dog new tricks, Zack."
"And you can't convince the Avere of the word 'love,' Zack Avere," he said in a sinister, husky voice.
"Let's see how your loving wife handles your ruined public image," he taunted, taking a long puff from his cigar. "And by the way, I've got a surprise for her, so watch closely."
The living room was thick with tobacco smoke as his laughter echoed. Zack stared at his grandfather's back with a sharp, intense gaze, his fingers brushing against the scars on his wrist. Beneath his calm exterior, he thought, 'Hee. Don't blink, old man.' Meanwhile, his wrist began to itch from the handcuffs beneath his sleeve.