The Queen Who Took It All Back

Lila, you have to take the fall for her.

My fianc, Gabriel, wanted me to take the blame for his beloved mistress.

The counterfeit beauty cream had killed someone. He wanted me to admit to product selection errors and retire from the internet for good.

I agreed. And asked for five hundred million as a breakup fee.

He thought I'd accepted my fate and praised me for being so understanding.

He didn't know that money was meant to destroy them.

He had no idea that the necklace I was wearing was recording Bella admitting to the fraud herself.

Until the night of the livestream, when hundreds of millions of viewers heard the truth.

He fell apart.

And I was already thirty thousand feet in the air.

Goodbye, Gabriel.

Everything you owe me, I'll take back myself. One piece at a time.

Lila POV

The air conditioning in the conference room was turned up too high.

I felt the cold seeping through my bare ankles, drilling into my bones bit by bit.

Across from me on the leather sofa sat Gabriel.

He was my fianc and the CEO of Starshine Media.

This top MCN agency in the country was something I had built with my own hands.

His handsome face was now etched with exhaustion and irritation.

"Lila, you know how serious this situation is."

Gabriel's knuckles tapped against the mahogany table, a dull thud with each knock.

"The Chris beauty cream Bella sold killed someone. The entire internet is watching us right now."

I said nothing. I just looked at him quietly.

Those eyes that once made me lose myself now held only cold calculation.

"Bella can't be implicated."

Gabriel's voice was low, carrying the weight of a command.

"She's the company's future. Her image is clean, and she has the most followers."

"This matter needs someone to take the fall."

My nails dug into my palms.

Bella was Gabriel's so-called "little sister."

She was a resource hog who barely squeezed into the top tier thanks to Gabriel's endless support.

That girl who said in her livestream with a sickeningly sweet voice, "This beauty cream was personally selected for me by Lila, it's absolutely safe," was now the one who needed protection.

And I, Lila, the number one shopping livestream host, co-founder of StarShine Media, the woman who spent six years of her youth building this company from zero to a hundred billion in market value, had become the one who "needed to take responsibility."

"So what?" I finally spoke, my voice very calm.

Gabriel was satisfied with my composure. He leaned forward, his tone softening slightly.

"Lila, I know this is unfair to you."

"But only you have the weight to put this matter to rest."

"Tomorrow night at eight, go live."

"Admit that you made an error in product selection, that you didn't vet the products properly, which led to this tragedy."

"Then announce that you're permanently retiring from the livestreaming world."

Permanently retiring from the internet.

Those words were like four needles piercing my heart.

For a top livestream host, this was the death sentence of a career.

I looked at Gabriel, trying to find a trace of reluctance or guilt on his face.

There was none.

Only an urgency to solve the problem.

"Why should I?" My voice was still light, but carried weight.

"For the sake of our relationship all these years."

Gabriel stood up, walked around the table to my side, crouched down, and tried to hold my hand.

"Lila, we're going to get married."

"If the company collapses, how does that benefit us?"

"This is just temporary. When things blow over, I'll definitely..."

The moment his hand touched my skin, I felt a wave of nausea.

I withdrew my hand imperceptibly, but forced an ugly smile onto my face.

"Alright."

I heard myself say.

"I agree."

Gabriel visibly relaxed, unable to hide the joy in his eyes.

He reached out to hug me, but I gently blocked him.

"I'm really tired. I want to be alone for a while."

"Okay, okay." Gabriel nodded quickly. "Get some rest. Don't overthink it. I've got everything under control."

He walked out of the conference room, considerately closing the door for me.

The moment the door closed, the smile vanished from my face.

I walked to the massive floor-to-ceiling window.

This was the second floor of the company building. I could clearly see the scene at the main entrance below.

Next to a van, a figure in a white dress was pacing anxiously. It was Bella.

Gabriel rushed downstairs and pulled Bella into his arms.

I could see it all clearly. Bella was trembling in his embrace, tears streaming down her face like a broken string of pearls.

And Gabriel, the man who had just told me "I've got everything under control," was lowering his head to gently kiss the top of Bella's head, his lips moving.

Even from this distance, I could almost hear what he was saying.

"Don't be afraid. I'm here."

I laughed silently, but tears slid down my face.

One got "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

The other got "You need to be understanding."

Six years of a relationship turned out to be a joke.

I wiped away my tears and turned back to the conference table.

A few minutes later, Gabriel pushed the door open and came in, looking relaxed.

"Lila, I've already had the PR department start writing the livestream script. They'll give it to you tomorrow morning. You..."

"Gabriel," I interrupted him, lifting my head to look directly at him. "I'll agree to retire from the internet, but I have one condition."

"Name it." Gabriel was in a good mood now and seemed magnanimous.

"I'm destroying my entire career for you, for the company."

I said each word clearly.

"Your compensation can't just be verbal."

Gabriel's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"What do you want?"

"StarShine Media currently has a market value of twelve billion. I own thirty percent. I won't ask for that anymore." I said calmly.

Gabriel's eyes lit up instantly.

"Lila, you..."

"But," I changed my tone, "over these years, what I've earned for you is far more than that."

"Using the title of fiance, you made me sign countless unfair contracts. Most of my personal income went into your pocket."

My gaze fell on the million-dollar Richard Mille on his wrist.

"I want a sum of money."

"How much?"

"Five hundred million."

Gabriel's expression changed instantly. "Lila, have you lost your mind?"

"I've lost my mind?" I laughed, the sound desolate. "Gabriel, I've helped you earn more than five billion, haven't I?"

"I want five hundred million as my breakup fee and hush money. Is that too much?"

Breakup fee.

Hush money.

These two terms made Gabriel's face darken completely.

He stared at me, his eyes sharp, as if trying to see through me.

I looked back at him calmly, without a trace of fear.

I was gambling.

Betting that he would pay this price to protect Bella and the company.

Also betting on his pitiful "confidence."

He would think I was just an abandoned woman trying to get some compensation.

He would never imagine that I wanted their lives.

After a long standoff, Gabriel finally squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth.

"Fine. I'll give it to you."

He walked behind the desk, took out a checkbook from the drawer, signed his name, then tore it out and threw it on the table.

"After tomorrow's live ends, the money will be transferred."

I walked over and picked up that thin piece of paper.

The string of zeros on it stung my eyes.

I carefully folded the check and put it in my inside pocket.

"Thank you, Mr. Sterling."

I lifted my head and gave him a brilliant smile.

"Pleasure doing business."

Seeing me apparently satisfied with just getting the money, Gabriel seemed to completely let down his guard.

"Lila, I know you resent me."

He stepped forward, wanting to play the role of a devoted lover one last time.

"But remember, I did have feelings for you."

The smile on my face deepened.

I nodded, turned around, and walked decisively out of the conference room.

The door closed behind me.

At the end of the corridor, my best friend and manager Annie was waiting anxiously for me.

Seeing me come out, Annie immediately rushed over, her eyes rimmed with red. "Lila, you..."

I made a "shh" gesture to her.

I pulled Annie into the empty fire escape.

After confirming no one was around, I took out the check from my pocket and unfolded it in front of Annie.

Annie gasped.

"He... he really gave it to you?"

"He did."

My eyes were as cold as ice.

"He thinks this is my breakup fee."

I paused, a curve forming at the corner of my mouth.

"He doesn't know this money is meant to destroy them."

Lila POV

On the way out of the company, Annie drove while reporting on the final preparations.

"Your new overseas identity is ready. The name is Anna, British nationality."

"The flight is tomorrow night at ten, first class from New York to London."

"Your secret account at the Swiss bank. Once that five hundred million arrives, I'll immediately transfer it through several overseas shell companies to ensure the source can't be traced."

"The new team in London has also been contacted and is ready to start work at any time."

Annie's voice carried a mix of nervousness and excitement.

This was a huge gamble. The stakes were everything I had.

I leaned back in my seat, watching the neon lights rapidly retreating outside the window, my eyes calm.

Escape?

No, I wasn't escaping.

I was going to build a new empire of my own on the ruins.

And Gabriel and Bella would be the first foundation stones of my new empire.

My phone vibrated. It was a message from Gabriel on SnapChat.

"Lila, are you asleep?"

"Don't forget, there's an annual influencer gala tomorrow afternoon. You must attend."

A cold smile crossed my lips.

There it was. Just as expected.

"This is your last appearance as StarShine's top star. The company applied for a 'Lifetime Achievement Award' for you. Consider it recognition for all your years of contribution."

Recognition?

What a laughable word.

An empty title in exchange for the destruction of my entire career.

Gabriel's plan was brilliantly calculated.

Making me attend was to create an illusion in front of the media that the company hadn't mistreated its merit-holder.

More importantly, it was to have me personally preview tomorrow night's apology livestream in front of everyone, pushing the hype to its peak.

He wanted to squeeze out every last drop of use from me.

"I understand."

I replied with just a few words, then tossed my phone aside.

Annie saw my expression in the rearview mirror and asked worriedly, "Are you really going?"

"It's a trap."

"Go? Why wouldn't I go?" I said lightly. "I deserve that award, don't I?"

That trophy was earned through countless all-night livestreams, a voice hoarse from shouting, a body exhausted to collapse.

Even if it's a last meal, I'll eat it with dignity.

The next afternoon, the gala venue was dazzling with stars.

I wore a simple black evening gown, my arm linked with Annie's as I walked the red carpet.

No excessive accessories, no exaggerated makeup, yet I was still the center of attention.

I was a born queen. Even about to exit the stage, my presence was unmatched.

Camera flashes surged like a tide.

Reporters swarmed, microphones almost jabbing into my face.

"Lila, regarding the Chris beauty cream incident, do you have anything to say?"

"Lila, there are rumors you'll livestream an apology tomorrow night. Is that true?"

"Lila, will you take responsibility and leave the industry?"

I maintained a proper smile throughout, saying nothing.

Under the escort of staff, I made my way into the venue with difficulty.

My seat was in the center of the first row, next to Gabriel.

However, when I approached, I discovered that the seat beside Gabriel was already occupied.

Bella.

She wore a dazzling white haute couture gown, the skirt covered in crystals that sparkled brilliantly under the lights.

My pupils constricted sharply.

I recognized that dress.

It was Dior's only haute couture piece in the world. Three months ago, I fell in love with it at first sight and reserved it to wear at today's gala.

Gabriel had personally promised it to me as a gift.

And now, that gift was on another woman's body.

Seeing me approach, Bella not only didn't stand up, but deliberately leaned closer to Gabriel, her face showing an innocent yet provocative smile.

"Lila, you're here?"

"Sorry, Gabriel said I looked better in this, so I wore it first. You don't mind, do you?"

Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for everyone around to hear.

In an instant, countless eyes eager for drama turned toward me.

Gabriel frowned slightly, seeming to think Bella was being tactless, but still tried to smooth things over.

"Lila, you look great in black too. Very elegant."

He pointed to the empty seat nearby. "Sit."

That seat was next to Bella, at the very edge of the first row.

From center stage to a forgotten corner.

I looked at that empty chair and suddenly laughed.

I didn't walk over. Instead, I turned and found a random seat in the second row.

I didn't want to be too close to those two people. It would dirty my eyes.

Gabriel's face looked unpleasant, but with so many people around, he couldn't make a scene.

Bella triumphantly lifted her chin like a peacock that had won a fight.

The gala's program was long and tedious.

Like an outsider, I coldly watched people come and go on stage, smiling falsely, delivering identical acceptance speeches.

Finally, it came to the last award.

"Lifetime Achievement Award."

The host announced my name with a passionate voice. "The winner is our undisputed queen of livestreaming, Lila!"

The spotlight suddenly hit me.

The entire venue erupted in thunderous applause.

Annie excitedly gripped my hand. "Lila, quick, go accept the award."

I took a deep breath, stood up, and smoothed my skirt.

I deserved this.

This was the last trace I would leave in this industry.

I walked toward the stage step by step, each step steady and firm.

However, just as I was about to step onto the stairs, Gabriel suddenly stood up from his seat.

He took the host's microphone, a gentle smile on his face.

"Thank you so much to the organizing committee for recognizing StarShine Media and Lila."

"But today, I want to make a small change."

Everyone froze.

Gabriel's gaze tenderly fell on Bella in the audience.

"As a senior in the company, Lila has always hoped to mentor new talent."

"And Bella is our company's most hardworking and promising new star this year."

"So, Lila voluntarily proposed to give this award to Bella as encouragement."

The venue erupted in commotion.

My footsteps froze on the stairs.

I looked at Gabriel in disbelief.

How dare he?

How dare he, in front of everyone, strip away the last shred of dignity I had and hand it to that thief?

Bella covered her mouth in feigned surprise, her eyes instantly turning red, looking overwhelmed with honor.

"Gabriel... this, how can this be? This is Lila's award..."

"Take it. You deserve it." Gabriel's voice was full of affection.

He personally walked off stage, took the heavy crystal trophy from the presenter, and placed it into Bella's arms without question.

Then he turned to look at me, still frozen in place.

His eyes carried a barely perceptible warning and command.

"Lila, what are you standing there for?"

"Hurry up and applaud for Bella."

At that moment, the world seemed to fall silent.

I looked at the two people embracing on stage, at the trophy that should have been mine in Bella's hands, at Gabriel's matter-of-fact face.

The last trace of warmth in my heart, the last trace of attachment, shattered completely.

Slowly, very slowly, I raised my hands.

Under the gaze of the entire audience, I clapped hard.

Clap.

Clap.

Clap.

Each clap felt like slapping my own face.

Like offering a tribute to this shameless couple.

My face even wore a smile.

But that smile held no warmth.

Only a deathly, icy coldness.

Lila POV

The gala continued. On stage was the hypocritical scene of Bella tearfully delivering her acceptance speech.

I couldn't stay any longer.

Expressionless, I turned and walked alone toward the backstage lounge amid the clamor.

Annie followed worriedly.

"Lila, are you okay?"

I shook my head and pushed open the door to my private lounge.

I needed a quiet place to digest the humiliation I'd just endured.

However, the moment I stepped through the door, a huge force struck from the side!

"Lila! You murderer! Give me back my daughter's face!"

A middle-aged woman lunged at me like a madwoman, holding a heavy thermos high, using all her strength to smash it toward my head!

It happened so suddenly, I had no time to dodge.

BANG.

A dull thud.

The thermos struck solidly against my temple.

Intense pain exploded instantly. My vision went black, and warm liquid flowed down my forehead, blurring my sight.

Blood.

Annie let out a scream and rushed forward to restrain the woman. "What are you doing! Are you insane! Security! Security!"

The woman kept struggling, cursing viciously. "My daughter is only nineteen!"

"Because of the fake beauty cream you sold, her face is ruined!"

"Her whole life is destroyed! I'll kill you! I'll kill you, you witch!"

I leaned against the wall and slowly slid to the floor.

The wound on my forehead burned painfully. Blood stained half my face, dripping down my chin onto my black gown, blooming into dark flowers.

My head was ringing.

The victim's family... how did they find this place?

The gala's security was the best. Without a guest pass, not even a fly could get in.

In the chaos, the lounge door was suddenly pushed open.

Gabriel and Bella rushed in.

"What's going on!" Gabriel shouted.

When he saw me covered in blood, his pupils contracted.

And Bella beside him screamed exaggeratedly, immediately covering her eyes and hiding in Gabriel's arms.

"Ah! Blood! So scary! Gabriel, I'm so scared!"

Gabriel's first reaction wasn't to rush over and check my injuries.

Instead, he immediately turned and held the frightened Bella tightly, covering her eyes with his hand, soothing her gently.

"Don't look. It's dirty."

Dirty.

I sat on the cold floor, hearing that word, my heart feeling like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, the pain suffocating.

My blood was dirty to him.

Only after several security guards rushed in and dragged the crazed woman away did Gabriel finally spare me some attention.

He walked over, looking down at me from above, his brow furrowed, his eyes showing no sympathy, only blame and impatience.

"Lila, didn't I tell you to handle public opinion properly?"

"How could you let someone come here and cause trouble!"

"Do you know how much negative impact this will have on the company?"

"Bella is scared to death because of you!"

I looked up. Blood was blocking my vision, yet I could clearly see the cold lines on Gabriel's face.

I wanted to laugh, but it pulled at my wound, making me gasp in pain.

Right. How could I forget?

He never cared whether I was in pain or injured.

He only cared whether his company and his beloved Bella would be affected.

Annie helped me up, her voice trembling. "Mr. Sterling! Lila is bleeding heavily! We need to get her to a hospital!"

Gabriel glanced at the wound on my forehead. It did look frightening.

He irritably pulled out his phone. "I'll call my private doctor."

"No! The wound is too deep! She needs to go to the hospital for stitches! Otherwise it'll scar!" Annie was almost crying.

"What hospital!" Gabriel's temper flared immediately.

"There are reporters everywhere outside!"

"You want her to be photographed looking like this and make tomorrow's headlines?"

"The fake product issue isn't even resolved yet, and now we'll have another scandal about 'top host attacked backstage, blood everywhere'?"

He looked at me, still bleeding, his tone flat.

"Bear with it. The doctor will patch you up when he gets here."

"Tomorrow night's apology livestream must go on as planned."

"No problems allowed."

This was an order.

A woman with a bleeding forehead, one wrong move from being scarred for life, was being forced to livestream an apology. To take the fall for someone else.

My heart completely died in that moment.

I closed my eyes, no longer looking at him.

Fine.

This was fine.

The more cold-blooded he was, the less I would hesitate when striking back.

The private doctor arrived quickly and cleaned my wound in the lounge.

"The wound is very deep, needs at least five stitches."

"And the location is tricky, right on the brow bone. Very easy to scar." The doctor said seriously.

"I recommend going to the hospital immediately for the most precise suturing."

"No." Gabriel refused flatly.

He glanced at the shocking wound on my face, a flash of complexity in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by ruthlessness.

"Stitch her up. Use the best thread. Just don't let it scar."

He paused, then added in a voice only he and the doctor could hear.

"Even if it does scar, that's fine."

"A disfigured host would garner more public sympathy, wouldn't it?"

That sentence was like an ice-cold knife, stabbing precisely into my ears.

I opened my eyes suddenly.

So he had already calculated the use of even this scar.

How vicious!

The doctor didn't dare disobey and could only perform the suturing under crude conditions.

No anesthetic.

The sound of needle and thread piercing flesh was clearly audible.

I clenched my teeth and didn't make a sound, letting cold sweat slide down from my temple.

This pain was nothing compared to the pain in my heart.

After treating the wound, Gabriel dispersed everyone under the pretext of "needing rest," including Annie.

Only the three of us remained in the lounge.

Bella nestled in Gabriel's arms, timidly looking at the bandage on my forehead, saying softly, "Gabriel, Lila is hurt so badly. Tomorrow's livestream... can she still do it?"

Gabriel patted her back comfortingly. "Don't worry, she can."

"She's always been so understanding."

Then he took Bella and walked to the door of the lounge.

The door wasn't closed completely. A crack remained.

Gabriel's voice came through clearly.

He thought I was resting and couldn't hear.

"Baby, were you scared today?"

"Mm...that woman was so mean. I was afraid she'd hurt you." Bella's voice trembled with tears.

"Silly girl, how would I let you get hurt?"

"It's all Lila's fault. Can't even handle something so simple."

"Don't worry. After she goes live with her retirement tomorrow, no one will be in your way anymore."

"Really? Gabriel, you won't lie to me, will you?"

"When have I ever lied to you? Hmm?"

Then came the sound of intimate kissing that made one blush.

I lay on the sofa, unable to move my body, but my hand quietly reached into my pocket.

I pressed the record button on my backup phone.

This conversation was clearly recorded.

Gabriel. Bella.

This was the sharpest knife you handed to me yourselves.

Lila POV

I was sent directly from the gala backstage to my apartment, ostensibly to "recover," but actually under house arrest.

Gabriel posted two bodyguards at the door, calling it "protecting my safety."

The wound on my forehead became inflamed in the middle of the night, the pain keeping me awake all night.

But more tormenting than physical pain was the mental torture.

At five in the morning, before dawn.

The internet had exploded.

A carefully edited video was released simultaneously by dozens of marketing accounts.

The video's title was shocking.

"Exclusive! Lila Acts Like a Diva Backstage, Arrogantly Insults Victim's Family, Causing Emotional Breakdown and Assault!"

The video footage was blurry and shaky.

It only showed me sitting on the ground covered in blood, while a middle-aged woman was being dragged by security, crying hysterically.

But the audio accompanying the video was terrifyingly clear.

"My daughter's face is ruined! You owe me my daughter!"

Immediately after came a voice similar to mine, yet sharp and harsh.

"Ruined is ruined. What's that got to do with me?"

"Who told her to be cheap and buy fake products? She deserved it!"

"Let me tell you, if you want to cause trouble, you're not qualified!"

"Believe it or not, I'll make sure you can't survive in this industry?"

This audio was completely fabricated.

But in the current inflamed public opinion, no one would bother to verify the truth.

The video spread like wildfire.

In just one hour, it shot to number one on Twitter trends.

#LilaGetOutOfLivestreaming

#LilaBlackheartedHost

Countless hate hashtags instantly flooded the screen

The comment section was drowning in abuse.

"Oh my God! I used to like her, but I never knew she was this evil!!"

"Selling fake products that ruined someone's face, and she still acts so arrogant? Is she even human? She's a monster!"

"The blood on her face is what she deserves! Why didn't they beat her to death!"

"Cancel Lila! Boycott StarShine Media! Lock her up!"

I looked at those unbearable words on my phone screen, my heart clenching in pain.

I knew this was Gabriel and Bella's doing.

To nail me to the pillar of shame once and for all, to make tomorrow night's "apology" more convincing, they didn't hesitate to fabricate evidence and stir up online hate.

I tried to log into my Instagram and TikTok accounts to clear things up.

But the password was wrong.

My accounts had already been taken over by Gabriel.

I had lost every channel to speak out.

Right after, my official account, silent all night, posted its first update.

It was an official statement, issued jointly in the name of StarShine Media and myself.

The statement admitted that the Chris beauty cream had quality issues and expressed "deep apology" to the victims.

At the bottom was a line of bold black text.

"Tomorrow night at 8 PM, Ms. Lila will personally open a livestream to explain the full details of the incident to the public and announce an important decision. Please stay tuned."The notice completely ignited everyone's fury.

"Explain what? What's there to explain? Waiting to watch her cry and beg on her knees?"

"Just another PR stunt. I'd like to see what performance she can put on!"

"Eight o'clock, right? I've set my alarm. The whole family will watch this fraud die!"

I looked at the hundreds of thousands of comments under that post, each one like a poisoned blade.

I had become the internet's public enemy.

A prisoner sentenced to death by public opinion, just waiting for eight o'clock tomorrow night to be publicly executed.

The doorbell rang.

The bodyguard opened the door. Outside stood several men claiming to be reporters, carrying cameras.

"Is Lila in there? Please have her come out and respond!"

"Lila, did you know the beauty cream was fake all along?"

The bodyguard blocked them expressionlessly. "Ms. Lila is unwell and is not accepting any interviews."

Bang.

The door slammed shut.

But outside, more and more people gathered.

Reporters, radical netizens holding signs, even some who brought rotten eggs and paint.

Like sharks smelling blood, they surrounded the apartment building until it was impenetrable.

I was trapped in this gilded cage, unable to move an inch.

I drew the curtains, shutting out all the noise outside.

My phone vibrated again. It was a message from Annie via encrypted software.

"Lila, are you okay?"

"I saw the news. Those bastards are inhuman!"

"Gabriel's car just left the company through the VIP passage. Bella was in the car with him."

"They went to attend a private celebration party."

"I also can't reach you at the hospital. They said you've already been discharged."

"Where are you now? Are you safe?"

I looked at Annie's string of anxious messages. A trace of warmth surged through my cold heart.

She was my only light left in this cold world.

I took a deep breath and felt under the bed's hidden compartment for the backup phone I'd hidden long ago.

This was my last trump card.

I called Annie back.

"Annie, I'm fine."

My voice was terrifyingly calm.

"I'm under house arrest by Gabriel now."

"He's confiscated all my communication devices and social media accounts."

Annie gasped on the other end. "That bastard! What's he trying to do!"

"He wants to isolate me, to make me accept his manipulation in despair."

I laughed coldly. "But he miscalculated one thing."

"What?"

"He doesn't know I still have you."

My gaze fell on the gray sky outside the window.

"Annie, the plan needs a small adjustment."

"Tell me!"

"Tomorrow night's livestream, he'll definitely use the company's backend to push the stream and monitor me the entire time."

"I won't have a chance to play the recordings and evidence."

"Then what do we do?" Annie's voice immediately became tense.

"So I need you to help me set up a backup livestream connection."

My speech was rapid, my thoughts clear.

"I need you to hack into StarShine's backend and create a mirror link."

"When he cuts the main connection, your backup line needs to seamlessly take over the stream signal within 0.1 seconds."

"This... the technical difficulty is too high! I..."

"You can do it." My tone was firm.

"I remember your husband works in Silicon Valley doing exactly this. He's a top-tier hacker."

"Money is no object. Have him find the best team, use the best servers."

"I need to ensure that tomorrow night's livestream, besides me, no one else can shut it down."

Silence on the other end for a few seconds.

Then came Annie's resolute voice.

"Okay! I understand!"

"Lila, don't worry. Even if I have to sell everything, I'll pave this road for you!"

"One more thing," I said.

"Help me prepare a video. At the caf downstairs from my building, find a body double similar to my build. Have her wear a trench coat, sunglasses, and a hat, and film a shot of her walking into the airport from behind."

"This is..."

"A diversion."

A calculating curve formed at the corner of my mouth.

"Gabriel thinks he can control everything. I'll let him watch with his own eyes how I leave right under his nose."

After hanging up, I hid the phone again.

I walked to the mirror and looked at myself, forehead wrapped in gauze, face pale, but eyes shining with unusual brightness.

The entire internet smearing me?

No one helping me?

Perfect.

Ruins are the best place to rebuild.

From hell, we rise.

Gabriel, Bella, this grand internet funeral you've prepared for me. I love it.

I just wonder, when you become the main characters, will you still be able to smile?