Chapter 3: Suspicions of a Publicity Stunt

With a knowing smile, Natalie gathered her gown and darted backstage. The mask obscured her face, but her globally renowned, strikingly long legs were an unmistakable feature differentiating her from Serena.

The climax of the fashion show approached as Natalie descended on a wicker chair, spotlighted from above. But to the audience's astonishment, her wrist was bare—devoid of the 'Crown of Stars' bracelet.

What was going on?

The audience scanned Natalie from head to toe in search of the missing piece, only to be captivated by her long, flawless legs—legs that one would not easily forget.

Then, with a confident smile, the golden-masked Natalie gracefully raised her hand, let her head fall back, and lifted her left leg in an elegant dance pose. In that fleeting moment, the 'Crown of Stars' bracelet slid down from her dress, now adorning her ankle and dazzling the crowd with its breathtaking brilliance.

The entire audience was mesmerized, and the sight of Natalie on the wicker chair, transitioning from one stunning pose to the next, made the bracelet's beauty shift with each move. An outburst of fervent applause erupted, and the onlookers rose to their feet in ovation.

From an aloof vantage point, Terrance watched intently as Natalie—his newlywed wife and formerly Shengjing's top model—stood in for a B-list model. Yet, whether it was three years ago or after her retreat from the limelight, she remained a true model, born for the runway.

As Natalie's final pose crystallized, the jewelry show concluded in perfection. The founder of hf, unaware that it was Natalie and not Serena on stage, was thoroughly impressed. He strode onto the runway, extended a gentlemanly hand to Natalie, and led her to the front, both bowing in gratitude to the audience.

"Thank you all, and of course, thank Miss Mu for her captivating performance," he announced.

Natalie simply bowed politely, but an unexpected shrill voice cut through the moment: "She's not Serena! I've seen Serena in person; her legs aren't that long!"

Confusion spread instantaneously. Suspicious gazes turned to Natalie, scrutinizing her legs. "If you really are Miss Mu, please take off your mask. If not, Timi Entertainment is a fraud!"

Doubts grew louder, and even hf's designer began to question the woman beside him. "Miss Mu, please remove your mask..."

Caught in the crossfire, Natalie reluctantly reached for her face covering, revealing her identity. The crowd gasped, recognizing the once-famous model.

"It's Natalie!"

Whispers spread that Natalie, since being blackballed, had vanished into obscurity, now reduced to walking for others. Was this a calculated move for attention, or was she coerced by circumstance?

"Natalie, it's Natalie," the journalists swarmed, cornering her with no escape.

"Miss Tang, can you explain why you are standing in for Serena at hf's jewelry show?"

"Having been blacklisted three years ago, are you attempting a comeback through this show?"

"An outdated model—do you intend to steal Serena's opportunity, taking advantage of her injury?"

"The very picture of a publicity stunt. What a fall from grace!"

The press's questions turned increasingly cutting, and the accusations flew.

"You're nothing but a has-been!"

"The endorsement belongs to Serena, give it back!"

Natalie was backed into a corner, harried by the press, pushed and shoved. Then, to add insult to injury, hf weighed in: "We will be suing Timi Entertainment for fraud. I wanted Serena, not some third-rate model!"

The designer's ignorance of Natalie's past status only worsened the situation. "And you, see you in court! But for now, get off my runway."

The harsh command silenced the showroom, stunning even the press, for no model had ever been so publicly berated.

"Are you not leaving yet?"

Natalie braced for the humiliation, but a low, magnetic voice echoed from the runway's edge: "Someone should leave, indeed..."

All eyes turned to Terrance, standing stoically at the runway's end. His unexpected presence shocked the crowd—why would the CEO of Harui Entertainment be here?

More importantly, he stepped onto the runway, and everyone knew Terrance despised underhanded machinations among celebrities. Natalie seemed to be digging her own grave.

The onlookers held their breath, expecting Natalie to be doomed, but instead, Terrance moved protectively beside her and coldly addressed the hf designer: "It's not her who should leave... but you."

"I could erase hf's presence from Shengjing entirely, considering your manners don't match your jewels."

Natalie's heart skipped a beat, never expecting this man—whom she'd only met three times—to defend her.

The media was in turmoil, realizing too late that Natalie had ties to Harui. They wouldn't have dared such boldness had they known.

The designer paled, fully aware of the need to not offend Harui International. After a brief silence, he offered a begrudging apology: "I'm sorry, President Mo. I wasn't aware of your relation to this lady..."

"You're mistaken. I have no relation to her," Terrance clarified, dismissing any link to Natalie. "I simply disapprove... of your character." With that, he turned to leave but not before issuing a parting statement to the press. "Undeniably, however, she will be the new star of the modeling world."

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