Chapter 11
The grandeur of the Stars Gala was unmatched. The towering
glass building glimmered under the city lights as AMN’s grand
ballroom transformed into a dazzling venue adorned with
crystal chandeliers, golden accents, and lush floral
arrangements that seemed to rival the stars outside. The placed
buzzed with anticipation as the media elites; celebrities, and
industry giants gathered for one of the most glamorous nights.
of the year.
Adrian Blackwood arrived in style, stepping onto the event’s red
carpet with all eyes on him. He was dressed in a tailored black
tuxedo with subtle gold embroidery on the lapels. He radiated
confidence and charm. Flashes of cameras illuminated his
amber eyes as reporters and photographers shouted his name,
desperate for a photo or comment.
“Adrian! Over here!” one reporter called.
He turned briefly, offering his signature smoldering look before
moving forward. His every move exuded ease, but his mind was
already ahead, thinking of the conversations and deals awaiting
him tonight.
“Adrian! Rumors have spread speculating your victory in
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tonight’s nomination for the Top Most Talented Actors in the
record of AMN and the industry! What do you say about it?”
Adrian paused mid–step as the lights from the cameras caught
the sharp lines of his face. His amber eyes sparkled with
confidence and humility as he turned to face the reporter who
had called out the question.
With a slight tilt of his head and a charming smile that seemed
to captivate the crowd, he replied, “It’s an honor just to be
considered, truly. The industry is filled with such incredible
talent, and to even have my name mentioned alongside them is
more than I could have ever hoped for.”
The reporter leaned in, microphone extended. “But surely,
Adrian, with your consistent box–office hits and critically
acclaimed performances, you must feel confident about your
chances tonight?”
Adrian chuckled softly, effortlessly disarming. “Confidence is
one thing,” he said in a measured voice, “but I believe in staying
grounded. At the end of the day, it’s about the craft, the stories
we tell, and the impact we leave on the audience. Winning or
not, I’m grateful to be part of this journey.”
Another reporter chimed in, “Many have said you’ve
revolutionized what it means to be an actor in this generation.
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How do you stay so humble despite all the accolades?”
His smile softened with a flicker of genuine emotion passing
through his gaze. “I think it’s important to remember where you
started. The struggles, the lessons, they shape who you are. I’ve
been lucky to have incredible support along the way, and I don’t
take any of it for granted.”
Bianca, who had been standing slightly behind him, stepped
closer, looping her arm through his. “And let’s not forget his
dedication,” she added smoothly, her voice dripping with pride.
“Adrian pours his heart and soul into every role he takes on.
That’s what sets him apart.”
The cameras flashed wildly as the pair stood together, Bianca’s
dazzling smile complementing Adrian’s composed demeanor.
One of the reporters, not missing the moment, asked, “Does
Bianca’s presence tonight signify anything special? Are we
seeing the return of Hollywood’s, pardon me–AMN’s golden
couple?”
Bianca let out a soft laugh, tilting her head coyly as she looked
up at Adrian. “I think we’ll let the audience draw their own
conclusions,” she said playfully.
The reporters persisted, but Adrian lifted a hand in polite
dismissal. “Thank you for your questions,” he said with a
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practiced smile. “I look forward to what tonight has in store.”
With that, he guided Bianca into the venue, leaving behind the
excited murmur of the press.
But as soon as they stepped through the grand doors, the energy
of the room shifted. A new wave of photographers and
reporters surged forward with the relentless flashes of cameras
illuminating the already dazzling space. The click of shutters.
echoed, blending with the hum of awe–struck murmurs as
Adrian and Bianca took their place in the spotlight.
The pair stood poised with effortless grace, radiating an aura of
sophistication that captivated everyone in the room. Bianca’s
golden gown shimmered under the lights and the intricate
sequins caught every flicker of illumination as if she were
wrapped in liquid gold. Her golden hair cascaded in soft waves,
perfectly complementing her piercing blue eyes that seemed to
glow like sapphires against the backdrop of the gala.
Adrian, who was standing tall beside her, exuded an air of
confidence. His perfectly tailored black suit accentuated his
lean, athletic frame, while the warm, amber hue of his eyes
drew the room’s attention. Together, they were breathtaking–a
vision of elegance and allure that demanded every camera’s
focus.
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“It’s like they stepped out of a dream,” one reporter whispered to
another.
“Look at them,” another murmured. “Bianca’s dress, her hair…
And Adrian! His eyes match her colors. They’re perfect
together.”
Indeed, the sight of Adrian’s fiery amber eyes against Bianca’s cool sapphire ones created a striking contrast that seemed almost poetic. The golden accents of Bianca’s gown harmonized with Adrian’s refined black and gold cufflinks, as if every detail of their appearance was designed to complement the other.
No wonder they were called the golden couple. The two were more than a pair. They were a statement. The epitome of beauty, power, and fame. A union that embodied the very essence of AMN’s glitz and glamour.
The crowd couldn’t help but marvel, and for a moment, the
room seemed to revolve entirely around them.
And when Bianca thought the cameras were done, she raised
her hand. A glint of something dazzling caught everyone’s attention. The light from the flashing cameras illuminated the ring on her finger, making it sparkle against her perfectly
manicured hand.
“Is that…Soul?” a reporter called out, eyes wide with surprise at
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the sight of the legendary ring.
“It is,” Bianca chimed in with a playful smile, her voice dripping
with sweetness. “Adrian gave it to me. Isn’t he just the loveliest?”
Adrian, who had been momentarily distracted by the chatter,
glanced at the ring. But as soon as his sight landed on it, he
frowned. His brow furrowed as recognition hit him like a
punch. It was the same ring. The one he had given to Noelle was
now on Bianca’s finger.
His gaze hardened as a wave of confusion and frustration
washed over him. Without thinking, he reached out and gently
pulled Bianca closer to him, guiding her away from the photographers while his fingers lightly gripped her waist.
“Where did you get that ring?” he asked in a low and tensed
voice. His grip on her tightened slightly, and his eyes bore into
her as if he could somehow will her to answer truthfully.
But Bianca was oblivious to the storm brewing inside Adrian.
She chuckled and answered in a teasing manner. “This ring?
Chloe handed it to me after our photoshoot two days ago,” she
said casually, holding it up to show him. “She said your personal
assistant gave it to her to deliver as a gift from you. You are so
sweet.”
Adrian’s eyes widened in disbelief, his mind struggling to piece
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together what Bianca had just said. Personal assistant? He didn’t
have one. His manager, Miles, handled everything for him-
nothing ever went through an assistant. And yet, here was
Bianca, so nonchalantly wearing the ring that’she’loved, the ring
he had carefully picked out for ‘Noelle
His heart thudded painfully in his chest as confusion and anger
boiled inside him. Noelle–had she been the one to give it to
Bianca? That didn’t make sense. Why would she do that? Why
would she hand over something so personal, something meant
only for her, to Bianca?
The thought twisted in Adrian’s gut, leaving him breathless. He
couldn’t fathom it. Noelle wouldn’t have done that. He had
given her that ring and it had been for her and her alone. So
how could it be here on Bianca’s finger, with no hesitation, no
questions asked, as if it belonged to her?
His eyes narrowed, trying to stay calm. But deep down, his mind.
raced with a thousand possibilities. ‘Could Noelle have
known…?‘ He stopped himself. No, that wasn’t it. ‘If she knew,
she wouldn’t have stayed silent and already caused a ruckus.
But the more he thought about it, the more the pieces seemed to
fall into place.
Adrian’s eyes flashed with panic as his hand shot out, snatching
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the ring from Bianca’s finger. The action was so sudden, so
forceful, that Bianca let out a startled gasp, her expression
shifting instantly to one of fury.
“What the hell, Adrian?” she demanded, her voice rising with
indignation as she tried to grab it back. But Adrian barely
registered her protest. His thoughts were scattered as the noise.
in his mind felt deafening while he made his way out of the
place.
‘Noelle. I need to talk to Noelle. It could be that this ring was
stolen from her. Right?‘Adrian thought.
But deep inside he knew, there was definitely something even
more cruel than what he wants himself to believe.
