Rise To Stardom: My Villainess

*Two Days Later*

[ October 30, 2019; Wednesday ]

High-quality cameras are all flashing around as those take snapshots of the famed attendees arriving inside the ballroom of one of the grandest hotels within Country A.

Murmurs of trivial gossip can be heard among some of the fortunate guests. Oftentimes, fits of laughter can be heard among the people who indulge themselves in a short-lived conversation. Others meanwhile are too occupied having a taste of the long set of delicious food that the event has sumptuously prepared to offer.

The people behind the event spent lavishly on the venue and everything in it. With the ballroom aesthetically furnished in every corner, it has a touch of two rich colors— champagne and gold. A large crystalline chandelier hangs in the middle of the ballroom. There is even an imperial staircase, each leading to the second floor of the ballroom.

Since the ballroom is situated in the very rearmost part of the hotel, the garden, as a result, is brilliantly connected to the venue, intentionally designed for the guests to have their breath of fresh air while simultaneously enjoying the beauty of nature.

This hotel room is currently reserved for this special day— the day wherein the most awaited drama of the year, Across the Star, would be finally revealing the final casting line-up to the media. This extravagant event also serves as a celebration to its prior success for its cast gathering.

While everyone is occupied with their business, a sudden animated voice erupts from a rather modest-looking woman.

"Hey, isn't that Ember Wang?!"

It echoes throughout the venue, disrupting the murmurs and silencing the hall.

A large majority of the guests turned to the direction that the thrilled woman is pointing at. They then are not disappointed by the random guest as they immediately spot the lady in question gracefully stepping on the red carpet with her handsome escort, walking arm in arm.

Oblivious to the others' stares, Ember Wang gently smiles at Alessio like a young woman in love. This gives the media the opportunity to either take a photo of their passionate love or their fascinating sense of fashion.

Since Ember is known in the world to be the Country A's Muse of Beauty, she certainly doesn't disappoint them with how she carries herself.

She is currently wearing a stunning long silver V-neck gown. The upper portion of the dress brightly sparkles under the artificial lights while the chiffon skirt gracefully flows down to the ground like calm-like waves. A high slit is smartly cut on the right side, displaying her beautiful long, slender legs.

Her fiancée, on the other hand, also doesn't disappoint the people with his clothes. He wears an expensive black suit, matching his tie with the color of his betrothed's dress. Despite his suit tie sparkling silver, it oddly suits him; but maybe his good looks may be the main reason for that.

"Oh my gosh! Isn't that Alessio Xu with her?!"

The clamoring among the ladies seems to intensify upon recognizing the businessman who is escorting Ember across the red carpet.

Men and women alike are all captivated by this perfect couple; their eyes can't seem to gaze away from this beauty. Flashes of lights are continuously being snapped by the cameras to doc.u.ment more of this pair. At that moment, it is indeed clear that this powerful duo has caught everyone's attention with ease.

"It is! How unfair! Ember Wang is already damn perfect— even her fiancé is drool-worthy!" A lady pouts at the obvious favoritism the Supreme Deity seemed to place on the beautiful woman while she greedily takes a glimpse of the eye candy.

Feeling slightly hot by the view the businessman has unintentionally provided for her, the lady exaggeratedly fans herself with her hand and gulps down a glass of champagne.

The gentleman assisting her calmly takes the glass away from his lady as he slips out a charming smile of agreement. "However, you can't deny that they suit each other," he says as he stares at the couple.

He feels happy for them but is also slightly envious of Alessio Xu. This entrepreneur appears to have everything a man would want in his life. With all these riches, an excellent academic background, a perfect family, and a goddess as a girlfriend— if he had one of those, he wouldn't ask for more.

"That's what makes it so irritating," the woman huffs under her breath as she rolls her eyes in indignation. Taking another glass of champagne from a server, she gulps it down yet again, ignoring the gaze of disapproval from her escort.

Well, not everyone like Ember is blessed enough to have an "almost" perfect like.

The gentleman can only sigh at her actions as he looks over once again to the star couple. They are currently walking around the ballroom, gazing at each other so fondly as if they have a strong harmonious relationship that can never be broken between them.

"Why did you even decide to go with me if you are just going to frown with that stiff face of yours?" she whispers with subtle irritation in contrast to the gentle smile plastered across her gorgeous face in an attempt to mask the hidden animosity she is currently having for this fiancé of hers.

"As always, our parents would hate it if I didn't accompany you now, wouldn't they?" Alessio murmurs as softly as she did while forcing himself to tenderly smile at her.

Ember would have almost saluted his acting skills, but his jade eyes fail to perfect the show overall as it is void of any emotions. She mockingly snickers at his words— though, to random outsiders, it may be perceived that they are pleasantly enjoying the company of each other.

"Oh, they would." Ember smirks as if hinting at the idea that their parents would truly hate it if he didn't come with her and discover instead that he's hanging out with that other whore of his.

As their loving atmosphere completely hides the actual hostility between both of them, they are eventually spotted by the famed director of the drama.

"Oh, Ember, I'm glad that you made it here!"

Director Vaughn has a huge smile on his face as he spots the talented second female lead of his drama. He raises a hand and waves them over to where he's at. Ember smiles at him as well as the other celebrities the director is with.

Walking towards the direction where they are standing, the couple makes their way. The director is also quick enough to recognize the young entrepreneur. Taught to entertain well, he also happily acknowledges the black-haired man, "I see that you have also brought Alessio Xu here with you."

Ember skillfully laughs. "Well, Zio-ge insisted to come. He said that he is worried that someone will take me away from him," she smoothly lies as she delivers a teasing smirk to the young businessman.

In return, Alessio looks at the golden-eyed beauty for a second before averting his eyes to the opposite direction, exasperated by her lies, but his actions somehow resemble an image of a bashful, infatuated a.d.u.l.t man.

Silently in their hearts, everyone coos over their said-to-be romantic interaction.

"Oh, don't be so shy now. Unlike someone, I won't let myself be swayed by someone unimportant." She places a hand on his cheek, affectionately smiling; but beneath those words lies an indication.

His jade eyes are forced to look at her beautiful features. Blinking his eyes, he hesitates to take her hand off his face.

He doesn't have to do it anymore as Ember drops her c.a.r.e.s.s herself.

The director reluctantly harrumphs, not really wanting to break this beautiful moment; but he still has to talk to them.

"You guys are sweet like sugar," he light-heartedly comments, feeling a bit energized to see such a pleasant interaction of youthful love.

The other celebrities nod, agreeing to his statement, while Ember, on the other hand, finds it humorous and gently laughs for a few seconds.

Alessio is just simply so stiff beside her as he silently listens to her reply. "Thank you. We try to be," she earnestly says with a sly smile; the people who are able to witness it fails to discern that she is actually saying the truth to their faces.

Oblivious to the true relationship situation, these witnesses mainly shrug her words off as nothing while Director Vaughn then proceeds to close the gap between him and the couple by respectfully shaking their hands one by one as a common etiquette for a formal greeting. "Then I only hope that you're enjoying yourselves right now."

"We are," Ember smiles in gratitude, and Alessio nods for the sake of acquainting. "Thank you for inviting us to this event."

The director is happy to see that they are having a good time. Vaughn then shakes his head as he slightly corrects her statement, "Well, since you have been chosen for the role of Vhlairre Wu, it is only right for you to be here. By the way, congratulations."

With his left hand, he gently raises his wine glass as a gesture of appreciation.

The other celebrities are quite surprised to hear the details regarding her being selected as the second female lead by the production staff but raise their glasses to also commemorate.

The amber-haired beauty is flattered; she smiles and murmurs her gratitude, "Thank you; I tried—" But before she can even finish, her voice trails off as her attention is instantly snitched by a familiar figure of a man.

Curiosity peeking in his grey eyes upon having a glimpse of her fazed expression, Director Vaughn slowly turns to the direction Ember's gazing at. He then sees one of his handsome actors, and he earnestly smiles.

"You seem to recognize him, huh? Of course, who wouldn't." He chuckles at his own joke. "Caiden Liu, truly one of the greatest actors in this modern era. I was able to get him to play the part of the male lead character."

Snapping out of her reverie but still intensely staring at this Caiden Liu. If people hadn't known that she's taken, then they would have thought that she's lovestruck by the famed actor. But since people know, they equate her stares as an appreciation of beauty. They don't dare to make a malicious assumption as it's already known to the whole world that Ember Wang only has eyes for her Alessio Xu.

"The drama would surely be a huge hit with him on board, huh." There aren't any insecurity in her tone; she acknowledges the fact that Caiden Liu is one of the top actors of this generation. He's pretty much the Ember Wang or Kielle Xu of the music industry but in the world of acting.

Director Vaughn nods with a smile, pleased with the actors and actresses he was able to gather for his drama. With the help of their skills, the execution of the drama would certainly be pulled off and perfect.

Turning her gaze to the man whose arms she has been holding on for a while now, she sees him also staring at Caiden Liu.

A feeling of smugness rises in her, but she doesn't dare to say a thing regarding that. Instead, she politely excuses herself, "Zio-ge, why don't you enjoy yourself for a while. I'll go to the table for some refreshment."

With her sweet voice, his jade eyes instinctively pull away from the view of Caiden Liu. Alessio immediately finds himself being lovingly smiled at by Ember. If he's like the other men, he would have gone frenzy.

But he isn't...

His heart is slightly disturbed; he dumbly nods as he tries to let out something akin to a smile. He can only stare at her figure escaping from his cold presence.

"You must be very proud and happy that you have the Ember Wang as your fiancée, huh." Director Vaughn elbows him as a gesture of teasing.

A knowing smile tugs on his lips as he looks at this obviously infatuated man beside him. His statement snaps Alessio out of his initial thoughts.

For a second, he hesitates but replies after a few seconds, "Who wouldn't..." His dark green eyes, never leaving the space where the lady is last seen. His expression is unreadable, but his gaze is rather too meaningful for an otherwise cold and stiff face.