Under Liu Jinhua's persistent pestering, Ou Yunchen was finally persuaded to accompany Zhou Man on the red carpet.
Although in terms of fame, Ou Yunchen couldn't compare to Yan Shizong...
Visually, however, Ou Yunchen was in no way inferior to those male celebrities. He had even caused a stir online for his handsome features, being hailed as the most handsome, most charismatic, and most stylish male CEO!
If Ou Yunchen were placed next to Yan Shizong, who resembled Wu Dalang, it would be a guaranteed win, right?!
Thinking of it that way, Zhou Man somewhat agreed.
It was just for Ou Yunchen's sake that they went out first. At worst, they could ask for more time from the organizers and linger on the red carpet a bit longer.
What was to come had arrived. Luo Yu and Yan Shizong watched as the first three figures reached the middle of the red carpet, and then they alighted from their car.
In an instant, all the camera flashes turned towards the night's final act, a female celebrity, and Zhou Man's face darkened considerably.
Zhou Man: "She did that on purpose!"
Ou Yunchen glanced at his team and pulled Zhou Man's arm.
Ou Yunchen: "No rush to walk."
Luo Yu was truly overestimating herself. Even if she shone brilliantly tonight, she couldn't outshine Zhou Man, who stood beside the male lead.
As soon as the five met, a storm was imminent. The two female stars refused to yield to each other, ignoring each other as if they were strangers, further solidifying the rumors of their discord!
However, Ou Yunchen took the initiative to strike up a conversation with Yan Shizong.
Ou Yunchen: "Long time no see, Mr. Yan."
In front of the cameras, the two men were indeed more magnanimous than the women. They could shake hands amicably and then pose for photos together.
But…
The moment the five were photographed together, various media outlets posted the unedited pictures online, making it clear who was utterly overshadowed!
"Shorty Yan Boss!"
"Yan Shizong, heel inserts are a good thing. You deserve them!"
"Who is the little dwarf next to Luo Yu?"
"Are all people in the entertainment industry this short? You don't know until you compare, and you'll be shocked!"
"Who gave Yan Shizong the courage to stand next to my male god?"
A torrent of mockery erupted under the numerous group photos. Wasn't the difference between beauty and ugliness, height and shortness, obvious?!
Finally, it was time for the Best Actress award. Zhou Man had already taken the stage with another renowned director.
After a few brief pleasantries, Zhou Man picked up the envelope for the award recipient. She was not surprised at all, but instead calmly read out, "The recipient of this year's Best Actress award is…"
At this moment, Zhou Man handed the envelope back to the director.
It seemed like a polite gesture to let the director announce the name, but the director had also heard the rumors of their discord and could only take the envelope and announce Luo Yu's name.
The camera focused on Luo Yu, who truly appeared surprised and delighted, as if the achievement had been hard-won. She hugged Yan Shizong excitedly.
The host handed the trophy to Zhou Man, but Zhou Man dodged.
She was unwilling to hand the trophy to Luo Yu herself and even stood far back, giving photographers no chance for a joint photo for even a second.
The scene cut quickly. If they continued filming, Luo Yu's embarrassed expression might even be captured.
Liu Jinhua, sitting in the audience, anxiously sweated for Zhou Man, let alone the director who was presenting the award with her.
Caught between the two, the director, who was supposed to offer words of congratulations to the award-winning actress, was reduced to stammering and unsure what to say...
Fortunately, Zhou Man still showed some grace towards Luo Yu. It wasn't until Luo Yu, with teary eyes, thanked everyone and bowed ninety degrees to the judges in the audience that she finally left the stage with the director.
Liu Jinhua: "We have another interview next, it's very short, so don't say anything out of line."
Zhou Man: "Where's the boss?"
Liu Jinhua: "He left long ago. He left after receiving a phone call without watching you present the award."
***
Tonight, the biggest news in the entertainment industry was perhaps the former goddess refusing to present an award to the new goddess. However, matters within the wealthy families were continuously making it onto the trending lists.
Ou Yunchen booked the earliest flight, but even by the time he rushed back, the news of Mrs. Su's fatal fall had already broken.
Su Ruiyi and Xu Shuming saw what was almost a bloody, unrecognizable mass of flesh in the morgue. Falling from a height of a hundred meters, there was no possibility of survival.
Su Ruiyi: "I don't believe it!!!"
Xu Shuming covered Su Ruiyi's eyes and held her close. Both of them wept mournfully.
The police immediately launched an investigation into Mrs. Su's fall. They stated it might be a homicide, but suicide could not be ruled out.
Su Ruiyi instinctively looked at Xu Shuming, as she believed Xu Shuming was the only one who could have murdered her mother!!!
However, Xu Shuming had an alibi. Both she and Xu Shuming were cleared.
But what no one expected was that the suspect turned out to be Emmanuel!!!
Xu Shuming: "Impossible, are you mistaken? Emmanuel is a guest in our home, how could he have killed my wife?"
"And he's very fond of my daughter; he could have become our son-in-law!"
Police: "We have eyewitness accounts placing Emmanuel on the rooftop during the time of the incident."
Everyone was shocked by this revelation. But what was Emmanuel's motive for murder?
Police: "The Su family's maid mentioned hearing Emmanuel arguing with your family, is that correct?"
Xu Shuming and Su Ruiyi exchanged glances and nodded. In fact, not only had Mrs. Su and Xu Shuming argued at home in recent days, but Emmanuel had also been involved at times.
***
A few days ago.
Xu Shuming: "Mr. Emmanuel, please reconsider. The pledge of Su's shares is temporary. Once our subsidiary is listed, we will repurchase them with principal and interest."
Emmanuel: "Mr. Xu, you haven't fulfilled your promise yet. I've let you off once, and now is not the time to bargain with me!"
Mrs. Su: "Xu Shuming, you scoundrel, you're selling our daughter!"
Xu Shuming: "Aren't you also hoping our daughter marries Mr. Emmanuel?"
Mrs. Su: "I want my daughter to have a good life, not for you to pledge Su's shares! What you're doing now is against Su's business principles!"
Xu Shuming: "Mr. Emmanuel, as long as you're willing to provide the funds, I will definitely make my daughter agree to this marriage."
Mrs. Su: "Mr. Emmanuel, you cannot agree. We should discuss other matters and not involve Su Group."
Emmanuel: "Enough! You are all people who don't keep their promises! I see you only want to use my name to help Su's improve!"
Xu Shuming: "We won't. You must listen to me..."
The three of them became entangled. Xu Shuming, in order to get Emmanuel to sign the contract, even added a clause about his daughter marrying Emmanuel. Enraged, Mrs. Su disregarded her appearance and began to tear at him.
Everyone was looking out for their own interests, but no one considered each other. Thus, they could only fight it out with shouts and curses.