Chapter 136

Evelyn Sinclair moved swiftly, grasping Violet Carter's hand with urgency. "We're in desperate need of someone to save our stage play," she confessed. "Preston Whitmore and Donovan Sharpe made it clear—if we can't find a replacement, they'll cancel our team's performance. Why don't you step in? There's no rule against inviting a competitor as a supporting actor."

A thoughtful pause. Then, with growing conviction, Evelyn added, "Besides, the fact that you were bold enough to seek a last-minute replacement shows you thrive under pressure. You can handle this, can't you?"

Her gaze flickered toward Seraphina Delacroix, suspicion creeping in. Was this really just coincidence?

Seraphina's laughter was tinged with guilt. "Evelyn's right, Ms. Carter. This is your moment to prove yourself!"

Violet had been dazed, but those words—prove yourself—ignited something in her. She had begged, pleaded, refused to surrender, all for one chance to shine.

Nathan Blackwood had stolen her last opportunity, but fate had handed her another.

Improvising didn’t scare her. What terrified her was never getting on stage at all.

The idea was absurd, but after witnessing Team A-List defy the impossible all night, Violet felt an unstoppable fire. Ambition burned in her eyes as she locked onto Seraphina. "Is this real? You'd let me take your place?"

"Just tell us—can you do it?" Evelyn challenged with a smirk.

Violet nodded frantically, terrified the offer would vanish. She was a woman who seized every opportunity, no matter how wild.

Without another word, Evelyn thrust the script for the final five acts into her hands. There was barely enough time to skim it.

Backstage, the crew watched them like they’d lost their minds.

The tension was suffocating.

Then Julian Blackwood finally snapped. "Hey—"

All eyes turned to him.

His expression twisted, words caught in his throat.

"I believe in you," Seraphina declared. "If this goes wrong, I'll take the blame."

"Mr. Blackwood is a professional!" Evelyn remembered their key player. "Just follow his lead. Even if the rest falters, the first half was strong enough."

The Blackwood family exchanged glances, far more intrigued by the unfolding drama than concerned about Julian’s feelings. The online chaos this would cause? Priceless.

"Do your best!" they cheered.

Julian thought, Damn it all.

Violet, now clutching the script, was oblivious to the outside world. She stood frozen, devouring every word, until Evelyn dragged her to the makeup chair. The artist worked swiftly as Violet remained laser-focused, absorbing the script like her life depended on it.

She didn’t ask if this meant a contract. She didn’t hesitate.

Team A-List was stunned.

The final act, after all, was loosely based on the very scandals used to vilify Violet.

But Violet was beyond caring. Her world had narrowed to the script and the stage.

She would not fail.

Ten minutes later, word reached Marcus Donovan, who rushed to inform Nathan.

Nathan, sipping coffee while waiting for Violet’s surrender, nearly choked. He stormed off to confront Preston and Donovan. This was insanity!

But the directors had already surrendered to fate.

After everything they’d endured, swapping an actress for a rival was nothing.

Still, watching Violet prepare, anxiety gnawed at them. She had minutes to prepare—no rehearsal, no cues, just raw improvisation alongside Julian.

Nathan’s face darkened. He slipped to the stage’s edge, desperate to intercept her. Helping the competition? Had she lost her mind?

But Violet and Julian were already waiting in the wings.

"Just follow the script," Violet whispered nervously. "I’ll keep up."

Julian studied her. "This is a team effort. The pressure isn’t just on you."

"Thank you. I won’t let you down."

Then she spotted Nathan and Marcus. Her lips curled into a defiant smirk.

Try to break me now.

The host announced the show’s return.

The live stream exploded.

Wait—Violet Carter is replacing Seraphina?!

So the delay wasn’t her chickening out—it was Mr. Blackwood’s fault?!

Since when do rivals help each other?!

Is this some kind of trap? A humiliation tactic?

Or… is Team A-List exposing the truth?

How is she supposed to perform with zero prep?!

If she pulls this off, doesn’t that prove the rumors were lies?

The debate raged as the lights dimmed.

The stage awaited.

And Violet stepped into the spotlight.