CHAPTER III

Andrea smiled as she gave a nod before lifting up her dress slightly and running towards the back of the stage. With her mask on, if you were to point out one distinguishing feature between Andrea and Maggie, it would have to be Andrea’s legs. Andrea’s legs were once known as one of the most beautiful legs in the world.

Just as everyone thought the show had reached it's climax, Andrea descended gracefully to the stage on a chair. All the spotlights immediately focused on her...

...but

...the Crown's Star was nowhere to be seen...

What had happened?

Everyone present ran around frantically looking for the Crown's Star, they even searched Andrea all over. Because of this, many people couldn't help but notice her lovely pale long legs...

Legs so beautiful, they were unforgettable...

Just as everyone was about to give up, a smile appeared from behind the mysterious golden mask. Andrea elegantly raised her arm, tilted her head backwards and lifted her left leg which was facing the audience - striking a beautiful dance pose. At that moment, out from under the white dress and down her smooth legs, the Crown's Star appeared around Andrea’s ankle sparkling magnificently.

Wow...

Everyone froze in amazement at the scene in front of them. The sight of Andrea lying on the chair seamlessly moving from one pose to the next was unforgettable. Most impressive of all, every single pose Andrea pulled, the Crown's Star would be presented in a different light; showing off it's beauty over and over again...

The audience rose to their feet and gave Andrea a standing ovation...

Amongst the crowd, in a high but hidden position, Calleb’s gaze was focused on Andrea. His new wife, once Philippines top model, was here standing in on behalf of a B-Grade model.

There was no denying it, no matter if it was 3 years ago or 3 years later, she was still the same model - born for the runway...

After Andrea’s final pose, the show came to a satisfying end. hf's founder was extremely impressed with her performance. Of course, he wasn't aware the model on stage was Andrea; he still believed it was Maggie.

He appeared from behind the stage and approached Andrea. Like a gentleman, he offered his hand, helping Andrea off her chair and led her to the front of the runway as they bowed thankfully to the audience.

"Thank you everyone, and of course, thank you Miss Maggie for a spectacular performance, it was certainly impressive."

Andrea stayed silent. She just simply responded with a bow. When suddenly, from the front of the runway came a high-pitched voice, "She isn't Maggie, I've seen Maggie in real life and she does not have such long legs!"

At that moment, everyone was stunned as they looked up and down Andrea’s legs with doubt, "If you are indeed Maggie, then remove your mask. If you are not, then Alcantara’s Entertainment are a bunch of liars!"

Sounds of doubt multiplied and grew louder. Even the designers of hf were beginning to question whether the woman in front of them was Maggie.

"Miss Maggie, please remove your mask..." The designers were curious. Was she really Maggie? If she really wasn't then their collaboration with Alcantara’s Entertainment would have to come to an end.

Andrea hesitated, but she was already surrounded. With no other choice, she slowly removed her mask. At that moment, everyone held their breath. At the sight of her face, some recognized her immediately as the once famed model...

"It's Andrea Curtis!"

It was rumored that after Andrea was blacklisted, her status had completely deteriorated. She was even worse off than unsigned models. Who would have thought she would stoop so low as to step in for someone else. Was she deliberately creating hype or was she forced due to her current situation?

"Andrea, it's actually Andrea." The reporters quickly surrounded Andrea, giving her no room to escape.

"Miss Andrea, could you please explain the current situation? Maggie was the one that was invited to appear in today's show, but how come it turned out to be you?"

"From what we know, you were blacklisted 3 years ago. Are you trying to take this opportunity to announce a comeback?"

"As a once-famous model, are you trying to take Maggie’s jobs? Are you taking advantage of her being injured and stealing her opportunity to be a spokesperson?"

"It's obvious you are just trying to create hype. I knew it. Maggie was already injured, how could she possibly attend the show. Famous supermodel my a**! More like famous superCHEAPmodel!"

The reporter's questions got more and more intense, in fact, some were already spouting insults.

"Outdated cheap model..."

"Maggie should be the spokesperson, give it back to her!"

Andrea was slowly forced to retreat as the reporters surrounded her. Some even pushed her. At this moment, hf added to the insults, "I am going to sue Alcantara’s Entertainment, what you are doing here is blatantly lying! I asked for Maggie, instead, you gave me a 3rd-rate model." The designer had no idea how famous Andrea was 3 years ago. All he knew was that he had not seen this model appear anywhere in recent years.

"As for you, I'll see you in court! But, for now, get lost! You do not deserve to be standing on my runway!" he yelled.

The sharp voice echoed through the building, even the reporters were surprised. No model would just stand there and let someone yell at them like that.

"Why are you still here? Get lost!"

Andrea already prepared herself for this moment, but still struggled to hold back the humiliation. It was at that moment, a deep, attractive voice resounded from the end of the stage, "Yes, someone should get lost indeed..."

In surprise, the reporters turned to where the voice was coming from. There, standing at the end of the stage was Calleb. Everyone's eyes opened wide in shock...Isn't this the CEO of Garcia’s Entertainment? Why is he here?

Most importantly, why is he standing on the stage? It was a well-known fact that Calleb despised artists that played mind games. Andrea is digging her own grave. This time even Garcia’s can't help but step out from behind the sidelines.

Everyone held their breath, certain that Andrea was out of luck. But to their surprise, Calleb walked over to Andrea and stood by her side. With the intimidating tone of a king, he turned to the designer and continued, "...but, she is not the one that should get lost...it is you!"

"I could make hf disappear from Philippines if I want to. Your manners appear to be on a different level to your jewelry."

Andrea’s heartbeat stopped for a moment. Who would have thought...her new husband, who she had only met for the third time, would stand up for her.

All the reporters were stunned as they began to worry. Had they known earlier that Andrea had ties with Garcia’s, they wouldn't have been so rude.

hf's designer was not impressed, but he knew he could not offend Garcia’s International. After a few moments of silence, he reluctantly apologized, "Sorry, President Garcia. I didn't know of your relationship with..."

"You are wrong, I have no relations with her. I'm just simply...questioning your character!" Calleb denied his relation to Andrea and began to walk away. But before he left, he turned around and announced to the reporters, "There is, however, one thing I cannot deny. She will definitely become a rising star in the modeling industry!"