CHAPTER II

And thus began the fall of a supermodel...

But, from the looks of it, Andrea’s story did not end there.

In all honesty, Andrea had never realized she was so brave - she had actually married a stranger! But, what was done was done, she would never regret her decision.

Andrea returned to her car. Just as she was about to start the engine and head home, she received a phone call from George.

"Babe...where are you right now?"

"In front of the Civil Affairs Office, about to go home," Andrea replied casually, hiding her emotions.

"Maggie  has a very important show...I need you to substitute her immediately. I'll tell the makeup artist to provide you with a mask - no one will be able to tell it is you," George ordered with the tone of a superior. "Since Maggie is injured, you will have to suffer a little..."

"Didn't you say Miss Smith got hurt on stage? In that case, the media should already know she is at the hospital..."

"But, I have already asked someone to let it slip that she will still be attending even with her injuries. I told you to go, so go!"

He was so shameless. In the past, Andrea had already done stupid things like this for Maggie.

As it seems, she was being used. However, she wasn't going to continue this way!

Andrea stayed calm and nodded, "OK, let me know the time and address, I'll head over there now."

"Andrea, we are about to get married. Help give Maggie a bit of a boost, her career is currently on the rise."

"I'll give her a boost for sure..." Andrea responded with a hidden meaning.

"I'll hang up then. Let's have dinner later."

George had no idea the tables had turned, presumably now, he would be sitting by Maggie’s bedside, watching over his lover tenderly...Andrea hung up the phone before giving her manager a call. Her manager immediately responded in anger:

"Mr. Alcantara wants you to step in for that B-Grade model? Is he joking? If you didn't decide to retreat from the spotlight, she would not even survive in the industry."

"Beth, I've already agreed..." Andrea replied calmly.

"Do you really have to go?" Her manager was about to spew blood in disbelief. Andrea and Maggie were both models signed under Alcantara Entertainment, but because of Andrea’s decision to retreat, her manager was dragged down with her and ridiculed.

Andrea knew her manager wanted to stick up for her injustice. Reassuringly she responded, "I won't be that stupid anymore, I will not let them use me!"

After hearing those words from Andrea, her manager's face lit up, "So, are you saying you have a plan?"

"Beth, from now on I can only trust in you, can you help me do something?"

"Speak." Her manager was loyal to her. After all, they shared the same objective.

"Maggie is so desperate to convince the media that she is attending the show even with her injuries because she doesn't want it to impact her eligibility for the 'Top Ten Model Awards'. Help me pay a visit to Manila Hospital."

"I see what you're getting at. Obtain evidence that she was still at the hospital during the show and reveal it to the public!" the manager smiled excitedly.

"No, I have bigger news. She's pregnant! and the child is George’s son. Also, help me prepare a statement stating that George has used me multiple times to substitute Maggie during her shows. As for which shows? I will need you to help me find evidence for that."

The manager was surprised at first, but quickly understood why Andrea’s attitude had changed.Such a shameless cheating couple! Not only did they cheat, but they also used Andrea- ordering her around like a puppet.

"Don't worry Andy, I will help you do all these things."

Andrea did not respond. She felt unusually calm. She was going to treat them like they had treated her!

After clearing her thoughts, Andrea quickly gathered her belongings and drove herself over to the venue for the show to meet up with Maggie’s assistant.

He was a married man with a strong bulky physique and a cunning personality.

He was reasonably polite to Andrea. Even though she was no longer famous, the Curtis family was still not one to be looked down upon.

"What took you so long? Quick...come and get your makeup done..."

"What type of show is it today?" Andrea asked as she was hurried down the hallway.

"Nothing special!" the assistant replied. In fact, it was actually a jewelry show for the famous French brand: hf...

After this show, Maggie would have the opportunity to sign on as hf's spokesperson. Originally, Maggie would have lost her opportunity due to her injuries, but with George’s suggestion of using Andrea, Maggie certainly had no objections.

Actually, on her way to the show, Andrea had already done her research on today's show: The Crown's Star Jewelry Show.

Maggie’s assistant had intentionally lied to her. Had she always been this easy to trick?

"Thanks to Maggie’s current status, you have your own makeup room. You will appear in the grand finale and this is the piece of jewelry you will be presenting today. Here is the schedule..." the assistant explained as he pointed to the jewelry on the stage. He then ordered the makeup artist to start applying Andrea’s makeup.

Did George really think that by giving her a mask, people would not be able to tell it's her?

Although what she had in mind was quite extreme, she was going to give the cheating couple a surprise of a lifetime.

Meanwhile, Calleb’s assistant had been following Andrea’s every move and overheard that she would be substituting Maggie in the show. Immediately he reported everything to Calleb. As soon as Calleb found out, he ordered his assistant, "I am going to hf's jewelry show. Make arrangements immediately!"

"Yes, president!"

This wasn't a particularly special show, but he wanted to see Andrea in action.

11am, classical music resounded off the walls of the Garcia’s centre entertainment, the show had begun.

Inside the makeup room, Andrea’s makeup was complete and she was now standing in front of the mirror in anticipation. Wearing a white tight-fitting long dress, simple but classy, adorning a beautiful golden mask giving off a mysterious aura, hair tied back away from her face with a single white rose - she was absolutely stunning...

The assistant was speechless. Inside he was thinking: Even if Andrea was to stand still, she would surely attract the attention of everyone around her. Maggie will get the contract for certain!

"You will descend onto the stage via a chair that will be lowered from above. This bracelet here is the Crown's Star, let me put it on for you." The assistant unclasped the bracelet and carefully put it on Andrea. However...Andrea was slimmer than Maggie, resulting in the bracelet being too big. With a lift of her arm, the bracelet would slide around...

This bracelet was designed by the founder of hf for his beloved daughter. In the middle of the golden bracelet was a crown encrusted with white diamond. On the two sides of the crown were two stars made from a pure and immaculate white gemstone - just like two parents protecting their precious child.

"There's no way for you to wear it...what should I do?"

"Do you trust me?" Andrea suddenly asked Maggie’s assistant.

"At this moment, I can only trust you," the assistant nodded. Without a solution, he could only trust the model. This was Maggie’s opportunity at being a spokesperson, if he messed it up, Mr. Alcantara would definitely fire him.

"In that case, leave it with me..." Andrea reassured.

"Hurry, get ready...you will be going on stage soon!"

Amongst all the commotion, the assistant did not take notice of the look in Andrea’s eyes.