Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism



The red carpet at the Hundred Blossom Award was a dazzling display of flashing lights as bright as daylight. Every artist who walked it carried themselves with grace and poise.

As always, the cast of 'The Golden Ages' was the center of attention. The moment they appeared, they attracted every photographer's lens like mas, with cameras all turning toward them.

They strolled down the red carpet, paused briefly at the signature board, posed for photos, and then made their way backstage.

Having already swept the Splendor Awards earlier, everyone was curious: could they repeat the magic tonight?

Backstage, Violeta and her team found their seats, though this time, they weren't together on a long sofa but in separate chairs, all in the same area.

Before long, someone who hadn't been seen in the public eye for quite some time, Evelina, also arrived backstage. After nearly half a year of being absent, her popularity had taken a serious hit. The cameras were brutally honest; many of them only gave her a quick, passing shot as she walked the red carpet.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Evelina didn't show any displeasure on her face. But inside, she surely must've felt something. She just wasn't showing it.

Since she and Violeta were from the same company, their seats weren't too far apart. However, because Evelina wasn't nominated for any films, her seat was in the back rows, with minimal exposure.

After carefully lifting her gown and settling into her seat, Evelina's gaze drifted over the heads in front of her and landed on Violeta. Violeta was chatting happily with Kaylee, her face glowing with success.

Leaning back in her chair, Evelina silently observed them.

As the lighting in the hall shifted, the room gradually fell quiet. The big screen lit up, and the orange stage lights glowed one by one as the male host's deep voice rang out.

"Good evening, everyone! Welcome to this year's Hundred Blossom Award!"

Clap, clap, clap.

Applause filled the room.

The host on stage was last year's Best Actor, Wallace Zielger, alongside a veteran actress known for her gravitas.

Evelina glanced at the golden statues standing beside the audience, her mind drifting. After the opening speech, a new set of hosts took the stage. Eleven films were nominated this year, and the hosts made sure to name-drop The Golden Ages cast, smiling as they invited them to wave to the audience.

Violeta smiled gently at the camera.

After a brief interaction, the real award ceremony began.

Unlike some pre-arranged award shows, the Hundred Blossom Awards were decided by over a hundred live voters on-site.

The room was filled with well-known figures from the film industry, and the voting proceeded swiftly and smoothly. One by one, the hosts announced the winners.

The Golden Ages' had already swept the awards before, so it wasn't surprising when they started winning again tonight.

One by one, the people beside Violeta took to the stage to receive their awards, and it was her turn.

"And the Best Actress Award goes to ... congratulations, Violeta White!"

Violeta stood up to receive her award. Normally, the music and lights would sync up at this moment. That's how it had worked for all the previous winners.

But to everyone's shock, as Violeta rose from her seat, the lights were on her, but the music had completely stopped. The room was eerily silent. Without the celebratory music, Violeta's movements as she walked toward the stage seemed awkward and stiff.

The host quickly glanced backstage, his expression full of questions. What's going on?

Through his earpiece, he was told the sound system's connector had malfunctioned, which was why there was no sound.

The host silently cursed. Of all times for it to break, it had to be now? Seriously, what rotten luck!

Keeping his composure, the host warmly welcomed Violeta to the stage and handed her the microphone for her acceptance speech.

Originally, background music was

supposed to be played while they introduced Violeta's long career and notable achievements. But with no music, the moment felt awkward.

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All the previous winners had their moments complete with music-everyone but Violeta.

Now that a whole part of the

program was missing, Violeta

realized her pre-prepared speech

wouldn't last long enough. Was she

about to have a stage disaster on her hands?

The host was starting to sweat, worried things would fall apart.

Evelina enjoyed herself immensely in the audience, counting down in her head.

One minute might not seem long, but one minute of dead air on stage is a disaster.

Violeta, thinking quickly, began

mentally organizing her thoughts,

preparing to extend her speech by

sharing her reflections on working on 'The Golden Ages.' She had to make sure the moment wouldn't end in disaster.