Luxury cars rolled slowly down the wide street, one after another, their polished bodies reflecting the floodlights as they stopped before the red carpet.
Thousands of paparazzi pressed forward behind the barricades, their cameras raised and their shutters clicking nonstop as flashes burst like lightning.
Thousands of fans screamed themselves hoarse, calling out the names of their favorite actresses, actors, and singers.
The air was hot and thick with noise, excitement, and worship.
Every arrival caused a fresh wave of noise.
A famous actor stepped out, and the crowd roared.
A popular singer waved, and fans cried.
A beloved actress smiled, and the screams rose even higher.
Tonight was not just another award night; it was the Saurexia International Film Awards, where legends were made and remembered.
At the edge of the carpet, a female reporter stood in front of a rolling video camera.
Her hair was neat, her smile was professional, and her voice was sharp with excitement as she held her microphone tightly and said, "My name is Clara Wynne, and I'm standing live in front of the Grand Cresila Dome Arena here in Cresila City, Creston State, the capital state of the Republic of Norvexa... As you can see, stars and fans from all over the world have gathered for the 95th Saurexia International Film Awards, also known as "SIFA"... Tonight is one of the biggest nights in global entertainment—"
Her words broke off as the crowd suddenly screamed louder than before.
"BETHANY—BETHANY—BETHANY—"
Clara turned slightly as the cameraman shifted focus and showed a white limousine stopping in front of the red carpet.
The door of the white limousine opened, and fifty-year-old Bethany Larson stepped out majestically.
She wore a custom silver crystal evening gown by Valen Croix that hugged her perfectly, paired with a pair of diamond-studded heels by Aurezian.
Her skin glowed under the lights, her posture calm and powerful.
Beside her stood her thirty-year-old actor husband, Henry Donovan, dressed in a clean white tuxedo with a black bow tie, looking every bit the charming younger husband.
Clara's voice rose with awe as she continued, saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, Bethany Larson, the Empress of the Norwegian Film and Music Industry, has just arrived... She is attending the Saurexia International Film Awards for the thirtieth time in a row... Universally recognized as the most accomplished crossover entertainer in Saurexia's modern entertainment history, Bethany shocked the world this year with her performance as Anya Stark, an heiress in the Netflix original movie "I Think I Love You." The film broke every known record; it was watched by over ten billion people worldwide, which earned her global acclaim and praise from critics and fans alike... Tonight, she is widely predicted to take home the highest honors of the evening."
Bethany smiled as she stepped onto the red carpet.
The noise grew louder as she waved gently.
Her movements were smooth and confident, and her smile was warm but controlled.
She walked down the red carpet with grace, like she owned the night, as if the world beneath her feet existed only to watch her shine.
She stopped at the main photo wall where actors posed for pictures, turning slightly, then fully, lifting her chin as cameras clicked from every angle.
Her dress caught the light, sparkling like stardust.
After a few poses, reporters rushed forward, throwing questions at her.
She answered briefly but politely, and then she walked past the final photo line and entered the venue.
Inside the grand hall, Bethany and Henry took their respective seats.
Blowing air into her palms, Bethany rubbed her palms together, and then she leaned slightly toward Henry and whispered into his ear, saying, "Honey, I'm so nervous... Do you think I'll be able to win tonight?"
Henry, who was texting on his phone, locked it and smiled softly at her before saying, "Yes, I know you will win because you are Bethany Larson, so don't be nervous."
Bethany nodded, took a deep breath, and turned her attention to the opening performance.
The ceremony went on for six hours, and six hours felt like six days to Bethany, who watched as names were called by the male host and award after award was given out to actors, actresses, and singers who gave speeches followed by applause that rose and fell, which made her eyelids grow heavy.
Just as she was about to fall asleep, the male host's excited voice echoed through the arena as he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you've all been waiting for is finally here."
Bethany's eyes opened wide, and she straightened up instantly while locking her gaze on the male host, who opened a golden envelope, brought out a golden card, and then froze in shock after reading the content.
With his voice loud and laced with excitement, the male host said, "Oh my God!! I think I have to announce two award categories together because one actress has won both."
The hall went silent.
The male host kept quiet for two minutes to build suspense before saying, "And the winner of the 2050 Saurexia International Film Best Actress of the Year Award and the Saurexia Entertainment Industry Living Legend of the Century Award is—BETHANY LARSON."
As soon as he said that, the spotlight fell on Bethany's face while the massive screen behind the stage played scenes from "I Think I Love You" and trailers of her other hit films from the year.
Bethany stood up from her seat slowly and smiled while clenching her fist as she walked forward towards the stage.
Applause mixed with screams and cheers thundered in the arena.
Taking a deep breath, she climbed the stage step by step, accepted the two awards and bouquets, then bowed deeply, ninety degrees, toward the audience.
As the chants grew louder, she raised her head and spoke, saying, "Ever since I debuted at eighteen, I always dreamed of winning the "Saurexia Entertainment Industry Living Legend of the Century Award.," But compared to the veterans before me, I felt I was never good enough, so I worked harder... Even now, standing here at fifty, holding this award, I know I could not have done this without my fans.... From being called a no-name actress and a D-list singer to being called the Empress of the Norwegian Film and Music Industry, winning over two hundred awards, and standing here tonight with the award of my dreams, this is proof of your love even when I know fully well that I am not perfect."
She paused, gripping the microphone, and continued, saying, "I want to say thank you to God, to my fans, to my agency, and to my team for standing by me no matter what... You all are the best, and to everyone out there working hard to become successful, as long as you dare to dream and you have determination, you can be anything you want to be.... My advice for you all is that no matter how many times you fall or fail, don't stay down... get up and try again."
Exhaling softly, she bowed towards the audience again before returning to her seat.
Across the world, viewers who were watching the award ceremony on their televisions and phones felt moved and inspired by Bethany's award acceptance speech.
An hour later, the award ceremony ended.
Bethany opened her eyes slowly as a female staff member gently shook her shoulder and said, "Miss Larson, please wake up... We are about to lock up."
She blinked, still half asleep, then nodded while saying, "Oh, sorry... Thank you for waking me."
She stood up and stretched.
Looking around, the hall was almost empty, and her heart skipped as she called, "Henry."
There was no answer.
She grabbed her purse and walked down the aisle while dialing his number.
The call rang, but no one picked up.
She checked the lobby, the exit, and even the side seating area but still didn't find Henry.
She kept searching for Henry for thirty minutes and still could not find him.
Standing near the restroom hallway, she tried to call Henry again, but the call did not connect, which made her sigh heavily.
She checked all the restrooms one by one and still did not find Henry in any of the restrooms, so she inwardly said, "Perhaps he has gone home already."
As she turned to leave, pain exploded at the back of her head.
Before she could scream, her vision became dark after a sack was put over her head by four men in dark suits.
When Bethany opened her eyes again, her head throbbed sharply.
Her vision blurred.
She tried to move but froze.
Her hands were tied, and her body was sitting on cold concrete.
As her sight cleared, she realized she was on the rooftop of her villa.
The night air was heavy, and fear was pressing down on her chest.
Then she saw him.
Henry stood in front of her, calm and smiling.
Four men in dark suits were standing behind him.
Her heart dropped as several scenarios started playing inside her head.
Refusing to believe what her mind was telling her, she locked her gaze on Henry and shouted, "What is the meaning of this, Henry? Why am I tied up?"
Henry laughed coldly and said, "Ask your maker that question when you meet him in heaven."
As the four men encircled her, confusion filled her eyes as she said, "What? What do you guys want to do? Honey, what's going on here? What do you mean by ask your maker that?"
Henry shook his head, and with his voice laced with mockery, he said, "I can't believe you are still in the mood to ask me a lot of questions... Well, I'm not in the mood to answer all of them... Anyways, just know that you are such a naive and foolish old woman."
Turning around with his hand outstretched, he said, "Take a good look at me, Bethany.... As young, hot, and handsome as I am, did you really think I was in love with you?"
"Wasn't that the case?" Bethany asked softly while staring at Henry in a confused manner.
Seeing the look on her face, Henry stared at Bethany comically for a while, then he burst into laughter and said, "That would make me the craziest man in the world in a negative way, which I am not.... I lied to you, Bethany... I was never in love with you, and I don't see myself falling in love with you in this life... I'd rather love a goat or monkey than fall in love with you."
Hearing such words from Henry made her heart break, but refusing to believe her ears, she said, "This is a prank, right? I can't believe I almost fell for your prank... Wow! What an amazing actor you've turned out to be.... Now that you've done your cosplay, can you please come and untie me? My hands are sore."
Henry blinked in confusion and looked at the four men in dark suits before bursting into laughter while saying, "Oh my God, I think the baseball bat that these guys used to hit your head must have affected your sense of reasoning... You must have lost your mind to think this is a prank... Newsflash, this is not a prank, my dear... This is really happening."
Sighing heavily, he walked towards Bethany and said, "When I met you five years ago at age 25, it wasn't a coincidence... I planned it all... I knew you've dated a lot of celebrities and have been hurt a lot by all of them, which made it hard for you to trust any man or fall in love with any man, so I pretended to be a saint, and with all my sweet words and all my care towards you, which was all for show, you eventually fell for me, and I agreed to marry you because I knew this day would come."
Taking a deep breath, he brought out a cigarette, lit it, took a drag, and puffed out a smoke ring before saying, "I remember you telling me that you fell in love with me because we are very much alike... You were right because, just like you, I hated the fact that I was forced to be a poor orphan after being born into this earth, so don't blame me... You should be able to understand that I was just a young actor who desperately wanted to be famous and rich, and you, my dear, were nothing but my ticket to becoming famous and rich... All the memories we've shared were just me acting... It's funny, right? And to think I learned how to act like a professional actor from you and still fooled you."
Bursting into laughter, Henry pushed Bethany's forehead backward and said, "The student outsmarts the teacher."
"You bastard!!! How could you do this to me?" Bethany screamed loudly while struggling to set herself free.
With her eyes red and almost bulging out, she yelled loudly, saying, "How have I offended you?!"
Henry laughed, and with his voice calm, he said, "You have offended me in no way... I just want you gone so that I can inherit all that you've worked hard for."
Seething with rage and glaring daggers at Henry, Bethany yelled loudly, saying, "Untie me now!! I said, "Untie me this instant!!!"
Smiling devilishly at her, Henry scoffed and said, "Do you still think you are still the powerful and untouchable Bethany Larson?"
Taking another drag of his cigarette and puffing the smoke out, he brought out a handwritten note from his trouser pocket, showed it to her, and then smirked at her and said, "My dear wife, don't worry, I'm going to make your death fast, and with this already written suicide note of yours that I made you write when you were drunk a week ago, your death is going to be ruled by the cops as 'suicide,' and I know that will make your merchandise sell fast because a lot of fans will want to buy it knowing fully well that your merchandise might no longer be manufactured again."
As Henry brought out his pistol from his tuxedo jacket, Bethany, with tears in her eyes, hurriedly said, "Honey, I'm sorry... We can talk this out. Spare my life, please... You can take all my wealth, I don't care... Just let me live."
Henry stared at Bethany for a while, then he whistled a melodious tune before cocking his pistol and pointing it at her.
Bethany swallowed hard, and with fear laced in her voice, she pleaded, saying, "Please... Spare me... Take everything I own and the ones I will own... Just let me live."
Henry brought his pistol down and pretended to be in deep thought.
A minute later, he raised his pistol and pointed it at Bethany before saying, "Sorry, I don't want any loose ends... Goodbye, Wife."
Inhaling deeply, he pulled the trigger of his pistol.
"BANG!!
Bethany fell to the ground from the roof of the villa after being shot by Henry.
Throwing his cigarette away, Henry walked up to Bethany, loosened the rope that tied Bethany's hands, and with a heavy sigh, he threw her body down from the roof.
As soon as Bethany landed on the ground with a thud, she stared at her villa while choking out blood.
Two minutes later, Henry, with the four men in dark suits, came out of her villa.
They walked to her and kicked her hard to ascertain if she was dead.
"Boss, she's still alive, but I don't think she will survive." One of the four men in dark suits said to Henry warmly.
Spitting on her body, Henry turned to one of the four men in dark suits and said, "Jay, I asked you to call the cops after we've finished her off... Have you called the cops?"
"Yes, I have, Sir." Jay answered warmly.
Henry smiled and said, "Good!"
Staring at Bethany once more, he scoffed and said, "Let's get out of here before the cops arrive."
As Henry and his men walked away and left behind Bethany lying in her pool of blood, Bethany, whose consciousness was slowly fading away, started to recall her life, and seeing how pathetic she ended up after working so hard to become successful, she began to regret several choices she made in her life, which made her desperately pray inwardly, saying, "Dear God, Dear Buddha, Dear Krishna... Fuck, I know I'm not much of a believer, but if anyone of you currently listening to me can be kind enough to hear me out, I would be eternally grateful... I have never asked you deities for anything in my life before because I believed that I could get anything I wanted if I worked hard enough for it, but I was wrong... Please forgive my cockiness, and please give me a second chance... I can't die like this... It's so unfair to die like this."