Faye hasn't returned yet, where is she?

Amidst the crowded hall, sitting in her important guest seat, Yoko nervously looked around and began to feel an inexplicable sense of unease.

The important awards had gradually been presented, and now it was time for the audience-voted award, the Most Beloved Couple Award. Even for this fan-voted award, Faye and Yoko were extremely strong contenders, almost unrivaled. Their massive fanbase, spanning hundreds of countries worldwide, had poured in to vote for them both, making this award practically a sure win.

A moment ago, Faye and assistant Nhan had left to go to the restroom to adjust their outfits. Faye had to coax and promise to return immediately for Yoko to be left alone. But after quite some time, Faye still hadn't come back, and a sense of unease was spreading in Yoko's heart.

For many days now, Yoko had known that things wouldn't end so easily; the forces that wished to harm them still lurked in the shadows. But not wanting to make Faye worry and not wanting to influence Faye's thoughts, Yoko always hid her feelings and tried to appear cheerful and calm. Yoko also didn't ask about what Faye and Thiên were arranging. But at this moment, right now, when both Faye and Yoko had almost achieved everything they wanted, Yoko felt an inexpressible unease. Everything was about to end, but it all felt like the calm before a great storm.

Beside her, Wan and Min also began to get anxious about why Faye hadn't returned. On stage, the host was starting to introduce the couple award.

Seeing Yoko's restless anxiety, Wan turned and whispered to assistant director Min, asking her to immediately go find Faye.

Suddenly, Yoko's phone rang. Because it was during an event, the ringer was off, but the gentle vibration of the phone at such a special moment still startled Yoko. Yoko Apasra looked at the phone screen, saw the caller's name, and a feeling of fear ran down her spine. Taking a deep breath, Yoko answered the phone:

"Thien?"

On the other end, the sound was very noisy, as if in a car, the voice rushed and anxious. Thien said words that Yoko would never forget:

"Yoko? Yoko, are you okay?! Are you alright? And where's Faye..."

Where's Faye? Why ask about Faye?

Yoko's hands turned cold hearing these words, and she hesitated before replying:

"Faye went to the restroom, she hasn't returned to the hall yet."

"Who's next to you?" Thien asked worriedly, completely losing her usual composed demeanor.

"Ms Wan..."

"Give the phone to her, I need to talk to her." Thien urgently requested.

"Thien, what's wrong? What happened to Faye?" Yoko suppressed the anxiety in her heart.

But Thien only replied impatiently: "Yo, give the phone to Wan!!"

Wan also didn't understand what was happening. She only knew that as soon as she took the phone and spoke to Thien, after just a few sentences, Wan's face changed color. Wan immediately turned to Min and the other Ninestar assistant, asking Min to urgently go find Faye and Nhan. She even told Min to report to security to surround the area if anything unusual happened.

At this point, even an idiot would understand that something had happened. Yoko immediately stood up, wanting to go find Faye, but Wan pulled her arm back.

"You can't go!"

"Let me go, I want to find her..."

"If something happens to you now, it will be even harder to resolve, Yoko. You are always the target, not Faye."

Yoko's eyes reddened with anger, wanting to pull her hand free from Wan's grasp: "I don't want to..."

Just then, the host clapped and shouted loudly: "And the award for Most Beloved Couple of the year goes to... Faye and Yoko!!!!"

Wan let go of Yoko's hand and whispered: "You and Faye have worked hard all year for this moment. You must go up on that stage and accept that award."

"No..."

"We will immediately go find Faye, Faye will be fine. This is a live broadcast right now, we can't cause a scene! You have to go up on that stage..."

Amidst the thunderous applause, both from other actors congratulating them and the overwhelming cheers from all the fans in the hall, Yoko Apasra stood bathed in the spotlights, radiant and exquisitely beautiful like a princess stepping out of a fairytale. Nevertheless, Yoko's eyes were troubled, her heart churning with turmoil. Her sixth sense told her something big had happened, but reason pulled Yoko back to reality.

How could she leave right now, how could she stand up and abandon everything when nothing was clear? How could she be in the mood to act now?

Act as if they are not here.

Act as if there will be no tomorrow.

Act as if in this whole world, there is only you and me.

But Faye's words seemed to echo invisibly in her ears, as if Faye was standing right beside her, holding her hand, telling her that she could do it.

Yoko Apasra closed her eyes for only a few seconds, yet it felt like a very long time, until Yoko opened her eyes, a radiant smile gracing her lips. The relentless anxiety in her eyes was tightly suppressed, replaced by a confident gaze. Yoko smiled brightly, waving to the audience congratulating her, and slowly walked towards the stage. On that award podium was the award for Best Couple, the best testament to their relationship.

Acting as if not acting, the Most Promising Young Actress of the year, Yoko Apasra, walked onto the podium and accepted the Best Couple award alone.

This was the first time Yoko was without Faye by her side.

....

Fifteen minutes earlier.

Clink!

Amidst the lively atmosphere of the awards ceremony, Faye suddenly let go of Yoko's hand, turned with a slight smile, and excused herself to go to the restroom to adjust her attire. Yoko started to stand up to follow Faye, but Faye placed her hand on her shoulder, signaling her not to follow.

Faye gave a beautiful smile, her eyes looking deeply into Yoko's.

"I'll be back..." Faye gently stroked her cheek.

Yoko's eyes widened, but she obediently let Faye leave.

It wasn't until she and Nhan had left the audience area, turned a corner on the side of the hall, and entered the event's dressing room for artists, that Faye frowned and sat down on a sofa in the middle of the room. In front of her were large mirrors, and behind her were dark changing rooms.

Nhan was confused by Faye's actions: "What's wrong, sis?"

But Nhan was met only by a very strange look. Faye seemed to sigh, unable to speak fully. At this point, even Nhan felt worried. Then, suddenly, without warning, darkness fell. For some reason, Nhan slumped onto the chair, unconscious. Faye quickly caught Nhan, helping her sit down on the chair, as peacefully as if she were sleeping.

Faye frowned, looking into the large mirror on the wall, which clearly reflected a figure gradually emerging from the darkness of the changing room behind. This person had finally truly appeared.

Long hair was now loose, instead of neatly tied up as usual, a face more haggard than before, a thin body with a fragile feeling, dressed in entirely black jeans and a black shirt with no other colors mixed in.

Bird –Chim Di Tru, finally revealed herself.

Or, to be more precise, this woman's real name was Danny – Ninestar's communication consultant. Her true identity was a talented and wealthy psychologist with a Ph.D., who had returned from abroad, concealing her entire identity for so long, with the sole purpose of working at Ninestar and getting close to Faye Peraya Malisorn.

Faye was her only target.

Faye cautiously stood up. Even though she knew how dangerous the person standing opposite her was, Faye did not fear or falter but stood tall, looking at Danny, her hands clenched tightly.

"It really is you."

"Did you guess it was me?" Danny smiled.

Her intellectual and gentle smile had never changed. Just like their private consultations about acting techniques, it was always that smile, a profound understanding in her eyes, devoid of emotion yet always smiling sweetly at everything, her voice steady and cold, only changing its tone when speaking to Faye.

"I should have guessed sooner," Faye looked at this woman, frowning.

How this woman had hidden herself all this time just to get close to Faye, Faye's first and biggest fan, a stalker who had followed Faye for 14 years, Faye's childhood best friend, a part of the reason Faye lost her memories. This person was also the cruel one who had attacked and cyberbullied Yoko all this time.

Danny was not an ordinary person.

"You should have shown yourself sooner. I've let you suffer too much." Danny smiled happily, as if they were a couple who had been separated for many years and were reuniting, and as if nothing had ever gone wrong between them.

Faye tried to stay calm, but a cold feeling was spreading. The final villain had revealed herself, further proving that it was time to end the game. Faye glanced at her phone and the door, briefly wondering if she could run away immediately. Although she trusted herself, Faye also knew too well how manipulative Danny could be.

This woman was truly very dangerous!!

"Meeting someone who has been by your side for almost your entire life, don't you want to say anything?" Danny smiled confidently, completely calm as if nothing had ever happened or affected her.

She came closer and sat right next to Faye.

As soon as Faye shifted, she heard that voice change from gentle to a warning: "If you move and try to run away from here, do you believe your little pet will forever be 23 years old?"

Yoko... Yoko is still outside!

Thinking of Yoko's safety, Faye bit her lip, trying to stay calm, but the chilling and cold sensation continued to spread. At this moment, she needed to buy as much time as possible. Faye immediately changed the subject.

"Why are you doing all this? You were the one who asked me and Yoko to be closer from the beginning."

Danny crossed her arms, smiling again as if nothing could affect her.

"Because it was interesting. You don't know that being by your side for over a decade, I've seen you and so many other passing girls. But it's okay, in the end, you can only come back to me." Danny was unusually confident and emphasized.

"But I don't love you, I don't even know who you really are!" Faye stood up, taking a step back.

"Stand still!" Faye's words made the smile on Danny's face fade a little, but she still calmly gave the order.

And for some reason, with just those two simple words, Faye suddenly couldn't move. As if there was an automatic response mechanism to Danny's commands, Faye terrifyingly realized that at some unknown point, she had been affected by these commands. Was it from those consultation sessions at Ninestar, about acting, about life, or perhaps because of the cups of tea Danny had brewed for both Faye and Yoko? All of those things combined immediately became a cage that subtly controlled Faye.

Just like a moment ago in the hall, Faye suddenly felt an invisible call, drawing her to this very room.

I can't be controlled like this!!

"What have you done to me?" Faye was extremely unsettled.

This dangerous woman could do anything she wanted. She had prepared everything before coming here, and she would certainly achieve her goal.

"I know you're stalling with those questions. But I'm not some foolish villain who will sit here rambling and telling you everything..." Danny took a step forward, adjusted a strand of hair by Faye's ear, and gently stroked Faye's face.

No, I don't want that! Don't touch my face!

Faye hated it and turned her face away, her eyes burning with hatred and repulsion.

But that didn't bother Danny. She smiled happily, looking directly into Faye's eyes. There, Faye clearly saw a crazy possessiveness deep in Danny's gaze.

"... Mali, I'm here to take you home. You've played enough, it's time to come back to our home."

....

"And the award for Most Beloved Couple of the year, voted by the audience, goes to... Faye and Yoko!!"

Yoko was endlessly worried, but still tried to control and hide everything, professionally standing up, smiling at everyone, and walking onto the stage to accept the award.

Politely thanking the presenter, Yoko stood before thousands of people, holding a couple's trophy in her hand but standing alone. Many guests below were also surprised why Faye Peraya had left. Everyone focused their gaze on Yoko Apasra.

Clenching the trophy tightly in her hand, Yoko was distraught internally, but still hid it. She smiled and improvised a speech she had just composed in her mind:

"I sincerely thank all the love and support from the fans for Faye Peraya and me. Faye had to leave suddenly due to an unforeseen family emergency, and on her behalf, I humbly accept this award..." Yoko gave a very commercial smile, delivering the speech smoothly, but her eyes followed the Ninestar team below the stage, who had dispersed to look for Faye.

"... Throughout the past time, Faye and I have had the opportunity to work together, to be by each other's side, and to bring the audience the best artistic products. The Couple Award we received today is also the best proof of how much the fans have trusted and loved Faye and me. And I hope this affection will remain complete and unchanged forever. Faye and I also promise to do our best not to disappoint everyone's affection..."

In the distance, from the side entrance backstage, assistant Nhan and Min appeared. Min helped Nhan move towards the area where the Ninestar group was sitting.

Yoko's smile froze.

Where's Faye? Where is Faye?

"... I... sincerely thank you for your choice and support for Faye and me today... Thank you for everything." Her blood seemed to run cold, her throat was dry, struggling not to cry. Yoko Apasra's heart ached as if being cut, forcing out each word to finish.

As the congratulatory applause echoed throughout the hall, Yoko smiled and stood firm on the stage, but her eyes were fixed on Min and Nhan, staring unblinkingly as if questioning.

Where is she? Is Faye okay?

In return, it was just a shake of Nhan's head. Min helped Nhan sit down on a chair, and then the entire Ninestar team looked at Yoko. Their eyes, their expressions, all conveyed a single meaning:

Faye is not here.

Faye is gone.

Faye is lost.

Yoko, your Faye, is no longer here.