Defying Fate: The Unstoppable Eileen



The television awards show was broadcasting live for all to see.

The moment the host announced that Eileen, the dark horse, had beaten out the top-tier Hollywood starlets by leveraging her role in a mere web series to snatch the Best Actress award, the chat exploded!

-[OMG, Eileen won?!]

-[Eileen's the GOAT, just one series and she's legendary!!!]

-[Didn't see that coming, those A-list actresses just got served.] -[Rigged much?]

-[Here come the trolls, saying Eileen's got a sugar daddy.]

-[Not saying she's taken care of, but going from zero to hero in a year? Gotta be some big bucks behind her.]

-[LOL, if she's shining bright, she's got connections. Your fave's flopping 'cause you got no clout. Deal with it!]

-[She's definitely got a backer, and it's Egbert! She's been riding his coattails on shows recently, and Egbert's presenting tonight. Coincidence? They even walked the red carpet together!]

-[Holy smokes, you just reminded me... What if Egbert saw star potential in Eileen on their collab through Traveller 5+1, signed her up, and has been her mentor ever since, even stirring up romance rumors for publicity? How else can you explain his sudden reality TV spree this past year?!]

-[True, Egbert never did reality TV before Traveller 5+1, now you can't hold him back. Mentorship or talent scouting?]

-[More like she's signed under his label. Only makes sense to push your own talent that hard.]

-[No way, my E&E just a business arrangement? But that makes my ship... even spicier!!! So, it's the boss-man and his protégée trope? I'm all over this!!]

-[What's with the delay? The promo's done, where's the award? Where's Eileen?]

-[Camera's panning over now!]

In the streaming room, the camera finally swung toward the audience seats.

And then...

-[What?]

-[Huh??]

-[What the...???]

-[Seriously, what's she doing? Sleeping at an awards show??]

A minute later, the man on stage, mic in hand, said, "Are you that tired? I told you to get some sleep last night, but you wouldn't listen." The chat was a sea of question marks as Egbert's words sank in.

At the venue, Eileen sat rigid in her chair, flanked by an equally stiff Simon.

Simon was dumbstruck, glancing between his aunt, Mr. Reed, and back again.

After a tense silence, the host finally spoke up, awkwardly trying to get back on track: "Please... Eileen, come up to receive your award." Cue the congratulatory music.

Eileen took a deep breath and stood, her movements composed. She gripped her dress and walked towards the stage.

Reaching the steps, she glanced back at the crowd. The place was packed with bigwigs.

Her eyes searched until she spotted Bblythe in the third row, eyes wide with shock.

Eileen pursed her lips and turned back to the stage.

Egbert stood there, a crystal trophy held by the assistant on a tray behind him.

She approached Egbert, stopping a respectful distance away.

The host chatted with Eileen about her show, Fancy Island, as if nothing had happened.

After the small talk, it was time for the award.

Egbert stepped forward, handing her the trophy with a "Congratulations."

Eileen accepted it gracefully, then bowed to Egbert and said, "Thank you, Mr. Reed."

Egbert raised an eyebrow at her.

When she looked up again, her eyes were filled with a complex mix of emotions.

Facing the microphone, Eileen held the trophy, feigning surprise, "I'm genuinely shocked to receive this award. I didn't prepare a speech, so I'll speak from the heart. First off, a huge thank you to the entire Fancy Island team. Without them, I wouldn't be here. Especially Lenwood, such a talented director. This isn't just my award, it's ours!"

Eileen rambled on, covering all the polite bases, then she got to the point.

Her cheeks flushed as she said, "As you've seen, I actually dozed off earlier..."

Laughter rippled through the audience.

Eileen, embarrassed, touched her face, "I didn't sleep well last night, hence the drowsiness. I was so nervous; this is my first time at an event of this magnitude. Around four in the morning, I was in a group chat asking friends if they were attending because I was scared to go alone."

She then looked at Egbert, "Mr. Reed was there, advising me to rest instead of worrying. I had no idea he'd be here today. Your surprise appearance really startled me."

Egbert paused, then smiled. She had dodged the bullet.

He remained quiet, simply watching her.

Eileen finished her sentence and turned to scan the crowd below the stage. Her eyes settled on Bblythe and she couldn't help but tease, "And there's Bblythe. Why didn't you give me a heads up in our group chat last night? Were you planning to come here today? Was this some sort of conspiracy to watch me squirm?"

At that moment, the camera and spotlight swiveled to focus on Bblythe in the audience.

Someone handed Bblythe a microphone.

With a confident and friendly smile, Bblythe looked up at Eileen on stage and said, "We wanted to surprise you! Phyllis and Josiah were supposed to come too, but they had a last-minute change of plans. So it's just me and Mr. Reed representing. Did we really give you a fright?"

Bblythe's response almost confirmed that what Eileen had just said on stage was indeed true.

Eileen internally breathed a sigh of relief. She had looked for Bblythe when she got on stage, hoping for her cooperation. And Bblythe, such a great sport, had come through for her!novelbin

But if it had been Phyllis Sankner in the audience instead, Eileen wouldn't have dared to play such a game. With Phyllis's sharp wit, she would have caught on instantly!

Eileen added, "You really did scare me. But seeing a good old friend here suddenly made all the nerves disappear."

After a few more remarks, Eileen placed the microphone back on its stand, gave a bow, and descended from the stage. The atmosphere at the award ceremony finally returned to normal.

Meanwhile, in the livestream chat, the confusion subsided.

-[So the 'early to bed' chat was just that? I jumped to the conclusion that they were living together!]

-[Haha, no need to cohabit, but why is Egbert stirring up such ambiguity? Is it because the second episode of 'Romantic Revelations' airs tomorrow?] -[Egbert, you've changed! You're starting to play up your own ship!]

-[I can't stomach this! Spill the real tea!"]