Chapter 78

Marcus Donovan was visibly concerned. He couldn't help but question Julian Blackwood about his intentions. Julian glanced at Evelyn Sinclair, reassuring her, "Relax, everything's under control."

Meanwhile, the audience buzzed with skepticism and confusion.

If Natalie Whitaker could actually be swayed by Harrison Montgomery's sweet talk, would she just become their pawn? That would be truly pathetic.

At that moment, director Preston Whitmore and producer Donovan Sharpe rushed over, their foreheads glistening with sweat. They were at a loss, unable to distinguish truth from fiction. All they could do was let events unfold naturally. Regardless, they were determined to capitalize on this unexpected surge in viewership.

The next step was for both teams to take the stage and announce the results.

The scoring would be based on both the judges' evaluations and audience votes.

Before the scoring began, the two groups were given a chance to speak. Meanwhile, the massive screen behind them transformed into a live comment feed. At a glance, most comments were tearing into Team Young Again.

Netizen A: Even if he was wrong for changing his heart, he went ahead and trampled all over her. He's the lowest of the low.

Netizen B: Compared to outright villains, it's the ones who think they've done nothing wrong who are truly disgusting.

Netizen C: How dare he talk about divorcing Natalie? She should leave him ASAP! She’s better off alone!

Netizen D: Why is my girlfriend tagging me nonstop? I’d never behave like this. If I treated my wife this way, I’d rather twist my own head off!

However, thanks to Maxwell Thornton’s last-minute intervention and the hired PR team, some support remained for them. The flood of negative comments didn’t completely drown them out—there were still voices defending Team Young Again.

Netizen E: Nobody has proof! Stop jumping to conclusions! I believe Harrison and Vanessa had no choice.

Netizen F: I bet Natalie is forcing Harrison to stay with her. Otherwise, why would she hide? She just can’t let go.

Netizen G: True love is innocent!

Following protocol, Team A-List spoke first.

Both Julian and Evelyn gave generic, polite remarks. In reality, Evelyn was too busy absorbing the unfolding drama, while Julian was intently eavesdropping.

At that moment, no one noticed that the live comments were subtly introducing new information, rapidly taking over the screen with repetition.

Then, it was Team Young Again’s turn.

Vanessa Sterling stepped forward, eyes red and teary, looking like she’d been wronged. Harrison, on the other hand, maintained his composed demeanor, untouched by the chaos around him—like the seasoned actor he was.

When the mic was passed to him, Harrison simply said, "The innocent have nothing to fear."

Yet, after he spoke, an eerie silence fell over the venue. The audience kept glancing between their phones and the stage, their expressions shifting.

Harrison frowned and reluctantly handed the mic to Vanessa.

Choking back tears, Vanessa whispered, "I’m sorry for causing trouble, but I have no regrets." She bowed, her face the picture of silent suffering.

The comments section exploded with support: Don’t let others dictate your happiness!

Evelyn scoffed internally: Happiness? More like not caring when people slap you in the face.

Julian, standing nearby, was momentarily stunned. Before he could process what was happening, a figure stormed onto the stage.

Before anyone could react—SLAP!

A sharp crack echoed as Vanessa was struck so hard she stumbled. Harrison instinctively caught her.

This was supposed to be a live broadcast, but the audience, already bombarded with scandalous revelations, was too stunned to react. No one moved to stop the intruder or cut the mic.

So everyone heard Harrison’s shocked exclamation: "Mom?! What are you doing here?"

Lawrence Montgomery had also rushed forward, kicking Harrison twice. Supporting Beatrice Montgomery, who trembled with rage, he snapped, "Harrison, do you think this is fair to Natalie’s parents? We’re ashamed of you! You’ve betrayed your wife for this mistress! How could we raise a son who can’t tell right from wrong? We owe Natalie and her family an apology!"

Harrison was stunned. Why wouldn’t his parents believe him?

This was just a temporary arrangement!

Unbeknownst to him, his parents had been on a cruise with limited internet access. The moment they disembarked, they were bombarded with the live broadcast. Unable to reach Natalie, they’d rushed to the scene, hoping their son would come to his senses.

Instead, they found Harrison and Vanessa still playing their roles. Enraged, Lawrence and Beatrice lost all restraint.

Beatrice glared at her son, who was still holding the sobbing Vanessa, and hissed, "Years ago, we let you leave peacefully—that was mercy enough. Yet here you are, unchanged, seducing another woman’s husband!"

She viciously yanked Vanessa’s hair and slapped her twice.

Harrison quickly intervened. "Mom, Dad, stop! Did Natalie send you?"

"You’re still defending her? You’re utterly bewitched!" Beatrice cried out in frustration. "If we’d known you’d be this stubborn, we never would’ve covered for you back then!"

Harrison froze. A sudden wave of panic hit him—especially when the screen flooded with comments: Support Natalie’s divorce! Dump the trash! Love yourself!

Divorce? A pretend divorce? Wait—

Harrison’s blood ran cold. He frantically dialed Natalie’s number, but no one answered.

"She’s avoiding us. What do we do now?" Lawrence muttered.

Harrison immediately called his lawyer.

But before he could speak, the lawyer cut in: "Congratulations, Mr. Montgomery. Ms. Whitaker has already signed the divorce papers."

The words echoed through the microphone, silencing the entire room. Even the live comments paused.

"No—that’s not real! We’re not actually divorcing! Did you explain it to her?" Harrison’s voice cracked, his composure shattered.

The lawyer replied calmly, "I fulfilled your request, though Ms. Whitaker didn’t seem to agree. She’s already authorized us to handle the asset division."

Harrison paled. "No! Destroy the agreement! We’re not—"

"I’m sorry, Mr. Montgomery," the lawyer interrupted. "Due to Ms. Whitaker’s insistence, legal proceedings have already begun. It’s irreversible."

Harrison’s hands shook. Fear and regret clawed at him. Desperately, he tried to salvage the situation.

"She misunderstood! Let me talk to her—hand her the phone!"

The lawyer sighed. "Ms. Whitaker is currently in surgery and will be unreachable for the next ten hours. By the time she wakes, the divorce will be finalized. Also… given the high-risk nature of the procedure, she’s arranged her estate. You may want to prepare for the inheritance settlement."

Harrison’s world spun. "What? What are you saying?"

"You weren’t aware? Ms. Whitaker has been ill for months. She’s been hospitalized this whole time."

The room’s silence was no longer one of shock, but of horrified realization. The performances by Evelyn and Julian hadn’t been exaggerated at all.

Was it really that serious?

The comments exploded again.

Netizen P: OMG—I just found a diagnosis certificate and surgical consent form from XX Hospital, signed by Natalie herself. The surgery is today.