Chapter 171

Sophia Laurent's fingertips lightly tapped the tablet screen displaying Scarlett Ashcroft's skyrocketing follower count. Five hundred thousand and still climbing.

Lucas Sheridan suddenly updated his Weibo.

He released an exclusive audition tape with a succinct caption: "This is my Empress @ScarlettAshcroft."

In the video, Scarlett stood alone at the center of an empty stage.

She initially stumbled backward in apparent fright, as if evading an unseen threat. Then her gaze sharpened abruptly. Shoulders squared, her trembling fingers reached up to adjust an invisible crown.

"Your Majesty, the court awaits your coronation—"

She pivoted slowly toward the void, her skirt flaring with regal precision. In that moment, the fragile princess transformed completely into a decisive monarch.

The comment section exploded.

"Holy shit! That performance!"

"That turn gave me chills!"

"Director Sheridan's vision is flawless—she IS the Empress!"

Scarlett dominated the top three trending hashtags:

#ScarlettEmpressAudition

#LucasSheridanLeadRole

#ScarlettsActingMasterclass

Sophia refreshed the page with a satisfied smile. Scarlett's followers had surpassed six hundred thousand, climbing visibly by the second.

She picked up the intercom. "Release the prepared statements."

Within thirty minutes, multiple entertainment influencers broke synchronized stories:

"Exclusive: Scarlett's cheating ex was actually..."

"Shocking identity of Scarlett's former lover revealed..."

"Scarlett's leaked recording exposing her toxic ex?"

The online mob shifted focus immediately.

"I knew our queen wouldn't take this lying down!"

"The truth comes out! Waiting for that scumbag's downfall!"

"Scarlett plays no games—straight to the jugular!"

Observing the shifting舆论, Sophia closed her laptop with finality.

Meanwhile, Derek Langley's office descended into chaos.

"Sir, our stocks just crashed!"

"Three partners terminated contracts!"

"The board demands an emergency meeting!"

Derek shattered a teacup against the wall. Glaring at Scarlett's audition footage, he snarled: "Investigate! I want full background on this Scarlett Ashcroft!"