Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 113

Gideon noticed how anxious Celestine looked, her fingers nervously rubbing the little charm in her hand. He wondered if she'd been just as tense when she'd asked for this trinket for him.

The award ceremony was reaching its peak. Excitement buzzed in the air as everyone craned their necks, waiting for the announcement.

Finally, the presenter broke the seal on the envelope and, with deliberate slowness, read out the name: "Joanna."

A stunned murmur swept through the room, quickly giving way to stunned silence. Then, after a few heartbeats, hesitant applause broke out, gathering momentum.

Spotlights swung to Joanna, making the diamonds on her gown glitter like starlight. She pressed her hand to her lips in theatrical surprise, glancing incredulously at the guests seated on either side.

A cold smile tugged at Celestine's lips. When Joanna wasn't acting, her performance skills were actually quite convincing.

Even Joanna seemed genuinely caught off guard by the night's outcome. She'd only asked Zeke to switch her nomination to Best Actress to overshadow Mirabelle a little—she never expected to win it outright, again. Still, she'd always been a force to be reckoned with; it was no surprise she outshone the rest.

She played up her shock for the cameras. "I… never imagined I'd have the honor of receiving this award again. Thank you to the organizers and all the judges for this incredible recognition."

Online, Joanna's fans erupted:

**[Sis! I knew you'd crush it! Show those publicity-hungry nobodies how it's done! Put them in their place!]**

**[See that, Mirabelle stans? That's called talent! Does your fave even understand what this award means?]**

**[Our queen stepped back from the spotlight for years and still wipes the floor with your idol! Feels bad, huh?]**

But not everyone was convinced:

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