INTRODUCTION
The golden lights of the auditorium shimmered like falling stars, casting a warm glow over the sea of celebrities dressed in glittering gowns and tailored suits. Cameras flashed endlessly, capturing every smile, every tear, every carefully crafted expression meant for the public eye.
And at the very center of it all stood Bell.
She looked breathtaking in silver sequins that hugged her figure like liquid moonlight. Her lips curved into the dazzling smile the entire nation adored — bright, playful, untouchable. The kind of smile that made people forgive her for everything.
“Best Supporting Actress…Bell Chalida Rattanakul"!
The announcement echoed through the hall, followed by thunderous applause.
Bell froze for half a second before laughter bubbled from her lips in disbelief. Her hands trembled as she covered her mouth, eyes glistening beneath the stage lights. The cameras loved moments like this — beautiful tears, beautiful actresses, beautiful lies.
She walked gracefully toward the stage while fans screamed her name from the audience.
“Bell! Bell!”
Her father sat proudly in the front row, clapping harder than anyone else. His eyes were red with emotion, his expensive suit unable to hide the overwhelming pride written across his face.
Bell accepted the trophy with shaking hands.
“Thank you…” Her voice cracked softly, earning sympathetic smiles from the audience. “I—I honestly didn’t expect this.”
The crowd laughed warmly.
She looked radiant under the spotlight, like a princess born for fame.
But even beneath the applause, whispers slithered through the room like poison hidden beneath perfume.
“She only won because of her father.”
“A rich girl playing actress.”
“She’s pretty, but not talented.”
Bell heard them.
Of course she did.
She had spent years hearing the same words repeated in different voices.
Spoiled brat.
Nepo baby.
Pretty face. Empty head.
Yet Bell simply smiled brighter, masking every wound beneath charm and elegance. That was what celebrities did best — bleeding beautifully while pretending not to hurt.
By the next morning, her victory had already spread across every media platform in the country. Fans flooded social media with edits of her speech, interviews, and red-carpet photos.
Bell lay dramatically across her bed in silk pajamas, scrolling through the endless praise with sparkling eyes.
Then her phone vibrated.
An invitation appeared on the screen.
Royal Industry.
Bell immediately sat upright.
Her breath caught in her throat as she reread the message again and again, unable to believe it.
Royal Industry was not merely an entertainment company — it was an empire. A kingdom that produced the nation’s biggest stars, wealthiest celebrities, and most legendary actors. Countless actresses dreamed of entering its doors, yet only a chosen few were accepted.
And now they wanted her.
Bell pressed a hand against her racing heart.
Finally…
Her first lead role.
That evening, her father personally opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
“You’ve made it, Bell,” he said proudly, pulling her into a hug. “This is your moment.”
Bell laughed brightly, spinning around the living room like a child living inside a fairytale. For the first time in years, she felt as though the world truly belonged to her.
She had no idea that everything was about to fall apart.
The Royal Industry welcome party was nothing short of extravagant.
Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead while soft violin melodies blended with expensive laughter. Models, actors, producers, and directors filled the marble ballroom dressed in luxury brands worth more than ordinary people earned in years.
Bell wore a crimson gown that flowed behind her like wine spilling across polished floors. Every camera followed her movements. Every guest greeted her with polished smiles.
Champagne glasses kept appearing in her hands.
One glass became two.
Two became four.
Bell had always been terrible with alcohol.
By midnight, her vision blurred slightly as dizziness swayed beneath her heels.
“I need the washroom…” she murmured to herself with a quiet laugh.
She wandered through unfamiliar hallways, one hand brushing against the walls for balance. The music from the ballroom faded behind her, replaced by eerie silence.
Then she saw a door slightly open.
Without thinking, Bell pushed it open.
And froze.
The room smelled sharply of smoke and chemicals.
Young actresses sat huddled together beneath dim lighting, fear hidden behind heavy makeup. Tiny plastic packets littered the glass table while silver needles reflected the faint light overhead.
A man laughed quietly in the corner.
One of the girls looked up suddenly.
Their eyes met.
Silence.
Then—
“Who’s there?”
Bell’s blood ran cold.
Panic exploded inside her chest.
She immediately pulled her shawl over her face and stumbled backward before turning to run. Her heels slammed desperately against the marble floor as shouts erupted behind her.
“Catch her!”
Fear consumed her whole.
The glamorous building suddenly felt monstrous — a golden cage hiding rotten darkness beneath its beauty.
Bell ran blindly into the rainy night outside, her breathing uneven, tears stinging her eyes. The sound of footsteps chased after her through the empty streets.
Faster.
Closer.
Then suddenly—
A hand grabbed her waist and pulled her violently into a narrow alley.
Bell gasped, about to scream, but another hand covered her mouth instantly.
“Don’t shout,” a low voice whispered.
Bell’s body trembled uncontrollably.
Hidden within the shadows stood a tall girl wearing a black hoodie and cap, her face barely visible beneath the dim streetlight. Sharp eyes watched the men rush past the alley without noticing them.
Only after the footsteps disappeared did the stranger slowly release Bell.
Relief crashed over her so suddenly that her knees weakened.
Her vision darkened.
And before she could speak—
Everything went black.
…
Warm sunlight brushed against Bell’s face.
She groaned softly before opening her eyes.
The room was small and unfamiliar. Plain white walls. Simple furniture. No luxury. No chandeliers. No cameras.
For a moment, she wondered if everything had been a nightmare.
Then the memories returned.
Bell quickly stumbled out of bed and hurried downstairs.
In the tiny kitchen, someone stood calmly cooking breakfast.
The girl from last night.
Without the hoodie, her features were finally visible — pale skin, dark hair tied loosely back, sharp eyes filled with cold restraint.
Bell froze.
“…Eva?”
The girl turned slightly.
Bell’s eyes widened in disbelief before tears instantly filled them.
“Eva!”
She rushed forward without hesitation, throwing her arms tightly around her like a drowning person finding air again.
“I can’t believe it’s really you…”
For a brief second, Eva’s body stiffened.
Then she gently pushed Bell away.
“Bell,” she said quietly. “Look at the television.”
Confused, Bell turned toward the screen.
And felt her entire world collapse.
BREAKING NEWS: AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS BELL EXPOSED AS DRUG USER.
Photos flooded the screen.
Blurry images.
Edited angles.
Manufactured evidence.
Her name spread across every channel like wildfire.
Social media comments flashed endlessly beneath the headlines.
Disgusting.
We trusted her.
Knew she was fake.
Bell’s breathing became uneven.
“No…” she whispered weakly.
Her trembling fingers reached for her phone only to discover hundreds of missed calls, hateful messages, and canceled contracts.
Even her father’s final message felt cold.
I cannot help you this time.
Bell slowly lowered the phone, her chest tightening painfully.
Everything was gone.
Her career.
Her fans.
Her reputation.
Her future.
Tears rolled silently down her cheeks as she looked at Eva with shattered eyes.
“Will you abandon me too?”
For the first time, Eva’s cold expression softened slightly.
“Never.”
Bell stared at her silently.
Eva looked away before speaking again.
“We were friends once. Remember? High school.”
Bell remembered.
The quiet girl who always sat near the window.
The girl who secretly protected her from bullies when no one noticed.
The girl she had once cared about deeply before fame separated them.
Eva placed a small silver badge onto the table.
Bell’s eyes widened.
“I’m an undercover police officer,” Eva said calmly. “I’ve been investigating Royal Industry for two years.”
The room fell silent.
“That company isn’t what people think it is,” Eva continued. “They lure young actresses into drugs, blackmail them, and force them to entertain wealthy clients. Anyone who tries to escape disappears.”
Bell’s hands trembled violently.
“So they framed me…”
Eva nodded once.
“You saw something you weren’t supposed to see.”
Bell lowered her gaze, tears slipping quietly down her face.
Just days ago, she had stood beneath golden lights accepting an award while the world adored her.
Now she was ruined.
Broken.
Alone.
Then Eva extended her hand toward her.
“I need your help to expose them.”
Bell stared at that hand for a long moment.
Slowly… she reached forward and held it.
Her fingers trembled against Eva’s steady grip.
“Then let’s fight together.”
