Gasps echoed through the venue as all eyes remained fixed on Amanda and Elizabeth.

The event crew rushed to Amanda's side, their faces etched with concern. They gently helped her up, noticing her pained expression.

Amanda had taken a nasty fall. She winced dramatically with every attempted movement. Her feet seemed completely immobilized.

"Do you need medical attention, Ms. Mitchell?" a crew member asked anxiously.

"The ceremony is about to begin—there's no time for that," Amanda moaned, her voice trembling with feigned pain. "I must return to my seat immediately, but I can't possibly walk..."

"Let us assist you then..."

"No, it's too painful!"

The crew tried to be as gentle as possible, but Amanda's exaggerated reactions left them helpless and confused.

That's when Amanda pointed directly at a nearby seat. "I'll just sit there for now."

It was Elizabeth York's designated spot.

The crew members exchanged horrified glances.

Elizabeth ranked among the top three A-list celebrities present.

Amanda Mitchell barely qualified as B-list. What gave her the right to claim a prime A-list seating position?

"Ms. Mitchell, that's Ms. York's assigned seat," one crew member protested. "You can't possibly—"

"I don't see the issue here," Amanda interrupted sweetly. "She's the one who tripped me. Taking her seat seems only fair compensation."

The surrounding celebrities maintained their professional composure, carefully avoiding commentary.

However, Amanda's paid actress friends immediately understood her strategy.

One of them spoke up sharply. "Wasn't the entire industry praising how certain A-listers never throw their weight around? How they treat newcomers with such fairness? Yet here we are, witnessing petty retaliation over red carpet positioning. How utterly classless!"

"Exactly," another chimed in. "Amanda is clearly injured, and she won't even offer her seat? Disgusting behavior."

"She's just fortunate she landed roles in major films and collected some awards. Anyone with her luck would have achieved more... I wonder how she actually gets those parts!"

"Luck? Don't be naive. Everyone knows about her casting couch arrangements..." The actress let her words hang meaningfully before adding, "She's certainly not like our Amanda, who never leverages her family connections despite her privileged background. Amanda actually works hard instead of stealing opportunities!"

"That reminds me... wasn't there that actress who took Amanda's role through questionable means? Amanda never complained! Now Amanda needs her spot due to injury, and she can't handle it!"

Elizabeth's expression darkened dangerously.

The actresses spoke just loudly enough for nearby attendees to hear every word.

Amanda caught the comments and flashed Elizabeth a venomous smile.

Thank goodness she'd been clever enough to bribe these B and C-list actresses beforehand. Humiliating Elizabeth was going exactly according to plan.

Elizabeth slowly rose from her seat.

Amanda's smile widened triumphantly—Elizabeth wouldn't dare challenge her publicly! That would be giving herself too much importance!

"You want my seat?" Elizabeth's voice was ice cold.

"My leg is injured. I have no other choice," Amanda simpered with false innocence.

"Really?" Elizabeth's sneer could have frozen hell over. The fire in her eyes burned brightly.

She had never been one to tolerate bullying—when truly provoked, she wouldn't hesitate to strike anyone!

She'd even made Nathan Davis cry once before!

"Since you're so determined to play the injured victim," Elizabeth enunciated each word with precision, "I suppose I should help make your performance more convincing. I refuse to be your scapegoat!"

With that declaration, she lifted her foot, aiming the sharp stiletto heel directly at Amanda's already "injured" foot.

There was no one in this world Elizabeth wouldn't confront when provoked!

She kicked forward with all her strength!