Winnie, who was standing bone-dry behind them in the dressing room, laughed delightfully. “I’m really sorry. I’m rather weak, and I can’t balance very well. I hope you’re OK, Skylar. The audience seemed to have really enjoyed themselves because of you, though. We can credit today’s success entirely to you.”
Skylar was in the midst of removing her mascara when she looked coolly at Winnie, who was stifling a giggle behind her manicured hands. “It’s fine. It’s just a show.”
Winnie patted Skylar’s shoulder encouragingly. “That’s the right attitude! I was worried that you might take offense. You look just like a panda with your smudged eyeshadow and mascara. You’d better remind your makeup artist to use waterproof makeup next time.”
Skylar refused to dignify the woman’s condescending remarks with a reply, and merely gazed at her steadfastly until Winnie turned away uneasily.
By the time Winnie and her assistant had exited the dressing room, Skylar had finished changing.
When that episode finally aired the same week, Winnie emerged on social media sites as a trending topic. Skylar persuaded Kate to buy over multiple verified accounts, who whipped netizens up into a frenzy with a few notable hashtags: #SoreLoserWinnie #IStandWithSkylar
Winnie was right. The episode was a success, but not in the way she had hoped. It went viral for the purported story of Winnie deliberately sabotaging Skylar. Netizens filled in the rest of the blanks with their own gossip.
Skylar’s refusal to retaliate was heralded as a commendable display of sportsmanship. Her public image instantly did a 180-degree about-turn when netizens fussed over her graciousness in the face of defeat even though they hotly demanded why she had allowed Winnie to bully her.
The entire debacle resulted in propelling Skylar’s Instagram followers to nearly one million.
Kate was over the moon. She continually praised Skylar for her self-restraint when Winnie had been stomping all over her.
Skylar lowered her gaze modestly. Scrolling through her phone, she smiled, saying, “Social media sites love siding the victim.”
On the other hand, Winnie was the recipient of the torrent of abuse that poured in from all over the Internet.
What a b*tch! How could she treat Skylar that way?
She’s a terrible person. Winnie obviously planned the whole thing.
Disgusting. She’s evil.
The onslaught of harsh comments filled every one of Winnie’s posts on Instagram and flooded her direct messages. Winnie read a few, then flung her phone away from her in vexation.
She finally understood how Skylar had managed to keep her cool despite her repeated torments. Skylar had even maintained her demure smile, refusing to change out of her sodden clothes.
Skylar had wanted the image of her pitiful self to be seared in everyone’s minds, knowing that netizens would pounce on it with their pity and indignation. There was no need for her to retaliate as the netizens would rip Winnie to shreds for her.
It was no coincidence that multiple verified accounts had been able to expose so many of Winnie’s questionable acts simultaneously. Winnie’s reputation had been thoroughly dragged through the mud practically overnight.
Winnie was certain that Skylar had bought over those influential social media accounts.
Intent on getting her revenge, Winnie and her manager, Cindy, stormed over to Valerie, the CEO of Royal Entertainment.
Even though Winnie and Skylar were managed by the same company, the former was prepared to fight tooth and nail to prove that Skylar’s behavior was akin to betraying the company.
Just as Winnie barged into Valerie’s office, she was greeted by the sight of Tobias already seated within.
Dumbfounded at the sight of the company’s owner, Winnie halted in her tracks, then stammered, “Tobi…”
Tobias frowned as he remarked sharply, “Who are you to call me that?”
Winnie gaped at the man uncomprehendingly. Floundering, she explained, “I’m Sheldon’s girlfriend, don’t you remember?”
Tobias leered at her. Winnie was indeed compatible with Sheldon. Neither of them seemed very bright.
The woman’s next statement confirmed that to be true. Before Tobias could say another word, she immediately launched into a long rant.
“Ms. Fey, Skylar’s totally evil! We’re colleagues, yet she stepped all over me to give herself a boost in popularity. Everyone’s cursing me on Instagram now, calling me a sore loser. Skylar sabotaged me on purpose! I did nothing to her. She’s so jealous of me,” Winnie whined.
Seeing that the owner of Royal Entertainment was present, Winnie thought she would maximize the opportunity to expose Skylar’s true self to Tobias. Winnie was determined to let Tobias know just how much of a b*tch Skylar was.
Valerie, however, cleared her throat sharply, indicating that the conversation was over.
