Someone in the crowd raised a skeptical question. “If you're really a Harris, why would you enter showbiz?"

Gerard's response was icy and assertive. "Is it your place to question my sister?"

His affirmation left everyone dumbstruck. If Gerard himself confirmed it, there could be no doubt.

The rumor that Effie had secured her lead role through seduction quickly dissipated. Those who had ridiculed her felt a shiver of regret, wishing they could take back their words.

The revelation about Effie was both astonishing and perplexing.

Despite being a Harris, she had chosen to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.

It dawned on everyone that Lilah's defense of Effie wasn't born out of naivety or spite toward Tess but rather because Effie was Gerard's sister.

A near minute-Long silence enveloped the venue before it was finally broken. Those who had earlier looked at Effie with contempt now shifted their attitudes, showering her with kindness. "Ah, so you're Mr. Harris' sister. No wonder you seemed familiar."

“The Harris family has good genes. I've been a fan of yours for a long time."

“I've followed your career from the beginning. You're such a talented actress. It's always seemed clear that your success came from your own abilities. It's absurd how those netizens claimed you seduced the scriptwriter for the role," someone flattered.

Effie, observing the crowd's sudden change of heart, found their hypocrisy laughable. She had always chosen to keep her identity a secret, precisely because she found people's insincerity distasteful.

With a slight smile, Effie looked at Tess, who was visibly pale.

“It's okay. The netizens are just misguided. It's common in this industry for people to try to frame those they're jealous of."

Everyone's gaze shifted to Tess. The implication was clear-she was the one who had tried to frame Effie.

Tess, once praised for her gentle demeanor, now seemed capable of causing significant trouble with just a few words.

This was the first time Tess found herself the target of such critical and suspicious eyes. She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. Her earlier accusations had backfired, turning into a public embarrassment.

Tess hadn't anticipated Effie being Gerard's sister. Why hadn't Lilah revealed this sooner? Why had Effie kept it hidden? Were they conspiring to make a fool of her? Tess was seething with fury. In her mind, Effie's actions tainted the integrity of their industry.

However, Tess quickly masked her inner turmoil with a look of surprise and admiration. "I always sensed Effie had a noble air about her, but I never imagined she was a Harris. To establish herself in the industry without relying on her family's influence is truly commendable."

While Tess publicly lauded Effie for not using her family's influence, she privately doubted the authenticity of Effie's success.

How could Effie have landed the lead role in the TV series adapted from A Fond Dream's book so effortlessly without leveraging her status?

The gathered crowd each harbored their own suspicions, yet their expressions were filled with flattery.

Effie, sensing the undercurrents of deceit and manipulation in the room, felt a surge of disdain. She was accustomed to the industry's machinations but had not expected to clash with Tess in such a public manner.

Effie, though unassuming, was far from naive. She grasped the insinuations in Tess' words with ease.

"If I wanted to rely on my family's name, do you really think I would need to audition?" Effie retorted with a sneer. "Some so-called best actress awards can be easily won through connections, but that's not my path. I prefer to succeed on my own merit."