Wolfy Returns

Deep within the bustling studios of Nova Media, Harper walked over to a sleek prop cabinet. She pulled out a meticulously crafted, snowy white fox mask and reverently handed it to Stella. The bright studio lights caught the fine, pearlescent details painted along the rim of the mask, making it gleam like genuine snow. It was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, designed specifically to highlight her unique persona.

Harper grinned, crossing her arms over her chest. "Everyone would be ecstatic if they knew the legendary Wolfy has finally returned."

Stella accepted the item in silence. The smooth, polished surface felt cool against her fingertips. She lifted the mask and secured it over her face. It was a familiar piece of armor, a protective shield she had not worn in years, yet it fit the exact contours of her face as though it had been waiting patiently for her all this time. A rush of adrenaline coursed through her veins, chasing away the lingering fatigue from the morning's drama.

May watched the exchange from a tall, padded stool nearby. Her wide, eager eyes locked onto the striking disguise, her little hands gripping the edge of the seat. She bounced on her toes.

"The mask looks so interesting. Mommy, I want to wear a mask too!" May announced.

Harper turned back to the cabinet and rummaged through a lower drawer. Moments later, she returned to provide a smaller, adorable pink version.

"Here you go, May. I prepared one for you too." Harper offered the mask with a warm smile.

Fascination beamed across May's face. She clutched the precious item cautiously, treating it like a fragile treasure, before letting Harper help her put it on. Once the elastic strap was secure behind her head, she ran to Stella's side and tugged at her sleeve.

"Mommy, are we cosplaying?" May asked.

Stella flicked her daughter's nose gently. "We will be doing a live stream."

She pulled up a cushioned chair to keep May sitting safely by her side, then reached for the mouse. She fired up the broadcast interface. It had been four agonizing years since she last looked at this specific digital dashboard. The camera lens mounted on the sleek monitor blinked red, a glaring signal that they were live and transmitting to thousands of potential viewers. Stella leaned into the frame, her posture relaxed and confident.

"Hello everyone, it is your good friend, Wolfy." Stella greeted the rapidly growing audience. Her voice flowed naturally across the microphone, carrying the same warm, magnetic tone as if she had never taken a break. "You guys must be wondering why I disappeared for four years, right? Well, I will tell you all about it."

She openly explained the massive gap in her career. She candidly mentioned her marriage, the grueling process of childbirth, and the endless days spent out of the public eye. Finally, she gestured to the masked little girl beside her, introducing her to the digital world as May.

The live chat, initially holding only a few curious onlookers who had stumbled upon the dormant account, flooded with intense skepticism within minutes. The quiet trickle of text transformed into a raging river. Hundreds of messages scrolled up the screen in a dizzying, unreadable blur.

*Damn! Am I seeing things? Wolfy is back?*

*Could it be someone disguising as her and deceiving us?*

*It is possible. Wolfy is a certified superstar streamer with millions of fans. How would the industry give up such a profitable asset?*

*It is no fun if it is a fake. Let us leave, guys.*

Smiling confidently beneath her mask, Stella silently read through the dazzling array of comments. She did not bother arguing with the stubborn skeptics. Instead, she adjusted the professional-grade microphone stand and cleared her throat. Without hesitation, she launched into a flawless, upbeat song. Her vocal range hit the exact, unique cadence that her long-time fans knew by heart. The rich, melodic notes filled the soundproof studio room, crisp, vibrant, and undeniable.

Midway through the stream, she pulled out a standard deck of playing cards. The crisp sound of shuffling echoed through the microphone as she handled them with one hand. She fanned them out in a perfect arc before executing a complex magic trick right before the lens. Her nimble fingers moved in a blur, manipulating the cards until the final one seemingly vanished into thin air, leaving only her empty palm. She cracked one of her signature, witty jokes right on cue. Her comedic timing remained as sharp as ever, a testament to her years of experience.

The digital uproar was instantaneous. Hardcore fans recognized her irreplaceable style.

*It is Wolfy! It is her! I have watched every single past stream! I would recognize her style regardless of what she became!*

*Yes! I recognize it too. Wolfy has returned!*

*Wolfy! Wolfy! I love you!*

Enthusiastic, top-tier gifts began pouring in like torrential rain. The screen flashed non-stop with dazzling animations of virtual yachts, sports cars, and rocket ships. The atmosphere in the virtual room turned boisterous, the viewer count skyrocketing by the second.

Stella watched the colorful gifts multiply on the monitor. Once, she had foolishly and painfully abandoned her massive internet fame. The ultra-conservative Vances refused to accept a lowly celebrity daughter-in-law into their prestigious ranks. She had packed away her microphones and masks, burying her passion because she believed the sacrifice was worth it for the sake of love. Now, recognizing the sheer, devastating stupidity of that past sacrifice, she reached forward. She firmly clicked the button to shut down the donation feature.

"It is our first gathering after four long years. Thank you all for still remembering me. I am here today to reconnect with you guys, so I will not be accepting any gifts." Stella addressed the camera, her tone warm but resolute.

Relaxed, radiant, and thriving in her element, Stella regained her vibrant spirit. She seamlessly switched between playful, cute, innocent, and aloof personas. She catered to various audience requests, proving her unmatched talent over and over. When someone asked for a dance, she pushed her chair back and performed a flawless, energetic routine right in the center of the studio. Her movements were fluid and mesmerizing, capturing the screen with undeniable charisma. May was a little shy at first, standing awkwardly near the edge of the frame. Yet, seeing how happy and liberated her mother looked, she soon stepped into the light and joined the fun. They spent the rest of the lengthy stream harmonizing popular songs, dancing joyfully to upbeat tracks, and performing charming magic tricks that left the audience begging for more. The heavy burden of the Vance family felt like a distant, irrelevant nightmare in the face of this genuine joy.

Across town, in a lavish, dimly lit banquet hall located on the top floor of a five-star hotel, Declan was in a terrible, foul mood. The grand ceremony around him felt utterly suffocating. The air smelled of expensive, musky cologne and rich roasted meats from the catering staff, but the combination only made his stomach churn in disgust. The clinking of crystal champagne glasses and the low hum of classical music felt like grating noise against his eardrums.

*I guess I am a celebrity now, thanks to the drama this morning.* Declan sneered internally. The news of his divorce was widespread public knowledge.

His phone buzzed incessantly against the polished mahogany table, the harsh vibration rattling his nerves. High-society friends and corporate acquaintances kept calling him all morning. Instead of offering congratulations on his freedom or discussing business, they expressed condescending pity. They would ask if the divorce rumors were real, feigning sorrow over his situation with fake sighs and hushed, dramatic whispers.

*What is so unfortunate about divorcing a woman as scheming as Stella?* Declan wondered, glaring at his glowing screen.

To make matters worse, the eccentric billionaire Landon had just gone live on his own massive streaming platform, drawing in a record-breaking number of viewers. The man openly and shamelessly confessed his long-standing, deep admiration for Stella. Landon stared right into his camera and told his millions of viewers that Stella was the girl he had admired for a long, long time. He admitted that he lacked the courage to confess back then due to the massive gap in their popularity and social standing. He stated his firm determination to win her over now that she was free.

Declan felt mocked and emasculated by the public spectacle. The woman he despised, the one he deemed useless, was the same woman Landon cherished and proudly pursued. It felt like a blatant criticism, an unspoken accusation from the public that he was blind to Stella's worth.

He gulped down glass after glass of expensive, vintage wine, skipping lunch just to numb the rising tide of anger. The dark red alcohol burned a fiery trail down his throat, doing nothing to quell his intense frustration.

Sitting nearby on a plush, tufted velvet sofa, Carter scrolled continuously through his high-end tablet. A gloating, amused smile plastered itself across his face as he watched the online drama unfold in real-time.

Carter turned the screen toward Declan, tapping the glass surface. "I never knew your wife was so popular!"

Declan glared at the tablet, his demeanor radiating an arctic coldness. "Ex-wife!"

Carter backed off slightly, pulling the tablet closer to his chest to shield it from Declan's lethal glare. "Fine. Fine. Ex-wife. But it is quite unfortunate, come to think of it. She behaved discreetly and did not throw any tantrums all these years. Besides, the marriage was beneficial to your public image... Forget it. Just pretend I did not say anything."

Colin quickly interjected from the other side of the wide table. He scoffed loudly as he swirled the amber liquid in his heavy crystal tumbler, his expression dripping with sheer disdain.

"What is so unfortunate about divorcing a woman like her? She left without taking any property and did not even bother to fight for custody. It is clearly a passive-aggressive, manipulative tactic." Colin declared confidently, slamming his glass down. "I can assure you that she will return with the child within three days, looking all pitiful and begging you on her knees to remarry her. You will fall into her trap if you get soft-hearted and agree."

Hearing this theory inexplicably and instantly improved Declan's sour mood. A twisted sense of superiority washed over him. The thought of Stella crawling back, defeated and destitute, stroked his bruised ego.

However, another sudden surge of deep frustration quickly followed. He scolded himself for even dedicating a single ounce of mental energy to the actions of such a sinister, calculating woman. He should have cast her out of his life long ago and never looked back.

A sudden shout shattered the tense silence at the table.

"No way! Wolfy has returned?!" Carter yelled.

Thrilled by the notification on his screen, Carter shoved his glowing tablet toward Declan, pointing at the live broadcast. "Declan, look at this! It looks like there is hope for our corporate plan to enter Veldoria's lucrative market after all."

Declan was annoyed to the absolute limit by the constant interruptions and the endless chatter about his personal life. Yet, his strict, unyielding professional instincts kicked in the precise moment business was mentioned. He glanced sharply at the screen showing the masked streamer. The figure in the white fox mask was commanding a massive audience, moving with effortless grace across the digital stage.

Declan barked an order, keeping his eyes fixed on the impressive streaming numbers. "You shall follow up on this business matter first."

Carter nodded eagerly and tapped the screen, continuing to watch the broadcast with wide eyes. Shortly after, as the colorful stream played on, Carter leaned in and nudged Declan's shoulder again. His index finger pointed directly at the white-masked figure laughing vibrantly on the tablet display.

"Hey... do you not think that Wolfy looks like your ex-wife?" Carter asked.