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What the hell was this? What did I need to “dig” for? The pathetic fortunes of some broke men?
Hannah stammered beside me, trying to find the right words. “This morning, some photos from the day of
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the set visit were leaked. At first, the netizens were just having fun, mostly talking about how handsome
Luke is.”
“But then the tide suddenly turned. Someone dug up that Luke is the youngest son of the Titan Group. Anc
just like that, all this dirty water about me being a vain, social–climbing gold digger started getting throwr
around.”
“Uh–huh,” I said. “So that’s one boat. Where’s the other one?”
“Then, people started analyzing old behind–the–scenes photos from the set with a microscope. They’re sayi
ng the coat you casually threw on a chair belongs to Andrew. It’s a one–of–a–kind haute couture piece from M -Brand, and he’s the only one who’s ever been given it…”
Oh, right. That. The coat Andrew had draped over me when we were putting on a show for our parents. He
never asked for it back, so I’d graciously promoted it to the role of my personal seat cushion.
Goddammit, Andrew! Why did that flashy bastard have to wear one–of–a–kind haute couture?
“It was still manageable at that point, since there was no real proof. But then… Chloe posted something or
her Instagram…” Hannah hesitated for a second before swiping the screen. “You should just see for yourself.
Chloe’s latest post had been published half an hour ago, timed perfectly at 13:14 (which sounds like “a
lifetime of love” in Chinese).
Chloe M. V: [Don’t worry, we’re doing just fine. ]
The accompanying photo was from a theme park. Chloe, holding the leash of a Blue Merle Border Collie,
was covering her face and laughing happily. To her other side, a clown was performing a card trick for a
crowd of tourists.
The suggestive caption sent her fans and onlookers into a frenzy.
[OMG, you’re so beautiful, queen!]
[13:14! This is a relationship announcement! Where’s the man?!]
[Are you blind? The most famous Border Collie in the entertainment industry belongs to ANDREW! VANCE!]
[Holy crap, I just found out that that green–tea bitch Lily has been shamelessly stringing along the Titan Gro-
up heir while also being entangled with Andrew. Chloe is standing up to the homewrecker!]
[Please, her? The other woman? As if.]
[Chloe doesn’t even see her as a threat. Why do you think there’s a clown in the picture? It’s a metaphor for Lily being a pathetic, jumping clown who has no effect on Chloe and Andrew’s relationship.]
[OMG, I was wondering why the photo felt so chaotic. It all makes sense now.]
[But what about the haute couture coat? If Andrew didn’t give it to her, did Lily just steal it?]
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[That commenter has to be a fan of that trashy Lily.]
[My girl Lily is capable of anything. The photo is so blurry, she probably just got a knockoff made to stir up drama and force a ship.]
[Agreed. A total clown.]
[LMAO, and she was pushing that “strong independent woman who doesn’t need a man” persona. Look a her now, totally exposed.]
[In reality, she’s just a vain, social–climbing wannabe who preys on attached men!]
[Get this parasite out of the industry!!!]
[As a neutral observer, you guys are ridiculous.]
[From what I can see, Lily at least delivers quality work in every project she’s in. Chloe? She’s praised for her
improving acting skills,‘ but all she does is act coy and look pretty. And her fans have the nerve to tell some one else to quit the industry?!]
I’m not opening my eyes. This has to be a nightmare.
What a mess. A total, unmitigated mess.
For the entire afternoon, my social media was under siege. My fans fought valiantly but were overwhelmed
by the endless tide of insults. My agent, for once, didn’t yell at me. He just told me there were powerful forc
es behind this smear campaign and that the company would handle it. The director also came over anc
patted my shoulder, telling me to focus on my work and that public opinion would eventually move on.
There were still good people in the world. Sniffle.
Except for a certain newly–minted fiancé, who called specifically to rub salt in the wound.
“I know we agreed to do our own thing, but isn’t this a little too much drama?” Andrew’s voice crackled ove the line. He was still abroad, the noisy background chatter occasionally punctuated by snippets of English.
“Well, maybe if it weren’t for your stupid coat and your wannabe–girlfriend’s desperate attempts to get famo us, this wouldn’t have happened!” I shot back. “If it weren’t for her, the big news today would be that I’m abou to become the new daughter–in–law of the Collins family.”
“Luke Collins? That skinny pretty–boy is your type?” Andrew’s tone was unreadable.
I didn’t hesitate. “He offered to be my side piece.”
There was a distinct pause on the other end, followed by a humorless chuckle. “Luke’s older brother is in politics, and the second son runs the family business. All the family resources and power have already beer divided up. He doesn’t have the kind of money to sign the ridiculously one–sided, sell–your–soul prenup I did And he certainly wouldn’t be able to just jump in and clear up these rumors for you.”
I smiled sweetly. “But he offered to be my side piece.”
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I heard a sharp, heavy intake of breath through the phone.
Then, beep, beep, beep, beep…
Ha. He was no match for me.
