Chapter 18 A Lecher
Leanna’s Twitter
er was bombarded with negative comments.
Almost half of the comments were insults.
Some were white–collar workers who sympathized with Rita,
and some were Leanna’s fans turning her anti–fans out of disappointment and anger. Only a few die–hard fans remained, trying to delete the hateful comments.
Netizen A: “I’ve been a fan since her debut. There are always rumors about her bad temper, but I’ve always believed her and
even fought with my friends a few times to defend her. And it
turns out I’ve been a fool all these years. It’s a good thing that I woke up in time. Bye, my youth!”
Netizen B: “Acting is just a fucking profession. What makes her
think she’s better than us? Who gave her the nerve to slap the
makeup artist so hard? She should be arrested!”
Netizen C: “Indeed. How could she trample on the makeup
artist’s pride just like that? That’s so unfair. Did you see the
makeup artist’s cheeks? I bet it hurt so much. I sympathize with
the makeup artist so much.”
ほ
Netizen D: “What’s more infuriating is she didn’t feel she did something wrong at all. If Graciela hadn’t stepped in, she would have continued slapping the makeup artist.”
Netizen E: “What did the makeup artist do to cross her? The look
on her face almost makes me feel like she was gonna tear the makeup artist apart.”
Netizen F: “They say the makeup artist accidentally pulled her hair while doing her makeup.”
Netizen G: “I have a daughter, and she’s just entered the
workforce. If I were the makeup artist’s mother, I swear I would
have made Leanna suffer.””
Some die–hard fans tried to defend Leanna, only to be scolded
harshly.
Die–hard fan A: “Leanna’s been in showbiz for years. Don’t you
know what kind of person she is? She never skipped a donation,
not even when she was abroad. I’m sure she slapped the
makeup artist for a reason,”
Netizen H: “Seriously? Then I hope you get slapped by your boss
every day for a reason. You have our blessing.”
Netizen I: “What reason could she possibly have to slap the
makeup artist so brutally? What did the makeup artist do to
her? Steal her boyfriend? Or her money? Or something else?”
Netizen J: “My theory is, she was just bitter that the makeup artist couldn’t make her look as stunning as Graciela. Hey, am I the only one who noticed that she and Graciela are a bit alike? One is dazzling, and the other is more graceful. You have to look at their faces very carefully.”
Netizen I: “Give me a fucking break. Graceful? Leanna? Are you
serious?”
Netizen J: “Sorry. That was just my old opinion of her. From
now on, she’ll just be an angelic bitch playing the victim in my
book.”
Die–hard fan B: “Leanna would never play victim, OK? It’s all her
assistant’s doing. Don’t let Leanna take the fall! And need I
remind you that cameras aren’t allowed in makeup rooms?
Think about it–how did Graciela manage to take this video? If
you ask me, I’d say she’s trying to frame Leanna.”
They argued in Leanna’s comment section, and no one was
willing to back down.
At Gralla Entertainment.
Willa was curious, too. “Grace, how did you get the video?”
Graciela said, blinking innocently, “I had a micro–camera hidden in my hair before going to set yesterday, figuring Leanna might pull something again. It was meant for self–defense. Who would have seen this unexpected gift coming?”
She was surprised that the micro–camera came in handy so
soon.
Willa gave her a thumbs–up. “Grace, you’re amazing. You have no idea how happy I am to see you like this. You weren’t yourself when you were with Lamar.”
She suddenly realized she had brought up the wrong topic and
quickly changed the subject. “Hey, what’s the deal with you and Ambrose?”
Graciela pulled a wry smile and told Willa everything.
“So, you aren’t interested in him?” Willa smiled imperceptibly.
“Are you serious? I barely know him. I admit he’s cute, but why would I fall for a stranger?”
Willa thought, “Have you forgotten? You were smitten with
Lamar at first sight.”
But she didn’t say it out loud.
She figured she should try to avoid bringing Lamar up. Emery would kill her if Graciela remembered everything and went back to Lamar.
“I see,” she said, exhaling. “Then I’m relieved.”
Graciela was confused. “Why would you be nervous?”
“Nothing,” Willa said hastily. “I was just worried that you might fall for his pretty face.”
“Chill,” Graciela smiled playfully while wrapping her arm
around Willa’s shoulders. “My career is my priority now. I’ll
earn my place in showbiz to make you proud. No men can stand
in my way!!
“Great! Grace, you’re the best. I bet you’ll soon be a household
name in Oceara, no, the entire world!” Willa encouraged her.
They chatted and laughed as heartily as they used to when they
were teenagers.
Leanna hastily left the set again.
After coming back to the country, she had signed with Orange
Entertainment, an established agency with many popular
artists.
L
Thanks to her experience in Haleywood, she had been treated generously.
Some artists had long resented her for taking the resources that were supposed to be theirs.
Now that she was mired in scandals, someone whispered poison
in executives‘ ears.
She was summoned back to the company.
Baxter Holmes, the CEO of Orange Entertainment, was a shrewd businessman in his forties, and he had never signed with an artist without evaluating their commercial value.
His only flaw was he was a lecher who couldn’t keep his hands
to himself.
He had decided to sign with Leanna because of his years of pent- up desire for her.
Now, as his gaze fell upon her, who was in hot water, an idea
struck him.
He was informed by major outlets that they’d publicly condemn
her.
Practically no one could recover from that. Now that Leanna’s
career was ruined, she might as well be with him.
“Leanna, it breaks my heart to see all this happen. You haven’t been back for long and haven’t gained a footing here yet, yet you’re already drowning in scandals? It sabotages both your career and the company, have you realized that?” He stood from his leather chair and walked toward Leanna slowly.
“Mr. Holmes, please believe me. Graciela set me up!” Leanna was worked up.
He clicked his tongue and shook his head. “She didn’t grab your hand and made you slap that makeup artist, did she?”
Leanna choked up at his words.
“Leanna, have you forgotten about the contract? I’ll offer you the best resources, and in return, I hope you deliver equal value. You should never do something that jeopardizes the company’s interests. Now, how are you planning on solving this?”
Leanna was slightly stunned. Then she asked, “Shouldn’t you
help me deal with it? You just said yourself. If my reputation
gets ruined, it sabotages the company, too.”
