Chapter 55: Damage control
“Ahhh!” Evie screamed with flushed anger as she threw the phone in her hands at the wall. She had just received a call from the company she is representing on the show, telling her to take responsibility for the damage control.
“I don’t even know what all this fuss is about! It was just a minor scandal. We haven’t even done anything to her, and they are being so sensitive. Will she be the first person to be schemed at?!” she gritted out as she paced back and forth in her hotel room.
The door flung open with a loud bang, and in walked an angry-looking Mila and Seb, who had received the audience’s criticism. Mila walked up to Evie and pulled her hair angrily while dragging her to the middle of the room. “Let me go! Let me go this instant or else.” Before she could finish her threat, Mila pushed her hair up with full force, making her scream in pain. “Or what?” she sneered.
“Or you’ll ruin my career like you’ve always done to others, huh?” She demanded angrily while pulling her hair. Evie let out a whimper from how painful Mila’s hold on her scalp was.Content © provided by NôvelDrama.Org.
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry, please let me go,” she pleaded desperately. With a grit of her teeth, Mila released her hold on Evie’s head and stepped back, waiting for Bethel and their manager to arrive. Upon arrival, the trio noticed Bethel’s face had been bruised and his lips had burst.
Bethel looked down at his feet, avoiding making eye contact with anyone in the room as the manager began to speak.
“I’m disappointed in all of you,” the manager started. “Your actions have brought nothing but shame to the company, and because of you two, the company’s product is receiving a major backlash!” he continued. The more he talked, the more tense the atmosphere in the room became.
“The company has decided that since this mistake and the damage were caused by your team, you all will be in charge of the damage control,” he announced firmly.
“You are asking us to take the fall for what they did alongside them?” Seb asked with a deep crease of his brows as he pointed to Evie and Bethel, his eyes clouded with rage and hatred. The manager nodded at his question. “Yes, that is what the company wants, and that is what you are expected to do,” he replied calmly, and Mila scoffed.
“All four of you are viewed as a team, and since it’s a team mistake, it has to be solved by the whole team,” he added.
“Bullshit!” Seb cursed loudly, “Did we choose to be on the same team as these black-hearted idiots? Were we ever part of their stupid schemes? Why the fuck will I have to take a fall alongside them? Taking the blame for something I know nothing about!” he exclaimed angrily, and Mila nodded in reply.
Letting out a deep sigh, the manager turned to Seb and Mila with a cold stare. “The netizens do not know who is the main culprit or who the victims are; all they need is for your team to take accountability for the crime you committed, and to save your career, I suggest you do as instructed.
Seb scowled but said nothing, knowing that the manager’s words were true. The crime was committed by those two for the sake of the success of the team. That would be the thinking of the audience who had seen it all happen, and if he and Mila decide to sit back and watch the whole thing, they will be backlash and criticised more by the netizens.
“Even if we are going to have to go along with your charade and apologise for a crime we didn’t commit, we also deserve an apology and compensation for the way we were treated earlier! You all don’t want this; we would let it slide, do you?” Mila voiced.
“The company has decided to pay you two, and both of you will be taking both their shares as well as compensation for their mishap,” he replied.
“Also, their contract with the company will be terminated, and they will have to pay the liquidity fees as an apology to the company for the loss we have experienced so far. According to the contract you signed, if you are involved in any activities that affect the company’s reputation, you will have to pay the damage control fee,” the manager explained. Hearing his words, Evie froze on the spot, and her head snapped up, causing her to whimper from the whiplash.
“What do you mean by that?” Evie choked out with wide, fearful eyes. “Did you not get a call from the management already?” the manager asked with a raised brow, and Evie slumped. “No! That can’t happen!” she breathed out as the words of her father rang through her head.
‘What else do you want that you have not been given?’ Mr. Thompson asked with a flushed face as he glared at his only daughter, who has caused him nothing but pain and heartache since he could remember. ‘You wanted fame; we gave it to you on a platter of gold! without stress!’
‘We made sure Alana doesn’t get into the spotlight so you can enjoy your fame, so what else do you want?! Why do you have to always look for people’s downfalls just to make yourself look bigger?’ He continued, truly feeling frustrated that she had completely taken after her mother.
‘It’s true that an apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. I, however, will no longer condone your bratty behaviour! The next time you scheme against a competitor, you can say goodbye to all your privileges as my daughter!’ he declared.
As those words rang through her head, a wave of defeat, helplessness, and shame washed through her. Knowing her father’s personality, he meant every word he had said that night, and even if he was going to help her, it would be after she had taken most of the damage.
“I can’t, I won’t…”
A small knock resounded through the room before it was slowly pushed open to reveal the visitor. Seeing her standing by the door casually as if everything happening didn’t affect her, Evie lost her cool and charged at her with blind rage, “You fucking bitch!”