Chapter 43
As soon as Ophelia realized it was Kenneth’s video call she had hung up on, she immediately sensed that trouble was Irwing.
Marilyn rarely saw any other expression on Ophelia’s face. Seeing her so visibly anxious piqued Marilyn’s curiosity, though
After quickly sending the address, Ophelia gave Marilyn an awkward smile, and left. As soon as Ophelia turned around, she immediately called back.
However, it barely rang once before it was hung up, without any hesitation, as if he were throwing a tantrum.
Ophelia’s heart sank with dread as she wondered, ‘Is he mad at me? But I didn’t mean to hang up on him!!
She puffed up her checks and quickly sent a text to explain things to Kenneth, but there was still no reply.
Ophelia felt her stomach tighten as she remembered that she had promised Kenneth that no matter what she was doing, the would have to answer his calls or video calls. Otherwise, she’d have to deal with the consequences. She tried calling again, but this time, the phone rang for a long while with no answer. “Fine: she thought. I just wait until
he cools off then”
Even though Ophelia hadn’t pursued the plagiarism issue, someone in the audience that day had secretly recorded the whole incident and posted it online. When the video spread, actizens were outraged, flooding the comments section.
One netizen commented: [Plagiarism with such arrogance? They’re acting like they have every right to plagiarize!]
Another wrote: [That’s not even the worst part-the shamelessness of trying to blame the victim!
Yet, another commented: [I used to really like Fashion Ladies, but now I wonder how those designs came about in the first place!]
And another posted: [Lewis Group behind Fashion Ladies is just as bad as their designer. Instead of apologizing after being exposed, they tried to bribe people! Classic underhanded tactics!
With that, the trending hashtags instantly multiplied, including Boycott Fashion Ladies, Fashion Ladies Designer Apology, “La Reverie’s Founder”, “Sharon Looks Stunning”. “Ona Snowy Day’ Premiere Sold Out”, and “Emily’s Side Chick Look Is a Disaster”. In just one afternoon, Lewis Group’s stock prices plummeted even before the market closed.
As the online backlash continued to escalate, Miles had no choice but to make Brock apologize. Without an apology, not only would Fashion Ladies be completely boycotted, but Brock himself would be blacklisted from the entire design industry. “Damn it!” Brock slammed his fist onto the desk, his hair disheveled, no longer looking like his usual refined self.
He thought bitterly, ‘I already gave the sketchbook back to Ophelia, and now I have to apologize too? This is a complete loss on all fronts!’
“Ah!” Brock flew into a rage, sweeping everything off the table and onto the floor, tearing the clothes off the plastic mannequin like a madman. But no matter how much he vented, he still had to apologize in the end.
As soon as the apology video was posted, he was immediately dragged through the mud on social media, and countless people began exposing his true character.
8/1
14:46 Mon, Nov 11. Chapter 43
When the show’s producers saw the hacklash, they quickly came forward to explain, shifting most of the blame onto Brock. They also apologized to Ophelia and promised to get to the bottom of things and give her a proper explanation.
Inside a private room at a fine dining restaurant, Sharon held her phone and angrily said, “Imph! Easy for them to say! Those old foxes were all over Mr, Decker, kissing up to him just the other day. I can’t stand these people in the entertainment industry who only praise the powerful and kick the weak. And look at them now-they’re the ones apologizing.”
Ophelia smiled nonchalantly, not interested in the situation at all, her eyes fixed on her WhatsApp messages. She wondered, “All I did was hang up on him, but is that really a reason for him to still be mad and not respond?
She turned off her screen, took a deep breath, and shifted her gaze to Sharon. “Let’s get back to discussing our collaboration, shall we?”
Sharon looked up in confusion, their eyes meeting. Collaboration?”
Ophelia nodded. “Yes. I’d like to invite you to be the brand model for La Reverie. Right now, I can offer you three million dollars for a two-year contract.” Most of her funds were tied up with Chloe for other ventures, so that was all she could offer for now. Upon hearing that, Sharon raised her eyebrows, her eyes widening in surprise, thinking. The brand model for La Reverie? That’s the kind of endorsement every actress is dying to get. And she’s offering it to me? The last thing I endorsed was a snack commercial. This is a huge leap, isn’t it?”
Sharon took a shallow breath before asking. “Are you really asking me to endorse your brand? I’m not even a third-tier celebrity right now. Just working with you is more than I ever dreamed of. Becoming the face of La Reverie? I never even dared to imagine it!” Ophelia slapped a contract down in front of her. “Well, can you imagine it now?” She had prepared this contract in advance as she thought that no one was more suited to wear her designs than Sharon
“I’d better take action now. Otherwise, once your movie is out and gets more attention, I won’t be able to afford your endorsement fees with what I have,” Ophelia said.
Sharon chuckled softly, though she suddenly felt like there were tears in her eyes. “You believe in me more than my own mom does. As long as you don’t mind, I’m willing to be your spokesperson for life, free of charge. But I still need to make money, you know.” With that, she grabbed a pen and crossed out the word “million” on the amount.
Ophelia raised her eyebrows. “Are you kidding me? Two years for 300 dollars? You can’t sell yourself that short.”
Sharon casually signed her name with a dramatic flourish. “It’s settled. I’ve already signed it.”
Ophelia didn’t rush to take the contract back. She didn’t like taking advantage of others and always made sure things were clear with everyone she worked with.
She added, “Since you don’t want an endorsement fee, how aboutd help you set up your own studio? Instead of signing with another entertainment company, at your age, it’s about time you start your own business
Sharon clutched her chest dramatically, pretending to be hurt. That’s a bit harsh, don’t you
think?”
At the same time, though, she admired this twenty-year-old girl standing in front of her. So young, yet so decisive and efficient. Everything Ophelia said seemed convincing as if it would all happen just the way she said it.
After dinner, the two left the restaurant together. At the street corner, Ophelia sensed someone was following her. After making sure Sharon got into her car, Ophelia walked in the opposite direction. When she confirmed that the person behind her was targeting her, she final Chapter 43
As soon as Ophelia realized it was Kenneth’s video call she had hung up on, she immediately sensed that trouble was Irwing.
Marilyn rarely saw any other expression on Ophelia’s face. Seeing her so visibly anxious piqued Marilyn’s curiosity, though
After quickly sending the address, Ophelia gave Marilyn an awkward smile, and left. As soon as Ophelia turned around, she immediately called back.
However, it barely rang once before it was hung up, without any hesitation, as if he were throwing a tantrum.
Ophelia’s heart sank with dread as she wondered, ‘Is he mad at me? But I didn’t mean to hang up on him!!
She puffed up her checks and quickly sent a text to explain things to Kenneth, but there was still no reply.
Ophelia felt her stomach tighten as she remembered that she had promised Kenneth that no matter what she was doing, the would have to answer his calls or video calls. Otherwise, she’d have to deal with the consequences.
She tried calling again, but this time, the phone rang for a long while with no answer. “Fine: she thought. I just wait until
he cools off then”
Even though Ophelia hadn’t pursued the plagiarism issue, someone in the audience that day had secretly recorded the whole incident and posted it online. When the video spread, actizens were outraged, flooding the comments section. One netizen commented: [Plagiarism with such arrogance? They’re acting like they have every right to plagiarize!]
Another wrote: [That’s not even the worst part-the shamelessness of trying to blame the victim!
Yet, another commented: [I used to really like Fashion Ladies, but now I wonder how those designs came about in the first place!]
And another posted: [Lewis Group behind Fashion Ladies is just as bad as their designer. Instead of apologizing after being exposed, they tried to bribe people! Classic underhanded tactics!
With that, the trending hashtags instantly multiplied, including Boycott Fashion Ladies, Fashion Ladies Designer Apology, “La Reverie’s Founder”, “Sharon Looks Stunning”. “Ona Snowy Day’ Premiere Sold Out”, and “Emily’s Side Chick Look Is a Disaster”. In just one afternoon, Lewis Group’s stock prices plummeted even before the market closed.