Chapter 105: The Master of Sarcastic Remarks

"For Maverick's strategy to work, Danielle must be willing to sacrifice," Christopher analyzed.

Isabella said, "If it were the old Danielle, taking the blame for her artists wouldn't be a big deal. Artists and their managers are a unit. As long as the artist doesn't lose public favor, they'll still make money. They can't afford to let their money-making machine falter, but now"

Rosalie sighed. "It's unbelievable that Maverick would dare to act this way, given how strained their relationship is."

Selena said, "That rascal is too confident, believing Danielle wouldn't dare destroy him."

Evian exclaimed, "He's really full of himself! He can't possibly think Danielle still has feelings for him, right?"

David and Christopher exchanged glances, both thinking Maverick couldn't be this foolish.

Hayden returned, and everyone looked at him curiously. He chuckled. "There's no need to worry!"

Rosalie excitedly asked, "Is there any call history or chat messages that could be posted online as proof?"

Hayden replied, "How could we use that strategy? It's like causing huge damage to the enemy while suffering ten times more ourselves. Danielle definitely couldn't handle such a loss."

Several Quirk family members, who had been silent spectators, stared at Hayden in confusion.

Hayden explained, "Think about it: all those rumors are hearsay. Team Duo Alpha hasn't said anything publicly. If Danielle comes forward with evidence, shifting the blame onto Team Duo Alpha, it's essentially betrayal. Rational fans will see the truth; irrational ones"

Everyone understood instantly, a myriad of emotions washing over them. Rational fans would question why Danielle was taking the fall, remembering who chose the script. Irrational fans, however, would escalate the situation, believing Maverick was innocent and that others were sowing discord—that his manager had betrayed him. Everyone could picture the ensuing accusations.

Hayden calmly analyzed, "The crucial point is, her industry reputation will suffer. No one would dare work with her. Unless she leaves the industry, which she won't do—she's not that reckless." He added with a sigh, "If only all the artists under my management were this obedient"

Just as Hayden was about to give a deeper analysis of Danielle's potential actions, everyone's expressions changed. They seemed to have an epiphany, instantly losing interest in what he was about to say. Hayden was confused.

Isabella, having already seen Danielle's actions through the Gossip System, began scrolling through Twitter, gloating. After hearing the confessions, everyone witnessed how fans who had criticized Danielle were proven wrong.

The process was simple. A leaked photo of Maverick and Mirabelle kissing had circulated, but it hadn't gained traction due to the constant influx of online information. Some dismissed it as a Photoshopped image. All Danielle had to do was secretly boost its online traffic and provide a sensational headline.

The caption read: "Maverick didn't seem forced at all. He was even practicing earnestly off-stage."

Isabella exclaimed, "Pffft, way to go, Danielle! I dub you the master of sarcastic remarks! Wait I've never seen this photo before. They seem quite close behind the scenes! What's this? The company's rooftop? I wonder if Crazy Hendrick managed to steal a kiss this time?"

The Quirk family members, having seen the photo earlier, struggled to suppress their laughter. A marketing account quickly noticed and shared it.

While waiting for the fallout, they were invited onstage for the final segment. Maverick and his team, perhaps apprehensive about facing Danielle, chose a different entrance.

Christopher and Isabella, noticing the restored composure on Maverick's team's faces, realized they believed their detrimental method had saved them. They maintained their composure during the interview, methodically discussing acting skills and scripts. Maverick and his team subtly expressed frustration with their own script while praising Team A-list's concept. Isabella and Christopher, however, were on the verge of bursting into laughter, their faces turning red as they fought to control their coughs. Team Duo Alpha likely believed their magnanimity had surprised Team A-list.

This time, everything went smoothly. However, before they left the stage, the unseen director and producer panicked at the sudden influx of comments and quickly shut down the live stream. Their show was over; whatever followed was none of their concern.

Netizens, previously engrossed in conspiracy theories about the two male idols, were taken aback.

Netizen 1: What is this? Outsiders wouldn't understand. Do actors really have to go all out in kissing scenes during rehearsals?

Netizen 2: Rehearsal, my ass! This isn't even a rehearsal room! They were doing this out in the open. Don't tell me they were forced to rehearse!

Netizen 3: Judging by their posture, they were kissing deeply, completely lost in the moment! If this were forced, I'd wash my hair upside down.

Netizen 4: This outfit I think I've seen it in a fan photo. It's a casual day, not a shoot. It's definitely a secret rendezvous.

Netizen 5: Damn, earlier they said the manager forced them to act out that script, even filming kissing scenes

Netizen 6: I knew it. Do those fans ever use their brains? Even if the manager influenced Maverick, could they control Hendrick and Mirabelle? What a joke!

Netizen 7: Considering Maverick's status, he has to have some say with his manager. Isn't he just shifting blame for this failure by pretending to be the victim? As a man, he really lacks responsibility. I'm no longer a fan.

Netizen 8: Let's not jump to conclusions. What if haters are using fake photos to slander Maverick? It might be from a different shoot

Before Maverick's fans could console themselves, Hendrick's fans were enraged. Their reluctantly accepted girlfriend was allegedly having an affair. Maverick had previously outdone Hendrick, but now he was stealing his girlfriend. They demanded answers.

The live broadcast reached its climax, comments flooding in, but the actors were no longer on screen. Hendrick's fans began showing their support.

A professional examination confirmed the photo was authentic, captured accidentally by a drone. This was the final straw. Hendrick's fans exploded, clashing with Maverick's fans.

Mirabelle, a C-list actress, had a small fanbase torn between defending her and suspecting coercion. It became a three-way battle, with Christopher's and Isabella's fans joining the fray, causing the social media server to crash.

Once restored, the situation was largely resolved.

Netizen 9: Hilarious! I bet Maverick orchestrated this whole plot to hook up with Hendrick's girlfriend! They've been hooking up for a while. Poor Hendrick, his girlfriend stolen and still naively played into their hands.

Netizen 10: Wow, a shocker! I remember Hendrick's fans saying he made a huge sacrifice for this play, even involving his girlfriend. Turns out, someone was playing the cuckold!

Netizen 11: Now that you mention it, the celestial lord and goddess kissing scene is nauseating. It wasn't for the performance, but to satisfy their desires. They treated the audience like fools.

Netizen 12: We're fine. Their fans, however, look like complete fools. Haha, I feel sorry for them.

Fan 1: It's time to leave the fan club. Maverick is a disappointment!

Fan 2: Danielle worked hard by your side. To not show gratitude, and to shift blame to protect yourself and your lover I misjudged you!

Fan 3: Maverick, do you have a conscience? We worked hard for your career, yet you're messing around, stealing someone's girlfriend, using an important play for nonsense! You're shameless!

Netizen 13: I wondered why you suddenly wanted to act in usual stuff despite trying to change your image. Now I see. If you want to fall in love, fine. But you can't enjoy the fruits of our labor while letting your career fall apart for love. I was blind.

Netizens continued to voice their opinions, noting the parallels between a celebrity ruining their career for love and a deity neglecting their duties.

Netizen 14: You know, it does have a bit of the dynamic between a deity and their followers. When a celebrity ruins their career for love, isn't it similar to a deity neglecting their duties for romance? They let down those who trust and support them.

Netizen 15: Damn, you spotted the hidden meaning!

Of course, some die-hard fans defended Maverick.

Fan 4: That was gossip from marketing accounts, not something Maverick said. He didn't shift the blame! Be careful with your words!

Netizen 16: Just tell me, did he mess around with someone else's girlfriend or not?

Fan 5: No, it's Isabella and Christopher's fault. They plotted against Maverick. Before he encountered them, he was perfectly fine! He is my everlasting faith! I trust him! I'm going to confront them right now!

Only a handful of extreme fans continued their blind support, unable to cause significant disruption. Isabella and Christopher, returning backstage, noticed an increased number of staff—all there to enjoy the spectacle.