Chapter 59: Is Every Pair This Shocking?

Hayden acted swiftly. After contacting the show's production team, he made two consecutive announcements using Christopher's agency account. The first announced Isabella's signing as the agency's second artist. The second announced Christopher's participation in My Acting Skill with Isabella.

Immediately, Christopher's agency and personal Twitter accounts exploded with activity. Their posts tagged Isabella, causing a surge in views on her account as well. Online chatter erupted: "Where did this newcomer come from? Why is Christopher paired with her? Hasn't he been spending a lot of time with rising star Bianca lately? They say she's a family friend's younger sister. How long has your internet been down? Bianca has long since withdrawn!"

Rumors swirled: an artist had been frequently visiting Christopher's agency. The main questions were: How could the agency sign a second artist? Who is Isabella? What's so special about her? Demands for information flooded in.

As Hayden predicted, Isabella's stunning debut as one of only two artists at the agency captivated the public. Interest in her relationship with Christopher overshadowed Bianca. Ten minutes passed, yet comprehensive information on Isabella remained elusive. Even encyclopedia entries were incomplete; the only details available were from magazine photoshoots and advertisements. Hayden, however, remained tight-lipped, knowing that speculation fueled attention. He'd assigned Thalia to monitor the situation and quell any unfavorable rumors.

Isabella had given Hayden complete control of her main Twitter account, only casually browsing it via an alternate account. Eventually, she logged in, deleted all but work-related posts, and added new ones: recent class videos and beautiful pictures. This attracted some fans charmed by her looks, but also many bored haters eager to spread slander. However, this attention soon waned as other show participants made their announcements. The production team's promotion further boosted the show's popularity.

As Hayden predicted, each pairing proved intriguing. Isabella, thoroughly entertained by the online gossip, followed the unfolding drama. The authenticity of the stories was questionable, but their entertainment value was undeniable. The first pair consisted of a renowned actor and his former on-screen partner, both from the same company, playing senior and junior colleagues. At the height of their on-screen chemistry, the junior colleague pursued international opportunities, returning to domestic entertainment years later with this high-profile show as her comeback move. Paired with a superstar actor providing support and protection, they were the most popular of the five groups. The Young Again logo revived shippers' passion, composing half the show's viewership. Paparazzi photos of the pair—a tall man with his arm around a petite woman, laughing together—further fueled speculation of a rekindled romance. The images perfectly captured an intimate atmosphere, maximizing anticipation for a second chance at love.

Isabella laughed at the candid photos. "If word got out that the famous actor—a married man—was stepping out, there'd be a huge online backlash!"

Although Hayden, Thalia, and even Christopher were busy, the juicy gossip garnered immediate attention. Hayden adjusted his glasses: "Their secret marriage lasting so many years speaks to their skill. They must have anticipated this publicity if they dared to pair up this way. It's beneficial marketing. So, were they really an item?"

Thalia questioned, "Misleading clues can be quite deceptive."

Hayden shrugged, "I don't see what's so special about the actress to warrant this from the famous actor. Maybe there's more to the story."

Isabella marveled, "Those women in the entertainment industry have high tolerance for their husbands' closeness to other women!"

Hayden explained, "Rumor has it his wife owns company shares. You know how it is. Everyone does their own thing. No need for a messy divorce."

Isabella regretted hearing this; she'd considered becoming a fan of the handsome actor but decided against it after the scandal. Next, the focus shifted to two male idols, both renowned in their respective fields (medieval fantasy and campus teen dramas), both from the same company. Approaching their thirties, they sought image changes, and the show was part of their strategy to boost popularity. However, insiders knew the campus teen drama idol's current girlfriend was the medieval fantasy idol's secret girlfriend five years prior. The awkwardness of working with one's current girlfriend's ex was palpable.

"I want to see how they act publicly and privately! This is going to be fun!" Isabella exclaimed.

The third pair's buzz stemmed from a recently premiered movie. The show's Cleopatra narrative featured an old actor as Julius Caesar. Audience concern centered on whether his stellar performance with the actress portraying Cleopatra would lead to a romance; she was known for her reputation as a mistress, with scandals involving lead actors and directors. Entertainment industry wives had even confronted her; she'd responded with a smile and thanks for the compliment, seemingly proud of captivating men. This time, her pairing with a famously devoted husband sparked great curiosity—a battle of offense versus defense. Seeing the actress's photo, Isabella was captivated. Hayden mentioned the actor's wife would be on set, making Isabella dread the ensuing "battlefield."

The last pair, initially the least popular, generated significant gossip. A renowned veteran television actress and a rising star, whose relationship was complicated by a man, resembled a tense mother-in-law and daughter-in-law dynamic. The mother, wanting to assess her son's girlfriend, had requested the young woman participate. They'd broken up before filming even began, generating secondhand embarrassment online, yet neither backed out. Public sentiment favored the actress; her ex-boyfriend was a notorious mommy's boy, his mother known for driving away potential daughters-in-law. This time, however, the actress had initiated the breakup, leading to speculation that the mother's continued participation was revenge. Isabella, appreciating the rising star's work ethic and high output, contrasted her with her own tendency to slack off. Hayden retorted, "You think everyone is like you! She's working hard, but she does seem overworked."