Chapter 96: Thick-Skinned or Shameless

"I told you to prepare hot coffee for your fans! It's freezing out there, and they've been tirelessly supporting you for hours. Don't you feel the slightest concern for them?" Danielle reprimanded. Upon arriving, she saw that other artists' fans enjoyed various comforts, while Maverick's were shivering in the cold. As his agent, she couldn't bear it.

Maverick, naturally displeased by the public reprimand, retorted, "Isn't this something you, as my agent, should be handling?"

"I let you handle it because I have other matters to attend to. Today, you need their support and understanding, yet… I've told you this so many times! Why can't you remember?"

"I only forgot once! Aren't you overreacting?" Maverick said impatiently.

"Overreacting?" Danielle repeated incredulously. Though mentally prepared to leave, she was infuriated.

"I'll have my assistant buy some right away. Why are you so worked up?"

"I'm worked up because you wouldn't listen—"

"Enough. I'll order food delivery; it's faster. Are you happy now?"

Thoroughly infuriated, Danielle retorted icily, "There's no need for your grand efforts."

"I was going to do it anyway! Are you picking a fight with me?" Maverick shot back angrily.

Danielle wasn't picking a fight. Realizing his oversight, she immediately took steps to rectify the situation, even apologizing to the fans on his behalf. Even if she'd planned to leave, she wouldn't abandon her responsibilities.

Just then, Maverick's assistant returned.

"Where did you run off to?" Danielle scolded immediately.

Startled, the assistant instinctively replied, "I was delivering a latte to Ms. Diaz."

An instant silence fell over the room. Everyone stared at Maverick, shocked. Though Maverick, Hendrick, and Mirabelle had been rehearsing together, others had noticed their close bond, fueling rumors of an affair. Hendrick's open demeanor seemed to contradict this, but Danielle's recent coldness left everyone uncertain. The gossipmongers, though confused, found it all highly entertaining.

Maverick's expression was rigid, but he remained silent, turning to Danielle, clearly needing her to resolve the situation. He expected her to handle it, especially since she'd initiated the conflict.

Surprisingly, Danielle scoffed and left him in the awkward silence.

Suddenly, Maverick stood, grabbed Danielle's hand, and pulled her away. "Come with me. I have something to tell you."

Their departure unleashed a flurry of backstage gossip.

My goodness. When Maverick is egotistical, he seems thick-skinned; when easily embarrassed, shameless, Isabella mused, causing Christopher and Rosalie (acting as his assistant) to cough discreetly. They found her assessment remarkably accurate.

Those in the audience, unable to hear Isabella's thoughts, received updates via text. No one wanted to miss the gossip; only Alexander, busy in the office, was absent from the group chat. He occasionally glanced at it while managing documents, the livestream playing on his computer nearby.

Tok, tsk, tsk, such a shameless man. Maverick actually believes Danielle gives him a hard time because she's interested in him, Isabella sneered mentally. The Quirk family wondered at his confidence.

In another room, Danielle stated, "Are you deaf, or have you lost your memory? Let me say it again: I don't like you at all."

Maverick, however, still looked at her with a "Don't be stubborn" expression. He sighed. "Let's not fight anymore, Dani. I… I truly owe you an apology. Now that I'm aware of Mirabelle's hardships, I can't let her down. I intend to marry her."

Danielle was so taken aback she forgot to refute the unspoken implication. Curiosity piqued, she asked, "Hendrick… he agreed? Won't his fans tear you apart? From their perspective, you're stealing his girlfriend. Even if your fans don't care about you getting married, they won't tolerate this. Are you trying to ruin yourself?"

Maverick looked deeply into Danielle's eyes, sighing. "Hendrick is willing to support us, even help guide public opinion. The three of us have no objections, so what objections could the fans possibly have?"

Danielle was dumbfounded, deciding it wasn't worth the effort to respond.

Maverick, feeling guilty, asserted, "So, help me figure out a way to peacefully guide the fans."

Danielle's lips twitched. "I planned to discuss this after the show, but seeing your madness, I'll say it now: Hire a new agent if you want ideas. I'm ending our collaboration. I'll provide the contract termination later."

Maverick was taken aback, then flew into a rage. "Do you realize I turned down the best solution because of you? And now you want to break off our agreement?"

Danielle was puzzled. "What?"

Maverick, evasive, quickly said, "Is it because I'm marrying Mirabelle? You heard it. Mirabelle has done so much for me, I can't let her down. However, I have feelings for you. I want you to continue to be my agent. We—" The sound of a slap interrupted him. Staff members saw Danielle emerge, radiating a chilling aura.

"Wow, he was slapped!" Isabella thought, making Christopher and Rosalie sit up instantly. "Ha, serves him right! Does he think we're living in ancient times? Having a concubine on top of a wife isn't acceptable anymore!" Rosalie, disgusted, furiously typed in the group chat, which erupted in insults.

Christopher wasn't surprised; such scenarios weren't uncommon in the entertainment industry. Agents often managed both husband and wife, allying with one for mutual benefit.

Soon, Danielle returned backstage, followed by Maverick with a slightly reddened cheek.

"It seems he'll be thick-skinned again. Even a slap won't get through to him," Isabella smirked.

Mirabelle and Hendrick then arrived, Mirabelle happily clutching her latte.

Isabella resumed her gossip hunt. Alexander was right; Hendrick had proposed a plan to manage public opinion—using Danielle. "They'll pretend it was Danielle's idea," Rosalie typed angrily. "This is outrageous! He's utterly shameless!" Christopher thought, "How is this different from a villain demanding gratitude from their victim?" "His self-righteousness sickens me. Why didn't they paint Mr. Lynch as the villain? He's the real culprit, isn't he?" Isabella pondered. The Quirk family concluded, "They didn't dare! They were afraid of being exposed!"

As they complained, the livestream countdown began. The "human garbage trio" took the stage, starting their performance.