Chapter 105

Leon read through the tweets and evidence that their carefully nurtured insider account had just been released. After listening to the assistant’s report, he didn’t throw his phone in anger. Instead, he slumped back into his chair, visibly defeated.

He asked, “So, is there no way to recover the account?”

The assistant sensed something off in Leon’s demeanor. But given the total loss they’d suffered, it made sense. Leon had been feeling pretty smug, thinking he had accurately predicted Phoebe’s plan to clean Gwen’s image. But Phoebe had taken an entirely unconventional route. Rather than relying on superficial, horoscope-style spin, she used hard evidence to back up her claims.

Leon didn’t expect Phoebe would have someone hack their gossip account. It was the one they used to smear Gwen, to flip the narrative and clear Gwen’s reputation. The apology from “The Leak King” was far more effective than using any other PR channel to expose the truth.

What was worse, Phoebe’s team had played the long game, letting Leon’s people stir up as much dirt as possible before striking back. The fans and public who didn’t know the whole picture only saw Gwen’s suffering, which fueled their disgust for Leon’s two artists. Over the last few days, the company had spent a fortune on PR efforts, but now, all that work had only ended up helping Phoebe clean up Gwen’s image.

Anyone in Leon’s place would be frustrated and furious. He messaged the tech team to ask for an update. He received a reply. It read: [The account’s unrecoverable. It’s permanently compromised.]

Judging from the tweet’s last sentence, this account would not post any more leaks. Not only had Phoebe outsmarted Leon, but she’d also destroyed the insider account that the company had poured so much time and resources into cultivating.

Leon was shaking with anger as he held his phone. Leon clutched his phone, trembling with rage, struggling to accept the truth. He hadn’t just lost. Everything he’d done had played right into Phoebe’s hands. There was no way this wasn’t her plan from the start. He was defeated by his own younger sister. He had never felt so humiliated.

Leon’s mind flashed back to when Phoebe left the family home. He’d declared to her and the family that he’d make her return in shame to apologize. Now, awash in humiliation, his pride was thoroughly crushed.

The assistant cautiously asked, “Mr. Jenkins, PR is asking what our next steps are.” The PR team had never expected Phoebe to pull a move like this and were now tearing their hair out. Not only had she exposed the evidence clearing Gwen’s name, but the posts were followed by evidence revealing the appalling behavior of Leon’s artists. Without a swift response, Leon’s moneymakers would be rendered worthless.

Leon gave a bitter laugh. “How could we even tell them to stop embarrassing themselves? What a bunch of fools. Why am I even paying them?” He felt even more humiliated. He hit his chest and spat out a mouthful of blood.

The assistant was alarmed. “Mr. Jenkins, are you alright?”

Just then, Ollie walked in and took in the scene with a raised brow. “Spitting blood over this?” Ollie remarked with a hint of disdain. He thought Leon’s resilience was a little weak.

Leon wiped his mouth with a tissue, feigning calm. “Just letting off steam that was bottled up,” he muttered, refusing to admit that Phoebe had pushed him to this extreme.

Ollie waited until the assistant left, then approached Leon. “The shareholders just called me, wanting an explanation from you?”

I looked up. “Entertainment shareholders or the group’s?”

“Entertainment,” Ollie replied, then added, “But the group’s shareholders likely aren’t pleased either.” Their father had already mapped out their paths. Ollie started as president of the entertainment subsidiary to gain experience before moving up to the Jenkins Grisiipi group. Once Ollie transitioned, Leon stepped in to run the entertainment company. But now, Leon hadn’t just failed to shine. He’d been humiliated by their sister. This would likely sour the group shareholders’ perception of Leon, making him appear unfit for the role he was set to inherit. And it didn’t look good.

Leon scoffed. “One botched PR strategy, and they’re upset?”

Ollie frowned deeply. “The losses this time weren’t small. We’ve lost the insider account we invested heavily in, and those two artists you backed are finished.” Before coming to Leon’s office, Ollie had reviewed their situation. The backlash had utterly crushed those two. Recovery was out of the question.

He continued. “Phoebe’s team is steering the conversation. Our reputation’s taking a hit, and now the company’s Twitter is flooded with Phoebe and Gwen’s fans, plus everyone else piling on.” He added, “We’re seeing posts calling out our artists for dubious character, with some even pushing for a boycott if we don’t respond.”

“Given the chain reaction, it’s safe to say our stock’s going to drop tomorrow,” he said. If this hadn’t blown up online or affected their reputation so deeply, the shareholders wouldn’t be demanding answers from the two of them.

Leon had to stifle another surge of rage. He spat out, “Phoebe is a Jenkins through and through. She’s absolutely ruthless.” Not only had she humiliated him and ruined his artists, but now she was forcing the company to demand answers from him as well. She was a “lovely” sister indeed. Even Ollie hadn’t anticipated the precision or ruthlessness of Phoebe’s strategy.

He said, “I warned you before, she’s not as simple as you think. I told you not to underestimate her.” But Leon had been far too confident, refusing to listen. Leon’s face turned stormy. “I admit I underestimated her.” He met Ollie’s gaze head-on. “So, what do you want me to do?”

Ollie considered and said, “The company’s announcing that you’ll step down from your role to appease the public. The two artists will be terminated.” Those two had breached their contracts in such an obvious way that they could be fired outright, with the company even able to seek damages for breach of contract.

Leon sneered, “Oh, so they’re going to make me the scapegoat to calm the public? Phoebe played this one perfectly.” At that moment, he felt a better understanding of what it was like to be hounded by public opinion, forcing the company to sacrifice him like a pawn.

A year ago, he’d orchestrated the takedown of Gwen with those two artists, never imagining he’d face a backlash this severe.

Ollie sighed. “This failure might not be a complete loss for you. Once things settle, I’ll make you head of the talent management department. Think through why she won this time and learn from it.” In a more serious tone, he added, “Jenkins Entertainment is set to be your domain. Leon let out a bitter laugh. “Do I even have a choice? Obviously not.”

Before he could respond, Leon said, “Understood. Could use a break, anyway?” With that, he grabbed his phone and keys and left the office.