Chapter 188

"Hurry up and watch the news! The paparazzi got a video of you and Carmel!"

Boom!

Jaydon was stunned. Carmel was a top artist managed by his company, a young, naive idol. Any bad news would be disastrous, especially for a female celebrity; a dating scandal could virtually end her career. Furthermore, the company had invested heavily in making her a star.

Jaydon's expression changed. He stood up quickly. "I understand. I'll return to the company immediately!"

Joanna, noticing his distress, asked, "Jay, what's wrong?"

He smiled. "Erm… A small matter at the company. I need to go back and handle it."

"Is it serious? Do you need my help?"

"No, you wouldn't be able to help with company matters."

Joanna winked. "Oh. Go ahead then!"

"Okay, I'm leaving now. Call if you need me!"

"Goodbye!"

Jaydon left Haynes Group and sped to his company. He parked, turned on his phone, and saw his and Carmel's private photos everywhere online. The paparazzi couldn't have gotten these photos without inside help; someone was clearly trying to sabotage him.

He avoided the main entrance, using the freight elevator to reach his office discreetly. Carmel and several managers sat there, faces grim.

"Boss, what do we do now?" Carmel cried.

Starlight Media was besieged by reporters, some even inside the building. The scandal—Carmel sleeping with her boss for fame—was exploding across the entertainment industry. Her carefully cultivated image was shattered; her career was likely over.

Chapter 188 (continued)

"Get the PR team to suppress the news. Negotiate with those websites immediately!"

Owen sighed. "I've already sent the PR team, but they can't stop it. The online frenzy is escalating." Jaydon's face was dark; his mind raced, less with company concerns and more with Joanna's likely reaction to the photos.

"Oh no! More things are surfacing online!"

Jaydon checked his phone. More private photos—of him and Carmel, and two other female artists—had been leaked. The internet erupted; over ten trending topics related to Jaydon appeared in under an hour.

Carmel and the other artists sobbed. Their innocent images were ruined, although thankfully, the leaked photos only involved Jaydon.

"Go abroad, lay low for now."

"Okay!"

Jaydon, under bodyguard protection, rushed to the airport, reporters swarming the company entrance.

A crowd of entertainment reporters surrounded him. "Mr. Grimm, what's going on with the female artists?"

"Mr. Grimm refuses to answer. Make way."

"Mr. Grimm, when did you start sleeping with Carmel?"

"Please say something! Are you lovers? Mr. Grimm, aren't you dating Miss Haynes?"

The reporters' relentless questioning forced Jaydon's humiliating retreat. Bruce, witnessing this spectacle, smiled smugly; the damage to Jaydon's company and its stars was immeasurable.

Meanwhile, at Haynes Group, Joanna's phone buzzed incessantly with messages—private photos of Jaydon and various female celebrities sent by anonymous sources, including compromising images of him and Carmel, and other artists under his company. 12:03 Wed, 5 Jul

Chapter 158 (appears to be a mislabeling, should be a continuation of Chapter 188)

Joanna glanced at the photos, flipping her hair subconsciously. She knew Jaydon dated other women; she'd never inquired before. The photos weren't a huge shock.

Cora knocked. "Miss Haynes, bad news!"

"What is it?"

"Reporters are downstairs!"

Joanna rushed to the window. The building was surrounded by entertainment reporters. Jaydon and Carmel were already on a flight overseas. As his rumored girlfriend, Joanna was a prime target for interviews.

"What's going on?"

"Mr. Grimm is in trouble!"

"What happened?"

"Look at the news!"

Joanna opened her phone's browser. News about Jaydon and the female celebrities dominated: rumors of arson, tax evasion, intimate photos—a deluge of scandals.

"How did this happen?"

"I don't know. Last night, everything went online."

"Starlight Media is shut down!"

Joanna gasped. "What?"

"Let me call Jay."

Beep beep beep

"The number you dialed is not in service."

"His phone's off."

"Mr. Grimm might have gone overseas. He might not return to Greyport."

Joanna gasped. She'd experienced online abuse before, and knew the feeling. Only Bruce could orchestrate this level of damage so quickly.

"It must be Bruce!" she muttered.

She called Bruce. His phone rang repeatedly. He saw it was Joanna; he knew it was about Jaydon. He let the phone ring, enjoying her impatience. Finally, he answered.

"Hey, why the urgency?"

Joanna, trembling with rage, shouted, "Bruce, did you do this?"

Bruce sneered. "What are you talking about? I don't understand!"

"You're behind Jay's problems, aren't you? Why?"

"A righteous person fears no shadow. If he hadn't done anything, he wouldn't have fallen prey to such a setup!"

Joanna was furious. "Bruce, how could you?"

"Why not? And what makes you think I did it?"

"No one else could!"

Bruce chuckled. "Alright, I did it. So? Are you going to defend him?"

"You're despicable. Why?"

"It's my entertainment. None of your business!"

Joanna was near apoplectic. She’d rather he targeted her than Jaydon.

"If it's because of me, stop this! He didn't offend you. If you have a problem, come to me!"

Bruce's tone hardened. "Joanna, I've warned you many times to stay away from him. Did you listen?"

"Bruce, don't involve others in our problems!"

"I enjoy it. Are you annoyed?"

"Yes! What do you want?"

"To annoy you. Don't you know?"

Joanna trembled. "Please, stop this! I'm terrified of you!"

"Too late to be afraid. This is just the beginning. The best is yet to come!"

Slam!

Bruce hung up.