Chapter 721
When Skylar went to buy a new car, she was meticulously selective. The dealership was holding a promotion, drawing a sizable crowd. To avoid being hounded by salespeople, she wandered the showroom alone. Overhearing two young women discussing entertainment news, she listened intently.
“Did you see this morning’s trending topic? It’s all about Charles Sullivan. Apparently, he invited Felicia Ingram to dinner and got handsy with her. He even had someone take photos to generate publicity. The lengths he’ll go to for fame are pathetic. Such a waste of a good-looking face.”
“Honestly, I had a pretty good impression of him. His recent films and shows have gained a lot of attention. I thought he would be the next Oscar-winning actor, but you can't judge a book by its cover. It’s so disgusting! Poor Felicia.”
“Exactly! They’re supposed to work on a film together, and Charles has played minor roles for years. He’s clearly desperate for success.”
“People always talk about how messy the entertainment industry is, and it’s true. No matter how successful a woman is, she still has to watch out for scumbags like him.”
“I’m going to comment and share this too. Scumbags like him shouldn’t be in the entertainment industry.”
The women continued their discussion, their anger palpable. Skylar's expression changed. She quickly checked the news on her phone. Several hashtags were trending: #CharlesGetOutOfEntertainmentIndustry! and #CharlesMustApologizeToFelicia! The hashtags aimed to destroy Charles's career. Photos of them dining together dominated headlines. The pictures suggested Charles had been inappropriately physical with Felicia. Her face was partially obscured, making her expression difficult to discern. Short video clips further fueled the accusations.
The production team swiftly responded, announcing Charles’s contract termination as the male lead. Felicia’s team posted a single image of her back; she looked vulnerable and weak. Adele added fuel to the fire with comments like, “Are all these scumbags this bold now?” Online sympathy surged, calls for Charles to be blacklisted intensified. His hard-earned success was jeopardized. This scandal, only an hour old, was already the top news story.
As Skylar scrolled through hateful comments targeting Charles, her hands trembled. People were relentlessly attacking him, even dredging up unrelated past incidents. She immediately left the dealership. Just as she was about to call Charles, her phone rang—it was Natalie.
“Skye, I just woke up and saw the news about your brother. I talked to Mr. Powell and Hank. They both agree this news was premeditated. I know your brother’s character, and Mr. Powell has met him a few times. In the entertainment industry, Charles has always had a reputation for being professional and well-liked. This is definitely a setup! Don’t panic. I’ll ask Mr. Powell and Hank to see what they can do. This needs immediate PR attention.”
Skylar, unfamiliar with the entertainment industry, understood someone was systematically trying to ruin Charles. After speaking with Natalie, Skylar called Charles, but his phone was off, likely overwhelmed with calls. She hailed a cab and headed to his apartment. En route, she called Steven.
“Steven, Charles is in big trouble. The news is everywhere, and I can’t reach him. His phone is off. I’m sure Mom will find out soon. Can you talk to her? Try to keep her calm. I’ll do everything I can to help Charles sort this out.”
“Charles called me right before he turned off his phone. He told us not to worry. He’s getting bombarded with calls right now, but he’s busy gathering evidence. I’ll speak to Mom and reassure her,” Steven replied calmly.
Skylar researched Felicia. Having met her before, Skylar knew Felicia wasn't particularly kind. Without Joe's intervention during a previous car accident, Felicia wouldn't have admitted fault. Natalie continued sending updates. Austin's agent, Hank, a well-known and resourceful crisis manager, introduced Skylar to a high-priced PR firm.
Skylar quickly composed herself and contacted the firm. They offered two strategies and promised immediate action upon her approval. However, they acknowledged the difficult situation with Felicia, stating that a public clarification from her was the best solution to quell the backlash against Charles.