Facing the questioning from reporters, Sebastian responded calmly, “The script for episode 6 was completed and sent to Elisa’s agent after the revisions.”
“Is there any record of this?”
“Of course there is.” Sebastian took out his phone and after a brief search, he held it up to one of the cameras. “Look here.”
The screen displayed emails sent on the 6th, not only that, Sebastian had sent it a total of three times, and also on the 7th.
Sebastian explained, “I was afraid she wouldn’t receive the script, so I sent it on the 7th as well. Moreover, the other party showed receipt of the file. I don’t think her agent would sabotage her own artist, right?”
“I want to ask why you didn’t personally send it to Elisa and instead forwarded it to her agent?”
Filippa, standing nearby, turned pale, discreetly wiped her eyes, and leaned on Sebastian’s shoulder. “Don’t you understand the relationship between her and me? Do you not know? Elisa used underhanded means to poach the cast from our production. Our relationship hasn’t even reached the level of being friends on social media.”
Filippa was known for being straightforward, speaking her mind, and her fans defined her as real, daring to love and hate.
The reporters in front nodded one after another, expressing their agreement. Auditions had passed, contracts were about to be signed, but unexpectedly someone had poached the opportunity. Anyone in that situation would feel aggrieved.
No one knew how the “Weekend Show” program selected and grouped people, to think they had placed Elisa and Filippa in the same group. But this also brought attention, heating things up before it even aired.
A reporter asked, “Did you inform Elisa to attend rehearsals for the audition?”
Filippa replied, “Yes, but she refused all of them. I think Miss Elisa must be very confident, so confident that she doesn’t need rehearsals or to rehearse lines with us. But I never imagined her confidence was entirely used in underhanded methods. If it weren’t for my senior brother having evidence of sending her the script, I would have been unfairly blamed.”
“So, you really didn’t rehearse the lines together even once?”
Filippa looked very impatient. She looked at the reporter speaking, suspecting whether he had a hearing problem, as she had explained everything so clearly and yet he still asked.
She had rehearsed lines with Elisa, or rather, the other party had approached her. However, it was through her assistant’s private number, which was now deactivated. Even if she made it public, no one would believe her. Besides, no one saw them rehearsing the lines, there were no cameras, so what was there to fear of Elisa exposing anything?
“No, she didn’t want to.”
“Oh?” The reporter, seeming pensive, glanced at both Filippa and Sebastian, then stepped aside to let other reporters come forward.
A sense of unease rose in Sebastian’s heart. He looked worriedly at Filippa and asked in a low voice, “Xiu Xiu, when will the press conference end?”
Filippa didn’t notice anything unusual at all. She raised her eyes to look at Sebastian’s somewhat sulking face and felt impatient. How could a grown man be so petty in handling matters, even less so than her.
“We still have to promote our variety show later. Didn’t my agent tell you that we’re going to play up our relationship later?”
“Yes.”
“Well, that’s settled then. Later, you need to cooperate with me.”
Sebastian’s eyes visibly darkened, feeling a bit lost. He genuinely had feelings for Filippa and wanted to pursue her, not to fake a relationship to deceive fans. But now that they had come this far, he could only nod in agreement. Otherwise, the two of them would be awkward in front of the camera later, revealing their true intentions.
The two of them spoke quietly, leaning in close, giving the impression of being an ambiguous couple.
“Could Xiu Xiu talk about the recent schedule?”
Filippa smiled, changing her previously haggard expression. “Recently, my senior brother and I received an invitation to participate in a variety show.”
“Can you reveal which variety show it is?”
“This, it will be officially announced later. I can’t reveal it right now.” After saying this, Filippa revealed a shy smile and hooked her arm with Sebastian’s.
Sebastian also looked at her indulgently and even reached out to fix her hair.
Though not explicitly stated, recent online rumors suggested that the popular “Love Variety” show had invited Filippa and Sebastian due to the popularity of their fan pairing, combined with their current high popularity.
“Will you continue recording for the ‘Weekend Show’ program?” another reporter asked.
“The contract for”Weekend Show” is signed on a per-episode basis. If the show doesn’t resolve this matter, my senior brother and I won’t return. After all, no one likes to work with a tarnished artist, and besides, I’m a jealous person. I’m afraid she’ll keep eyeing my senior brother,” Filippa stated.
Sebastian, standing beside her, faintly furrowed his brows upon hearing the last sentence. This subtle change was caught by the camera, giving the impression that he was troubled by something.
This led people to speculate wildly. Could it be that Elisa had also tried to seduce Sebastian? Could there be a romance blossoming from their work together?
With both their emotions and finances threatened, it was no wonder Filippa detested Elisa so much. If it were someone else, they would have started a fight right then and there. But in reality, Sebastian simply did not agree with how Filippa handled things so decisively, entangling him in the process.
He pondered to himself: Is this going too far?
The fans waiting in the live stream began flooding the chat with comments, many of them focusing on the romantic relationship between Filippa and Sebastian.
“I can’t believe there’s this side to Xiu Xiu. The tough girl has been tamed into a delicate little kitten.”
“Sebastian’s eyes are so doting, my ship is definitely real.”
“I hereby declare their marriage on the spot.”
“I may not want a relationship, but the couples I ship must be sweet for real.”
“I’d exchange my friend’s lifelong single status for Xiu Zhi and Yi Zhi’s marriage.”
“I initially thought these two were deliberately faking a relationship, but I never expected them to be so sweet in real life. Seeing Xiu Xiu holding Yi Ge’s hand all the time, they definitely have chemistry. They’re so sweet and well-matched.”
“Brother and sister don’t like to fake, Sebastian definitely likes Filippa, just look at his eyes, tsk, they’re practically overflowing with affection.”
The live chat exploded with gifts and comments, propelling their stream to the top position, and videos of the two of them were being shared everywhere.
This was followed by a wave of intense criticism of Elisa online. As soon as someone spoke ill of Elisa, they would undoubtedly receive likes and comments in support.
It didn’t carry much weight, but it provided an inexplicable sense of validation.
“I seriously suspect that Elisa has some backstage support. Clearly, she’s riddled with scandals, yet she’s still running amok in the entertainment industry.”
“Elisa is a disaster. She’s always making the headlines. I really don’t want to see her anymore. Some people even praise her as a beauty, but with that surgically altered face, she’s not doing any favors to our street, is she?”
“According to Xiu Xiu, it seems like Elisa was trying to seduce Sebastian. Thank goodness she’s only been in touch with his agent. Otherwise, I’d be worried with that fox-like face of Elisa’s.”
“Don’t jump to conclusions, Sebastian only has eyes for Xiu Xiu. Look at the affection between this couple. It’s solid. Elisa won’t be able to get in between them.”
“Severe actions should be taken against artists with a bad reputation. Aren’t they public figures? Shouldn’t they be setting a good example for children? Let me give you a rundown. I’ve counted over twenty rumors related to Elisa, not to mention the ones that were directly exposed. Right after she finished with the director, she was linked to another male artist. Quite the octopus.”
“Elisa should be on her way out. In the end, the grasshopper becomes a burden in autumn.”
“If you want to secretly alter the script and amaze all the viewers…”
In just half an hour, Filippa had moved from fifteenth to the top ten on the female star ranking. Sebastian, usually focused on acting, quite laid-back, had always been moderately popular. Now, he had also entered the public eye. As for Elisa, who opposed them, she had long been criticized to the point of being pushed out of the spotlight. Apart from the fans of these two, there were also fans of Lorelei, fans of the drama, and mostly just onlookers.
Elisa’s anti-fans team had gradually expanded to an astonishing extent, buying water armies and marketing accounts, aiming to drive Elisa out of the entertainment circle. With the collapse of the wall, many people pushed, and the broken drum was beaten by thousands. Other artists could still have a few struggling fans when attacked, but when it came to Elisa, there was only a never-ending chorus of abuse.
Elisa truly felt the power of the internet; hating someone required no reason. Even if she hadn’t done anything, these people still detested her. Elisa listened to the live broadcast while browsing through the comments, her face devoid of joy or sorrow. She now somewhat hoped that Thomas could deal a blow to her with his economic company, so that she could also make a comeback.
Glancing at the time on her phone, half an hour had already passed; it was time for her to make her move. Just as Filippa was proudly promoting the “stirring CP” with Sebastian in front of the media, a conspicuous red barrage slowly drifted from right to left.
-“Everyone, quickly check Twitter’s front page. A big V has exposed a video and audio of Filippa, Sebastian, and Elisa. It’s all happening live!”
Filippa was still answering reporters’ questions, completely unaware that the live broadcast room had already erupted into chaos.
“What video?”
“Is it about Elisa seducing Sebastian and getting caught by Filippa on the spot?”
“Wow, that’s a bit thrilling.”
“A complete turn of events.”
“Lying without a draft is one thing, but lying so confidently in front of so many people, you’re truly amazing, Sister Xiu.”
Suddenly, Filippa felt that something was off; the reporters in the back started quietly glancing at their phones, and now they were openly taking them out, looking at them with strange expressions, completely diverting their attention.
“What’s going on? Why is everyone looking at their phones?” Filippa asked.
Sebastian was also puzzled, feeling increasingly uneasy. He took out his phone to enter the live broadcast room and, seeing the comments, asked Filippa, “Xiu Xiu, did you prepare a video? I saw fans saying a big V had exposed a video and audio.”
“What do you mean? I didn’t prepare any video…” As Filippa’s words trailed off, her phone automatically pushed out a trending topic.
Filippa clicked on it and, in an instant, the blood drained from her face, leaving her feeling cold all over. A journalist with a significant following had exposed a video on Twitter. The video also had a timestamp, showing that on the 8th, Elisa had actively invited Filippa and Sebastian to the rehearsal room to rehearse their lines.