Bianca was puzzled. Leonel could easily hire a bigger celebrity with more popularity or a larger fan base. Why was he considering Reese? Sure, she had her moment of fame recently, but it seemed like a short-lived trend compared to the big stars. Plus, with all the negative rumors about her fake relationship scandal going around online, didn’t Leonel know about that? Bianca wondered silently.
Leonel could tell what Bianca was thinking and quickly explained, “I think having Reese be the first to benefit from this drug and succeed with it would set a strong example. If she shares her personal experience as an ambassador, it would help convince others to try it.”
After thinking it over, Bianca saw his point. Reese was well-liked and fit the role perfectly, making her a great choice.
Normally, Bianca would be excited for Reese to get such an opportunity, but recent controversies made her hesitant. The drug’s launch would likely make big news, and with Reese and the Emerald Artists Agency already under a lot of scrutiny, using her as the face of the campaign could bring unwanted attention and criticism.
Jealousy from others seemed inevitable, especially with the online crowd, who always had strong opinions.
Even though the partnership seemed perfect, putting Reese, a relatively new face, in the spotlight could make established celebrities’ fans resent her, possibly turning them against her.
Unaware of Bianca’s concerns, Leonel mistook her hesitation as a reluctance to cooperate. With a sarcastic tone, he asked, “What’s the problem, Bianc? Is the company too proud now that even your own brother can’t get an artist from it?”
Bianca was irritated by the comment. She hadn’t planned on saying no, but she couldn’t understand why he always had to be so sarcastic when communicating.
Still, she realized that turning him down could lead to misunderstandings and might hurt their relationship. So, she hesitated before replying, “I can consider it, but I need to talk to Reese first. She’s under my management, but it’s not just my decision.”
This time, Leonel didn’t push the issue, which surprised Bianca.
After visiting her mother, Bianca headed back to the office.
As soon as Bianca stepped out of her car at the entrance, she was immediately surrounded by a swarm of reporters. They formed a tight circle around her, blocking the main entrance and making it difficult for anyone to get inside. The reporters, clearly waiting for her, rushed forward the moment she arrived.
The drama surrounding Blake and Reese’s fake relationship had exploded online, disrupting the company’s daily operations. Now, the reporters were eager to hear the truth straight from Bianca.
“Miss Bianca Scott, there are rumors that Blake Lawson and Reese Vance’s supposed relationship is just a marketing strategy created by your agency. Some people believe they’ve been forced to keep up this facade. What’s your take on that?”
“Miss Scott, could you clear up the rumors about you and Blake spending a cozy night together at the Emperor Hotel? Are you two in a relationship? You’ve previously denied being romantically involved with him and mentioned having a boyfriend. Are you dating two men? Our audience is dying to know. Could you explain?”
“Is the fake relationship between Blake and Reese just a cover for your secret relationship with someone else from the company? Was your statement about having a boyfriend true? Can we get a direct response from you?”
The barrage of sharp questions came at Bianca so fast that she barely had a chance to breathe, let alone figure out how to respond. With a thoughtful frown, she pondered her next move, trying to find a way to minimize the damage. It felt like the right time to clear things up about Blake and Reese, to set the record straight, and address the rumors.
As she hesitated, unsure of how to handle the reporters’ relentless questioning, a van pulled up next to the crowd. The doors swung open, and the two people at the heart of all the gossip stepped out for everyone to see.
Blake was the first to emerge. He then courteously extended his hand toward the van’s door. A pale, delicate arm reached out to take it, lightly touching his hand as they made their appearance together.
As Reese glanced at Blake, she accepted his hand and stepped out of the van. Their movements seemed natural, almost as if they were a real couple in love. Blake turned to her, hanging on her every word, while Reese lowered her head, blushing with a shyness that seemed genuine.
The unexpected sight immediately captivated the reporters, shifting their focus away from Bianca. They swarmed around Blake and Reese in no time, crowding them in a dense circle of eager questions and flashes.
Bianca stood off to the side, her eyes wide with amazement and disbelief as she watched the scene unfold before her.
“Blake, there’s a lot of talk online about your relationship with Reese. Is this really a scam?” A reporter quickly approached Blake, holding the microphone close to his mouth.
A sudden quiet fell over the crowd as everyone focused on Blake, waiting for his answer to the big question on everyone’s mind.
Blake’s voice rang out clearly through the microphone. “I’ve seen the rumors online. I can’t say who started the idea that we’re pretending to be something we’re not. But what I can say is, don’t believe everything you hear. The truth is in what you see for yourself. Let’s stop spreading rumors.”
The crowd buzzed with mixed reactions, some nodding while others looked confused. Blake’s confidence was clear in his response. But a stubborn reporter pushed on, asking, “There are rumors that you and Reese rarely talk privately. Can you respond to that?”
“Our lives are busy, and we are focusing on our careers,” Blake said, looking directly into the camera. “So, it makes sense that private conversations might be rare. As for where these rumors about our private life are coming from, I suggest you ask those spreading them.”
“So, what’s the nature of your relationship now?” another reporter asked, pressing for more details.
“We’re good friends,” Blake answered, his smile hinting at something deeper.
“How good?” the reporter pressed further, looking for a clearer answer.
Blake glanced at Reese for a brief moment before returning his attention to the crowd. His smirk was playful as he replied, “That’s open to interpretation.”
The reporters were left confused, as the dynamic they were seeing didn’t match the stories that had been leaked. The connection between Blake and Reese seemed just as mysterious, if not more intense, than what had been portrayed on the show, challenging the rumors of their “strained relationship.”