He wanted Susan to be the spokesperson? Aurora was momentarily stunned. After all, Susan had been torn apart online due to a scandal not long ago, with countless people demanding she leave the entertainment industry.
Rumor had it that all her engagements had been canceled. Although it had become somewhat safer for her to appear in public recently, no company would dare hire her for commercial events, right? Hiring someone with such a tarnished reputation would only bring discredit to the product.
NE, a master perfumer renowned for producing one hit fragrance after another, had always been meticulous in his choices. The more accomplished the master, the more careful they were about protecting their reputation. Every step, from product creation to promotion, went through strict scrutiny.
How could NE make such a glaring mistake? Perhaps it was because he had been abroad for years and was unaware of the situation back home.
Noticing the awkward expression on Aurora’s face, NE asked, “What’s the matter, Miss Montgomery? Is there a problem?”
“Regarding the choice of spokesperson, there is indeed an issue,” Aurora said bluntly. Since she was about to purchase this fragrance, she had to consider her company’s interests.
This was her company’s first deal-a significant one. As a newly established business, they were already attracting industry attention. Aurora wanted to seize this moment to make a splash and rapidly promote their product.
She couldn’t afford to be careless. The first deal was crucial, and she had to choose someone she could trust completely. NE’s involvement guaranteed the quality of the product, and Aurora valued this opportunity highly.
Putting aside her personal history with Susan, even if they had never met, Aurora would never choose someone with such a controversial background as a spokesperson.
“Oh? What exactly is the problem, Miss Montgomery?” NE asked seriously. “Susan is a top-tier celebrity with high visibility and popularity in the country. Her screen presence and aura perfectly align with this fragrance’s image.”
Aurora hesitated, glancing at Susan. From NE’s tone, it was clear that he and Susan had a close relationship. Criticizing Susan outright would leave a bad impression and might even jeopardize the collaboration.
But if she stayed silent, she would be tacitly agreeing to let Susan be the spokesperson. If this decision backfired, it could damage the brand irreparably.
Caught in a dilemma, Aurora weighed her options. No matter how deep their personal connection, she decided it was better to be honest with NE and see how he responded.
“Yes, I agree with everything you’ve said,” Aurora began tactfully. “Miss Simmons is young, beautiful, and at the peak of her acting career. She has a large fan base, and I’ve even watched quite a few of her shows myself.”
“So, Miss Montgomery, why do you think it won’t work? I don’t understand,” NE said, looking puzzled.
“Have you been keeping up with domestic entertainment news lately?” Aurora asked cautiously.
“No, I don’t usually follow that kind of thing. Miss Montgomery, if you have something to say, just say it directly,” NE replied, sounding a bit impatient.
“Marcos, it’s really nothing serious,” Susan interjected hurriedly. “You know how many crazy people are online these days, and how unethical the media can be. They’ve been making up all kinds of nonsense to smear me.”
“I know how it works in the entertainment industry,” NE said with a shrug. “There’s always gossip. These paparazzi make their living off it. They can turn something white into black if it sells.”
“This time, it’s not just a trivial issue,” Aurora said pointedly. “As far as I know, all of Miss Simmons’ commercial engagements have been canceled. Even her scheduled dramas and advertisements have terminated their contracts, resulting in hefty penalties.
“Right now, there’s a nationwide boycott against Miss Simmons. Although the public outrage has cooled slightly in recent days, it was so intense before that I doubt Miss Simmons would even dare to walk down the street without being mobbed.”
Aurora’s words were a cold reminder of reality. This wasn’t something Susan could dismiss with a few casual remarks.
“I don’t know what kind of relationship you and Miss Simmons share,” Aurora continued. “Of course, personal connections are important. I myself am here today thanks to Mr. Barnet’s introduction.
“If none of this had happened, I’d be more than happy to hire Miss Simmons as the spokesperson. But given the current situation, I must consider the well-being of my company.
“I am, after all, a businesswoman. I have a company to run and employees to support. As a newly established business, we must be especially cautious.
“Hiring a celebrity with a poor public image and bad reputation is simply too risky. You just mentioned that you are both an artist and a businessman. You want your creations to be appreciated by the public, don’t you?
“I imagine you’d also want this fragrance to make a stunning debut. But if its reputation is tarnished by association with a controversial spokesperson, wouldn’t that be counterproductive?
“Personal connections are important, but profit must come first. Isn’t the essence of being a businessman about maximizing benefits and minimizing risks?”
Aurora delivered her argument with precision, addressing the interests of both parties. Heather and Ian, who rarely saw Aurora speak at such length, were struck by the commanding presence of this confident and articulate woman.
It was clear now why Aurora was capable of starting her own company. Her calm demeanor and persuasive eloquence reflected years of experience and refinement.
“Is it really that serious?” NE asked, frowning. He hadn’t realized the extent of Susan’s troubles. He had assumed it was just typical entertainment industry drama-artists stirring up attention with a mix of positive and negative publicity.
But after hearing Aurora’s detailed explanation, he understood the situation wasn’t so simple. If the risks were as high as she described, then the matter required serious reconsideration.
“Marcos, don’t listen to her exaggerations!” Susan protested. “She’s deliberately blowing things out of proportion because she hates me.
“You’ve watched me grow up, Marcos. Don’t you know my character by now? As an artist, why would I do anything to ruin my reputation? I have to think about my future, don’t I?”
Susan spoke with a hint of desperation. She knew her company had already canceled all her activities, telling her to “take a break and enjoy a honeymoon.”
On the surface, the words sounded kind, but Susan understood the truth-she had been shelved indefinitely. How long it would last, no one could say.
If the company wouldn’t arrange work for her, she had to find opportunities herself.
**