Chapter 2: The Seriousness Of The Issue

Laetus Allison heard Keitha's cold voice and sudden hang-up of the phone Patric knew she wasn't in a good mood, he shrugged, admitting his joke was a bit too much, but his mouth kept smiling, angering Keitha had always been his hobby.

But smiling not long ago, Laetus remembered Takeshi's call a while earlier, he was also ruined by the ringing of his phone. My gut told Laetus that if I didn't pick up the phone to answer, I might get cursed by Takeshi tomorrow morning.

He pressed on his tired body, reaching for his phone on the nightstand beside him, his voice disheveled with a hint of drowsiness saying.

"What's wrong, Uncle Takeshi?"

"Get to work right away."

The serious voice on the other end of Takeshi Allison's line made Laetus understand that something serious had happened and that this was not the time he could waste any more time.

"Okay, come on."

Laetus answered briefly then walked quickly to the bathroom, he grabbed a hoodie over and put on a jean jacket, simple sweatpants and white sneakers, he reached for his car keys and phone and quickly walked down to the basement of the apartment building.

Getting into the car, as he started the car, Laetus scrolled through social media to see what was wrong, at least he knew that Takeshi wouldn't call him this early in the morning, unless something happened to the company, such as the artists.

Just on a fairly famous forum, Laetus paused for a few seconds, the news about Erika and the other actor was pushed to the climax, and a lot of reactions and comments from people constantly appeared on the article of Adeline, a famous online newspaper specializing in posting images of celebrities to create hotness,  But more or less the news that the page posted was just fake, mainly to create a lot of controversies, smearing the image of a certain celebrity.

"Please present your documents, ladies and gentlemen!"

The male controller's voice suddenly rang in his ears, causing Laetus to calm down, he threw his phone to the passenger seat next to him and then presented his identification papers to the controller, he finally knew why Takeshi called him so early in the morning. If this is not resolved quickly, it will be talked about by journalists.

As soon as the male controller confirmed Laetus' identity and opened the barricade for him to go, he did not hesitate to accelerate to the maximum, quickly speeding off onto the main road towards Tristar.

Returning to the present, Laetus glanced at the two who were silently lowering their heads to the table, a hint of fear on their faces, hands clenched relentlessly trying to reassure themselves. Laetus knew they were scared, but from the perspective of his uncompromising manager, he questioned in a cold voice.

"So... How are you two calculating now?"

Erika Doris and Soul Gwen heard this and were startled, they knew they couldn't escape the incident that had just happened, they had been sneaking back and forth very carefully not to think they would be caught by reporters this time.

Soul Gwen, an actor who has recently risen to prominence, was fortunate enough to receive many contracts as soon as he debuted as an actor in Paris' second-largest media and entertainment company, Tristar.

The film that Soul has just starred in is also nominated in the upcoming film festival category, so Soul's reputation has also emerged a lot. But it was not long before it was released, and the buzz was not great, Soul immediately got into trouble with Erika Doris, he met Erika when they both acted in a film directed by Jun Camelo. He and Erika are caught at the end of their romantic date dinner.

Soul himself is also very responsible, he does not want Erika to be implicated for him, so he immediately stands up.

"I'll definitely handle this, please don't make it hard for Erika."

Laetus glanced slightly at Soul, he didn't say anything, his cold eyes met Soul's resilient gaze, but unfortunately, his body trembled from it. Fear denounced Soul's resilient but fake gaze. Laetus let out a sarcastic laugh.

"Handle? With his current strength? Where did you get that confidence and tell me you're going to handle this?"

Soul was confused by Laetus' harsh words, he was a little weak when he stood facing Laetus, Laetus' aura was too great for him to hesitate.

"I..."

Laetus didn't stop there, he didn't care about Soul's current mood and continued to speak.

"You should remember you're signing with Tristar, you're sitting in Tristar and you owe Tristar. Do you need me to remind you where you stand now?"

Laetus' words reminded Soul momentarily of his current position, his face narrowed, a little unsightly, he did not deny what Laetus said. The story of Soul's past, Laetus knows very well and it was he who helped him get to where he is now, so he easily brings him back to that dark place.

“...”

Laetus questioned Soul again, this time a tirade of questions that left Soul unsure how to react.

"You were only famous not too long ago, and is this how you thought you would get famous faster? Based on a famous star? Class A? If everyone thinks like you, everyone has become a famous star. And is this also the smartest way to pay Tristar? By creating that scandalous scandal? Pretty impressive."

"Enough Laetus, you're going too far."

Erika sitting next to her couldn't stand Laetus constantly pressing Soul to remind Laetus of her actions.

Laetus sitting across from him raised an eyebrow, showing his annoyance that someone had interfered with his conversation. Erika didn't fit in with Laetus either, she wasn't influenced by Laetus, or frankly, she wasn't afraid of him at all.

"Going too far? You're no different than me. Extravagant like that."

"If I'm extravagant, you're arrogant, smug. You're here just as an artist manager, not a director, who has the right to raise our voices and question us like that."

"I'm here to represent the director questioning your stupid actions."

"Representatives are just representatives, don't be loud here to teach my life."

"Then the name of an actor that you have now is also supported by one hand I used to support you, I have every right to withdraw the famous actor name that you have always been proud of."

Erika hearing Laetus' eloquent words not only did not tremble but on the contrary, spoke against him.

"You don't have that right, you're not my manager or director. I'll be here waiting for Director Takeshi and Keitha to arrive. Only then will the director's words count, and for now, you are nothing here."

Laetus didn't falter, either.

"Then don't forget, even though you're a famous actor, you're still an actor from Tristar and you know if you're the actor I managed before, I'm sure I'll show you the aftermath of the scandal you and Mr. Soul did a few hours ago."

Erika smirked her cherry lips, her voice full of sarcasm.

"But it's a pity that I'm not an actor under you."

Laetus shrugged and admitted, he had no right to force Erika either.

"That's pretty lucky for you, Keitha is too soft on you, letting you do your own thing out there and sitting here with me."

"At least Keitha doesn't annoy me as you do."

Erika said and reached for the glass of tea she had placed on the table, taking a sip after the heated argument, Laetus sneered.

"My strength is to annoy you, at least to make the wrinkles on your forehead even more, to accelerate your aging process."

Beam... Erika slammed her glass of water down on the table, she hated being badmouthed by others about her beauty, especially from that Laetus bastard's mouth, she couldn't bear to point her hand at Laetus' face, intending to spit out.

"Bastard..."

"Enough Erika, the madter you get, the happier he gets. If you don't want to be laughed at, calm down."

Keitha Patric now enters from the outside, she tries to prevent Erika and Laetus from fighting with each other anymore. Seeing Erika sitting with Soul, Keitha just bowed silently, Soul saw Keitha coming and stood up and bowed politely.

Glancing slightly to see that there was the room next to Laetus, she guessed she had nowhere else either, and walked over to sit next to Laetus, putting away her belongings. She also noticed Soul's appearance now, seeing his fearful expression again, she guessed it was more or less some kind of scandal. Keitha involuntarily sighed, asking Erika gently.

"It's yours this time, isn't it, Erika?"

Erika was staring at her pretty face in the mirror, hearing Keitha ask her that only to answer involuntarily.

"Just not being careful, with that journalist being really cunning, always clinging."

Laetus sat next to him sarcastically.

"Because I'm careless, let's be frank, I need a lengthy explanation."

Keitha at his side warned Laetus.

"Shut your mouth, Laetus. This is our problem, it has nothing to do with you."

Laetus looked at Keitha's cold warning gaze, unwavering, the two seemed to be fighting in a world of just two people, Laetus lowered his voice, whispering to Keitha.

"Our problem? It seems that Miss Keitha is underestimating the seriousness of the problem, isn't she?"

"Even though it's underestimating the issue, it's not your turn yet."

"Ok, I'm just on good terms reminding your Erika not to cross her line."

"Thank you for your kindness, if it wasn't for you angering Erika, she wouldn't be so angry."

"It's just telling someone to remember their place. It seems that my good intentions have been misunderstood by you."

At this moment, Soul's voice spoke, he wondered why it had been a long time since Director Takeshi had arrived.

"It's almost 5 o'clock, why hasn't Director Takeshi arrived yet?"

Keitha was also aware of Takeshi's late presence, when he called her, she thought he had already arrived before her, so she rushed here, but now looking back at the clock, it was too late, this was not Takeshi's way of doing things. Keitha turned to ask Laetus.

"Wouldn't normally Takeshi come before me? That's how it happened this time, does he have time to delay?"

Laetus glanced at the phone on his desk, and he tilted his head to answer Keitha.

"Don't be in a hurry, you mentioned that he showed up right away."

Indeed, just as Laetus finished speaking, Takeshi opened the door and walked in, his face was full of anger, and his expression was not much better. As soon as he sat down in the chair for the head, Takeshi raised his voice questioningly.

"Have you seen the good your aunt has done for the company?"

Keitha looked at Takeshi's angry face and knew that this couldn't be calmed down, couldn't be resolved silently. But one thing Keitha acknowledged Laetus had just said.

"It's really good to see the ministry."

Laetus just smiled slightly.

"Refrain from mentioning his name later, or he will appear behind you."

Takeshi also noticed Laetus and Keitha's loud whispers at this time, and his bad mood immediately burst out.

"And you two, didn't everything that happened like this hurry up and find a solution? Sitting there whispering loudly to me, do you know that just after arriving at my office I was stopped by reporters to ask questions?"

"Why are you so late."

Both Keitha and Laetus had the same thoughts, they finally knew why Takeshi was so late.

"So how are you two going to deal with it now, Laetus, Keitha?"