Chapter 112: Quietly Budding Feelings
"Just eat," Evan Fairchild shot Jasper Rockwell a disgusted look.
Jasper Rockwell obediently resumed eating, only to stop again as if a thought had just struck him. "Evan, everyone says you, President Fairchild, are a wild playboy with girlfriends all over the globe. But only I know that you’ve stayed single through sheer force of will. So, I’ve decided to offer you my pro bono services as a relationship consultant."
"And what makes you think you’re qualified to give me advice?"
"Haven’t you heard? It’s always the single people who are giving out relationship advice."
"Finish your food and get out!"
"You’re not even going to consider it?"
"Get out now!"
"Fine, have it your way! I’m not going to force you," Jasper Rockwell muttered under his breath. ’Might as well finish mooching this meal first.’
...
Zane Langdon returned to his hotel room, showered, and changed into his pajamas. He walked out of the bathroom, towel-drying his hair.
"Zane!"
His manager, Sean Coleman, was sitting on the sofa. He normally wouldn’t disturb Zane Langdon during his downtime unless it was something important.
"What happened?" Zane Langdon asked, sitting down across from Sean Coleman.
"Take a look at these." Sean Coleman placed a stack of photos on the table.
Zane Langdon picked them up and flipped through them one by one.
"A fan posted these in a group chat. They’re very suggestive and caused a huge commotion. Some of them have already started to leak out."
"How much has it blown up online? Has the media gotten involved?" Zane Langdon asked immediately.
"Strangely enough, the media has been completely silent this time."
Zane Langdon breathed a sigh of relief.
"The admins in the fan groups have managed to get things somewhat under control. They’ve told everyone not to circulate the photos, but they’re very worried about you. They’re afraid Melody Monroe is just like all the others."
Zane Langdon had been through a lot since his debut, and the fans who had followed him from the beginning knew this all too well.
After Zane Langdon became a star, nearly every actress he worked with tried to use him for publicity and ride his wave of popularity. What Hailey Paige did before—demanding more screen time—was a common occurrence.
There was even a sasaeng fan who once threatened Zane Langdon’s life.
This made the fans’ hearts ache for him.
As a result, some of Zane Langdon’s fans are fiercely protective of their idol. They’ve even formed a contingent of "warrior fans" who are either in the middle of a flame war or preparing for the next one. They won’t let anyone harm their idol.
Ever since Director Wallace changed the script, fans of the original novel have been non-stop in their criticism of Melody Monroe.
[Melody Monroe Demands More Scenes], [Melody Monroe Has a Rich Sponsor], [Melody Monroe Is Kept by Stellaris CEO Christopher Sterling]
These topics were constantly being brought up.
When Zane Langdon’s fans saw these photos, they were nearly unanimous in their belief that Melody Monroe had ulterior motives, and some even started making extreme comments.
After a moment’s thought, Zane Langdon took out his phone and pulled up the login screen for his social media account.
"What are you doing?"
"I have to clarify this."
"Calm down! The fans aren’t just worried you’re being taken advantage of; they’re also concerned about your relationship with Melody Monroe. Zane, given your current situation, it’s not wise to get too close to women," Sean Coleman reminded him gently.
"Do you think I’m just a pretty face?"
"But over ninety percent of your fans are here for that face of yours! They’ve put you on a dangerously high pedestal!"
Sean Coleman had been on set the last few days, keeping a close eye on Zane Langdon and Melody Monroe.
He had a bad feeling.
It seemed Zane Langdon treated Melody Monroe differently than he treated others.
He could even sense the subtle stirrings of affection quietly taking root.