Chapter 214: Role Stolen?
Lola was driving herself to meet up with Silo and Cedrick when her phone started ringing.
"Silo," she answered, keeping most of her focus on the road. "I’m already on the way. Will be there in twenty minutes."
"Lola."
Her brow twitched the second she caught the tone Silo was using. However, she said nothing and waited for whatever bad news he was going to deliver.
"Have you seen the article yet?"
"What article?"
"I’m sending it to you."
"Is it bad?"
"..." Silo took his time before saying, "Maybe."
The call ended just like that, leaving Lola with nothing but her silence. Glancing at the road ahead, she carefully pulled the car over to the side and stopped. Since Silo already told her, she might as well know what was happening before meeting them.
Lola held her phone and quickly clicked the link Silo had sent her. And sure enough, it led her to a problem.
[My goodness. What is happening now? The entertainment industry surely doesn’t care about anything except money.]
[How can they let Cedrick back in the industry?]
[I can’t understand anything. Context?]
[I’m boycotting this film — what the hell is the creator doing? Is he in his right mind?]
[I really respect Taz and his works, but I don’t think I can support him in this. Nope. Sorry Taz, but unless you take Cedrick out of this project, I’m out.]
[Did they pay anyone just so he can make a comeback?]
[This series is expected to be a hit. Why ruin it like this?]
Lola didn’t even need to read the article because the headline was already a tell. The writer of the article had spoonfed everything in the headline, so it didn’t even compel her to read the rest. Instead, she skimmed through the comments that were already posted — and they kept coming.
The article was simply something to stir trouble. Basically, malicious writing concealed as news.
"Isn’t this the same person who wrote all those articles about Cedrick in the past?" she muttered, leaning her back against the driver’s seat while reading the comments. Then, the corners of her lips curled up into a smirk.
RING!
At the same time, her phone started ringing once more. Seeing the name on the screen, Lola answered the call.
"Yes, Director?"
"Taz, have you heard?" Director Sarian didn’t beat around the bush. "This article just came out, and it’s spreading fast — it’s now trending online!"
"Yes, Director. I was just looking at it now." She smacked her lips. "Are you okay?"
"Why are you asking me if I am okay? I called because I was worried about you!" he grumbled. "They haven’t yet found out that you’re managing Cedrick. But if someone gets wind of this, it’s going to be more difficult."
Lola chuckled. "Director, I’m alright. You warned me about this before, and I already expected such things to happen."
Director Sarian sighed heavily.
"Thank you, Director," she expressed, making the director raise his brows. She smiled subtly. "Thank you for looking out for me, but don’t worry about me. I am prepared for anything."
"The entertainment industry is quite different from just creating your content inside your office," he said. "It’s a vicious world, Taz. I’m just making sure you’re alright."
"I am alright." Lola then glanced at her phone. "How about you, Director? Are you?"
"Well, I just received a call from the higher-ups asking me to come by." His face soured. "It’s probably because of this and about the casting."
Lola’s eyes softened, thinking that Director Sarian should’ve been busy figuring out a way to stop the higher-ups from meddling with the production. Yet, here he was, calling her right after ending the call from his summon.
"Director," she called. "Can you do me a small favor?"
Director Sarian frowned. "Taz, do you think you can just keep asking favors from me whenever you like?"
"I promise I’ll help with the filming," she returned, smiling. "Please?"
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Then, what favor are you asking me to do?"
Lola puckered her lips and thought for a second. A moment later, a big smile spread across her face.
****
Minutes later, in the gym’s office...
"Wow..." Haji was in awe, scrolling through social media and seeing Cedrick’s face everywhere. He looked up, eyes falling on where Cedrick and Silo were seated. "Cedrick, you’re really popular, huh?"
Cedrick lowered his head. "Not in a good way."
Bitterness filled his eyes as shame crept into his heart like a snake injecting poison. Lola had warned him before not to use social media for a while, and he had followed her instructions without fail. But today, because of Silo, he had caught the public’s reaction to an article revealing he was part of the casting for Angel’s Revenge.
Of course, there were cryptic messages left by the writer to make it sound like Cedrick pulled strings to get the role. Just like the same writer had written malicious articles about him before, fueling the scandal that dragged Cedrick’s career through the mud.
"Haji, if you can’t stop reading them, just shut up!" Silo hissed, checking his phone once more for any message from Lola. "Did she not read what I sent her? How come she hasn’t responded?"
Suddenly, Haji blurted out, "Huh? What is this? Another article?"
"Another one?" Cedrick exclaimed, raising his head and revealing his pale face. Silo also looked at Haji and, without further ado, opened his phone to check the article Haji was talking about.
Silo didn’t need to look long.
[Role Stolen?] was the headline, and just reading that, Silo didn’t have a good feeling about it.
He skimmed through the article. Cedrick didn’t want to read, but he couldn’t help it. He quietly moved closer to Silo’s side, reading along. The more he read, the paler he got.
The article was just another blind item, which Cedrick was no stranger to. But even with names censored, it was easy to guess who they were referring to.
"This is nonsense," Silo hissed, raising his phone as if to throw it in frustration.
Surprised, Cedrick flinched at Silo’s reaction. He blinked, staring at Silo, who had paused with his arms up.
Then...
CRACK!
Silo and Cedrick flinched when they heard something shatter. Turning their heads, they saw Haji on his feet, fuming, hands on his hips, and his phone shattered on the floor.
"Wow..." Haji scoffed. "Is the person writing this looking for a fight? I’m going to break that asshole."
"If you’re going to do that, make sure they attack you first. Otherwise, you’ll be charged with assault." Just then, Lola’s voice came into the room, making everyone look in her direction.
Her face carried no expression, eyes glossing over everyone before her gaze settled on Cedrick. "What are you still doing? Don’t you have an acting class today?"