Chapter 70: Facing the Fallout

Chapter 70: Facing the Fallout

Ethan paused, his expression showing deep concern as he gently cupped Emily's cheek. "This will be resolved soon, don't worry," he said, his voice soothing. After a moment's hesitation, he added, "It's because of me. They're targeting Creston Media, which is why they're going after you."

Emily nodded. "I know."

Ethan's eyes darkened with regret. "I'm sorry."

Emily smiled softly, shaking her head. "It's not your fault, and it's not because of the news either. I've been thinking about closing the studio for some time now."

Ethan studied her intently for a moment. "Are you tired? Not enjoying it anymore?" He reached out to gently pat her head, offering comfort. "I know you want to focus on your photography, but the fashion magazine industry comes with a lot of exposure and drama."

Not to mention that his wife was stunningly beautiful, which always attracted attention.

Emily sighed and tilted her head, considering her thoughts. "There's some truth to that, but it's not the whole reason." She paused, trying to articulate her feelings. "I love portrait photography, and initially, shooting magazine covers seemed like a great platform."

—Plus, it was a chance to get close to her favorite celebrities.

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "You don't enjoy shooting portraits anymore?"

Emily furrowed her brow slightly. "It's not that. It's just that shooting covers doesn't give me the same thrill it used to."

She recalled the excitement she felt during her first shoot with Olivia—there was a sense of anticipation, like a sword being drawn from its sheath. Now, after so many shoots, she had become more skilled and attuned to the commercial aspects of photography. But that initial excitement had faded, leaving her feeling somewhat uninspired.

Ethan nodded thoughtfully. "You want to explore something different?"

Emily lightly clicked her tongue. "I'm not sure..."

She could bring out unique qualities in the celebrities she photographed, capturing them in ways they hadn't been seen before. But beyond covers, she yearned to push her boundaries further, to explore new possibilities in her work.

She wanted to evolve.

But exactly how, or what direction to take, she hadn't figured out yet.

"I just feel like if I keep going like this, it'll be hard for me to grow... But I don't know what I want to shoot next."

Ethan nodded in agreement. "Alright. Then let's pause the studio for now."

Emily murmured an "Mm," then looked up at him, a hint of uncertainty in her gaze. "But... will there be any losses if we shut it down just like that?" she asked softly, a touch of pride in her voice. "After all, I've been making quite a bit of money now..."

As a celebrity photographer, her daily earnings could easily reach ten thousand dollars. Although that might not compare to what her billionaire husband made in a second, her income was still top-tier in the industry.

Ethan's lips twitched slightly, a brief smile crossing his face. "You don't need to worry about making money."

After all, no one could out-earn your husband.

"When I helped you set up the studio, it wasn't about making money. It was to support you in your field and help you grow."

And, of course, to make you happy and win you back.

"Now that you're not enjoying it, and you feel the studio isn't helping you anymore, there's no reason to keep it open."

Ethan made the decision without hesitation, not at all concerned about how much money had been poured into the studio's state-of-the-art equipment.

He pulled her closer, his tone affectionate. "You don't have to decide what to do next right away. Take your time to rest and think."

"Whatever you want to do, it's up to you. And if you ever want to restart the studio, that's fine too."

He rested his chin on her forehead. "Whatever you choose, your husband will always support you."

Emily leaned into him, a smile playing on her lips. She wrapped her arms around his broad back, holding him close for a moment before suddenly pulling away.

Before Ethan could react, Emily stood on her toes and planted a quick kiss on his lower lip. "That's your reward," she said playfully, grabbing his chin and shaking it gently. "Ethan dear~"

Ethan's eyes sparkled with amusement. He held her gaze for a long moment, then suddenly seized her hand and leaned in closer.

"Is that all the reward I get, hm?"

"Well, you—mmph!"

...

**

The article criticizing Creston Media for contributing to the "over-entertainment" of the industry sparked considerable debate. Eventually, the discussion veered into gender and profession.

Some agreed with the article, suggesting that Alisa's success was due in part to her looks and gender. "She's good, but let's be honest, for a female photographer, she's exceptional. Female photographers are rare, and pretty ones even more so. Using her natural advantages is only logical."

Such comments were met with backlash.

**"What do you mean 'for a female photographer'? Is that supposed to be a compliment with a hidden jab?"**

**"I can smell the jealousy from here [smile]. Let me guess, you're a male photographer? What awards have you won, huh?"**

**"Your tone is really off-putting. Jealous much?"**

**"Exactly. Even with all her achievements, some people will never acknowledge her talent. Let's stop pretending that her looks and gender are an advantage. Alisa probably doesn't see it that way."**

**"This is typical. Male photographers often have a bias against female photographers. Just like how they think all female drivers are terrible. Being a woman is hard, sigh."**

**"Don't lump all male photographers together, okay? I'm a male photographer, and I think Alisa is amazing. Her work speaks for itself. And by the way, you can't tell the photographer's gender just by looking at her photos. Her style is unique and powerful."**

...