Chapter 16: Whispers in the Wind

Ethan arrived at the studio the next morning, his mind still buzzing with the tense conversation with Ava. He couldn't shake off the lingering doubt, the feeling that something was brewing beneath the surface. But as he walked into the building, something else caught his attention—a strange shift in the atmosphere. People who usually greeted him with smiles and waves were now looking away, whispering in hushed tones as he passed by.

He frowned. Something was definitely off.

By lunchtime, the tension had escalated. Even Oscar, usually his biggest supporter, was acting distant. Ethan found himself sitting alone in the studio cafeteria, his phone vibrating on the table. 

**Incoming Call: Leo Kensington.**

He hesitated. Leo never called unless it was important. Ethan swiped to answer.

"Leo, what's up?"

Leo's voice came through low and sharp. "Ethan, I thought I'd give you a heads-up before this blows up. Have you heard what people are saying about you?"

Ethan's heart skipped a beat. "What are you talking about?"

"There's a rumor going around," Leo said, his tone serious. "And it's spreading fast. People are saying you're... well, that you're gay. And not just that—it's tied to your success. Some are whispering that you've been... cozying up to industry big shots in exchange for your rise to fame."

Ethan felt like the ground had been pulled out from under him. His pulse quickened as Leo's words sank in.

"What?" Ethan's voice cracked. "That's... that's insane!"

"I figured it was," Leo said. "But you know how this industry is. Rumors like this don't just go away. You need to get ahead of this, Ethan. Fast."

Ethan was silent, gripping his phone tightly. He'd dealt with challenges before, but this was different. This wasn't about a project or a film—it was about his personal life. His reputation. And in a world where perception was everything, it could all crumble in an instant.

"I've got your back," Leo continued, his voice softening. "But be careful. This could mess up everything we're building."

"Thanks, Leo," Ethan managed to say. "I'll figure something out."

As he hung up, his mind raced. Who had started this? Was it a smear campaign from a rival, or just an unfortunate rumor blown out of proportion? Either way, he couldn't let it derail him. But how was he supposed to fight back without making things worse?

---

That evening, Ethan met with his publicist, Jenna, in her office. The walls were lined with framed magazine covers of the biggest names in showbiz. She was cool, professional, and always knew how to handle a crisis. But even Jenna looked tense as she sat down across from him.

"You've heard the rumors, I assume?" she asked, getting straight to the point.

Ethan nodded. "It's ridiculous, Jenna. How do we stop it?"

Jenna sighed, tapping her pen against her notepad. "Stopping it isn't going to be easy. The more you deny it, the more fuel it adds to the fire. This industry thrives on scandal, and unfortunately, personal rumors like this have a way of sticking around."

Ethan leaned back in his chair, frustration bubbling up. "So what do I do? Let people think whatever they want?"

"Not quite," Jenna replied, her eyes narrowing as she considered their options. "The best way to handle this is to redirect the attention. Give the public something else to focus on—something bigger, flashier. We could stage a high-profile event or a collaboration that puts you in the spotlight for the right reasons."

Ethan's head spun. "You mean like a fake relationship?"

Jenna raised an eyebrow. "It wouldn't be the first time. We could pair you with someone high-profile, maybe a co-star or someone in the industry, and make it look convincing. It would kill the rumor and generate positive buzz for your next project."

Ethan's stomach churned. He hated the idea of manipulating the public like that, but he knew Jenna was right. His career was at stake, and in this game, perception was everything.

"I'll think about it," Ethan said finally, his voice tight.

Jenna nodded. "Just know, Ethan, the longer this lingers, the harder it will be to shake. You need to act fast."

---

Later that night, Ethan found himself alone in his apartment, staring out at the city. He had built his entire life on ambition and hard work, but now it felt like everything was slipping out of his control. And all because of a stupid rumor.

The System chimed softly in his mind, breaking his thoughts.

**New Task: Resolve the Scandal within 48 Hours. Deadline: 48 hours.**

**Reward: Exclusive Network Opportunity.**

Ethan groaned, rubbing his temples. Of course, the System was pushing him to solve this mess. He opened the task details, hoping for some kind of solution, but it was vague as always.

"Resolve the scandal, huh?" he muttered. "Easier said than done."

His phone buzzed again. This time it was a text from Ava.

*We need to talk. Meet me at the studio tomorrow morning. It's important.*

Ethan frowned, dread creeping into his chest. Ava's tone was different—more serious than usual. Was she involved in the rumors? Or did she have something else on her mind?

Either way, it wasn't going to be an easy conversation.

---

The next morning, Ethan arrived at the studio early, his nerves frayed. He found Ava waiting for him in one of the private conference rooms, her arms crossed, eyes sharp.

"I know what's going on," she said bluntly as soon as he stepped inside.

Ethan froze. "What do you mean?"

Ava's gaze bore into him. "The rumors, Ethan. The ones about you. And before you ask, no, I didn't start them. But I know where they're coming from."

Ethan's heart pounded in his chest. "Who?"

Ava hesitated for a moment before speaking. "It's Oscar."

"Oscar?" Ethan's voice cracked. "Why would he—"

"Because you're a threat," Ava interrupted. "Your success came too fast, and now you're outshining him. He's been in this industry for years, and he doesn't like being overshadowed. So, he's using the rumors to undermine you, make people question your rise."

Ethan felt like he had been punched in the gut. Oscar? The man who had mentored him, supported him—was now trying to destroy him?

"What do I do?" Ethan asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ava's expression softened. "You fight back. But you have to be smart about it. Oscar's powerful, and if you go after him directly, it could blow up in your face."

Ethan clenched his fists, anger surging through him. "I'm not going to let him ruin me."

Ava nodded. "Good. Then we'll take him down together. Quietly."

The System chimed again in his mind.

**New Subtask: Expose Oscar's Secrets. Deadline: 7 Days.**

Ethan's pulse quickened. This wasn't just about saving his reputation anymore. This was war.