Chapter 17: The Silent War

Ethan stood in the quiet conference room long after Ava had left, his mind racing. Oscar? The man who had guided him through his early steps into the industry? The same person who gave him advice, helped him navigate the brutal world of showbiz—was now his enemy? It didn't make sense, and yet, it explained everything: the rumors, the sudden coldness from people around him, the whispers in the hallways.

The System's latest task still echoed in his mind: **Expose Oscar's Secrets.** He had seven days, and failure wasn't an option. The reward was too tempting, and the stakes too high.

---

The next morning, Ethan was at the studio bright and early, a plan forming in his mind. If Oscar had secrets—dark ones—they wouldn't be hard to find. But he had to be careful. One misstep and it could backfire, ruining his career for good.

His first step was to gather intel. Ava, despite her sharp attitude, seemed genuine in her desire to help. They met at a coffee shop near the studio, sitting in the farthest corner, out of earshot from the gossip-hungry public.

"I did some digging," Ava began, sipping her latte. "Oscar's been clean on the surface. But a few years ago, there was a whisper—a scandal that almost broke. It was buried fast, but I think if you can find a way to bring that back to light, it'll be enough to knock him down."

Ethan leaned forward, intrigued. "What was the scandal about?"

Ava looked around cautiously before speaking. "He had an affair with an up-and-coming actress. The story goes that she was blacklisted when things went south between them. She vanished from the industry completely."

Ethan's eyes widened. "You think he's responsible for that?"

"People in power have ways of making things disappear," Ava said coolly. "But nothing stays buried forever."

Ethan felt a knot form in his stomach. He was about to go head-to-head with a man who controlled the very industry he was trying to conquer. And if Oscar had done what Ava claimed, he wouldn't hesitate to ruin Ethan as well.

---

Later that night, Ethan sat alone in his apartment, poring over every article, every tabloid report he could find from the time of the scandal. But it was as Ava said—most of it had been wiped clean. Every trace of the actress, every mention of her sudden disappearance, had been scrubbed from the public eye.

Frustrated, he leaned back in his chair, running his hands through his hair. How could he expose a secret that barely existed?

His phone buzzed, breaking his thoughts.

**Message from Leo:**

*Meet me at the usual place. I've got something for you.*

Ethan's pulse quickened. Leo always had a way of digging up dirt when it mattered most. He quickly grabbed his jacket and headed out the door.

---

The "usual place" was a small, hidden bar tucked away in the back streets of the city. Leo sat at the counter, nursing a whiskey, his sharp eyes glinting under the dim lights. Ethan slid into the seat beside him.

"You got something?" Ethan asked, not bothering with pleasantries.

Leo smirked. "You could say that. You know the actress Ava mentioned? I found her."

Ethan's heart skipped a beat. "You're serious?"

"As serious as it gets," Leo said, taking a sip of his drink. "Her name's Mia Hale. She's been off the grid for years, but I tracked her down. She's living under a different name, working as a waitress in some no-name town up north."

Ethan felt a surge of adrenaline. This was it—his chance to expose Oscar. "Do you think she'll talk?"

Leo shrugged. "That's up to you. But if she's been hiding all this time, it's probably because Oscar still has something over her. You'll need to be careful. If he finds out what you're up to, it won't end well."

Ethan nodded, determination hardening in his chest. He had no choice but to try. If Mia was the key to bringing Oscar down, he had to find her—no matter the risk.

---

The next morning, Ethan booked a flight to the small town where Mia Hale was reportedly living. It was a far cry from the glamorous city lights of his new life, but the stakes were higher than ever. His entire career, his reputation, and his future in the entertainment world hung in the balance.

As the plane touched down and he made his way to the town, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling of walking into enemy territory. If Mia refused to talk—or worse, if she was still under Oscar's control—it could spell disaster. But he didn't have a choice. He was running out of time, and the System's deadline loomed over him like a dark cloud.

By the time he reached the small diner where Mia was supposedly working, his nerves were on edge. The place was quiet, tucked away on a dusty street. Inside, the air smelled of coffee and cheap grease, a far cry from the high-end cafes Ethan was used to. He scanned the room and spotted her immediately—Mia Hale, or at least the woman she had become.

She was older now, her once-bright eyes dulled by years of hard living. But there was no mistaking her—she had been a rising star, once.

Ethan approached her cautiously as she wiped down a table. "Mia Hale?" he asked softly.

She froze, her eyes narrowing as she looked at him. "Who's asking?"

Ethan swallowed hard. "I'm not here to cause trouble. I just need to talk. It's about Oscar."

Her expression shifted, fear flashing in her eyes. "I don't know who you're talking about."

"Please," Ethan said, his voice pleading. "I know what he did to you. I just need your help. If you speak out, we can stop him. He won't be able to hurt anyone else."

Mia looked away, her hands trembling. "You don't understand. You think you can just walk in here and fix everything? He'll destroy you, just like he did to me."

Ethan's heart pounded. "Then why let him win? You don't have to be afraid anymore."

For a long moment, Mia was silent, her gaze fixed on the floor. Finally, she spoke, her voice barely a whisper. "I've been running from him for years. But maybe... maybe it's time I stop."

Ethan felt a spark of hope. "Will you help me?"

She looked up, her eyes hardening with resolve. "I'll help you. But if we're going to take Oscar down, we're going to need more than just words."

The System chimed softly in Ethan's mind.

**Task Progress: 50% Complete.**

The battle had just begun.