Chapter 26: Damage Control
Ethan stood in front of the mirror, staring at his reflection. His mind whirled with how to address the rumor, knowing that the wrong move could not only derail his career but give Oscar the upper hand. The stakes had never felt higher, and the system's pressure was constant.
Mia and Leo were huddled on the couch, drafting statements on their laptops, exchanging ideas on how best to tackle the situation. The air was thick with tension, but there was no room for hesitation.
"We need to respond fast," Mia said, glancing up at Ethan. "The longer we wait, the more this spirals out of control."
"I know," Ethan muttered, dragging a hand through his hair. "But how do I do this without making it worse? Oscar's trying to bait me."
Leo chimed in, his voice practical as ever. "We need to flip the narrative. Turn it from an attack on your character to a statement of your integrity. Make it clear that your private life has nothing to do with your professional work."
Ethan took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "Okay. Let's do this."
Mia handed him her phone, already recording. "We're going to keep it simple. Just speak from the heart."
Ethan swallowed hard, positioning himself in front of the camera. He had dealt with public scrutiny before, but nothing like this. This was personal. It was an attack on his identity, and how he handled it would define him.
The camera's light blinked on, and suddenly, it was just Ethan and his audience.
"Hey, everyone," he began, keeping his tone calm but firm. "I want to address something that's been going around. There are rumors about my sexuality and suggestions that I've been using my personal life to manipulate my way through the industry."
He paused, choosing his words carefully. "First of all, my personal life is just that—personal. I've never hidden who I am or what I stand for, and I've always believed that what matters most is the work I do and the relationships I build based on trust and respect."
Mia gave him an encouraging nod from behind the camera.
"I'm not here to validate or defend my identity to anyone. What I care about is being transparent and doing my best in an industry that, let's be honest, thrives on rumors and drama. But let me be clear—using someone's identity as a weapon to discredit them is not okay. Oscar Lang is behind these rumors, and he's doing everything in his power to tear me down because I'm challenging him."
The words flowed easier now. Ethan's confidence grew as he spoke, feeling the truth fortifying his resolve.
"I'm here to set the record straight: my career has been built on hard work, not manipulation. And anyone who knows me or has worked with me can vouch for that. I'm not going to let Oscar's lies define who I am or what I stand for."
With that, he ended the video and handed the phone back to Mia. The tension in the room eased slightly, but the anxiety of waiting for the response hung in the air.
---
**[Ding!]**
*Task Progress: 80%*
---
Leo quickly uploaded the video to Ethan's social media accounts, where it immediately began gaining traction. Supportive comments flooded in, and #WeStandWithEthan trended within an hour. But with the support came the inevitable backlash. Trolls latched onto the rumors, fanning the flames of Oscar's accusations.
The system's task was still incomplete, and Ethan knew he wasn't out of the woods yet.
---
Later that night, Ethan sat alone on the balcony of his apartment, watching the city lights flicker in the distance. The chaos of the day had quieted, but his thoughts refused to settle. He knew that Oscar wasn't done. This was only the beginning of the real battle.
His phone buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts. It was a message from Mia:
*"Check the news. Something's happening with Oscar."*
Ethan frowned and quickly opened his phone, scrolling through the headlines. His heart skipped a beat when he saw it—Oscar Lang was trending, but not for reasons anyone expected.
Breaking news had revealed that Oscar's own financial records were being leaked. Several sources showed him involved in tax evasion, bribery, and embezzlement schemes that extended far beyond the entertainment industry.
Ethan's eyes widened as he realized what was happening. The evidence he had exposed earlier was just the tip of the iceberg. Someone else had decided to come forward, and Oscar's empire was starting to crumble.
---
**[Ding!]**
*Task Progress: 90%*
---
Mia and Leo arrived at his apartment shortly after. "Did you see this?" Mia asked breathlessly, holding up her phone. "Oscar's going down faster than we thought."
Ethan nodded, still trying to process the turn of events. "This… this could be it."
Leo leaned against the counter, grinning. "He's losing allies fast. His sponsors are pulling out, and people are starting to distance themselves from him."
For the first time in weeks, Ethan allowed himself a small smile. "He finally got what he deserves."
But just as the relief started to settle in, a new notification popped up from the system.
---
**[Ding!]**
*New Task Update: Final Confrontation Initiated*
**Objective:**
- Expose Oscar Lang in a final showdown.
- Deliver a decisive blow to his reputation before the media and industry insiders.
**Task Duration:**
- 24 hours.
**Reward:**
- System Upgrade: Public Influence (Level 2).
- Special Skill: Charisma Mastery.
---
Ethan sighed deeply, realizing that his work wasn't done yet. The system had one final task for him, and this time, he needed to go all in.
"There's one more thing we have to do," Ethan said, his voice steady with determination.
Mia and Leo exchanged glances. "What is it?" Leo asked.
"We need to end this," Ethan replied, his eyes hardening. "For good."