Chapter 31: Shadows in the Spotlight
The city lights blurred as Ethan sped through the streets, his heart pounding in sync with the ticking clock. Every second mattered now. The leak had escalated beyond mere gossip; it was an orchestrated attack. His hands tightened on the wheel as he replayed the system's message in his mind:
---
**[Ding!]**
*Urgent Task: Stop the Story from Spreading.*
*Deadline: 24 hours.*
*Objective: 1. Find the source. 2. Neutralize it before it reaches more outlets.*
---
He had 24 hours, but no real leads. His life had turned into a battlefield, and the enemy was striking from the shadows.
Pulling into the underground parking lot of his apartment, Ethan felt the weight of it all. He wasn't just fighting for his career—he was fighting to keep his new world intact. Every secret he had kept buried was suddenly in jeopardy.
As he stepped into the elevator, his phone buzzed. It was Mia again.
"Ethan, we found something," she said without preamble. "The leak traces back to a tabloid—*The Daily Buzz.* But it's not random. The editor-in-chief, Greg Martin, has connections with someone from your old world."
Ethan's blood ran cold. *My old world? How could they know?*
"Are you saying someone from before the accident is involved?" Ethan asked, his voice sharp.
"It looks that way. But it gets worse. They're pushing to publish the full story tomorrow morning."
Ethan cursed under his breath. "That gives us less than twelve hours."
"I know. I'm working on stalling them, but we need to figure out who's feeding them this information. If we don't stop it at the source, this will blow up."
The doors slid open, and Ethan strode into his apartment, his mind spinning. "I'm going to deal with Greg Martin," he said. "He's got to be the key to this. Keep digging on your end. I'll handle Martin."
---
**[Ding!]**
*New Objective Added: Confront Greg Martin*
- **Time Remaining:** 11 hours
- **Reward:** 200 System Points
- **Penalty:** Exposure of personal secrets.
---
Ethan frowned at the system's update. There was no turning back now. He dialed Leo's number as he grabbed his jacket again. "I'm heading to meet Greg Martin. Do you know where he'll be tonight?"
"Greg? Yeah, he's at some industry party downtown. I'll send you the address," Leo replied. "But be careful. If he's got something on you, he's going to use it."
"Thanks, Leo. I'll handle it."
---
**Later that night...**
The venue was filled with high-profile celebrities, agents, and the elite of the entertainment world. Lavish decorations and the buzz of conversation filled the room as Ethan walked in, his eyes scanning the crowd for Greg Martin.
Spotting the editor-in-chief by the bar, Ethan made his way over, forcing himself to stay calm. He couldn't let anger or fear cloud his judgment. Not now.
"Greg," Ethan greeted smoothly, though the tension in his voice was undeniable.
Greg turned, his slick smile widening as he recognized Ethan. "Ethan Reed, the man of the hour. What brings you here? Looking to get ahead of the latest headlines?"
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "I think you know why I'm here. Someone's been feeding you lies about me, and I want to know who."
Greg chuckled, swirling his drink lazily. "Lies? Come on, Ethan. You've been in this business long enough to know how it works. There's always a kernel of truth in every rumor."
Ethan clenched his fists, but forced a smile. "This isn't just some tabloid rumor, Greg. You're trying to ruin my career. Who's behind this?"
Greg raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the power he held in the moment. "I'm a journalist, Ethan. It's my job to dig up the truth. But if you want to make this go away... maybe we can work something out."
Ethan felt the system buzz in his mind, urging him forward.
---
**[Ding!]**
*New Task Available: Negotiate with Greg Martin.*
- **Option 1:** Pay him off (Cost: 500 System Points).
- **Option 2:** Intimidate him (Risk: Story Escalation).
- **Option 3:** Strike a Deal (Cost: Leverage Secrets).
---
Ethan weighed his options. He could try paying Greg off, but that wasn't guaranteed to keep him quiet forever. Intimidation might backfire, especially with the stakes so high. He needed something more permanent—something that would end this once and for all.
"Greg," Ethan said, stepping closer, his voice dropping. "You know, in my world, I've seen careers destroyed over less than this. But I've also seen people rise to the top by knowing the right secrets."
Greg raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"I can offer you something bigger than just a hit piece on me," Ethan continued. "Something that will put your name at the center of the industry. But you're going to have to play smart. I've got connections, stories that no one else can get their hands on. You want real power? I can give it to you."
Greg hesitated, clearly tempted. "What kind of secrets are we talking about?"
Ethan smiled. He had him.
"Let's just say, I know things about the biggest stars in this town that would make headlines for years. But you only get that information if you drop the story on me. Permanently."
Greg looked him over, weighing the risk and reward. Finally, he nodded slowly. "You've got my attention. If you deliver, this story dies."
---
**[Ding!]**
*Task Complete: Confront Greg Martin*
- **Reward:** 200 System Points
- **Status:** Story Neutralized.
---
As Ethan walked away, a sense of relief washed over him. For now, the threat was contained. But he knew this game was far from over. Greg Martin was just a pawn in a larger plot, and whoever was truly pulling the strings wasn't done with him yet.
And as he left the party, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something much darker.
---
Back in his apartment, Ethan sat by the window, staring out at the city. The system had saved him once again, but he couldn't rely on it forever. There was always a price to pay, and he wondered how long it would be before the cost became too high.
Just then, his phone buzzed with a message from Olivia.
**Olivia:** *Saw the news. Are you okay?*
Ethan sighed, feeling the weight of everything settle on his shoulders. He typed a quick response.
**Ethan:** *I'm fine. For now.*
But deep down, he knew the fight was far from over.