Chapter 33: Shadows of the Past
Ethan's footsteps echoed in the empty halls of Jared's former office. The tension in the air was palpable, thick with memories of past failures and the ghosts of who he used to be. Every corner of this building held a piece of his former life—one where he was nothing more than a struggling actor desperate for a chance. Now, though, he was stronger, armed not just with his knowledge but with the system that had guided him this far.
He wasn't that same desperate person anymore. He was someone who could fight back.
The building was eerily quiet, as if it had been abandoned. But Ethan knew better. People were always working in the shadows, especially in an industry as cutthroat as this one.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. A message from Leo.
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**Leo:** *I've tracked down some of Jared's old contacts. They've been sniffing around, asking questions about you.*
**Ethan:** *Who?*
**Leo:** *One guy in particular stands out. Frank Lawson. He used to manage PR for Jared's clients. Sketchy guy, always looking for dirt to throw. My bet is he's the one leaking the rumors.*
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Ethan clenched his phone in his hand. Frank Lawson. Of course. The man had been a professional at spreading chaos. If anyone had the motivation to wreck his career, it would be him.
Pushing open the door to Jared's office, Ethan found it just as he remembered—minimalist, cold, and clinical. There were no personal touches, no family photos or sentimental keepsakes. It was a place designed for business, and business alone.
As he approached the desk, he noticed a small file folder left open. His name was scrawled on one of the documents inside.
Curiosity piqued, he scanned the page. It was a list of clients, dates, and—his eyes narrowed—details about his old contracts. But one section stood out. It was marked: *Potential Leverage.*
He gritted his teeth. This wasn't just a rumor; this was a planned takedown, a calculated move to ruin everything he had built. Someone had been collecting dirt on him for years, waiting for the right moment to strike.
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**[Ding!]**
*New Task: Expose the Source of the Rumor*
- **Deadline:** 24 hours
- **Objective:** Gather evidence against Frank Lawson and clear your name.
- **Penalty:** Significant reputation damage.
- **Reward:** 800 System Points + Special Skill: Media Mastery.
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Ethan's heart raced. The stakes were higher than ever, and the clock was ticking. He couldn't afford to wait any longer. It was time to confront Frank Lawson.
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**The next morning...**
Ethan stood outside a high-rise building where Frank's PR agency was located. His mind was buzzing with how to approach this. Should he confront Frank directly or try to gather more evidence first? The system's task made it clear: exposing the source was critical, but going in unprepared could backfire.
As he debated his options, a voice called out behind him. "Ethan?"
He turned to see Olivia, her face pale but determined.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, surprised.
"I found out more," she said, holding up a phone. "Frank's been working with someone else—someone close to you."
Ethan's blood ran cold. "Who?"
Olivia hesitated before answering. "Mia."
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**Ethan blinked in disbelief.**
"Mia? No, that's impossible. She's been with me since the beginning. She wouldn't do this."
Olivia handed him the phone. "I hacked into Frank's emails. There are messages from Mia, discussing strategies to plant damaging rumors. It looks like she's been feeding him information for months."
Ethan's stomach churned. Mia, his trusted ally, the one person who had been there through every step of his rise to stardom, had betrayed him. How had he not seen this coming? Was everything she had done just part of a larger plan to bring him down?
"She played me," Ethan muttered, anger rising in his chest. "All this time, she was the one pulling the strings."
"Maybe she's working for someone," Olivia suggested. "Or maybe she's in this for herself."
Ethan shook his head, trying to make sense of it. "Either way, I'm done with her. I have to confront Frank now. He's the key to unraveling this whole mess."
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**Later that day...**
Ethan pushed through the doors of Frank Lawson's office, his heart pounding in his chest. He had to play this smart. If he showed his cards too soon, Frank would deny everything, and Ethan would be left with nothing.
"Ethan Blake," Frank said with a smug grin as he entered. "Didn't expect to see you here. What can I do for you?"
Ethan stared him down, refusing to be intimidated. "I know what you've been doing. I know about the rumors, about your connection to Jared. And I know Mia's been feeding you information."
Frank's smile didn't waver, but there was a flicker of something darker in his eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Ethan slammed a folder onto the desk—the same one he had found in Jared's office. "This says otherwise. You've been keeping tabs on me for years. And now, you're trying to destroy me."
Frank leaned back in his chair, his smirk widening. "You think you've got it all figured out, don't you? But you're still playing in the minor leagues, Ethan. This is the entertainment industry. It's not about who's right; it's about who can control the narrative."
Ethan clenched his fists. "You're not going to win this. I'm not the same person I was when you and Jared were running the show. I have more power now."
Frank's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Power? You? Kid, you don't even know the game you're playing."
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**[Ding!]**
*New Task Added: Control the Media Narrative.*
- **Objective:** Use your knowledge and connections to publicly discredit Frank and Mia.
- **Reward:** 1,000 System Points + Special Skill: Crisis Management.
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Ethan smiled, feeling the system guiding him. Frank had underestimated him—just like everyone else in this industry. But that was about to change.
"Watch me," Ethan said, his voice low but filled with determination. "You'll see just how powerful I've become."
As he walked out of the office, a plan was already forming in his mind. Frank and Mia had played their hand, but now it was his turn. He had 24 hours to turn the narrative around, and with the system by his side, failure was not an option.
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