Chapter 35: Rise Amidst the Storm
The sun was setting behind the tall skyscrapers as Ethan stood on the rooftop of his apartment building, his phone buzzing non-stop in his hand. Offers, invitations, and interview requests flooded in after the explosive press conference. The industry was abuzz with his name—Ethan Hayes, the underdog who had not only survived the brutal world of entertainment but exposed its darkest secrets.
"You really stirred the pot," Olivia said, joining him on the rooftop with two cups of coffee. "I've already heard from three directors who want to work with you. And that's just today."
Ethan took the coffee with a nod. "The system helped, but I needed to take control. There's no going back now."
His phone vibrated again, displaying a text from his manager. **"Big meeting tomorrow. Big endorsement deals on the table. Be ready."** Ethan stared at the message, feeling the weight of the moment. Everything he had been working toward was coming to a head, but something still gnawed at him.
"Do you think they'll ever forgive me?" Ethan asked, gazing out at the city. "For exposing Frank and Mia?"
Olivia took a sip of her coffee before answering. "Forgive? Maybe not. But they'll respect you. That's something a lot of people in this industry don't have."
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**[Ding!]**
*New Task: Secure the Endorsement Deal*
- **Objective:** Attend the meeting tomorrow and finalize the endorsement agreement with Luxora Fashion.
- **Reward:** 1,800 System Points + Special Skill: Charisma Boost.
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Ethan closed his eyes for a moment, letting the sound of the city fill his senses. His rise was happening faster than he ever expected, but it felt like he was standing on a razor's edge. One wrong move, and he could lose everything he had fought for.
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**The next day…**
Ethan arrived at the luxurious Luxora Fashion office, feeling a wave of nerves wash over him. Olivia had done her best to prepare him for the high-stakes meeting, but the pressure of representing such a high-profile brand was intense. The boardroom was filled with executives, all waiting for his arrival.
"Mr. Hayes," said a sharp-suited man as Ethan entered. "We've been impressed by your recent handling of the media storm. Luxora is always looking for strong, resilient figures to represent our brand."
Ethan smiled and shook the man's hand. "I'm honored to be considered."
The meeting proceeded smoothly, with discussions about terms, conditions, and marketing strategies. Ethan kept his composure, drawing on the system's *Charisma Boost* to navigate the conversation with confidence and ease. He could tell the executives were impressed, but something about the way they exchanged glances told him there was more to this deal than they were letting on.
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**[Ding!]**
*New Task Unlocked: Negotiate Like a Pro*
- **Objective:** Discover the hidden agenda behind the endorsement deal and renegotiate for a higher reward.
- **Reward:** 2,500 System Points + Special Skill: Negotiation Mastery.
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As the final slide of the presentation flashed on the screen, Ethan noticed a subtle clause hidden in the fine print—one that would tie him to a long-term contract with little flexibility.
"Before we finalize everything," Ethan said, leaning forward slightly, "I'd like to discuss the terms regarding creative freedom."
The room went quiet, and the sharp-suited man raised an eyebrow. "Creative freedom?"
"Yes," Ethan continued smoothly, "It's important that I have the flexibility to pursue other projects and collaborations. I can't afford to be tied down, not when my career is just starting to take off."
The executives exchanged glances again, this time with a hint of surprise.
"Of course, Mr. Hayes," the man said after a pause. "We're open to negotiations."
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**[Ding!]**
*Task Progress: 50% Complete*
- **Negotiation Ongoing. Results are favorable.*
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An hour later, Ethan walked out of the office with a revised contract in hand—one that gave him the creative control he needed, along with a higher endorsement fee than he had originally expected.
Olivia, waiting for him in the lobby, beamed when she saw him. "Did you get it?"
Ethan held up the contract with a grin. "Better than that. I renegotiated."
Olivia's eyes widened. "You're learning fast. I'm impressed."
As they stepped out of the building, the evening sun casting long shadows on the pavement, Ethan's phone buzzed again. This time, it wasn't just a simple task or notification.
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**[Ding!]**
*New Task: Confront the Ghosts of Your Past*
- **Objective:** Someone from your past is trying to contact you. Meet them and resolve unfinished business.
- **Reward:** 3,000 System Points + Special Skill: Emotional Resilience.
- **Penalty:** Loss of credibility if unresolved.
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Ethan stared at the message, his heart skipping a beat. "Confront the ghosts of my past?" He muttered.
"Everything okay?" Olivia asked, noticing the shift in his demeanor.
"Yeah… I just… I think I have some old business to take care of."
Olivia gave him a concerned look but didn't press further. "If you need anything, I'm here."
Ethan nodded, but his mind was already racing. Who could it be? Was it someone from his previous life, before the accident? Or was it someone from this new world, connected to the industry's dark underbelly? Either way, he knew he couldn't ignore it.
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**That night…**
Ethan sat in his apartment, staring at the name flashing on his phone screen. He hadn't expected this. The person trying to contact him wasn't just anyone—it was **Liam**, his former best friend from his previous life. The friend who had betrayed him, leading to the accident that had thrown him into this new world.
The memories of that night, the betrayal, the pain, all came flooding back. Liam had been the reason Ethan had lost everything. And now, out of the blue, he wanted to talk?
Ethan's hand trembled as he picked up the phone. "Liam?"
A deep sigh came from the other end of the line. "Ethan… I know I'm the last person you want to hear from. But we need to talk. I've made some mistakes, and I need to make things right."
Ethan's jaw clenched. "After everything you did?"
"I know. And I can't change the past, but I can help you now," Liam said. "There's something you need to know—about the accident, about what really happened."
Ethan's mind raced. Could Liam be telling the truth? Or was this another attempt to manipulate him?
"Meet me tomorrow. I'll explain everything," Liam said before hanging up, leaving Ethan with more questions than answers.
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**[Ding!]**
*Task Update: Meet with Liam to uncover the truth about the accident.*
- **Reward:** 3,000 System Points + Special Skill: Emotional Resilience.
- **Penalty:** Severe consequences if trust is misplaced.
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Ethan put the phone down, his heart heavy. He had no idea what tomorrow would bring, but one thing was certain: this was a confrontation he couldn't avoid.
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