Chapter 45: Rumors in the Dark
The streets were alive with the usual buzz of the entertainment world, but Ethan could sense the undercurrents of gossip swirling around him. Everywhere he went, he felt the lingering gazes, the whispered conversations just out of earshot. Something was happening, and it was happening fast.
His phone lit up with a notification from a popular entertainment blog. Ethan hesitated, then clicked on the headline that seemed to be trending across the industry:
**"Ethan Miller: The Gay Lover of Hollywood's Rising Star?"**
The shock hit him like a punch to the gut. He scanned through the article, heart pounding. It was filled with baseless claims, anonymous "sources," and doctored photos of him with various male celebrities at industry events. The tone was salacious, making it seem like an open secret, feeding the rumor mill in a way that was almost impossible to shut down.
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**[Ding!]**
*New Task: Combat the Rumor Mill*
- **Objective:** Dismantle the rumors surrounding your sexuality without directly engaging in scandal.
- **Reward:** 100,000 System Points + Skill: *Reputation Control.*
- **Consequence:** Failure will lead to decreased popularity and damaged industry credibility.
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Ethan stared at the notification, a growing anger bubbling inside him. The Council. They were behind this, trying to discredit him and derail his rise. But why this angle? And more importantly, how could he fight back without losing his composure—or his dignity?
Serena had always been the one to guide him through media storms like this. Without her, he had to rely on the system and, more dangerously, his instincts.
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He rushed to his publicist's office, the tension making every second feel like an eternity. When he arrived, Natalie, his sharp, no-nonsense publicist, was already on the phone, barking orders to her team.
"Ethan," she said, hanging up the call, her face hard with tension. "You've seen the news?"
"Yeah, and I need to fix this before it spirals out of control."
She looked at him carefully, her expression unreadable. "The problem is, the more you try to deny it, the more people are going to think it's true. We need to be subtle about how we handle this."
Ethan's mind raced. "What about a public statement? Something that shuts down the rumors but doesn't make it seem like I'm defensive."
Natalie nodded slowly. "That's one option. Or… we could lean into it. Not confirm anything, but play it off as irrelevant. Turn the narrative in your favor."
Ethan blinked. "You mean… act like it doesn't matter?"
"Exactly. Your focus is on your career, not some gossip. The more cool and unbothered you are, the quicker the rumors die."
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**[Ding!]**
*New Task: Turn the Tables*
- **Objective:** Use the rumor to your advantage by shifting public focus onto your professional achievements.
- **Reward:** 150,000 System Points + Skill: *Media Manipulation.*
- **Consequence:** Failure will entrench the rumor further, causing long-term damage to your brand.
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Ethan took a deep breath. He needed to stay calm and play this smart. "Let's do it. Let's make them see this rumor for what it is—irrelevant noise."
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That night, Ethan took to social media with a carefully crafted post, showing behind-the-scenes clips of his upcoming projects, celebrating his fans, and keeping the tone light and positive. His message was clear: his career was the only thing worth focusing on.
Within hours, his post went viral, overshadowing the rumor and shifting the conversation. Fans rallied behind him, praising his professionalism and dedication. The gossip blogs still pushed their narrative, but it was getting drowned out by Ethan's rising popularity.
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**[Ding!]**
*Task Completed: Combat the Rumor Mill*
- **Status: Completed**
- **Reward Unlocked: Reputation Control + 100,000 System Points.**
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Relief washed over him as he saw the public response turn in his favor. But he knew this was only a temporary victory. The Council wouldn't stop here—they had made that clear. They would keep coming for him, and next time, the stakes would be even higher.
Just as he thought he could catch his breath, his phone buzzed again. A text from Kai.
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**Kai:** *We need to meet. The Council's planning something big. Don't trust anyone. Especially not Serena.*
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Ethan's pulse quickened. Serena. The name sent a wave of conflicting emotions through him. After everything that had happened, could she really be involved in The Council's latest scheme?
He had no choice but to find out. But whatever was coming, he needed to be ready. This was no longer just a game of fame. It was a battle for survival.
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