Chapter 74 Offend
Under the disdainful gazes of the onlookers, Brinley's hands trembled as she took out her phone and opened the trending page on Twitter.
To her shock, she saw that the top ten trending topics were all about Sandra.
The hottest one had already surpassed a billion views in just half an hour.
"Top Star Sandra Suspected of Illegal Surrogacy!"
"Leaked Recording! Sandra Evaded Taxes Worth $30 Million Last Year!""Heartless! Sandra Demanded Surrogate to Have an Abortion!"
"Scandalous! Video of Sandra Ordering Bodyguards to Beat Up Fans Exposed!"
"Shocking! Sandra Engaged in Group Activities with Company Executives for Fame!"
...
Seeing these trending topics, Sandra's face turned pale, and her legs gave out, causing her to collapse to the ground.
It was over!
She was going to be completely blacklisted and kicked out of the entertainment industry!
Brinley's eyes were wide and her mind was buzzing.
Who could it be?
Why would someone go to such lengths to ruin Sandra?
Any one of these damning pieces of evidence could destroy the top star Sandra, dragging her from her pedestal into the abyss.
Ring, ring, ring...
At that moment, Eugene, the head of Huamu Entertainment, called Brinley's phone."Brinley, what have you been up to lately? I told you to keep an eye on that brat and stop her from offending people left and right. And now look at this mess! Are you a complete idiot?"
Mr. Eugene didn't hold back. The moment the call connected, he unleashed a torrent of anger, leaving Brinley pale as a sheet.
"Mr. Eugene, I... I have no idea!"
Bang!
Mr. Eugene slammed his desk hard. "You have no idea, my foot!"
"If it weren't for Sandra's reckless behavior offending a big shot, and causing Acat Group's president, Deandre, to personally intervene, would she have fallen from grace so quickly?"
Gasp...
Hearing this, Brinley took a sharp breath, her eyes widening in shock.
"What? Today's incident was orchestrated by Acat Group's president, Deandre, himself?"
Mr. Eugene snapped, "No kidding! If it weren't for this top-tier big shot losing his temper, how else would Sandra have ended up with so many negative trending topics on social media in such a short time?"Brinley was utterly terrified.
She never imagined that the high and mighty President Deandre would personally take action against their artist, Sandra.
Oh my God!
Who on earth did we offend these past few days?
Mr. Eugene roared, "Do you have any idea how much money we're going to lose because of Sandra's mess today?"
"Just the back taxes alone amount to three hundred million. Add the fines, and it's several hundred million more.""Plus, Sandra has a dozen top-tier endorsements, seven or eight variety shows, and TV dramas. All of them will require breach-of-contract compensation."
Hearing this, Brinley felt her scalp tingle, and she was on the verge of tears.
She knew her income was tied to her artists' earnings.
Sandra was definitely finished—not only blacklisted but also facing enormous fines and compensation.
As Sandra's manager, Brinley was in deep trouble too, not knowing how much hard-earned money she would lose."Sob...sob..." Brinley cried miserably, her heart aching.
"Mr. Eugene, can you tell me who we offended?"
"I'll take Sandra to apologize right now, okay?"
"As long as he lets us off, Sandra will do whatever he wants!"
Mr. Eugene laughed angrily, "Idiot! Calling you a pig was a compliment!"
"Do you think you can approach someone who can make Deandre, the president of Acat Group, take action?"
"Even I don't have the right to speak in front of him. Who do you think you are?"
"In any case, you're definitely done with the entertainment industry. You might even end up in jail for a few years."
"Remember, next time at the airport, don't be so arrogant and provoke someone you can't afford to offend!"
After finishing his words, Mr. Eugene hung up the phone.
Boom!
Brinley felt a jolt through his entire body, and Berloff Reed's cold, handsome face instantly flashed in his mind.
It was him!The young man who had clashed with Sandra's team at the airport was the same big shot who had caused President Deandre to take action?!
Oh my God!
If Brinley had known that Berloff Reed was such a powerful figure, he wouldn't have dared to offend him even with a hundred lives!
Now, with Sandra's numerous scandals exposed and her reputation in tatters online, it was too late to do anything!
...
While Sandra and Brinley were being disdainfully escorted out of the TV station by security, Berloff was casually chatting on his phone with Deandre from Acat Group.
"Deandre, I really appreciate your help this time!"
"If it weren't for you stepping in, Sandra, the top star, wouldn't have fallen so quickly."
A few hours earlier, Deandre had received a call from Berloff and immediately issued orders, mobilizing the entire Acat Group to teach the arrogant celebrity Sandra a lesson.
Acat Group was an internet giant, with its network services touching every aspect of daily life.
In the entertainment industry and society at large, connections are everything, and President Deandre is the ultimate power player. When he gives the order, gathering dirt on a female celebrity is a piece of cake.
With solid evidence in hand, and with the major shareholder of the social media platform being Acat Group, getting a trending topic arranged is just a matter of a word.
Soon enough, Sandra, the once popular star, became the target of online outrage, her reputation plummeting beyond repair."Brother Berloff, she's just an actress, not worth mentioning," someone said dismissively.
"That brat had the nerve to file a false report, almost getting Brother Berloff arrested by airport security... Don't worry, I won't let her off easily!"
"Whether it's tax evasion or illegal surrogacy, we can make sure she gets several years in prison!"
Deandre's voice was icy. "Anyone who dares to mess with my valued Brother Berloff will pay dearly!"
Hearing this, Berloff Reed thanked him profusely, marveling at the situation.To ordinary people, a top-tier actress earning millions a year seems untouchable. But to a big shot like Deandre, she's nothing more than an insignificant ant.
A single word from him could ruin her life completely.
With the system's help, Berloff Reed had now become an equal to Deandre, a major player in his own right.
Six months ago, Berloff wouldn't have dared to dream of such achievements, even in his wildest daydreams.
After making a thank-you call to Deandre, Berloff lay back contentedly in his mansion at 11 Bund Estate, watching the drama unfold online.
As Sandra's scandals were fully exposed on the trending topics, the once beloved star with millions of fans became a pariah, despised by everyone.
Several top brands announced on social media that they were terminating their contracts with Sandra and reserved the right to pursue legal action against her.
All the entertainment projects Sandra was involved in, whether TV shows or major variety programs, were scrambling to adjust video edits and promotional posters, all while cursing under their breath.The most shocking news came that evening: Sandra and her manager, Brinley, were officially arrested by the authorities for tax evasion and organizing illegal surrogacy. They now faced the prospect of prison time!