Chapter_ 43_The Yan Uncle and Nephew

"What a mess you have created!"

Agent Yan bowed down his head as he quietly listened to the harsh words coming from his uncle's mouth. 

"I gave her to you so that you can hold the reins on her. Look what you've done. Not only did you let her do as she likes, you've also attracted the media's eyes into the company's management." 

Director Yan glared at his nephew. There was only seven years of difference between them so they were closer than most uncles and nephews. Even in the company, the both shared a symbiotic relation. 

Director Yan found it easier to hand over some unspeakable tasks to Agent Yan whom he knew he could trust without a doubt. While Agent Yan was able to function without much hindrance in the company and the industry because of the existence of his uncle. 

And for the question of an artist's treatment by the management company was a problem that most agencies had to face. But most of the time it's usually a speculation and not much of a problem but a rumor.

But this time it was different. Because of the mention of the sensitive topic of Rojanta Gleen,

Even the mainstream media, which stayed away from the entertainment industry, had joined in the chaos and even produced various mistreatment cases of artists in various companies.

And Entertainment Tabloids released a list of management agencies which were suspected to mistreat their artists and Han Entertainment was at the top of the list. And the main cause of this was the controversies between Lyra and Viviana. 

Director Yan couldn't help but frown at the thought of the girl. He had thrown the girl down the thorny path, thinking that she would come to him soon. It had already been more than two years, but the girl never turned back to look for him. Not even once. 

And yet… Here he was still waiting. 

Agent Yan knew his uncle's obsession with Viviana. It was the only reason why he wasn't able to take her out of the industry. A hunter who was restrained from eating the meat that was dangling in front of him. That must be what Director Yan felt like. 

A direct challenge to his power was what Viviana did. And a man's desire to conquer was provoked. Yet the man did not want to physically force the girl. He found no fun in doing that. He kept on playing this mental game to make the girl fall into his palm herself.

But, this new prey of his was unlike others. She'd rather be objected than come under him. He should've just given up. But he was still unwilling. 

The sudden inspection into the company by the media alarmed the CEO of the Han Entertainment. The leader called the Director into the office and told him to handle the mess he had created.

Hence the reason why he was angry with his nephew. Director Yan calmed himself down, scolding the agent for a while. Then he asked. 

"Why is she making so much noise now? Did she want to break free or something?" 

Other than the propaganda set up by Agent Yan, Viviana was quiet all the time. This sudden eruption was unexpected. 

"I questioned her intentions a few weeks ago. She's clearly not planning to stay in the industry."

Director Yan nodded.

"This… Fourth Uncle…" Agent Yan hesitated. "I feel that keeping Viviana would cause more troubles. Why don't we just_"

But as he felt the unhappy stare from his uncle, he gave up what he was about to say.

"Ah Lui…" The director called out. "I never objected to what you do with Viviana because I wanted to break her spirit down. But if you're thinking of burying her down… Don't even think about it."

"But_" 

"A person with no desire is harder to control. Give her the desire and let her see what success looks like. Let her see some light… and when that light is suddenly deprived… she'll naturally seek that light."

Agent Yan's eyes widened. He had never thought about it from that angle. After all, all those that came into this industry had dreams of success… A purpose… A desire to climb up higher. And the reason why they give in when they were under pressure.

But in the case of Viviana, the reason she'd rather give up her career than give into their pressure was because she never had the desire to begin with. Agent Yan found the truth in his uncle's statement.

But the problem was that he did not want Viviana anymore. Controlling that woman was harder than pulling a stubborn bull. And there was no assurance of whether Director Yan's newly formulated plan will work or not. 

And with the netizens now questioning the difference of treatment between Lyra and Viviana, it would be not good for Viviana to remain in the industry. For it would always bring up this topic and be an object of criticism. 

Before, he had thought of making Viviana draw in hatred from the public so as to assure that she would not be accepted in another company and let her grow again in this field. But considering that some were suspecting his actions, it was better for Viviana to retire on her own accord like she planned.

"But. Uncle. She plans to retire."

"Retire? Did I allow it? I just told you. She'd been on the receiving end of the harsh side of this industry since the beginning. Let her see the bright side and feel the love and attention for a while. She'll surely be reluctant to leave after that."

"What about Lyra? If she stays then Lyra will always be blamed. People will surely talk about how Viviana began to excel only after this mistreatment scandal emerged. This will confirm their suspicion."

This earned agent Yan a questioning look from his uncle. 

"Who in this industry had never been a subject of criticism? If she can't handle this bit of harshness she shouldn't have entered this industry."

"But_"

"Why are you talking for her so much?"

Agent Yan froze at the sudden question. But he hid his guilt deep and maintained his expression. 

"She's an artist I'm bringing up after all. You've handed her to me yourself after all."

"Yeah? That's the only reason?" 

The uncle raised an eyebrow as he observed his nephew who was nodding his head. Then he continued,

"Here I thought that there was some other reason. You've been spoiling the girl a lot. She has not come to me for quite a while now." The director of the company remarked.

"She's been busy these days. You know how the life of an idol is." Agent Yan smiled as he spoke. 

"It's good that she's working hard and earning money for us." 

The older man stood up and opened the little cooler in his office and brought out two cans of beer. He opened one for himself and handed the other to his nephew. 

Yan Lui thanked his uncle as he too opened the can and took a sip from it. 

"Ah Lui! These girls in the industry could do anything for their career." Like the senior that he was, Director Yan preached to his junior. "Always keep them at an arm's distance. No matter how close you become, always know the limit." 

Yan Lui hid the uneasiness he was feeling as he nodded to his uncle. His face was free of any anxiety or unhappiness, as though his gut were not twisting as he heard what his uncle just said. 

The uncle and nephew duo talked for a while as they drank their beer. But the conversation came to an end soon. Agent Yan was too prepared to leave when he heard his uncle.

"Oh! By the way, is Lyra busy tomorrow?"

Yan Lui's heart almost skipped a beat when he heard the question.

"No."

"Alright then. Let her come to me tomorrow night. She should know where." Director Yan locked his eyes into Yan Lui's.

"Okay." The agent nodded with an uncaring face. "I'll tell her that." 

But the hands that were bound behind him, were clenched into tight fists.