Chapter 3: Cracks in the Spotlight

The grand conference room of Chen Skincare Group buzzed with cautious anticipation. Investors from various beauty conglomerates and boutique outlets were present, seated around a glossy oval table. The lights gleamed softly, casting an air of professionalism, but tension lingered beneath the surface.

Chen Yuna stood confidently at the front, dressed in a sleek cream suit that reflected her elegance and poise. Behind her, a large screen displayed a presentation of their newest skincare line—"Bloom Essence," a fusion of natural ingredients and modern dermatology.

Her voice carried across the room, steady and persuasive. "Our Bloom Essence range is a result of years of research. It's cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, and has undergone rigorous dermatological testing. We've already seen a 40% boost in pre-orders within the domestic market."

Just as she transitioned into investor projections, a murmur rippled through the room. Phones buzzed. Whispers traveled quickly. Yuna paused, glancing at the senior executive beside her who suddenly appeared pale.

One of the investors raised his phone. "Miss Chen… is this your product?"

On the screen was a viral post—an anonymous account claiming that Chen Luxe's night serum caused skin burns. Attached were several "before and after" photos and a shaky video of a young woman sobbing with visibly damaged skin. The post had already garnered thousands of shares and angry comments.

Yuna's heart dropped.

"That's fake," she said quickly, stepping forward. "We've never had complaints—"

But another investor stood. "It's all over the internet. If this is true, then your entire line is compromised."

One by one, they began standing. "We need to reconsider," said one. "Until this is clarified, I'm afraid we're pulling out."

The executive beside her, Mr. Zhou, whispered, "Damage control is needed—fast."

The room emptied quicker than Yuna could process.

Back in her office, she slumped into her chair, staring at the post. Something didn't sit right. The handle that posted it had no previous history. It felt deliberate. Strategic.

Her phone rang. It was her assistant.

"Yuna-jie," she said softly, "you need to see this."

It was a leaked behind-the-scenes clip—taken from a production set Yuna had worked on months ago. In it, she was giving direct feedback to a junior actor, but the clip had been edited, making her look like a rude diva.

The comments? Brutal.

"Fake celebrity."

"She deserves to be cancelled."

"Acting sweet, but really a monster."

"She's just sleeping her way to the top."

Yuna's hands trembled. She recognized the background in the clip. Only a few people were allowed on that set.

One of them was Liu Rena.