Chapter 53 – It's Only Right to Clear Things Up

(Please recommend this book!)

"Who's showing up now?"

Inside the hospital room on the seventh floor of the medical school building, Britney's manager stood by the window, watching the chaotic crowd of reporters at the main entrance. "What kind of person can drive them this crazy?"

He was genuinely confused. Britney didn't have many friends, and even fewer who could attract this level of media attention.

Then, he saw a young man break through the crowd of reporters and, with the help of hospital security, rush through the entrance and head toward the building.

As the man got closer, the manager finally got a good look at his face—and immediately frowned, cursing under his breath. "F@#k! What the hell is he doing here?"

It was clearly Matthew Horner—the guy rumored to be involved with Britney, the male lead in her latest music video.

What was he doing here now? Wasn't he just adding fuel to the fire?

"What's wrong?" Britney was lying back on her bed flipping through a magazine. Seeing her manager curse, she looked up curiously. "Did the reporters clash with my fans?"

Her manager shook his head. "No. It's Matthew Horner."

"Matthew's here?" Britney didn't seem surprised. "He called me last night. Said he'd visit sometime in the next couple of days."

"You really shouldn't be seeing him right now." The manager warned. "Brit, don't forget about those dating rumors between you two!"

"Oh, come on. That's all fake, and you know it," Britney said, rolling her eyes. "It's not like the media hasn't made up worse stories about me. Besides, Matthew helped me."

The manager hesitated. Since Britney insisted, and he hadn't been able to reach Matthew's agent, maybe he could just talk to the guy himself.

A few minutes later, Matthew arrived at the seventh floor with a bouquet in hand. As he walked down the corridor toward her room, he noticed that both sides of the hallway were lined with flowers—mostly from fans, judging by the cards.

He knocked gently on the door.

Britney's manager opened it.

"Hi," Matthew said politely, not knowing the manager's name. "Is Britney here?"

"Hey, Matthew!"

Before the manager could say anything, Britney's voice came from inside. "I'm here! Come in!"

The manager frowned. It really seemed like Britney had a soft spot for this guy she barely knew. Still, he stepped aside.

Matthew smiled and nodded to him, then walked in, placed the flowers on the bedside table, and asked, "How are you feeling, Brit?"

"Much better," Britney said, looking cheerful. "The doctor said I just need a couple more days of rest. Then I can get back to filming the MV—as long as I don't dance."

"I'm glad to hear that. I've been worried about your leg," Matthew said sincerely.

"Sit down!" Britney pointed to a chair. "Make yourself comfortable. If you want water, help yourself from the cabinet."

"Thanks." Matthew sat down casually, as if they were old friends. "I won't stand on ceremony."

He scratched his head, then added, "Actually, I came not just to see how you're doing, but also to apologize."

"Why would you apologize to me?" Britney looked puzzled.

Matthew looked a little embarrassed. "The newspapers today… some reporters said we're dating. Probably because I carried you into the car yesterday."

Britney waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, that? Who cares. They're just making stuff up, as usual. Not your fault."

Matthew smiled sheepishly.

Britney clearly didn't take it seriously. If a simple hug could be called a relationship, the media must be out of their minds. They were clearly using her to stir up gossip.

"Were the reporters bothering you?" she asked.

Matthew sighed. "They ambushed me outside my acting class. Then again at the hospital entrance. If the security guards hadn't helped, I'd still be stuck out there."

"They're awful," Britney nodded. "Sometimes I want to smash their cars."

"Me too," Matthew joked. "Problem is, I don't even know how to deal with them. The questions they ask…"

He suddenly stopped talking.

"What kind of questions?" Britney asked curiously.

Matthew gave a wry smile but stayed silent.

"Come on, tell me!" she insisted.

Matthew gave in. "They asked when we're getting married. Can you believe that? Are they insane?"

Britney burst out laughing. "What a bunch of idiots."

The two of them hit it off, chatting and joking with ease. The manager stood quietly nearby, watching them closely—especially Matthew's every move and word.

After observing for a while, he thought, This guy doesn't seem special at all. He's kind of like Britney—sees everything in a simple way.

Maybe that's why they got along so well—two simple-minded people, speaking the same language.

Still, watching them laughing together, the manager didn't feel comfortable. He figured now was a good time to talk to the young man.

"Excuse me, Mr. Horner." He interrupted. "The doctor said Britney needs rest."

Britney's smile faded instantly. "I'm not tired."

She'd been bored out of her mind for days, and finally someone came along she could actually talk to.

"My bad, I lost track of time," Matthew said quickly, getting up from the chair. He smiled at Britney. "I'll come visit again soon."

Britney nodded. "You better. I'm dying of boredom here."

Matthew made a phone gesture with his hand. "Call me anytime."

He waved goodbye and headed toward the door, with the manager following him out.

Once they were outside, the manager stopped him. "Mr. Horner—wait a second."

"Just call me Matthew." He turned back. "What's up?"

The manager didn't beat around the bush. "Mind if we talk in private?"

"Right now?" Matthew guessed it was about the rumors. "Sure."

The hallway was empty. The manager said, "All this gossip about you and Britney—it's causing her a lot of trouble."

Matthew nodded quickly. "I know. I even apologized to her just now."

The manager was pleased with his attitude. "Actually, we should thank you for what you did yesterday."

"No need," Matthew said politely. "It was the right thing to do."

Seeing how cooperative he was, the manager continued, "I've heard that a lot of media outlets are planning to blow this story up. To avoid more problems for both of you, I think we should make a joint statement to clarify things."

"I agree completely," Matthew said. "Maybe then they'll stop harassing me too."

The manager now felt sure—this guy's brain worked just like Britney's. "The sooner, the better. I'll contact the media and the record label…"

"Sir!" Matthew interrupted. "Don't forget to loop in my agent."

"Helen Herman?" The manager immediately thought of the agent who'd been impossible to reach. His mood soured. "Can't you just tell her?"

"I tried," Matthew said, looking helpless. "She's out of town for work and forgot her phone. I called the agency, and that's what they told me. I haven't been able to reach her at all today."

The manager frowned. "Fine. We'll talk to the media now, and you can let her know once she's back. I'll reach out too."

"That works."

Just as the manager started thinking about which outlets to contact, Matthew suddenly looked distressed. "Wait—this could put me in breach of contract."

He frowned even harder than the manager. "My contract says I can't talk to the media without my agent's permission. If I do, I'm violating the agreement."

The manager wanted to curse out loud—but held back. He knew some companies added clauses like that when signing fresh talent, just to keep them from saying the wrong things publicly.

"Sorry…" Matthew said sincerely. "If my agent's not in the loop, I really can't go along with it. I'd be in big trouble."

"Damn it," the manager muttered silently. But he couldn't argue. "Fine. Let's both keep trying to reach Helen Herman. As soon as we get through, we'll let her know."

"Got it. No problem."

The manager waved him off. "You can go now."

Just as Matthew was about to leave, the manager added, "Don't talk to the press. No matter what they ask, keep quiet until we make an official statement. Understood?"

Matthew nodded quickly. "You can count on me. I won't cause any more trouble for Britney."

"Alright. Go on." The manager waved him off again. "There's a side exit downstairs—ask someone where it is. No reporters over there."

Matthew thanked him, took the elevator down, asked a staff member for directions, and left the hospital through the side entrance.

But as the day wore on, more and more media outlets picked up the story, twisting the truth about Matthew and Britney's so-called relationship.

The big newspapers at least focused on Britney's injury. But the tabloids? They didn't care about facts. The more outrageous the headline, the better.