Chapter 222: Advantage
The thing with Slater was that, because he was loved by the majority, many people sometimes just ignored some of his antics. When he was being crazy, people would say he was just being silly. When he was criticized by others for something he said, he was quick to bite back and wouldn’t be shamed in public debates. And yet, people would just call him savage instead of childish.
There were more.
As a public figure, Slater was no stranger to criticism and scandals. He was known for slamming them all down with his platform.
In other words, when some people came to spread negativity on his shared post about Cedrick, accusing him of being friends with someone like Cedrick, Slater was quick to bark back... and so were his die-hard fans.
"Goodness..." Lola stared at the thread, her face twitching as she skimmed through it. "He’s still replying to people."
A part of her felt horrible because now, Slater was arguing with others on the internet. But the good thing was, more and more people were changing their opinions about Cedrick and had started to defend him.
"Hey."
Suddenly, Ida’s voice snapped Lola out of her thoughts. She leaned against the wall Lola was leaning on, smiling.
"That was a good move," she uttered. "It seems people are now changing their minds. Also, the fanclub outside—were they the people you invited?"
Lola chuckled. "They’re die-hard fans of The Angel’s Revenge. They don’t mind who the actors would be, because they’re just a very supportive bunch."
"Haha. The director told me about it a little late," Ida chuckled. "But I guess their cheers are working."
Lola chuckled, thinking that she had leaked the location of the reading, for one thing. She was aware that the higher-ups would be sending someone to nitpick both Cedrick and Director Sarian. They would surely send someone to watch their every move so they could fire Cedrick just because Director Sarian had threatened them to step down if they did.
That was Lola’s request to him, after all.
She smacked her lips and faced Ida. "I saw Director Sarian’s post, and I knew it was you," Lola smiled. "Thanks."
"Director Sarian just told me to write something, and I did. After all, people had been dragging his name and making baseless accusations."
"I’m sorry."
"Don’t be," Ida laughed, peeling herself from the wall and tapping Lola’s shoulder. "We did what we did because we believe in the integrity of our work. Good job, Taz. The guy the higher-ups sent is already aware of the changing public opinion. I don’t think we need to worry about him now."
"Mhm."
"Anyway, you should go to the reading hall. It will start soon."
"Mhm." Lola rocked her head. "I’ll be there soon."
Having said that, Ida had already taken off while Lola was left smiling. The latter set her eyes on the phone again, checking Director Sarian’s profile and his posts. Unlike Slater, Director Sarian had little following. Even so, his post regarding the recent public outrage was also picked up and shared by people.
The statement read:
[It just reached me that some people are talking about the adaptation of The Angel’s Revenge. I’ve also read the articles, which I find written with malicious intent to twist the story and cause trouble for everyone. After being in the industry for decades and directing countless successful movies and dramas, this is the first time someone has accused me of something so malicious.
The audition for every character in the adaptation was judged fairly, and the production decided with the series’s best interest in mind. Every actor who came was given equal chances and time to show why they were perfect for the part.
And I am writing this with a proud heart and a clear conscience.
Those malicious articles written about me, the production, the actors, and the series are baseless and only intend to spread false news. I will be pursuing legal action for such defamatory articles that have caused distress to many of us.]
Then, after that lengthy message, Director Sarian posted Cedrick, Simon, and a few other actors’ audition clips without any caption. But it was obvious he was taunting people to be the judge.
[Why are people even hating on Cedrick? I mean, it was already proven before that there was a mistake.]
[That’s right. Isn’t that why he didn’t go to jail? Because he is innocent? Seriously, some people are just cruel and don’t care about the truth.]
Lola read more of the newest comments on Cedrick’s post. Even though Cedrick had been on hiatus, there was a small—very small—group of people who had believed in him through and through. She knew because she had been holding Cedrick’s account for some time now.
[He is a good person and a talented actor. People just judge him even when he was proven innocent because he had also proven others wrong. And even with everyone hating him, he still lives with a clear conscience. Everyone should be ashamed and not him.]
Her brows rose at one commenter who had been replying to all the hate comments. A subtle smile turned up on her face, having an idea of who was behind the account.
"It’s just the start," she whispered. "And it may be a little ugly... but a start is a start."
Having said that, Lola was about to leave the hallway where she had been idling when a message appeared at the top of her screen.
DING!
"Hmm?" Curiosity quickly shone on her face, only to be replaced with a smile upon seeing the sender. It was from [Unknown Number]—an unsaved number she had already memorized.
Atlas.
[From: Unknown Number
I’ve seen the audition clip. Should I invest more? Allen said it’s a good project to invest in and earn from the side.]
She chuckled as she replied, "Hmm... let me think about it. As you already know, a lot of people are lining up just to throw some money at it."
[From: Unknown Number
But they do not have the same advantage as I do.]
"Advantage?" she whispered and quickly messaged back.
[ And what kind of advantage is that?]
[From: Unknown Number
The creator is crazy about me.]
Lola bit her lips, her cheeks turning a little pink. "This guy..."
DING!
[From: Unknown Number
Good work, Lola Young. You worked hard.]
DING!
[From: Unknown Number
<3 ]
A light chuckle escaped her at that second message that came a few seconds later. But reading his messages, her heart felt warmer and her eyes softened.
She murmured, "He really has that advantage."