Chapter 4

Just after seeing off a wave of guests, my assistant approached: “Mr. Sterling, should the PR department handle the trending topics and online buzz?”

I checked online.

The discussion about this wedding was off the charts.

Several hashtags were at the top of the trending list.

#ScarlettHayesRunawayBride

#ScarlettHayesDumpsJulianForBrandonAtWedding

#JulianSterlingAnnouncesEngagementOff

...

Scarlett Hayes’ fans were having a field day:

“So satisfying! That’s my girl, Scarlett! The Sterling heir is nothing but a dog to her. Our queen just dumped him. Give him face? Not a chance.”

“Looks like the fated prince charming still can’t beat the childhood sweetheart. The Sterling heir had to practically grovel for this wedding, but our girl ran off with one wave from her childhood friend.”

“Oh, look, the Sterling heir is actually talking tough now. I bet he’ll be on his knees begging Scarlett within three days.”

“Poor Sterling heir, after all these years he didn’t even get an official title, just the reputation of a pathetic simp. My girl Scarlett is truly a boss!”

“Scarlett was right not to legally register the marriage. She can walk away anytime. Even with so many important people at the wedding, our girl still did what she wanted.”

“So what if he’s the Sterling heir? In our girl’s eyes, he’s just a plaything. Scarlett is living the ultimate female lead power fantasy!”

...

The screen was filled with such comments.

Even though Scarlett was clearly in the wrong, her fans cleverly spun it as a bold act of female empowerment, making their idol untouchable.

A few sensible bystanders dared to comment amidst the chaos:

“Fans, don’t you think you’re being a bit too arrogant? Your 'queen' is where she is today thanks to the Sterling heir throwing money at her career. Otherwise, with her average looks and mediocre acting, she wouldn’t have made it.”

Fans immediately jumped on them:

“Get lost! Scarlett made it this far all on her own. Stop giving credit to that臭男人 (stinky man), he only ever held our girl back!”

Like idol, like fans. They were just as cold-hearted and ungrateful.

I was the one who took Scarlett from being a nobody in the entertainment industry to a trending young actress.

If I could raise her up, I could certainly pull her down.

“No need to deal with the online comments. Leave them all up. Freeze Scarlett Hayes out. Replace her in all her projects. If they can’t be replaced, terminate the contracts. I’ll cover the penalty fees.”

Scarlett’s management contract was with a production company under Sterling Enterprises, and it still had two years left. I wasn’t completely cutting her off, after all, the contract terms were fairly loose, and the penalty fees wouldn’t be a huge burden for Scarlett.

My assistant looked at me in surprise, then cautiously spoke: “Mr. Sterling, I’m sorry, I didn’t quite hear that.”

“Do exactly as Mr. Sterling said. Even if he changes his mind, I’m here. You won’t be implicated,” my dad interjected.

“Thank you, Chairman Sterling.” The assistant immediately went to execute the orders.

Just then, Scarlett’s call came through:

“Brandon’s been arrested! Get him out for me, and clean up this mess.”

Her tone was icy, like she was giving orders to a subordinate.

I frowned, hung up, and blocked her number.

Soon, an unknown number called, and it was Scarlett again:

“Julian Sterling, what do you mean by this? Brandon only got into that fight because of me! Because that guy was slandering me!”