Chapter 28: Rumors of the Heart
The buzz surrounding Ethan's victory over Oscar Lang was still fresh, but the entertainment world didn't rest. As his fame grew, so did the gossip. The next morning, Ethan found himself staring at a flurry of online headlines, each more scandalous than the last.
"New Superstar Ethan Harper: Gay or Just Playing the Field?"
"Ethan's Secret Romance Exposed: Love Behind the Limelight?"
"Is Ethan Harper Hiding a Lover? Fans Demand Answers!"
Ethan frowned as he scrolled through the articles, the speculation feeding the ever-present beast of public scrutiny. It had been just a few days since his takedown of Oscar, and already, the media had shifted focus.
Mia burst into his apartment, phone in hand, her face pale. "Ethan, have you seen these?"
He sighed, tossing his phone onto the couch. "Yeah, I've seen them."
"They're relentless. We have to address this before it gets out of control."
Ethan ran a hand through his hair, his frustration boiling beneath the surface. "I haven't even had a moment to breathe since the whole Oscar thing. Now they're making up stories about my personal life?"
"Welcome to fame." Mia folded her arms. "But we have to be smart about this. Silence will only fuel the fire."
Ethan knew she was right, but the thought of having to navigate these rumors made his stomach turn. Fame had its price, and now, he was paying it.
---
**[Ding!]**
*New Task Available: Manage Your Public Image*
**Objective:**
- Address the rumors without revealing too much about your personal life.
- Keep the public interested while maintaining control over your narrative.
- Task Duration: 48 hours.
---
Ethan groaned inwardly at the system's new task. Managing public perception had always been a tricky balance, and now, with the world watching his every move, it felt more suffocating than ever.
Leo called a few minutes later, his voice sharp and businesslike. "We need to get ahead of this, Ethan. These rumors can hurt your brand if we don't handle them properly."
"What do you suggest?"
"We can either release a statement denying everything or play into it and let the curiosity drive your popularity even higher."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Play into it? How?"
Leo's voice had a sly edge. "The public loves mystery. If you give them just enough to keep talking without confirming anything, you'll stay in control. But it's risky."
Mia shot him a look, shaking her head. "I don't know, Ethan. That could backfire. People want answers, and if we don't give them something solid, it could turn ugly."
He leaned back on the couch, closing his eyes. Both options had merit, but they were also fraught with danger. Fame had always been a double-edged sword, and now it seemed sharper than ever.
---
**[Ding!]**
*Task Hint: Use your new Charisma Mastery to navigate public sentiment. A well-crafted response can shift the narrative.*
---
The system's reminder was timely. Ethan felt a spark of determination flare up inside him. He wasn't going to let rumors dictate his rise to stardom.
"I'll address it," Ethan said, opening his eyes and meeting Mia's gaze. "But I'll do it on my terms. No denials, no confirmations. Just enough to keep them guessing."
Leo chuckled on the other end of the line. "Smart move. Let's craft something subtle, mysterious. We'll control the narrative."
---
That evening, Ethan sat down for a live-stream Q&A with fans. His face was calm, collected, and just the right mix of approachable and distant. As the comments flooded in, he skimmed over the typical ones—fans gushing over his latest roles, compliments on his appearance—until he saw the inevitable question pop up.
"Are the rumors about you being gay true?"
Ethan's heart raced for a split second, but he smiled, leaning toward the camera. "Ah, the rumors. You know, being in the spotlight means people will always have something to say. I'm flattered that people are interested in my life, but I'll leave the details to your imagination. After all, where's the fun in revealing everything?"
The chat exploded, comments firing off at rapid speed. Some fans were satisfied with his playful answer, others demanded more, but Ethan knew he had given them just enough to keep them hooked.
---
**[Ding!]**
*Task Progress: 50%*
---
Mia watched from across the room, nodding approvingly. "Nicely done. You gave them nothing but somehow made it seem like you gave them everything."
Ethan smiled, a weight lifting from his shoulders. "I think that'll keep them busy for a while."
But just as the tension began to fade, a new message pinged into his system interface, the text glowing ominously.
---
**[Ding!]**
*Task Update: New Rumor Emerges - Romantic Link to a Co-Star*
**New Objective:**
- Defuse rumors of a romantic relationship with your co-star before it escalates.
---
"Now what?" Ethan muttered as he scanned the task details. It seemed like the media wasn't going to let up anytime soon.
Leo's voice cut through the chaos. "It's your co-star, Olivia. The media's already spinning stories about the two of you being seen together outside of set. You need to act fast, or this could get messy."
Ethan groaned. Olivia Winters was one of the top actresses in the industry, beautiful, talented, and charming. They had grown close during filming, but only as friends. Yet, the media loved to twist friendships into something more.
"I'll reach out to Olivia," Ethan said, already typing out a message. "We need to be on the same page before this spirals out of control."
Mia sighed, her expression softening. "Drama never sleeps, does it?"
Ethan shook his head, the weight of the entertainment industry settling on him again. "No, it doesn't. But I'm ready for whatever comes next."
---
And with that, another storm brewed on the horizon—one that would test Ethan's ability to navigate fame, rumors, and perhaps even the complexities of romance.