Aftermath and collaboration

The morning after Jennifer's interview aired, news sites blazed with headlines:

E! Online: "Katniss and Peeta: From On-Screen Romance to Real-Life Love"

TMZ: "Lucas & Jennifer: Hollywood's Hottest New Power Couple"

People Magazine: "Inside Lucas and Jennifer's Adorable Romance"

Social media buzzed with reactions:

@CelebrityInsider tweeted: "Props to Lucas and Jennifer for their honesty. Refreshing to see stars being upfront about their relationships! #Lucifer"

@HollywoodGossip posted: "Lucas Knight & Jennifer Lawrence: Setting a new standard for celebrity couples. Bravo! 👏👏👏"

However, not all coverage was uniformly positive. The Los Angeles Times ran an op-ed:

"Celebrity Philanthropy: Noble Cause or PR Stunt?

While Jennifer Lawrence's revelations about Lucas Knight's charitable endeavors paint a rosy picture, we must ask: Where's the evidence? No records of a Lucas Knight Foundation exist..."

On a popular entertainment news show, a panel of journalists debated:

Host: "Jennifer claims Lucas runs a charity. Why haven't we heard about this before?"

Journalist 1: "It could be he's keeping it low-key. Not all philanthropy is publicized."

Journalist 2: "Or it could be a convenient story to boost his image. We need facts, not just hearsay."

Meanwhile, on fan forums:

LucasFan89 posted: "Did you hear what Jen said about Lucas's charity work? He's literally perfect! 😍"

Another replied: "Sounds too good to be true. I'll believe it when I see some proof."

As the day wore on, the narrative split: adoration from fans, skepticism from some media outlets. The pressure was mounting for Lucas to address these new claims about his charitable work.

***

In Lucas's spacious New York apartment, the TV flickered with yet another news segment about his relationship and alleged charity work. With a frustrated sigh, Lucas hit the power button on the remote, plunging the room into silence.

He turned to Neil, who was lounging on the leather sofa. "Seriously? We address one thing, and they immediately latch onto another. It's like they're playing whack-a-mole with my life."

Neil chuckled, shaking his head. "Welcome to the big leagues, kid. You're the shiny new toy, and they're going to play with you until something shinier comes along."

Lucas flopped onto an armchair, running a hand through his hair. "So, what? We just wait it out?"

"Pretty much," Neil nodded. "Let the flame die down a bit. You've got projects that need you mobile, after all. Can't have you trapped in here dodging paparazzi 24/7."

A moment of silence passed before Lucas perked up. "Oh, hey. What about that thing you mentioned? Writing for other artists?"

Neil's eyes lit up. "Ah, yes. There's been some interest. Bruno Mars and other artists is keen on a collaboration. And then there's Taylor Swift - you two already have a rapport, right? Could be a good opportunity there."

Lucas leaned forward, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "Taylor, huh? That could be interesting. Her songwriting is incredible."

"It's a chance to flex those musical muscles of yours in a different way." Neil added.

Lucas nodded, his mind already racing with possibilities. "Yeah, I like that idea. It's creative, it's collaborative, and it's... normal. As normal as things get in this business, anyway."

Neil grinned, pulling out his phone. "Alright then, let me make some calls. We'll set up a meeting with Taylor's people, see if we can get this ball rolling."

As Neil stepped out to make the call, Lucas gazed out the window at the New York skyline. The idea of creating music, of collaborating with other artists, felt like a breath of fresh air amidst the stifling scrutiny of the media.

***

Days ticked by as the media storm raged on, questioning Jennifer's claims about Lucas's charitable endeavors. Then, a shift occurred.

The New York Times homepage featured a bold headline:

"LUCAS KNIGHT: HOLLYWOOD'S SECRET TECH MOGUL"

The article began:

"Remember the 'Whisper Challenge' that actor Lucas Knight popularized, inserting a seemingly nonsensical sentence about Uber? It turns out that was no random act. Knight, it seems, was cleverly marketing his own company.

Sources confirm that Knight is a co-founder of Uber, the ride-sharing app that's been revolutionizing urban transportation. The company has reportedly been generating tens of millions in revenue.

But Uber is just the tip of the iceberg..."

The article went on to detail Lucas's involvement in other tech ventures:

"Knight's company, LK Tech, has stakes in several booming startups. Airbnb, the home-sharing platform, and Vine, the short-form video app, both count Knight as an early investor. Most intriguingly, Knight has significant holdings in blockchain technology and Bitcoin.

These ventures are managed by Knight's agent, Vince Smith, allowing the actor to maintain his Hollywood career while building a tech empire."

The piece concluded with a revelation about Lucas's philanthropy:

"As for Jennifer Lawrence's claims about Knight's charitable work? Our investigation uncovered the LK Charity, a foundation that has indeed spent millions on various causes. It seems Lawrence's praise was well-founded after all."

In the days following the article's publication, public opinion of Lucas soared. The revelation of his business acumen and genuine philanthropic efforts transformed his image from mere Hollywood heartthrob to a multi-faceted entrepreneur and philanthropist.

In the wake of the New York Times exposé, Lucas Knight's business ventures experienced an unprecedented surge in public interest. The apps under the "LK Tech" umbrella, particularly "Airbnb" and "Vine," saw a dramatic increase in user signups and engagement.

"Airbnb," the home-sharing platform, reported a 200% increase in new host registrations within a week of the article's publication. Meanwhile, "Vine," the short-form video app, skyrocketed to the top of app store charts, with millions of new downloads.

The financial world took notice as well. Venture capitalists and angel investors clamored for a piece of the LK Tech portfolio.

Perhaps most significantly, Lucas's association with blockchain technology and Bitcoin sparked widespread curiosity about cryptocurrency. The once-niche world of digital currency suddenly found itself thrust into the mainstream spotlight. Bitcoin exchanges reported a surge in new accounts, with many citing the "Lucas Knight effect" as their reason for exploring cryptocurrency.

Crypto experts noted a marked increase in Bitcoin mining activity, as tech-savvy fans of Lucas sought to emulate his investment strategy. The value of Bitcoin saw a notable uptick, with some financial analysts attributing this partly to the increased awareness brought about by the New York Times article.

***

Lucas adjusted his black wig in the mirror, tucking a stray blonde strand beneath the dark locks. He pulled a worn baseball cap low over his brow and slipped on a pair of oversized sunglasses.

"Ready?" Jack asked, scanning the street from the apartment window.

With a nod to Jack and Simon, he stepped out of the apartment building.

A few paparazzi loitered nearby, cameras at the ready. Lucas's heart raced as they approached, but the photographers' eyes slid right past him, focusing instead on the entrance.

As they walked by, Lucas overheard one photographer grumble, "Another quiet day. Knight must be hiding inside."

Lucas suppressed a grin as they reached the car. Shawn, his burly driver, opened the door with a knowing wink.

Once inside, Lucas let out a sigh of relief. "It worked. They didn't recognize me."

Lucas adjusted his sunglasses as Shawn pulled up to 155 West 51st Street, the address of Le Bernardin. This world-renowned, three-Michelin-starred restaurant, helmed by celebrity chef Eric Ripert, was known for its exquisite seafood and elegant atmosphere.

"We're here, sir," Shawn announced, bringing the car to a smooth stop.

Lucas stepped out of the car, adjusting his wig one last time before entering Le Bernardin. The maître d' guided him to a secluded corner where Taylor was already seated, her blonde hair catching the soft light.

Taylor's face lit up as she saw him. "Lucas!" She stood, embracing him warmly. "It's so good to see you!"

As they sat down, Taylor's brow furrowed slightly. "Wait, did you dye your hair? It looks... different."

Lucas chuckled, leaning in conspiratorially. "It's a wig, actually. My latest disguise to throw off the paparazzi."

Taylor's eyes widened in understanding. "Oh wow, that bad huh? How are you holding up with all the attention?"

Lucas sighed, running a hand through his fake black hair. "It's been... intense. Yesterday, I swear a photographer tried to hide in a trash can outside my apartment."

Taylor burst out laughing. "No way!"

"Way," Lucas nodded solemnly. "I'm thinking of hiring him as my new security guard. He's clearly dedicated."

Their laughter filled the room, breaking any remaining tension.

As they perused the menus, Taylor's expression grew more serious. "But really, Lucas. How are you managing? It can be overwhelming, trust me."

Lucas smiled appreciatively. "It's a challenge, but I'm adjusting. Having good people around helps." He paused, then added with a grin, "Plus, the wig is surprisingly comfortable. I might make it a permanent look."

Taylor giggled, shaking her head. "Please don't. Your fans might riot."

As their appetizers arrived, Lucas steered the conversation to their potential collaboration. "So, I've been working on this song idea. I think it could be perfect for your voice..."

Taylor leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with interest. "I'm all ears. Tell me everything."

She was well aware of his talent for songwriting, and she was curious about the song he had prepared to share with her. Lucas smiled as he handed her a sheet of paper.

To her surprise, it was a beautifully written piece titled "Landslide," a song she didn't recognize. In this world, Fleetwood Mac, the original band that created the song, didn't exist.

Lucas wondered how Taylor would sing the song, but he had faith in her incredible vocal abilities. He couldn't wait to hear her spin on the melody and lyrics.