The Traitor (3)

Everyone's jaw was practically on the floor. Even the crew members were shocked by this sudden rant from Lee Mu.

'Wait, isn't Lee Mu close friend with Joann? They're personal friends on top of being colleagues, aren't they?

'So what happened there? Was there a falling-off that we did not know about or the camaraderie was fake from the very beginning? In any case, it does sound like Joann has greatly offended Lee Mu somehow.

'Regardless, this is some juicy details. Tomorrow's headline, here I come!' These were the thoughts that swirled through the mind of the gathered reporters.

Lee Mu's tone was mirthless and his face was unsmiling. It did not look like he was kidding. He really did have issue with Joann.

Lee Mu powered on even though the director beside him was now openly pulling on his sleeve. The movie needed publicity but definitely not one like this!

The two main actors from the movie were already at each other's throat even before the shooting started officially? While admittedly that might boost ticket sales but the director failed to see how this scandal would help morale at the workplace.

The director had no idea why Lee Mu was acting like this. He was more than confused since he knew how amiable the relationship between his two main leads was. He could not understand why Lee Mu would slander his friend's reputation like this.

Lee Mu beside him continued to speak and the director had half a mind to smack the man on the back of his head. How much more do you wish to make this worse?!

"You asked me about my opinion about shooting another movie with her, right? That is the thing that I dread every morning when I wake up. The thought of going into set with that dreadful woman drains me so fully that some days I just wish to not get up from bed.

"In conclusion, I hate every single moment that I've worked alongside that woman because she is the most unprofessional, hateful and arrogant actor I've had the displeasure to work with. I would rather die than to continue our working relationship but the contract has been signed so there's that."

The director directly pulled Lee Mu's microphone away before he piled on the already heavy damage.

The hall erupted in chaos. The reporters surged forward to push their recorders at Lee Mu. Endless questions were tossed at the man.

"How long have you felt this way?"

"How do you think this will affect the sequel?"

"Can you give us more examples of Miss Joann Fong's atrocious behavior that you cannot stand?"

"What about the good relationship that you have shared with Miss Joann Fong? Has that been a pretense from the very beginning or was there a recent incident that trigger this sudden shift in your relationship?"

The security tried their best to hold the group of reporters back but they still managed to inch closer and closer to the table. The manpower was definitely not enough to stop the roomful of reporters who were hungry for news.

Camera flashes erupted all over the place.

The director blocked Lee Mu from view by moving to stand before the man and the gaggle of reporters. He hissed angrily to the man who was now standing behind him, "Are you satisfied now? Look at what you've done!"

"I…" Lee Mu began before lowering his head, probably out of shame.

"Lee Mu, this way. Come with me!" Lee Mu's agent, Zao Ming has suddenly materialized beside them and was trying to clear a path to the nearest exit. In the same breath, he turned to inform the director, "Mr. Director, I'll bring Lee Mu away from the scene first. Leaving him here will only add to the chaos."

Unwilling as he was, the director knew that was the only solution. The focus of the press conference had been completely derailed. Making Lee Mu stay wouldn't improve the situation, if anything, it would only make it worse. In the end, the director gave his begrudging approval.

Zao Ming pulled Lee Mu aside and led him to the exit that he was standing guard over earlier. As Lee Mu staggered through the threshold, Zao Ming slammed the door closed and locked it to prevent the reporters from following them.

Caught in the chaos of the moment, none of the people there had the forethought to question this very simple fact, 'Why would Zao Ming come equipped with a door lock? Normally, the doors aren't locked so why did he arrive with a lock in his pocket? It is as if he already knew this was going to happen and he came prepared…'

Losing their biggest fish, the group of reporters turned from the locked door and zeroed their eyes on their next biggest catch.

As they rushed towards Joann, they screamed their questions, trying to one-up their competitors. No one wanted to miss a headline of this scale.

"Miss Joann Fong, what do you think of your co-star's accusation?"

"Are you really that difficult to work with?"

"Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

"What do you plan to do moving forward? Are you going to press charges for defamation?"

Joann practically froze in her spot. She was completely unprepared for this. She was told to attend a routine press briefing but this was no different from a slaughter.

Qing Qing sidled close to the director and whispered, "Mr. Director, I suggest you bring Sister Joann to leave the venue for now. I'll handle the reporters."

The director turned to look at the young woman. After a short consideration, he nodded and his eyes lit up with appreciation. "Qing Qing, thank you so much. If there's anything I can do for you in the future, please do not hesitate to ask."

"You're welcome, Mr. Director. Now, go."

The director nodded and he moved to nudge Joann on her arm before pulling her along with him. "Joann, come on. Let's go."