Chapter 61 Fan Frenzy
Emily replied using her anonymous account: [I can work with you. Price will be double the market rate, half paid as a deposit upfront, remainder upon completion.]
Clara saw the reply and though she found the price steep, she was eager to launch new products quickly, so she gritted her teeth and agreed, "Fine. As long as you can deliver work that satisfies me, money won't be an issue."
"I have one requirement—my work can only bear my signature."
"No problem." Clara agreed without hesitation.
She wasn't stupid. If she told the designer right now that she was looking for a ghostwriter, what if the designer suddenly backed out? Better to lie and string them along for now.
Once the designer delivered the work, she'd use her authority to pressure them. By then, forget about attribution; she might even save on the final payment.
What could some no-name indie designer possibly do against her?
Though if this designer were smart enough to willingly serve as her permanent ghostwriter, she wouldn't mind keeping them around.
And so, the two reached an agreement.
Emily had her team begin designing pieces that would be both stunning and distinctively memorable, ensuring that when Mirage Fashion launched their new collection, it would create a sensation. Then, at the most critical moment, she would release evidence to deliver a fatal blow to Clara and Mirage Fashion.
She juggled her responsibilities at Obscura Fashion while reviewing designs in her spare time. Every line, every color was scrutinized repeatedly.
She needed to ensure these pieces were excellent enough that Mirage Fashion would stop at nothing to claim them as their own.
Focused entirely on her work, Emily remained oblivious to entertainment news and had no idea how many devoted fans Ethan and Emma had accumulated.
Since Ethan had committed to martial arts training, he no longer went to the music academy in the afternoons, instead practicing his combat skills in a park near school.
Dressed in his small athletic wear, he huffed and puffed as he threw punches, fine beads of sweat dotting his forehead, but his eyes shone with determination.
Suddenly, commotion erupted from the park entrance. Over a dozen people brandishing phones surged toward him like maniacs, shouting, "It's Ethan! It's really Ethan!"
The bodyguard's heart tightened as he immediately moved to shield Ethan.
But the fans seemed to lose all reason. Some thrust phones directly at Ethan's face for photos, and others tried to reach out and touch his hair. A woman in a pink dress pushed to the front, clutching a pillow printed with Ethan's photo, her eyes fanatical. "Ethan, come home with me! I'll buy you the world's most delicious strawberry cake!"
"Don't touch me!" Ethan shrank back, his small fists clenched tight.
The way these people looked at him made him deeply uncomfortable, as if they were viewing some exotic toy rather than a person.
The fans' enthusiasm spiraled further out of control. Some began shoving the bodyguard while others tried to squeeze through gaps in the crowd.
The bodyguard couldn't use force against civilians, so he could only desperately shield Ethan while backing away step by step. But there were too many of them, and soon they were completely surrounded.
"Make way!" The bodyguard's temple veins bulged as he bent down to scoop up Ethan, pushing through the crowd toward the exit.
Ethan's small arms wrapped tightly around the bodyguard's neck as he watched the people chasing behind them, feeling both frightened and angry.
At the height of this chaos, a black luxury SUV burst through the crowd and screeched to a halt nearby.
The window rolled down to reveal Wesley's face behind designer sunglasses, his brow furrowed as he pressed the horn.
The piercing horn blast rang out like thunder, instantly freezing the chaotic crowd.
Wesley removed his sunglasses, revealing the face that had captured countless hearts on screen. "What's all this commotion about?"
Seeing Wesley, the fans seemed to hit a pause button, instantly shifting their attention. Many screamed excitedly and pulled out phones to record frantically, though they kept their distance due to Wesley's formidable security team.
Ethan didn't care about any of that. Wesley was Elodie's cousin, so he would definitely help. He pointed toward the car.
"Over there!"
The bodyguard stumbled toward the SUV carrying Ethan.
"Wesley, help me." Ethan's voice was uncharacteristically panicked.
Wesley's heart clenched. During their previous commercial shoot, though Ethan had asked for his help, it was more of using him as temporary backup, with little warmth in his eyes.
But now, those eyes were filled with dependence and pleading, like a frightened little animal.
"Get in." Wesley's voice unconsciously softened as he reached out to take Ethan from the bodyguard's arms.
His embrace was warm, his arms strong and steady as they held Ethan securely.
Ethan instinctively wrapped his arms around Wesley's neck, his nose brushing against Wesley's shirt. Suddenly, he felt very safe, like having a father.
This feeling was unfamiliar yet irresistible, making him bury his face even deeper.
The bodyguard didn't recognize Wesley and stood frozen, unsure what to do.
Wesley glanced at him. "Guard the door."
The car door closed, shutting out the outside chaos.
Wesley retrieved a bottle of water from the car's mini-fridge, unscrewed the cap, and held it to Ethan's lips. "Drink some water. You're safe now."
Ethan took a few sips before recovering his composure. He looked up at Wesley with bright, sparkling eyes, his small face full of admiration. "Wesley, you're my hero."
"Pretty scary back there, huh?" Wesley chuckled.
Ethan nodded vigorously, then shook his head. "But with you here, I'm not afraid anymore."
He paused, then said earnestly, "Thank you for helping me. You're really a good person."
Wesley gazed down at him, an unusual feeling stirring in his chest.
This little boy, who had previously maintained a polite distance, now looked at him with genuine affection and trust. Looking down at the soft bundle in his arms, smelling faintly of milk, Wesley suddenly thought that maybe his commitment to bachelorhood wasn't so ironclad after all. Maybe he wouldn't mind marriage and having a child like this.
Outside, the fans were gradually dispersed by additional security personnel who had arrived. The bodyguard opened the door and climbed in, saying gratefully, "Sir, thank you."
"No problem. I'll give you a ride back." Wesley ruffled Ethan's hair.
Ethan shook his head in Wesley's arms. "No need, we can manage on our own."
He thought for a moment, then added, "Wesley, can I come visit you often?"
"Of course." Wesley smiled in agreement.
When getting out, Ethan reluctantly held onto Wesley's finger until the bodyguard urged him along.
Watching Ethan's constantly turning-back figure, Wesley leaned against the car seat, the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifting.
Back home, Ethan told Jasper about the day's events.
"Jasper, Wesley is really amazing! He's like a superhero; he made all the bad people go away just like that."
Jasper was reading and looked up with raised eyebrows. "What scheme are you cooking up now?"
Ethan grinned, "I think Wesley is super nice, way better than Charles."
Jasper closed his book and studied Ethan, "You're not thinking of..."