Chapter 282 Trending News
Megan said seriously, "There are surveillance cameras in the conference room."
Eve's eyes widened in disbelief. "That's impossible! I checked, the cameras weren't on."
That one sentence gave all the police officers present a clear judgment.
Leopold took in everyone's reactions, his lips curling silently in a smile. His eyes had long seen through her scheme. "Trying to set me up? Where did you get the nerve?"
Eve protested, "I didn't!"
Leopold looked at her with a roguish glance. "You didn't what? Am I being too nice to you? Just anyone dares to cause trouble right in front of me. We at Celestial Waters Hotel can't serve guests like you. Lily."
Lily stepped forward. "Mr. Wipere."
Leopold said, "Put her information on the blacklist. Starting today, no Celestial Waters Hotel is allowed to serve her."
Lily, "Understood."
Eve acted like she didn't care. "Who cares? It's not like you're the only hotel."
Leopold raised an eyebrow. "Don't rush, this is just the industry penalty. What's really going to hurt is coming later. Wait for my lawyer's letter."
Eve fell silent.
Leopold was firm. "You think the surveillance wasn't recording just because the light wasn't on? What era are we in? Technology has advanced. Surveillance equipment has been upgraded."
Just as he finished speaking, another officer came in and said to Megan, "The video has been copied."
"What video?" Eve panicked.
Lily said, "The video from inside the conference room."
This time Eve was really scared. Her lips trembled, and she looked at Leopold with pleading eyes. "I... I won't dare again, never again. I was just too angry, so... please forgive me this once."
Leopold showed no expression, his tone even colder than his words. "When you were scheming against me, how come you didn't give me a chance?"
Eve played the naive young girl card again, trying to win sympathy and forgiveness. She said pitifully, "I'm just a young girl, and you're going to hold it against me? I really didn't mean any harm, I was just joking. I was too naive, I didn't think things would get this serious. If you sue me, what will I do? I won't sue you, so don't sue me either, okay? Can we settle this?"
Eve started playing the victim to the officers present. "Officers, I'm an only child. My grandma is sick. When I was very young, my parents divorced. I live with my mom, and her health hasn't been good lately either. Please, help me out here."
Megan said to Leopold, "We respect the wishes of both parties involved."
In other words, mediation was possible, as long as Leopold was willing.
But he wasn't!
After receiving everyone's looks, Leopold turned to Eve.
Clearly her expression and eyes were all an act.
Fine, she wants to play the moral blackmail game?
He has no morals, so she can't blackmail him!
Leopold responded meaningfully, "Your grandma and mom are both sick, yet you still have the mood to come out chasing celebrities? Also, you're right about one thing — I really am going to make a big deal out of today's events. It concerns my reputation, I can't just let it slide like that. You're a young girl who happened to run into someone petty and vindictive like me - we're perfectly matched. Besides, you call this a joke? The police are involved, and you still call it a joke? Naive describes kind people. People who aren't kind are just mean-spirited."
His words left Eve completely speechless.
"Now that the facts are clear, Mr. Lewis, take her away." Leopold didn't want to keep arguing with Eve. He said to Megan, "Mr. Lewis, the police car has been parked downstairs for too long, it will make the guests feel uneasy. Plus the production team needs to check in. It's all for promoting Seaside City and Solstice Mountain. I hope everyone understands."
Megan nodded and said to April, "Take her away."
Eve was taken away. The staff member was still in the break room. Lily gave her a few instructions — not a single word about today's events could be leaked. She also reminded her about the compensation amount mentioned in the confidentiality agreement of the contract she signed when joining the hotel, which would definitely be an astronomical figure for her.
Leopold had just returned to his office when Erik's call came in. "Mr. Wipere, you're trending on the news. Mr. Preston Wipere wants you to handle it right away."
Leopold frowned. How was everything happening one after another today?
He opened his phone and saw the seventh trending topic was #Five-starHotelRising StarLeopoldHasAffairWithEntertainmentStarSummer. The video under the topic showed Summer entering and leaving Leopold's office. The timing had been screenshot by some entertainment bloggers for secondary editing, with explicit headlines, writing about passionate activities in the office. It also posted that Summer's participation in the show was pushed by Leopold behind the scenes, followed immediately by topics about Leopold and extramarital affairs.
He and Summer were being cursed out on trending news.
Leopold narrowed his eyes, his tongue pressing against his cheek. Great, this month's lawyer fees were going to be over budget.
He contacted his lawyer, brief and to the point: Sue!
Within minutes, Lily knocked on the office door. "Mr. Wipere, you and Summer are trending."
Lily saw Leopold's phone on the desk showing his news topic. "You already know?"
Leopold had an unconcerned expression, his tone also indifferent. "I contacted the lawyer. They're collecting evidence now. Not one of them is getting away."
With those words, it meant the situation was under control.
Leopold continued arranging things. "Tell them to come to the conference room for a meeting right away."
"Understood, I'll arrange it now." Lily nodded and walked out of the office, closing the door.
Leopold didn't contact Summer or her agent. He directly contacted her agency's boss, Anthony Clark. "Mr. Clark, it's me, Leopold Wipere."
Anthony asked knowingly, "Hello, Mr. Wipere, long time no see. How have you been lately?"
Leopold smiled inwardly. Anthony was still playing dumb, which was a bit boring. But sometimes they just liked to complicate simple matters.
"Nothing major. I wanted to ask you about one of your artists."
Usually when someone starts with "nothing major," it's either not small or it's trouble.
"Who?"
"Summer."
Anthony paused for two seconds, then said in a suddenly enlightened tone, "She seems to be recording a variety show recently. Why are you asking about her?"
Leopold joked, "Seems like Mr. Clark has been too busy lately. Being in the entertainment industry but not paying attention to entertainment news. Even an outsider like me knows about it, yet it didn't reach you. That shouldn't be right."
Anthony said, "Wait a moment, let me see what's going on."
Leopold stopped him. "Mr. Clark, don't bother looking. Let me tell you, the trending news says I had an affair with her. Do you think this is true?"
Anthony said, "How is that possible? Who's spreading these rumors?"
Leopold's eyes narrowed dangerously, and he said coldly, "Having Mr. Clark say that is enough. Leave this matter to me. Not one of these rumor-mongers will get away. My legal team has already started collecting evidence online. Within two days, lawyer's letters will be sent to everyone who spread these rumors. Even if I don't clear my own name, I have to seek justice for your artist."
Anthony was at a loss for words. Leopold said, "Mr. Clark, please tell Summer to cherish her reputation. If she really doesn't care about it, someone will help destroy it for her."
Anthony laughed awkwardly. "I'll thank Mr. Wipere on Summer's behalf first. As for the trending news, let me handle it. After all, I've been in this industry longer and have more connections. I'll find some contacts to remove the trending topic and have them stop reposting and delete the posts."
Leopold said, "Mr. Clark is very thoughtful."
Caroline saw the trending news because of a push notification on her phone.
#Five-starHotelRisingStarLeopoldHasAffairWithEntertainmentStarSummer
#PassionateHourInTheOffice