"Hahaha, let's go like the post first, then we can come back and discuss!"
"We were misled on this, too. We should definitely go give them a like."
"Our boy can't lose face! Damn this competitive streak of mine. I'm gonna bring out all hundred of my alt accounts!"
In an instant, a massive army of fans surged toward the official *Fated Love* social media account. However, with the deadline drawing ever closer, Amelia Lockhart didn't hold out much hope. She just prayed the gap wouldn't be too embarrassing, or else a trending topic like "Amelia Lockhart Drags Down Ethan Quinn's Popularity" would probably pop up.
Meanwhile, Ruby Sawyer was also at her wit's end. She hadn't expected Linden Lore Studio to issue a statement.
'What if that influencer rats me out? No, I can't just be a sitting duck!'
Ruby Sawyer took out her phone and dialed the number at the very top of her contacts list.
"What is it?"
Ruby Sawyer immediately put on a fawning smile. "Of course there is. You told me not to bother you unless it was important."
"Speak."
"You know that spot you got me on the variety show? Well, while I was on set, this woman kept targeting me. I couldn't help myself and complained a little to a friend, but who knew they'd go and spread it around? Now things are looking pretty ugly online. It should be a simple thing for you to help with." After she finished, Ruby Sawyer waited anxiously for the person on the other end to agree.
"I understand. I'll have Attorney Foster contact you later. And Ruby Sawyer, you'd better start keeping your head down."
Hearing him agree, Ruby Sawyer let out a sigh of relief. She quickly switched to a sweet, coquettish tone. "I know I will. So... do you need me to come keep you company tonight?"
"Someone will pick you up in an hour."
"Okay, I understand." Ruby Sawyer hung up, overjoyed. With the time she had left, she treated herself to a spa treatment with essential oils.
She always made sure to look her best whenever she met that man. He was her most powerful backer, and she couldn't afford to displease him.
－－
Amelia Lockhart never expected Ethan Quinn's popularity to be so immense.
On top of that, his fans felt they had wronged her, so they set aside their previous animosity and went back to like the post. In just one short hour, the number of likes had far surpassed the original leaders, Leo Bishop and Anna Summers.
So many fans... it was a testament to how truly popular Ethan Quinn was.
'So this is the massive army I was fighting against before?'
By the time the deadline arrived, Ethan Quinn and Amelia Lockhart's numbers had secured first place without a doubt. Faced with the chance to shoot the video—an opportunity she thought she had lost—Amelia suddenly felt that life was wonderful again!
Holly Yardley received a call from *Charm Magazine* that very evening. Even after she hung up, she felt like she was dreaming.
Ever since Amelia Lockhart had been invited to join the cast of *Fated Love*, Holly had felt like she was in some kind of fantasy.
The next day, as she accompanied Amelia Lockhart to the eighteenth floor of the *Charm Magazine* office building, it wasn't until Holly Yardley saw Ethan Quinn with her own eyes that she knew it was all real.
Holly Yardley couldn't help but glance at Amelia Lockhart. 'This kid's got some serious luck,' she thought. 'This is what you call a fangirl making it big, isn't it?'
When Holly Yardley first signed Amelia Lockhart, she knew that Amelia had gotten into showbiz because of Ethan Quinn. But at the time, she hadn't paid it much mind. Ethan Quinn was already a star people looked up to from afar; it was perfectly normal for a junior in the industry to admire him.
She just never imagined the day would actually come when Amelia would be in the same shot as Ethan Quinn.
"Hello, Mr. Quinn. We meet again," Amelia Lockhart said, walking over demurely to greet him.
Ethan Quinn gave a slight nod.
"First of all, it's a pleasure to work with both of you," the coordinator began. "Let me give you a quick rundown. We'll be shooting a thirty-second video, about the length of a commercial. The content needs to reflect an on-screen couple. I have an idea for a more scenic, story-driven piece, and I was wondering if you'd both be willing to give it a try."
"A scenic, story-driven style?"
The coordinator smiled and nodded. "Yes. Mostly because you two have the perfect look for it. It's an idea I've had for a while—telling a story purely through visuals, without any dialogue. It'll be a bit of a challenge."
Ethan Quinn nodded. "I'm willing to try."
Amelia Lockhart quickly added, "I'm willing to try, too."
"In that case, I'll give you the script to look over. I call it a script, but it's really just a few lines."
The coordinator quickly brought over the script. As soon as Amelia Lockhart took it, she was captivated by the few lines written on it.
In spring, they meet and fall in love.
In summer, they begin to argue.
In autumn, they go their separate ways.
In winter, they are worlds apart.
Another spring comes. The boy stands at their meeting spot, a rose in his hand. He waits until the rose withers, believing the girl will never arrive. Just as he is about to leave, she appears. The moment he hands her the flower, the rose is restored to life.
However, this was a story with no dialogue. It relied entirely on the actors' expressiveness—their gazes and movements—as well as the evocative power of the scenery.
After both Amelia Lockhart and Ethan Quinn had reviewed the script, they went to change into their costumes and have their styling done.
When Amelia Lockhart appeared in a vibrant school uniform, she immediately drew everyone's attention.
The outfit suited her perfectly. Amelia Lockhart had such pure features that she gave off the air of an Immortal who had descended to the mortal realm. Yet, the slight upward tilt of her eyes held the mischievous, lively spark of a schoolgirl.
But when Ethan Quinn appeared in his school uniform, he was even more captivating, making one lament the Creator's blatant favoritism.
Ethan Quinn had such a powerful presence that it often made people forget his age. But in the youthful uniform, that imposing aura was tempered, replaced by a vibrant, boyish energy.
Standing next to Ethan Quinn, for once, Amelia Lockhart's presence wasn't overlooked.
Ethan Quinn had a face blessed by the heavens, one that could make anyone feel inadequate by comparison. But standing beside him, Amelia Lockhart was not only unphased by his presence, she actually complemented him, creating a harmonious picture.
She was like a flower blooming in the height of summer. Instead of being scorched by the blazing sun, she seemed to thrive in its heat, embracing it with all her might. One couldn't look away from such vitality.
By the time the shoot was complete, the photographer couldn't believe they had gotten the entire thirty-second video in the can so quickly.
Although Amelia Lockhart had been a bit stiff at first, with just a little direction, she immediately caught on and adjusted perfectly.
The shoot had been unexpectedly, incredibly smooth.
"This footage is excellent," the photographer couldn't help but praise. "Once we add the post-production effects, it's going to be brilliant!"
Only then did Amelia Lockhart finally let out a sigh of relief.
'At first, I was trying too hard to *act*, and it just felt wrong,' she mused. 'But then I started picturing Ethan Quinn as my favorite celestial fruit, and I didn't hear the director yell 'Cut!' again.'
'So, was the reason my acting was so bad before because I was always trying too hard?'
Amelia Lockhart suddenly felt a sense of epiphany!
"Is there anything else, Ms. Lockhart?"
Amelia Lockhart looked up at him, a blank expression on her face.
Ethan Quinn lowered his gaze to their still-clasped hands and said softly, "How much longer are you planning on holding on?"