True Tycoon Her Empire, Her Rules

As the online chatter intensified, before Joseph’s PR team could even step in, several anonymous posts began popping up in the comment section of Hanson’s lengthy post, claiming they had been harassed by Joseph on the same film set in the past.

The internet exploded with outrage, and even Raines came forward to admit that although he had never been harassed, Joseph did have a tendency to be overly affectionate during filming in the name of brotherly love.

Joseph, in his livestream, saw the cascading news online and was so furious his eyes nearly turned red. He completely forgot he was still in his live stream and bolted up from his chair, exclaiming, “This online crap, it’s all made up. I didn’t do a thing.”

He turned to the guests beside him, trying to find someone to support him, “Don’t believe everything you read online. How could I be that kind of person? I’m not, and this is slander.”

But from Kane to Mervin, no one spoke up.

They all remembered what Winnie had said before. They trusted Winnie’s judgment more than Joseph’s.

After all, whether it was Naylor or Mae, or even the B&B owner, Winnie’s judgment was always right.

The guests remained silent, but Ned couldn’t just stand by. He advised, “Joe, take a breath. We’re still on air.”

But Joseph was beyond calming. He never imagined Hanson would dare to come forward and expose him. Wasn’t Hanson afraid of being cyberbullied, or looked at differently?

Joseph had always been brazen, secure in the belief that these lesser–known actors couldn’t stir up any trouble.

Big–name actors like Raines, on the other hand, wouldn’t dare do something so carelessly. What on earth was happening now?

Sean had been watching the situation unfold from the moment the others had started checking their feeds, his head cocked to the side as he read the rapid–fire comments scrolling past on the live stream.

1

It didn’t take long for him to grasp what was going on,

“I told you he was strange, but you wouldn’t listen to me.”

Sean couldn’t help but interject, as the audience, who thought Sean had left, started calling for him in the chat once they heard his voice.

1126

Sean ignored the chat, his gaze shifting to Winnie, Winnie, can I punch him now?”

He asked so casually, as if inquiring about the evening’s dinner, Winnie barely had time to look up at him. © NôvelDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

Before the crew could even process what he was intending to do, Sean’s figure blurred like a gust of wind, and he was suddenly in front of Joseph. He didn’t wait for Winnie’s answer, and his fist swung and landed squarely on Joseph’s face.

Joseph, still in the midst of trying to defend himself, didn’t see it coming and was sent tumbling back into his chair.

Everything happened so fast that the entire production team was stunned.

The livestream audience was equally shocked.

Before they could react to this sudden turn of events, the stream was cut.

The live stream had to be stopped, and things had escalated to physical violence.

Bagot called off the livestream with a sense of resignation, giving Sean a helpless look but not really blaming him.

After all, it was Joseph who had provoked the situation, being handsy on camera, and it wasn’t surprising that Sean would snap back.

“Let’s get Joseph looked at for his injuries, and bring his agent over to figure this out,” Bagot said, glancing at Winnie with a meaningful look.

After all, Sean was her junior fellow apprentice, and if Joseph decided to press charges for assault, she would need to be prepared.

Winnie understood the implication in Bagot’s eyes and was just about to message Horace for assistance when a message from Drake arrived first.

Drake texted, “I’ll have my lawyers handle the situation with Sean’s altercation.”

Clearly, Drake had been aware of Sean’s presence at the “Ghostly Guidance” production and had been following along.

Drake guessed that Sean’s appearance on Winnie’s live show was probably because of him, and now that he’d caused a scene on air, Drake couldn’t just leave the matter for Winnie to handle.

Although he didn’t feel responsible for Sean’s actions, it shouldn’t be Winnie’s burden either.

Winnie was somewhat surprised by Drake’s swift response, mainly because she hadn’t expected the mogul to be so attentive to a variety show.

Considering his quick reaction, he must have been watching the livestream closely.

Imagining Drake setting aside his work to seriously follow a live show made Winnie chuckle to herself.

Meanwhile, due to the abrupt Interruption of the live stream, viewers flooded Twitter in droves.

Soon, the phrase “Joseph punched on Livestream” shot up to the second spot on the trending topics list, right behind the previous controversy.

Aside from a few of Joseph’s fans who were simultaneously expressing concern and berating Sean for unprovoked violence, the majority of people were saying, “Well deserved.”

They thought they’d have to wait for the online discourse to settle before seeing Joseph’s downfall, but the next minute, they witnessed it.

It was, undeniably, the fastest instance of instant karma the online community had ever enjoyed.

Hanson had been quiet since posting his statement but silently liked the video of Joseph getting punched as it climbed the trending topics.

With the abrupt interruption of the live stream, the official “Ghostly Guidance” social media account quickly issued an apology and announced the rescheduling of the live broadcast for the following day.

Although the audience felt it was a pity, they didn’t linger on it. Plus, there was plenty of drama happening online to keep them entertained.

Winnie took Sean back to their lodging, and while he had a hunch that he might be in trouble after the livestream ended, he still looked defiant.

All the way back, he was preparing his arguments for when Winnie would inevitably scold him.

However, Winnie didn’t seem to have any intention of reprimanding him. After escorting him to his room, she simply said, “Stay put tonight. Once the show wraps up the livestream tomorrow, I’ll take you back to Emerald Bay, and you’ll meet him.”

There was no need to clarify. Sean knew who she meant by “him“.

First in disbelief, then elated, Sean looked at Winnie and asked, “Are you agreeing to take me to meet him because I punched that guy?.”

His tone was brimming with confidence, almost as if he was ready to throw a few more punches right then and there to prove his point.

Winnie said icily, “Today’s just an anomaly. Pull a stunt like that again, and I swear you’ll never get your wings.”

The words hit Sean like a bucket of ice–cold water dumped over his head, instantly

1127

dousing the fiery eagerness that had taken hold of him. He stared at Winnie, his expression a blend of shock and disbelief.

“You’re vicious.”

Being denied the chance to soar among the clouds was, without a doubt, the cruelest curse he’d ever heard in his life as a sea dragon.

Meanwhile, in a quaint neighborhood not far from Cloverfield Cottage, an

eighteen–year–old girl was scrolling through an assortment of online comments about Winnie. Outside her room, the faint sound of her despondent sobs seeped through the

door.

The girl hesitated, torn. Eventually, she opened a direct message to Winnie and sent her a

text.