Alessia nodded, handing the phone back to Ste before calmly returning to her


    food.


    “Lessie, you didn’t leak it, did you?” Queenie asked, scrolling through thements as she nced at Alessia.


    Even though Ste was living abroad, she often shared stories from her life in their group chat, so Queenie was well aware of her heroic moment at the bar.


    “Nope.” Alessia arched an eyebrow. “I figured from the start someone would try to spin this story, so I had Lillian talk to the bar owner right away. We made a copy of the security footage, too. In a few minutes, Lillian will have the PR team release a statement.”


    “But whoever started this rumor isn’t stupid, right?” Queenie said. “They must know the full video could surface and expose them.”


    “That’s why I made sure <i>to </i>clear things with the owner first.” Alessia shot Queenie a look, and Queenie instantly understood.


    This trending scandal was nothing but a move in Alessia’s n <i>to </i>quickly build up Liam’s reputation.


    “If that’s the case, why didn’t you just shut it down from the start?” Ste was puzzled. “I mean, your brother just debuted. Even if the rumors aren’t true, having them out there can’t be good for him, right?”


    “That’s exactly why I wanted him to respond however he liked,” Alessia replied,


    unfazed.


    “Huh?” Ste blinked, confused.


    Queenie chuckled and pushed her phone toward Ste so she could see the screen. [“Do it again, I’m game.”]


    Just a few words–enough to confirm the incident happened, but also to show


    where Liam stood.


    But before the inte could swarm him with outrage, A&C Entertainment’s official ount immediately posted the full video and a detailed statement.


    The reversal came so fast it left everyone reeling–and the final touch, awyer’s letter, made their position crystal clear.


    <b>12-37 </b>


    HappyGirl: What’s going on? Am I supposed to be shocked or not? Is this a scandal or a nothing–burger?


    Orange: Thought it was just a bar brawl, turns out he was the hero! Love it! What a guy! [heart eyes]


    Adele: Even the bar owner came forward to rify. I take back everything I said and I’m officially a fan now.


    It’s You: I knew my boy would never let us down. If he’s upset, he should do a cover of Tristan Hollis’s ‘Bruised‘ for us.


    The thread quickly filled withughter, leaving everyone unsure whether to feel bad for Liam or justugh at the diehard fan’s devotion.


    Ste scrolled through a few morements and shook her head.


    “You have to admit, these people flip sides fast.”


    “Yeah, but the one who started the smear campaign is probably that obsessed fan of–what was his name? Tillman what?” Queenie said, half–in–the–<i>know </i>from her own connections in the industry.


    “Let thewyers and Lillian handle it,” Alessia replied, unconcerned. “Online dramaes and goes. No big deal.”


    “Your oldest brother is already making a name for himself amongwyers, your second brother’s the star student of Mr. Dawson, and your third brother just debuted and already went viral… Lessie, I swear, you’ve got some kind of magic touch<i>.</i><i>” </i>Ste sighed in admiration.


    “Lessie’s always had a sharp eye,” Queenie said. “No wonder your little pub is always packed.”


    “True,” Ste said with a goofy grin. “Once Lessie turns twenty–one, the three of us can finally have a drink together.”


    “You little boozehound<i>,” </i>Queenie teased, and with that, the three girls dropped the topic of Liam and moved on to lighter chatter.


    <b>212 </b>


    Chapter


    Chapter <b>249 </b>