Chapter 396 - Filing a Lawsuit

Roy's rise to fame was too rapid, and he didn't yet understand how many potential traps awaited a star like him in the world of fame. The entertainment industry was never short of unlucky stars, and it was not uncommon for them to fade into obscurity due to their misfortunes. Were they really disappearing from the entertainment world just because of their bad luck?

Many people disappeared into these traps! Perhaps it was because of scandalous affairs, or maybe it was due to illicit substances, or even some undisclosed peculiar hobbies. Regardless, the majority of the reasons stemmed from a lack of self-control and an inability to adapt to the life of a celebrity.

Many people found themselves overwhelmed by sudden wealth, not knowing how to handle it, and squandering money to prove their newfound status. Roy didn't have this bad habit; in fact, he was quite thrifty for the sake of his younger brother. But he made a similar mistake – he was too frugal.

He never truly realized what it meant to be a Hollywood star. So, after feeling unwell, instead of seeking better options, he followed a friend's recommendation to visit a massage parlor!

Laila didn't deny that some massages could relieve physical discomfort, but what about safety? What about discretion?

Even if Keira didn't emerge to drag him down today, once the relentless reporters caught wind of it, it would still create a massive scandal.

So, in Laila's eyes, this incident wasn't as catastrophic as it could have been. At least it allowed her to discover this overlooked loophole before Roy got into more trouble. It's never a bad thing to mend the sheepfold after losing a sheep, right?

"Roy, you need to try and trust me. Even if you don't trust me, trust your agent. Do you know why I had Louise personally sign you? It's because, in my opinion, she's the best choice. She has a much broader network in Hollywood than you imagine. If you had told her about your discomfort earlier, she would have advised you on a more appropriate way to recuperate, and this situation wouldn't have occurred."

"Sorry." Roy hung his head low and had no desire to say anything other than an apology.

But this was not the Roy Laila wanted to see, so she brought up his younger brother, hoping he would remember the seriousness of the situation. "You should apologize to Abel. Think about how worried he must be about your condition."

Indeed, Roy's face paled a bit.

Laila let out a soft sigh. "I will handle this matter. Take a good rest, and don't come to the company for the next few days. Try to downplay your presence in the media."

Even if it turned out that Keira was a fraud, the media would still use Roy as a punchline when discussing the matter. It was something she couldn't control, aside from keeping a low profile. She couldn't silence all those mouths.

Roy murmured in agreement and turned to leave. But after taking a step, he suddenly stopped.

"Laila, let's break up," Roy said, closing his eyes. The thoughts that had been swirling in his mind for the past few days finally found their way out.

Break up? Laila, who was busy looking at some documents, was momentarily stunned. Then she remembered he was referring to the fake relationship they had staged.

Before she could respond, Roy, as if afraid of changing his mind, continued, "This incident has blown up so much. I don't want to drag you down with me. And with this incident, there's even more reason for us to end it."

Laila furrowed her brows and suppressed a hint of displeasure that rose within her. "I've said it before, you don't need to worry about this. I'll take care of the rest. And breaking up now is not a good idea."

"So, when would be a good time?" He asked again, looking at her with a determined gaze as if trying to see through her soul.

Laila closed her eyes and thought carefully. "At the very least, we should wait until Keira's case fades from public memory and no longer affects your reputation. I think around May next year would be suitable, coinciding with the promotion of the summer blockbuster 'Pirates of the Caribbean.'

"Laila." Roy smiled at her, but his smile was devoid of any warmth. It was cold and emotionless. He spoke each word deliberately. "Do you know what I hate the most about you? It's when you're so rational and devoid of any emotion."

With that said, he turned and walked away, this time without any hesitation.

Laila watched the door he forcefully shut behind him with a puzzled expression. How had she become so rational and devoid of emotion? Had the media frenzy outside driven him mad?

However, the matter with Keira did need to be handled properly. She picked up her phone and dialed Walton, the lawyer's number. "Walton, it's Laila. How is the case coming along?"

"Don't worry; it's all prepared and ready to go whenever you want," came the confident voice of the lawyer from the other end of the line.

Laila nodded in satisfaction. "Very well, let's proceed then."

"Okay!"

And so, that afternoon, Walton, representing Laila, filed a lawsuit against Keira in court. They demanded that she clear Roy's name, compensate him for emotional distress, and cover the financial losses he had suffered.

You see, Roy was a Hollywood star with several endorsement deals. His reputation was something the advertisers were very concerned about. Once those advertisers lost confidence in him, the losses wouldn't just be a matter of thousands or tens of thousands!

Laila was fiercely protective of those close to her, and no matter how exasperated she might be with Roy's "misfortunes," she would do everything in her power to protect him. It wasn't just about him; she would do the same for anyone in her company. In her previous life, she could not do so and had watched budding talents wither away in the hands of evil. In this life, with power in her hands, she vowed never to see that regret again!

Keira's actions had caused her a lot of trouble. According to the investigation by Jia Xiaoming, this woman was likely a trap set intentionally by someone. So, Laila couldn't back down now. Whether this woman was trying to use Roy's fame to gain her notoriety or if there was a conspiracy behind her, Laila had to establish her position most forcefully.

She wanted those who harbored ill intentions to know that anyone who dared to meddle in her affairs would face her wrath!

The well-informed media had already caught wind of the lawsuit shortly after it was filed with the court. The news of Laila's return was already widely known, and everyone was speculating about how she would handle the situation. True to everyone's expectations, she wasted no time in taking action against Keira.