The Kiss that Sparked it All

No matter how many rumors swirled around, her fans chose to believe in Ivy. Yet as devoted as they were, the toll on them was significant. They felt the weight of scrutiny too, and Ivy, if she could, would have liked nothing more than to clear the air of all the falsehoods. But as the saying went, rumors were quelled by the wise.

“Everyone, please, just calm down and hear me out.” Ivy implored. “I know some of you might have these doubts too, wondering if maybe, just maybe, the gossip rags have a point -has Ivy really done those things that people have been whispering about? She is a new actress, and yet she’s being linked to the CEO of the Howard Group. Could the whispers be true? Has she stepped out of line and been indecent all the time?

I bet these questions sometimes nag at you, right?”

Ivy dragged a faint, sorrowful smile, making her fans ach with empathy.

The crowd immediately shook their heads, denying her suggestion.

“Please hold off on answering that.” she continued, “I know you’ve all been through a lot. In truth, we’re strangers to each other. You know me from the big screen, which is likely a curated version of myself, tailored for you to see.

But I also realize that for you to fully understand me is, sadly, impossible. Besides being a public figure, I’m also just me. I need my own space. It’s not feasible to be friends with all of you, so your trust in me stems from affection. I won’t betray your trust. For now, this is all I can say.

Just believe that I will make every rumor-monger pay. I won’t let those who spread lies about me off the hook. Please just wait for that, if you are willing to.”

Tears welled in the eyes of her fans at her earnest promise. After all, this meet- was meant as a gesture of gratitude to them.

She hadn’t earned a dime from it and had never expected a fan imposter to slip in a sour her mood.

The intruder had been escorted out by the security, but the impact lingered.

Many fans had already taken to social media to vent their frustration: “What is her studio doing? How could they let such a person in? Did they not vet properly?”

“Let’s not dwell on this incident,” Ivy said with a smile, resuming the event.

Once she stepped away from the public eye, her smile vanished. She confided to Evadne, “I thought the issues with Clara and Mara were warning enough. Seems my patience has just made people think I’m an easy target. I’ll sue every single tabloid that printed rumors about me.”

Ivy’s tolerance extended only to her fans. She had been too lenient with the gossip magazines, letting them think she was a pushover.

Evadne nodded in agréement.

Ivy had the backing of the Howard Group’s legal team, and the studio dealt directly with them, sparing Ivy from additional worries.

She had been firm before, but Ivy thought the tabloids were just trying to make a living and didn’t want to be overly harsh.

Now, after the disruption of her meet-and-greet, Ivy was truly incensed.

Dressed in an elegant gown, Ivy ascended back with a grand piano.

A single beam of pale blue light focused on her, Ivy closed her eyes, played a single note. Then, with practiced ease, she performed a piece that transported her fans into a dreamlike auditory and visual experience. This is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

The earlier upset was soon forgotten as the crowd was enveloped by the performance Ivy had prepared for them.

When the event came to a close, the fans said their reluctant goodbyes. But any sadness from parting was quickly dispelled by snacks, which Ivy had arranged to entertain them.