Chapter 184

The online storm gradually subsided after Lowell Entertainment issued a statement cutting all ties with Julian Lombardi and Vanessa Kalmien.

Derek Langley finally relaxed when he saw the related hashtags disappear from the trending list.

He picked up his coffee cup from the desk, a smug smile curling his lips.

Just as the cup touched his mouth, his secretary burst into the office in panic.

"Mr. Langley, there's trouble!"

His hand jerked, spilling scalding coffee onto his tailored suit.

Without bothering to wipe it off, he snatched the tablet from his secretary's hands.

The screen displayed the current top trending topic:

#LowellEntertainment DerekLangley Forces Celebrities To Entertain Clients#

Right below it:

#DerekLangley's Gangster Origins#

#LowellEntertainment Escort List Exposed#

Derek's face turned deathly pale.

With trembling fingers, he tapped the hashtag. Endless exposés and photos flooded the screen.

There were intimate shots of him embracing A-list actresses at parties.

A video of him groping a rookie actor in a KTV private room.

Most damning of all—a photo showing a line of Lowell Entertainment artists standing in a luxury suite, waiting to be "selected" by investors.

"This can't be..." he muttered.

His phone suddenly vibrated violently.

The caller ID showed "Chairman Lowell."

Before he could return the call, his office door swung open again.

This time, it was a team of uniformed police officers.

"Derek Langley, you're under arrest for suspected involvement in prostitution, sexual assault, bribery, and other charges."

The lead officer displayed the arrest warrant.

Derek's legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the floor.

As the officers hauled him away, employees crowded the hallway, watching the spectacle.

Some discreetly raised their phones to record the scene.

Three minutes later, #DerekLangleyArrested rocketed to the top of the trending list.

Comments poured in like a tidal wave:

"Serves him right! That entertainment industry parasite should've been locked up ages ago!"

"Lowell Entertainment is finished. Their stocks already hit the limit down!"

"What about the artists on that list? Were they all victims?"

"Some were willing participants. They'd do anything for resources!"

Meanwhile, in the top-floor conference room at Lowell Entertainment headquarters...

The board members were holding an emergency meeting.

"Release a statement immediately, claiming the company had no knowledge of Derek's actions."

"Suspend all activities for the implicated artists."

"Launch crisis PR to salvage the company's image."

Chairman Lowell listened with a dark expression, his fountain pen creaking under his grip.

This storm was only just beginning.