"Thank you to all our friends in the media. That's all for tonight! Vought's PR department will release an official statement about The Pivot and Starlight's dinner later. Please keep an eye on our official Twitter!"
Ashley abruptly cut the power to the microphone.
She rushed onto the stage in her heels and, like a mother hen protecting her chicks, squeezed between Lucian and Annie, forcibly separating them with her slender body.
This half-hour emergency interview had nearly killed her.
The reporters below the stage were like sharks scenting blood, their questions growing ever more pointed. "Secret romance," "workplace casting couch," "are you using Starlight's popularity to get ahead?" Listening from below the stage, Ashley had been on tenterhooks, terrified that these two reckless youngsters would say something beyond her control on the spot.
Fortunately, Lucian had maintained that flawless official smile throughout, answering like a seasoned operator who had spent ten years in PR.
"Go, go, go. Hurry up." Ashley grabbed Annie and dragged her backstage.
Right now, she had only one thought: That's me for you.
As long as she handled this wave of romantic rumors properly and framed it as "a pure friendship between reserves for The Seven," she could take the soaring numbers to Edgar and claim the credit.
If she let these two stay together any longer and someone caught them actually hooking up, the story would turn into a disaster.
Annie looked back at Lucian, who was still standing where he was.
She raised her hand, extended two fingers, pointed at her own eyes, then sharply pointed at Lucian.
Seeing her serious expression, Lucian's lips curled into a smile. He did not avoid Annie's gaze, merely nodding lightly before waving to her.
After watching Ashley stuff Annie into another chauffeured van, Lucian turned and