âYeah, who would've thought weâd get paparazzied... How could it possibly have anything to do with us? Dahliaâs still bawling her eyes out over here. Maybe you should try cheering her up? | know, right? She comes back home all accomplished, and the comment section just tears her to shreds. Oh, | see. But pulling the story now might look worse, you know? Those internet trolls will be convinced itâs Dahliaâs own publicity stunt, and that could hurt her fan base in the long run. Mr. Harris, what if we just let the story sit for a bit? People online have the attention span of a goldfish. Once some new gossip hits the fan, they'll forget all about that photo of you two.â
Sienna was painting Dahlia as the victim on the phone. Dahlia was quite pleased with the spin she was putting on things.
âThat could work, but Mr. Harris, Iâm still hoping you will think of Dahliaâs reputation. Sheâs just come back, her careerâs really taking off, and we canât afford a hit to her image.â
Dahlia was clueless about the phone call until Sienna hung up, then she was all over her asking, âWhat did he say?â
âMr. Harris said to leave it be â heâll handle it. You donât think Mr. Harris will figure out weâre the ones behind the whole pap thing, do you?â
Dahlia bit her lip, worried Nolan might catch on, but she was pretty confident, saying, âIâve already paid that paparazzo a hefty sum, with another half a mil to come once itâs all over? That should cover his earnings for the year, right? He won't spill so soon, especially after the sob story you just sold. If heâs still hung up on our past dealings, he wonât su Relax, will you? | need some space to breathe.â
Sienna had made her sound like a damsel in distress, but those online critics we looking down their noses at her.
Just thinking about it got Dahlia fired up. What did those nobodies know?
They had no appreciation for art. How dare they say she wasnât the top up-and-comin dancer in the country?
Those other dancers they were hyping in the comments? She wouldnât even give them t time of day. Back when they were all competing, those armchair critics didnât know the first thing about talent.
She had overcorne so many challenges to train abroad, learning the cutting-edge techniques, the most flawless moves. What did those clowns know?
Nolan wasnât buying Siennaâs story. Even though he said he felt bad for Dahlia, his suspicions were beyond his control. He went straight to the source and tracked down that paparazzo.
With his team of top-notch lawyers, he didnât need to get his hands dirty.
âWhat | want is for those photos to be pulled immediately, and donât let that pap off the hook.â
He wasnât a public figure, had no obligation to expose his private life, and this erossed the line once too often. Nolan had had enough.
âUnderstood, Mr. Harris. The matter will be resolved within two hours, tops.â
Nolan's legal team was swift and efficient, led by the shamrkEnsiys; Who got ald Sth paparazzoâs number in no time.
The pap nearly jumped out of his skin; he was basking in his growing follower count and his soaring online popularity.
Then out of the blue, a chilling voice came through his phone, âIs this Waller? Good, you're involved i ine m rights vi folatipte daatastny client and revi: a warning. If you don't He down the photos you've been spreading online we'll sue you for infringing on Mr. Harris's right to his likeness. | trust you're not looking to break the law.â
Waller was smug, legs shaking with glee. He ae tta edawnchose! |
ahotos\intiat o d they do to him?
Lawyers were all about scare tactics, he thought.