Kristen's face changed instantly!
Her aloof mask cracked, revealing a flash of fear and anger in her eyes.
If she were truly outed as gay, it would deal a massive blow to her career!
An A-list actress being gay? The magnitude of that kind of scandal couldn't be ignored!
Her fingers tightened around the microphone.
She opened her mouth to retort, but for a moment, the malicious speculation rendered her speechless.
The crowd stirred. The reporters, sensing blood in the water, fired question after question.
"Please respond to the rumors regarding your sexual orientation!"
"Are you and Mr. Cassius coordinating with your team for image management?"
"How do you view hiding your true self for the sake of your career?"
...
The situation was spiraling out of control.
Seeing things going south, Kristen's team leader immediately stepped forward, trying to cut the interview short.
A group of people surrounded Kristen, preparing to usher her away.
Just then!
As if making a crucial decision, Kristen suddenly raised her hand, stopping her team leader.
She took a deep breath, turned back to face the cameras, and her gaze hardened with a resolve that screamed burning bridges.
She had clearly had enough of this endless prying and malicious slander.
"Stop!"
Her voice rang out through the microphone, carrying undeniable power.
"Regarding my private preferences, any speculation not confirmed by me personally is absurd and irresponsible. I refuse to respond to malicious questions based on rumors."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the aggressive reporters, and then made a decision that shocked everyone.
This deviated from the original plan, but facing direct attacks on her sexual orientation, denying the relationship would only look like she was trying to hide something, essentially confirming the "bearding" theory.
Her team weighed the options in a split second and realized they had to take a harder stance.
Kristen's voice was clear.
"About Cassius! He is not some 'beard'!"
"He is my boyfriend, and we are currently dating!"
"We've been together for a while. We just chose to keep a low profile before. What happened at the hotel that night was purely media over-interpretation and malicious hype."
"I don't want my private relationships to be subjected to such disrespectful and twisted scrutiny just because of my job!"
After speaking, she shoved the microphone into the hands of the person next to her, ignored the exploding crowd of reporters and the blinding flashes behind her, turned around, and walked away from the interview area without looking back.
Pffft!
In the gym.
Cassius, who had just finished his workout and stopped for a drink of water, nearly choked!
What is happening?
I thought we agreed to clear up the rumors!
Does "clearing up rumors" mean turning them into reality?!
Cassius couldn't wrap his head around this move!
Half an hour later, Kristen's official team released an emergency statement, worded sternly:
"We firmly deny all false speculations and malicious rumors regarding Miss Stewart's sexual orientation.
These statements are not only incorrect but also a serious invasion of her personal privacy.
We confirm that Mr. Cassius is Miss Stewart's boyfriend, and they are in a serious relationship.
We earnestly ask the media and the public to respect their private space and return the focus to Miss Stewart's work."
Once the statement was out, public opinion—already hot—went nuclear.
#KristenAdmitsRelationship#
#KristenCassius#
#KristenDeniesOrientationRumors#
...
Related hashtags instantly rocketed to the top three on social media trending lists worldwide.
They just wanted to clear up a scandal, but ended up being forced into an official relationship announcement!
This plot twist left everyone in the peanut gallery stunned.
"WTF?"
That was the only thought left in Cassius's brain.
He walked out of the gym to find his phone had been blown up by Rob!
"Holy shit! Cass! Did you see the news? Kristen told the whole world you're her boyfriend! The official one! Said you guys have been dating for a while!"
Rob was incoherent with excitement on the other end.
"What kind of god-tier plot twist is this? How much shit are you hiding from me, kid?"
Cassius rubbed his forehead, feeling a wave of dizziness.
"If I told you I just found out too, would you believe me?"
"Like hell I would!"
Rob shouted. "But it doesn't matter! What matters is you're now Kristen's official boyfriend!"
"Do you know what this means? You're fucking famous!"
"Get ready, brother. Your good days are really coming!"
Cassius hung up.
From scandalous hotel hookup to officially certified boyfriend!
This identity leap was faster than his attribute upgrades.
Cassius unlocked his apartment door, feeling like he had just returned from a war zone, physically and mentally exhausted.
He just wanted to collapse onto his bed and block out this crazy world with sleep.
However, that simple wish was shattered the moment the door opened.
Lee Su-yeon launched herself off the living room sofa like a loaded cannonball, rushing to the door in an instant.
Her eyes were wide circles, gleaming with a near-fanatical light. She clutched her phone tightly, the screen displaying the news page of Kristen's interview.
"OPPA!!!!!!!!"
The scream was piercing, carrying that exaggerated inflection unique to Korean, and it made Cassius's eardrums itch.
Cassius sighed, closed the door, and spoke weakly.
"If you're asking about the news, I have nothing to say."
"Nothing to say?"
Lee Su-yeon followed him like an excited puppy circling its prey.
"How can you have nothing to say? Kristen told the whole world you're her boyfriend!"
"Mo? This is nuclear-level news! Do you know my phone has been blowing up with calls from classmates and seniors?"
"They're all asking me if you're really secretly dating Kristen!"
Cassius threw himself onto the sofa and rubbed his temples.
"You think it's true too?"
"What else?"
Lee Su-yeon squeezed onto the armrest of the sofa next to him, leaning forward and lowering her voice as if conspiring.
"Come on! Give me the details! When did it start? How did you meet? Was it on the set of Dark Currents?"
"Oh my god, I'm actually roommates with Kristen's boyfriend!"
Cassius looked at her flushed cheeks and smiled helplessly.
"Listen, Su-yeon. Look at me!"
He pointed at his own face.
"Do I look like someone who's been dating Kristen for a while?"
Lee Su-yeon actually leaned in and scrutinized him for a few seconds before saying solemnly:
"Hmm... before, no. But now, with the 'Kristen's Boyfriend' filter, you look a lot more pleasing to the eye!"
Cassius: "..."
Gee, thanks!
"Don't change the subject!"
Lee Su-yeon wouldn't let it go.
"What exactly happened? Wait, was that Kristen who answered the phone that morning?!"
"Oh my god! That was my goddess's voice!!"
Lee Su-yeon started running and jumping around the room like a maniac!
Cassius walked straight to the bathroom!
As for this woman...
Let her go crazy if she wants!
When Cassius came out of the shower, his phone screen showed a missed call. It was that private number Kristen had called from before.
Drying his hair, he called back.
The phone was picked up almost immediately.