SuperStar!

Lucian's office buzzed with tension. His polished shoes clicked sharply against the sleek hardwood floor as he paced, fists clenched at his sides. The walls, lined with awards and memorabilia, seemed to close in around him as the weight of the situation pressed heavily on his shoulders. The media storm surrounding Ethan Jones had escalated beyond anything he'd anticipated. He could already feel the pressure mounting, but Lucian wasn't one to back down.

"This is war," he muttered to himself, his voice low and menacing. His dark eyes glinted with fury. If they thought they could take down his artist, they were sorely mistaken.

He stopped in front of his desk, where his tablet lay. The headlines were impossible to ignore—Ethan was being torn apart, his rising star dimming in the harsh light of public scrutiny. But Lucian knew better than to let the noise dictate his actions.

Lucian's hand shot out, grabbing his phone. He made a series of calls, each one more urgent than the last. "Get me the top guys in PR," he barked. "This needs to be turned around, and fast."

The door to his office burst open. A tall, sharp-dressed man in his late thirties stepped in, a grim expression on his face. It was clear this wasn't a social call.

"Lucian, we've got a serious problem," the man said, his voice tense.

Lucian didn't even look up. "Tell me something I don't know. I'm handling it."

But the man wasn't deterred. "I've been in contact with some of our celebrity contacts. I'm putting the whole weight of Universal behind Ethan. We need to make sure the media knows we're standing by him."

Lucian finally looked up, his eyes flashing. "Good. Then let's get it done. I want every person with a platform who owes us a favor to speak up."

Within minutes, the PR team went to work. Lucian's phone buzzed repeatedly as celebrities began to take to social media in support of Ethan.

Drake tweeted, "Ethan's talent speaks for itself. Ignore the noise. #RealRecognizeReal."

Ariana Grande shared an Instagram story: "In this game, you know your worth. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Taylor swift posted, "We're all in this together. Keep your head up, Ethan."

It was a strategic move—a clear message to the public that the most influential artists in the game stood behind Ethan. The firestorm was far from over, but at least Lucian could see the tide starting to shift.

However, the backlash wasn't dying down so easily. The internet had a new topic of conversation: Was Ethan just another industry plant? A manufactured star, hand-picked for success by the powers that be?

On Twitter, the debate gained momentum:

@IndustrySkeptic: "Is it just me, or does it seem like everyone who gets big overnight is an 'industry plant'? 🤔 #EthanJones #MusicIndustry"

@RealTalkT: "Is success only for the ones with big connections? Maybe Ethan is just the latest 'industry plant.'"

@TruthSeeker: "How many 'underdogs' are actually plants? We see through the smoke and mirrors. #WakeUp"

The question of authenticity, of whether Ethan's success was earned or manufactured, spread like wildfire.

Lucian's jaw tightened as he read through the tweets. The mixed reactions were frustrating, but he wasn't about to let the public's opinion dictate the narrative. He knew the power of perception, and right now, he was determined to control it.

Before he could formulate a response, the door to his office flew open. A young assistant burst in, breathless.

"Sir, we've just received word—Eminem dropped his new track. And Jessica just called. She says Ethan should be in the music video. This could be a game-changer for us. We could use it to offset the backlash."

Lucian's eyes lit up, a glint of excitement flashing across his face. This was the break they needed.

"Eminem?" Lucian's voice was low but filled with intent. "Let's move fast. I want everything in place. If this is our chance to flip the script, we'll take it. Get Jessica on the phone. I want this video locked down now."

He stood up, walking over to the window and looking out at the sprawling city below. The storm was far from over, but with Eminem on board, they could turn the tide. This wasn't just about defending Ethan; it was about proving to the world that he belonged in the spotlight.

As the assistant hurried to follow orders, Lucian's mind raced. The media, the fans, the skeptics—they were all part of the game. And Lucian knew how to play it better than anyone.

Let them talk, he thought. We'll let the music do the talking.