CHAPTER 953: CHAPTER 953 RAFAEL’S CHOICE

Seeing how Lucas operated, Hera was now completely convinced: he was executing exactly what she had predicted. Anyone who tried to call him out would only incur the wrath of his mindless fans and people who couldn’t distinguish right from wrong.

And to think he even mentioned animal cruelty, framing it as part of the cyberbullying he was supposedly enduring right now, that is, if he really had received that kind of harassment, right now, many netizens would still be limited to sending unkind messages.

It was too soon for anyone to have tracked him down or sent anything to his home.

So, it was far more likely that Lucas had orchestrated the claim himself, amplifying the outrage directed at Logan. In essence, he was cutting off all of Logan’s escape routes.

If Logan truly had no allies or way out, he would be left not only to endure intense cyberbullying but also to face public hatred wherever he went, with many people condemning him without ever hearing his side of the story.

Lucas was undeniably cruel, and he hid that cruelty behind a mask of kindness. On the internet, many users simply rode the wave of excitement, caring little about the truth, as long as the topic entertained them and relieved their boredom.

They wouldn’t even care if they were ruining someone else’s life, because to them, it was just words, nothing serious. But for the person on the receiving end, it was a completely different story. They hadn’t done anything wrong, yet their reputation was tarnished, people avoided getting close to them for fear of being dragged into the mess, and even their work suffered.

For those talking online, it seemed trivial, but for the victim, it was devastating. This is why the internet is often called a double-edged sword: it can lift you high, or it can cut you down and keep you grounded.

Hera shook her head, eyes fixed on her phone, before finally glancing up at Rafael. He was just ending his call with Minerva, his voice low and careful as he coaxed her, assuring her it wasn’t her fault.

Still, Hera could feel the storm radiating off him, an aura so tense and furious it was as though he was ready to skin alive whoever was responsible for this mess.

Their eyes met, and for a long moment the weight of his frustration pressed between them. Then Rafael exhaled heavily, shoulders dropping just slightly, before asking in a low voice, "Little Minx, what do you think?"

"I can help you figure out who’s telling the truth and who isn’t," Hera said carefully, her tone deliberately vague. "But I just want to ask... if they’re wrong, would you punish your artist? And if not, how far are you willing to go to protect them?"

Her words left Rafael uncertain, he couldn’t tell whether she already knew something or was simply probing. But with Gerald and the Avery’s network behind her, it wouldn’t take much for Hera to uncover the truth behind the scandal.

In fact, she had already taken steps. Long ago, she asked UE’s music director and Logan to prepare for this very situation. That was why UE had yet to release a statement and why Logan hadn’t responded to any of the allegations.

Right now, Logan was quietly staying in his dorm, resting and focusing on composing new music. He finally understood why Hera had pushed him to take so many precautionary steps when he first entered the company.

It was clear she had anticipated that someone would try to pull something against him. All he needed to do now was trust the company’s preparations, and stay away from the internet so his mentality wouldn’t be shaken.

Even UE’s Music Director was grateful for Hera’s reminder, though he remained busy handling matters on his end. Still, no one in the company was truly worried.

Meanwhile, Lucas was pouring his energy into a smear campaign against Logan, all while pretending to be kind and pitiful. In short, he was putting on a one-man show, both directing and starring in his own twisted play.

After hearing Hera’s words, Rafael fell silent for a moment, deep in thought. Then, with firm conviction, he responded.

"If my artist was the one at fault, I’d be the first to cast him out and help the other artist claim justice. But if he was wronged, I’d do everything in my power to protect him..." He paused briefly before his gaze hardened.

"That’s what I would normally do. But this time is different. Logan is your junior, someone you personally recruited. That means you’ll inevitably be dragged into this mess, which I refuse to allow. So regardless of who’s right or wrong, my priority is you. I’ll protect you above all else."

His burning gaze left no doubt about his resolve. Rafael had already made up his mind. He could always discover new talents in the future, and even if his company’s reputation took a hit, he knew it would bounce back once the scandal died down, the public’s memory was fleeting.

But Hera was only just gaining recognition as a celebrity. If she were pulled into this storm, many would seize the chance to drag her down and trample on her. He couldn’t bear the thought of her suffering such humiliation.

That was why, no matter what losses the company incurred, Rafael vowed to shield her first, even if it meant paying the losses out of his own pocket.

Hearing his words, Hera couldn’t help but be touched. She gave him a sweet smile, if he was so determined to protect her, how could she possibly let him bear the losses and shoulder the burden alone? What use were her money, manpower, and position if she couldn’t protect her own people?

"Good answer," she said softly, her eyes crinkling as her smile deepened.

Rafael froze, utterly captivated. Her smile felt like a net closing around his heart, and for a moment he forgot to breathe. What he didn’t realize was that he had just passed Hera’s seamless test.

If he had chosen his interests over her, what would she have done? Just the thought sent a chill down his spine. Thankfully, he had long decided that Hera would always come first.

Warmth spread through his chest, chasing away that fleeting coldness. He hadn’t known how sweet it could feel to be protected, but Hera had just shown him. His lips curved into a smile that mirrored hers, soft and genuine.

Though he had no idea what she was planning, one thing he was certain of, Hera would never lose. And for that reason, he placed all his trust in her.

Rafael’s eyes crinkled as he returned Hera’s smile. "Then, what should we do, little minx?" he asked, his earlier nervousness melting away. The tension in his shoulders eased, replaced by a teasing smirk, as though he was settling in to watch Hera perform her usual magic.

By now, he had grown used to her way of turning situations upside down, of "slapping faces" and reversing the tide when no one expected it. Even he, the so-called Entertainment King who prided himself on his firm grasp of the industry, couldn’t help but admire her.