Chapter 68: Different Circles

"Miss Jacqueline, you portrayed the role of the Panda Tribe exceptionally well. If the next girl doesn’t match your acting skills, the role is yours. I hope we’ll have the opportunity to work together."

There’s another candidate?

Jacqueline’s expression shifted rapidly. The Panda Tribe role seemed tailor-made for her—not only did she have plenty of screen time, the costume design would accentuate her graceful figure, and the character was extremely likable. If she could secure the part, she was confident her fame would skyrocket, and with her next leading role, she would firmly establish herself among the top stars.

So when she heard there was another person auditioning, her excitement was instantly replaced by fury.

She paused to think, then asked, "Mr. Spee, may I know who the next girl to audition is?"

"Well…" Spee hesitated for a moment before nodding. "The company believes that to enter the Chinese film market, we need to collaborate with the most popular short video influencers. The next candidate is a blogger named Grace."

"A short video influencer?"

Jacqueline was momentarily confused before realizing what Spee meant.

Just another internet celebrity making comedy sketches.

Damn it.

Now these online personalities dare to compete for roles with those of us who graduated from proper acting schools?

"Thank you, Mr. Spee."

As soon as Jacqueline left, she immediately called her agent over. When her agent heard Spee was quite satisfied with Jacqueline and intended to cast her, she was about to leap with joy—until she learned about the influencer audition, and her excitement froze instantly.

The agent’s attitude was much the same as Jacqueline’s.

This is outrageous—these influencers are getting out of hand.

"Jacqueline, this role is crucial for you. We must seize this opportunity," said the agent, then shifted tone, "But you don’t need to worry too much; in terms of acting, no influencer can compare with you."

"Do you think I don’t know how important this part is?" Jacqueline glared fiercely at her agent. "Precisely because it’s important, we cannot afford any mistakes. Even the smallest risk must be nipped in the bud."

While she spoke, her agent had already found Grace’s ID on the short video platform. Upon seeing Grace’s follower count, the agent was taken aback, "Jacqueline, this influencer has thirty million followers. If we’re looking at box office numbers in the United States, she’s definitely your rival."

"Thirty million?"

Jacqueline’s expression grew darker.

She had been posting videos for half a year and barely amassed two hundred thousand followers. This seemingly insignificant influencer had thirty million.

No—she must not be given this opportunity.

"These influencers usually lack education, and their manners are crude. Go to the PR companies and dig up any dirt you can find on her."

"I’ll get right on it."

The agent’s eyes lit up, admiring Jacqueline’s shrewdness. Films already work closely with these PR companies—stirring up rumors, hyping relationships, leaking scandals—it’s all part of their operations, and the agent was well-versed in the process.

Soon, the agent contacted several PR firms in succession. As soon as the task was assigned, the companies got to work.

They already had their own methods, swiftly collecting information on Grace—even digging up her old posts from her student days. It seemed almost too easy; usually they’d have to search through alternate accounts, stake out locations, befriend or manipulate the target’s acquaintances or enemies, but this time everything went smoothly.

All those buried records seemed to have been waiting in a dark corner for someone to collect. Even a personal storage on a certain anonymous platform, which was supposed to be locked, became accessible due to a temporary server crash that disabled password protections, letting the PR team retrieve incriminating material.

"Look, Grace’s video of animal abuse is trending."

"Never imagined such a famous influencer would be so uninhibited in private."

On the short video platform, a video of Grace and a man in a provocative, risqué conversation with suggestive actions was uploaded, immediately drawing widespread attention.

Soon, someone recognized the man as Xavier.

Then, another rumor surfaced—Grace had another explicit chat with a different man, the footage even more explosive than Fast & Furious.

This second man was even more familiar to the public.

He was none other than the much-envied heir, John Zhang.

"So even John Zhang got played for a fool."

"Grace is amazing—John Zhang’s reputation is galloping across the Mongolian steppes."

Suddenly, countless fans flocked to John Zhang’s short video account to tease him.

"So even the wealthy can be duped."

"Mr. Zhang, what do you make of the situation with Baoqiang?"

"Never thought you’d be so clever, Zhang. You’ve taken the 'Sour Wow' drink to a whole new level."

"What did you have for dinner tonight… Haha, you’re quite something, Mr. Zhang."

At first, only fans left comments under John Zhang’s posts, but gradually, people began to call him directly. By the time John understood what was happening, an hour had passed, and the internet was flooded with jokes about him, Grace, and Xavier.

Furious, John Zhang called Grace, but her phone was already switched off.

Aside from the scandalous gossip, Grace’s animal abuse video drew the wrath of countless animal lovers. Some even marched to Grace’s company with banners in protest.

Unable to reach Grace, John’s face turned purple with rage.

Even the wealthy have their own circles. If he couldn’t quell the situation quickly, John knew he’d be mocked mercilessly among his peers—a humiliation he could not tolerate.

"Investigate! Find out who leaked this!"

John Zhang raged hysterically in his office. Unfortunately, everyone in Zhang Group was watching the drama unfold. Through the glass, he saw employees whispering, and assumed they were mocking him.

Meanwhile, Jacqueline—the instigator—watched it all unfold. She had only intended to expose Grace’s scandals, but hadn’t expected John Zhang to be dragged into it as well.

Grace was worried, but for the sake of the role, she could only remain a spectator.

However, the tide on the internet began to shift, and more and more dirt surfaced about Grace and Xavier.

Xavier’s company was accused of acting like prima donnas, blocking roads to shoot videos and causing traffic jams. Someone even dug up Xavier’s posts on Twitter slandering China.

A video emerged showing Grace meeting with a foundation in the United States during her travels. The foundation specifically funded influential short video creators, promoting American interests.

Soon after, more secrets about the foundation were uncovered.