NOVEL NEXT Chapter 954 Hera's Plan
Hera's understanding of the internet, PR tactics, and crisis management was simply unparalleled. She didn't even need to pay marketing accounts to manipulate public opinion; she crushed opposition with hard facts and undeniable truths, leaving no room for rebuttal.
And more than that, Hera herself was a phenomenon. A walking trending topic. Whatever she did, it drew attention, and because of her enigmatic background and effortless charm, people were naturally drawn to her.
"So first, it would be best to investigate Lucas' background, especially his school years after he began living with the Walker family. Gerald is a little tied up right now handling the assassins from the dark web, but if you reach out and work with him to dig deeper into Lucas' past, you'll find the answers. The more detailed, the better."
"I'll also have Gerald do the same for Logan so that we'll have something concrete to present to the netizens before taking any drastic action. This way, no matter what we uncover, it won't damage your company's reputation."
"And as for me, don't worry. I'll make sure it won't harm me either. Just follow this plan, and I'll handle the follow-up online."
Hera's steady gaze and reassuring tone made Rafael feel as if everything truly would be alright, that she had a way to manage this. Yet beneath her calm confidence, he sensed another message as well: that he needed to prepare himself for whatever truths he might uncover… and for the consequences that would follow.
'So… could it really be Lucas who plagiarized, and then cried 'thief' first out of fear? If he had hesitated even a second, Logan might have found a way to expose the truth. If that's the case, then Lucas is far more malicious than I imagined. Someone who can so easily twist black into white… cannot be underestimated.'
As the thought settled, Rafael gave Hera a firm nod to show he understood. Not long after, Hera sent him Gerald's contact information.
The moment Rafael saw it, his hand trembled. Gerald was a giant in their business industry, a man whose number people would pay millions to obtain, let alone the chance to forge a connection with him.
Hera had arranged it this way so that Rafael himself would be the one to uncover the truth, and to decide how to deal with whoever was truly responsible for the plagiarism. This approach not only allowed him to act justly but also sent a clear message to the public: even if one of his artists was in the wrong, Rafael would never condone misconduct.
Handled properly, the netizens would come to see Rafael's company in a much better light, recognizing that SOE was not like other unscrupulous entertainment agencies. Instead, it would stand apart as a place of integrity, one that aspiring talents could look to as their ultimate goal, one of the most respected entertainment companies in the industry.
With this move, Rafael could elevate his company's reputation, strengthen its public image, and sever ties with Lucas cleanly.
More importantly, the gesture would resonate with his current artists. They would understand that within his company, they would never be exploited or abandoned, as long as they did their jobs and upheld what was right, Rafael and SOE would protect them.
But if they strayed, if they were in the wrong, then Rafael would not hesitate to hold them accountable and put them in their place.
In truth, Hera was also helping Rafael cleanse his company of pests—managers who sent their artists to curry favor with sponsors or engaged in shady under-the-table dealings.
At the same time, she was strengthening the trust of his artists, giving them more confidence in him as their leader. With this approach, Rafael was bound to see greater profits and long-term growth.
A stronger reputation meant more opportunities as well. In the past, large, reputable companies preferred to collaborate exclusively with UE's artists, since UE's solid foundation and clean image reflected positively on them.
But if Rafael succeeded in building the same kind of reputation for his own company, then he would no longer be overlooked. His artists would be seen as just as valuable, and his prospects would no longer be limited.
And in this way, he no longer needed to rely solely on Xavier, especially now that Xavier was preparing to take on the responsibilities of his family business.
That shift meant Xavier would have to step back from the spotlight, becoming more selective with the projects he accepted in the entertainment industry.
For Rafael, this would naturally mean a decline in income, as his "money tree" would no longer take on as much work as before.
That was why this opportunity was so timely. Through this cleansing, Rafael could inspire talented individuals to work harder for the company, while unscrupulous managers and employees would be forced to rein in their actions out of fear.
At the same time, artists would feel empowered to voice their grievances and report anyone tarnishing the company's reputation. The result would be a tighter, healthier company culture, one where, in time, many artists could rise through the ranks without oppression holding them back.
And this impact would not be limited to Rafael's company alone. Plagiarism was rampant throughout the industry, and those without power or backing were often silenced, cut off like candles snuffed out.
This move, however, could become a beacon, a light to illuminate the injustice suffered by countless others, giving them strength to keep fighting and to move forward.
And so, once the truth came to light, Logan—the one who had been crucified and condemned without even a chance to defend himself—would finally earn pity and sympathy.
Countless artists who had suffered similar injustices would see themselves in him, for they too knew what it felt like to be innocent yet branded guilty. More than that, Logan's fight would ignite strength in them, giving them the courage to reclaim what had been stolen from them.
Logan, standing as the one who successfully fought for his rights, would become their beacon of hope. This victory would not only benefit Rafael's company, but it would also transform Logan's reputation.
His name, once buried in disgrace, would shine brighter than ever once the darkness passed. He would become the perfect embodiment of the saying: 'There is always a rainbow after the rain.'
To many, he would be a figure of inspiration, a symbol of perseverance. That recognition would propel his career forward, finally allowing his long-suppressed talent to be seen and celebrated. And when he stood tall on stage, he would soar higher, far higher than Lucas could have ever reached in the novel.
For Hera, this was Logan's redemption—the rewriting of his tragic fate in the original story.
Although Rafael didn't know the full extent of Hera's intentions, he could sense what she was aiming for. He nodded in understanding, determined not to disappoint her expectations and more than willing to carry out her plan. Once she saw they were on the same page, Hera immediately placed a call to Logan.
When Logan's phone began vibrating again, his first instinct was to ignore it. It had been ringing nonstop since morning, and the only reason he hadn't switched it off was because he was waiting for a call from the company, one that would tell him what to do next.
In truth, even his parents had tried to reach him, but he hadn't answered. He already knew what they would say, and he was too exhausted to deal with them right now.
So, when his phone buzzed for what felt like the hundredth time, he only spared it a glance before turning back to his composition—until he saw the name on the screen. Hera.
His pencil slipped from his fingers and clattered to the floor as he scrambled to answer the call.
"H-Hello…? Senior…" Logan's voice trembled, and even before Hera could respond, it sounded as if he was choking on his own words. The dam of his long-suppressed grievances cracked, and pain surged to the surface, spilling out through tears he could no longer hold back.
His pitiful tone tugged at Hera's heart so much that she felt an almost instinctive urge to coax and comfort him.
To others, Logan might appear tall and composed, but to her, he was like a younger brother, obedient and sweet at heart. Neglected by his own family, he had grown used to tension, used to pushing people away, and hiding his feelings beneath a mask of indifference and gloom.
Yet whenever someone offered him even a glimmer of warmth, he would cling to it, loyal like a wounded puppy desperate for light.
Now, hearing his soft, pitiful whimpers over the phone, Hera's sorrow for him burned into fury. Her heart ached for Logan, but her anger at Lucas's shameless manipulation ignited to new heights.
"Shhh… don't worry. Senior will help you," Hera said gently, her voice soft with coaxing comfort.
What she didn't realize, however, was that four pairs of eyes were fixed on her, each filled with suspicion and jealousy.