The conference room inside Silverline Studios was unusually tense that morning.
Large glass windows overlooked the city, but no one was paying attention to the view. Phones buzzed constantly on the polished table, notifications lighting up the screens again and again.
Every single one carried the same problem.
Seraphine.
More specifically
The rumors surrounding her.
The studio executives sat around the long table with serious expressions. Some were scrolling through entertainment news sites, others through social media feeds that had exploded overnight with gossip about the actress.
Headlines flashed across their screens.
"Seraphine's Secret Relationships Revealed?"
"Actress and Co-Star Too Close Behind The Scenes?"
"Fans Dig Up Her Dating History!"
One producer rubbed his temples in frustration.
"This is exactly what we didn't need during filming."
Another executive leaned forward, placing a tablet on the table so everyone could see the trending article.
"Look at this," he said sharply. "They've listed every man she's ever been rumored to date."
On the screen were photos pulled from different moments in Seraphine's past.
A red-carpet event from two years ago where she stood beside a well-known model.
A beach party photo from a summer vacation where she wore a sleek black bikini, laughing with friends as waves crashed behind them.
Another image from a nightclub appearance, her dress shimmering under blue lights as cameras flashed around her.
None of the pictures were scandalous.
But together they painted a narrative the media loved.
A glamorous actress.
A wild social life.
Too many men.
Too much attention.
The door to the conference room suddenly opened.
A tall woman in a dark blazer stepped inside, holding a folder under her arm.
Seraphine's manager.
Lena Park.
Unlike the worried executives around the table, Lena looked completely composed.
She had spent fifteen years in the entertainment industry. Rumors and scandals were practically part of the job description.
Still, she understood the situation needed to be handled carefully.
"Good morning," she said calmly, closing the door behind her.
Several executives immediately turned toward her.
"You've seen what's happening online?" one of them asked.
Lena placed the folder on the table.
"Of course I have."
Another producer spoke up.
"This movie has a massive budget, Lena. Investors are watching everything. If the media starts turning against her—"
"They won't," Lena interrupted gently.
The room fell silent.
She opened the folder and slid several printed pages across the table.
"Our public relations team already started working two hours ago."
One of the directors glanced at the papers.
"What exactly is the plan?"
Lena rested her hands on the table, speaking with quiet confidence.
"First, we redirect the narrative."
She tapped one of the pages.
"These articles focus on her past relationships and nightlife. That's easy gossip. But it's not the story we want the public talking about."
Another executive frowned slightly.
"And what story do we want?"
Lena gave a small smile.
"Her work."
She pointed to another document.
"We'll release behind-the-scenes photos from the film set this afternoon. Professional ones. Elegant ones. Show her dedication to the role."
Another page followed.
"Then tomorrow morning we'll arrange an interview with StarScene Magazine. They've worked with us before and they're reliable. Seraphine will talk about her career, the challenges of the role, and her excitement about the movie."
One producer crossed his arms.
"And the rumors about the co-star?"
Lena shrugged slightly.
"We don't deny them aggressively. That only makes gossip stronger."
Instead she leaned back in her chair.
"We simply don't feed the story."
One of the executives looked skeptical.
"You're sure this will calm things down?"
Lena nodded.
"People lose interest in scandals quickly when there's nothing new to fuel them."
She paused before adding one more thing.
"And Seraphine has something many actresses don't."
"What?" the director asked.
"A loyal fanbase."
Lena slid another tablet across the table.
On the screen were thousands of supportive comments appearing beneath Seraphine's latest post.
Fans defending her.
Fans praising her acting.
Fans arguing with gossip accounts in her defense.
"Her supporters are already pushing back against the rumors," Lena explained.
"That kind of public loyalty is extremely valuable."
The tension in the room slowly eased.
One of the producers exhaled deeply.
"So the film isn't in danger?"
Lena shook her head.
"Not unless we panic."
She closed the folder.
"The best thing we can do right now is stay calm and let the story shift naturally."
The director leaned back in his chair.
"…You're good at this."
Lena smiled faintly.
"I've been doing this for a long time."
Outside the conference room, assistants moved through the hallway preparing for another day of filming.
Inside the room, the studio executives were finally starting to relax.
But Lena knew something the others didn't.
Rumors never truly disappeared.
They only changed shape.
And somewhere in another part of the city…
Seraphine herself had no idea how much of the industry was working behind the scenes just to keep her image intact.