?<strong>Chapter 202:</strong>


    Asher straightened, his height giving him a broader view of the area.


    “I don’t see anyone suspicious. Maybe it’s just fans trying to catch a glimpse,” he reassured her.


    Carrie nodded distractedly. “Yeah, maybe.”


    The uneasy feeling lingered, shadowing her even after she left the setter that day. As Carrie settled into the taxi heading home, her phone buzzed. It was Asher.


    “Where are you?” His tone was urgent.


    “In a taxi,” Carrie replied, ncing at the passing road signs. “Almost home. What’s wrong?”


    “The trending topics on social media… exploded,” Asher said, his words jumbled with panic. “It’s my fault… Godwin’s already contacted Ruby. She’s on her way to handle it.”


    Asher’s words tumbled over one another, and Carrie couldn’t make sense of what was happening. Only one thing stood out: “trending topics.”


    After briefly reassuring him, she ended the call and opened Twitter.


    Her name was stered across the trending list:


    “Asher and Carrie Suspected Romance”


    “Asher Kissing Carrie’s Leg”


    “Carrie Staging Fake Romance For Publicity”


    “Top Star Caught In Scandal”


    Clicking on the headlines, she found photos flooding the posts. Some were from Foxfire County, others from Orkset. In every picture, she and Asher maintained a professional distance, their interactions entirely tonic.


    One particr photo stood out. It showed Carrie seated on a stool, regal and poised, while Asher crouched in front of her. The angle made it look as though he was kissing her leg.


    Such photos weren’t substantial proof of any form of romance between her and Asher. It shouldn’t cause much stir.


    Her confusion turned to rm as she scrolled through thements. The usations weren’t just about romance; someone was deliberately smearing her, twisting the narrative to use her of exploiting Asher for publicity.


    Carrie had initially garnered goodwill from Asher’s fans thanks to his support, but now that goodwill was crumbling into outrage. Those fans felt betrayed, convinced they’d been manipted.


    Thements were brutal:


    “These photos are absurd! Especially thest one. I was there, and nothing like this happened. Asher would never do something so bold in public!”


    “I was there too! He was holding something, probably helping her with makeup. He didn’t even touch her!”


    “She probably hired someone to take these. Look at how staged they look!”


    .


    .


    .