Jasper, who had been itching to see Ste humiliated, was left gaping in shock instead.


    "What the hell? What''s going on here? Why are all these mainstream reporters being so chummy with Ste? Did they lose their minds?" he muttered under his breath.


    Rachel''s smile hadn''t even faded from her face before she waspletely blindsided by the scene unfolding in front of her. She hadn''t the slightest clue what was happening.


    Camera shes popped nonstop as reporters crowded around, their questions rapid-fire, yet practically every word out of their mouths was effusive praise.


    Theyuded Ste''s generosity, herpassion, her beauty-inside and out. Finally, one entertainment reporter couldn''t hold back and called out to the government media group, "This woman''s got scandal after scandal. Don''t let her fool you!"


    A government reporter shot back coldly, "And who do you think cooked up those scandals, if not you people? I''m here to interview a donor, not to dig up dirt or spread rumors. And I''d suggest you watch what you say we''re broadcasting live. Ms. Cameron is a public figure now. If your words cause any negative impact, you could be held legally responsible."


    The entertainment reporters, suddenly uneasy, ducked their heads and scrambled for their phones.


    Word had already gone around: Ste was cklisted across every major tform. Without higher-ups'' approval, not a single story about her good or bad could see the light of day. Yet, under official sanction, her so-called scandals had been allowed to circte online.


    With her ounts shut down, Ste couldn''t even attempt to clear her name. She had been, in the bluntest terms, silenced.


    This sort of thing was nothing new for these reporters-they all knew this was what happened when you crossed the powers that be. You didn''t even get a chance to defend yourself.


    This time, too, they''de on orders: dig up dirt on Ste, and if there wasn''t enough, make some up. They all knew it was impossible for any positive news about Ste to get published.


    To them, this was just a job-a paycheck, nothing more. That was the real difference between entertainment reporters like them and the government press.


    But what none of them expected was that six out of the top ten trending headlines were about Ste''s charity work.


    The moment they saw those stories, reality hit them hard. While they''d been busy trying to smear her, those high-and-mighty government reporters who usually looked down their noses at the entertainment press-were now crowding around Ste, showering her with praise.


    There was hardly anything more ironic.


    Even if they were just doing their jobs, none of them could hide their embarrassment at being so thoroughly upstaged.


    Suddenly, a voice cut through the hum of camaraderie, shattering the feel-good atmosphere.


    "If she''s really so selfless, why not give anonymously? Ms. Cameron, if you''re as virtuous as everyone says, why put your name on the donations?"


    Instantly, silence fell. Every eye turned to the entertainment reporter who''d spoken up.


    Basking in the attention, the reporter didn''t seem the least bit rattled. If anything, he looked smug.


    "What''s wrong, Ms. Cameron? Did I hit a nerve? Is that why you''re speechless?" Ste regarded him calmly, not a hint of panic in her expression.


    She answered, steady as ever, "May I ask you, sir-what do you think I''m trying to achieve?"


    The reporter replied, righteous indignation in his voice, "To get publicity. To make yourself famous."


    Ste nodded, then pressed on. "And what, in your opinion, would I gain from that?"