Thomas'' ride for the evening was a stretch Rolls-Royce. The interior was spacious andfortable.


    Yvonne, Thomas, and Patrick sat together, able to chatfortably.


    The car glided smoothly along the road before finally stopping in front of a high-end teahouse.


    "This teahouse is one of my properties. I usually meet with investors and actors here," Patrick exined as he led Thomas and Yvonne inside.


    They entered a private room at the far end of the ground floor.


    The room wasn''t overlyrge, perhaps a little over two hundred square feet, but it was meticulously decorated with an antique charm. A zither rested on a stand, priceless ancient scrolls hung on the walls, and a wisp of fragrant white smoke curled up from a bronze incense burner, filling the air with a subtle, pleasant aroma.


    Patrick invited Thomas and Yvonne to sit, while their bodyguards stood in two rows, waiting outside the door.


    "It must be inconvenient for you big stars to go anywhere, having to bring so many bodyguards," Patrick remarked with augh. Then he asked a waiter to bring tea.


    Patrick seemed to be an expert at preparing tea. He picked up the teapot and slowly poured water into the cups, the aroma of tea filling the air.


    Thomas lifted his teacup, took a small sip, and nodded. "Excellent tea."


    "It''s rare to receive such praise from Mr. Taylor," Patrick said with a heartyugh as he poured tea for Yvonne.


    Yvonne raised the cup to her nose, inhaled the scent as if she were drinking it, and then set it down.


    Afterwards, Patrick took out the script, and the three of them began to discuss it, their conversation flowing easily.


    During their discussion, Thomas'' phone rang. He nced at the caller ID and stood up. "That''s my agent. I probably need to handle something. Please excuse me for a moment."


    With that, Thomas left the room with his phone. He stood about thirty feet away from the private room to take the call.


    On the other end of the line, his agent''s voice sounded urgent and frustrated.


    A historical drama starring Thomas had just recently premiered. Thomas had written,posed, and


    performed the ending theme somet


    for the show. But as the series grew popr the song was suddenly. embroiled in giarism scandal online.


    A little-known online influencer was using Thomas of giarizing a song he had releasedst year.


    It sounded ridiculous. Thomas


    an A-list actor; he probably didn''t even know who this influencer w


    let alone have the time to follow him and giarize his song


    But Thomas was such a huge star that even a minor influencer could generate massive buzz by clout-chasing, causing a huge uproar online.


    The choruses of the two songs did sound slightly simr at first listen, but a technical analysis hadpletely ruled out the possibility of giarism.


    ????


    Thepany had already initiated emergency RR and issued an official statement debunking the ims. Now, the agent needed Thomas'' opinion on whether to pursue legal action against the influencer or lete the matter die down and ignore it.


    Thomas, with his assertive personality, insisted on holding the influencer ountable and refused to let it slide.


    The callsted over ten minutes. After hanging up, Thomas headed back to the private room.


    However, when he pushed the door open, the room was eerily silent.


    Patrick was slumped over the table, unconscious.


    And Yvonne was nowhere to be found.


    Thomas froze in the doorway, his mind going nk for a second. He rushed into the


    room and shook Patrick forcefully.


    “Patrick, Patrick, wake up!” He pushed and pulled at him violently, but Patrick remained unconscious.