Seeing such comments, Laila didn't find it particularly surprising, but Roy was infuriated.
"I'm much more handsome than him, aren't I? How could you be interested in him?"
When Laila received his call, she was a bit confused, not knowing where his words were coming from. Who did she become interested in?
After hearing him explain, she understood what was going on.
"Do you actually believe the online comments?" She couldn't help but find it amusing. "If I took all of those to heart, I would have been dead from anger long ago."
When it came to criticism, how many people could keep up with the number of times she had been criticized? Since the release of her first movie, every time she made a move, she would face a wave of various criticisms. Cooper's existence was nauseating; with him at the forefront, wasn't she constantly criticized in newspapers and on TV? When had she ever taken it seriously?
Roy also knew this, but those words made him furious. On one hand, was his beloved girlfriend, and on the other was his good friend. Bringing up something between the two of them was truly disgusting.
Especially those comments portraying him as a fool, oblivious to a friend stealing his girlfriend. Each description was vivid, and he could imagine the scenario even with his eyes closed.
"Didn't you say the girl was found? How's it going now? Any new discoveries?"
Laila remembered there were new developments she hadn't told him about, "That's right, there are indeed new things. Tell Downey for me, let him stay at home and wait patiently, or he can go abroad for a short trip. He shouldn't come back for the time being."
"Why? Are you saying it will take a while to clear things up?" Roy frowned. "The movie is set to be released in a month; is there still enough time?"
The movie was scheduled to be released at the end of June, with a little over a month left. Now, just before the release, the main actor, Downey, wasn't present. What kind of promotion was that? A group of supporting actors and crew members playing house while promoting?
Moreover, at this time, Downey couldn't participate in the promotion. Until the matter was resolved, even if he participated, he might be pelted with tomatoes and rotten eggs on stage. It was better for him to stay at home honestly.
Laila smiled confidently, "Don't worry, there's plenty of time."
"Don't forget to leave time for Downey to do the promotion."
"There's no need to ask about that. Don't you think he's already quite popular now? What promotion could be better than now?"
Roy rolled his eyes, "Do you call the current situation promotion?"
"Otherwise?" Laila imagined his expression at the moment, it must be amusing. "As long as there's attention, it's promotion. Do you think people would have known about Downey's upcoming movie before the incident? And now, how many people know?"
Roy found himself speechless. He felt that what she said was wrong, but the facts seemed to support her words.
"You win, I can't argue with you." He could only surrender.
Laila heard the reluctance in his voice and silently laughed while holding the phone. In fact, it was a matter of perspective. Her views were much more advanced than his and those of everyone else at the moment, and her ability to accept was relatively stronger.
In the entertainment industry where she lived in the future, being unafraid of looking ugly, being criticized, and being scolded were all part of the package. As long as there was attention, one was a star.
Just like some internet celebrities who became famous for looking ugly. The more people scolded them, the more famous they became, and the more famous they became, the more business opportunities they had. Being scolded was also attention; if no one paid attention to your actions, how could they scold you? In turn, business opportunities and exposure followed. Why hesitate?
The same applied to Downey's situation. Right now, he was in the vortex of public opinion, receiving attention from various quarters. Among these people, apart from those genuinely concerned about him, most were just there for the fun or had ulterior motives. Faaris had spent a lot of money to smear him, and Laila's competitors were stirring up trouble to suppress the impact of her movie.
At this moment, Downey couldn't participate in the promotion. Even if the matter was eventually cleared up, being dug up like this with all the negative details revealed, what kind of future prospects did he have?
Who would like a star with so much dirt on them?
At least Anthony didn't want his child to chase after such a star. If they were to chase someone, it should be someone like their young boss. Young, talented, and intelligent, that was the true idol worth emulating.
Even if Anthony knew what evidence Laila had in her hands, he probably wouldn't understand the crucial significance.
Laila's intentions were simple: one was to "turn over a new leaf," and the other was to make the "prodigal son return." Well, these two points were quite similar.
The harsher she criticized Downey now, the more benefits he would gain in the future when all the truths came out. Just saving an underage girl already gave him the title of a hero. Not to mention transforming from an irredeemable bad guy to a hero. It was truly worthy of respect!