Chapter 39: Persona Collapse

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Persona Collapse

Everyone thought Wendy Aldridge would be ashamed or at a loss at this moment, but unexpectedly, she was full of energy, with a faint smile at the corners of her lips, holding her apology letter—not like she was about to apologize, more like she’d just won some honor, ready to recite a pledge.

Snort～

The viewers in the livestream room were all a bit dumbfounded, doubting if they were watching a fake stream, and quite a few even went back to check the replay.

Once Wendy Aldridge stood in the center of the group, she straightened her shoulders, lifted her chin and looked at everyone, as well as the 360-degree cameras around, her lips curving into a gentle smile.

Wendy Aldridge lowered her face, the breeze brushing her hair, let out a low laugh, and then spoke in that soft-as-water tone: "Dear instructor, squad leader, and teammates... Thinking back on what I’ve done, I’m still annoyed and regretful."

Renee, with sincere feelings, I apologize to you. I’m sorry. And at the same time, I need to be honest with you and everyone about something."

Everyone pricked up their ears.

The livestream viewers were waiting for some juicy drama.

Wendy Aldridge closed her eyes, a feeble face passing through guilt, regret, and finally a kind of self-forgiveness, like she’d finally mustered the courage. She opened her eyes and sighed softly: "I locked the door yesterday morning!" ℴ

The crowd’s eyes flashed with disbelief—not disbelief that Wendy could do such a thing, but that she dared to admit it so bluntly. Wasn’t she afraid of getting canceled by netizens?

Even though audiences today are much more lenient about celebrities’ morality compared to before, it doesn’t mean there are no bottom lines. As long as it’s not a fundamental issue, PR can handle it.

But during these times, which celeb hasn’t hidden away like a rat for a while to let people forget? Who dares to face the camera directly? Isn’t that making things bigger and putting yourself right in the storm?

The scene was silent for a few seconds. The squad leader frowned, recalling the apology letter from this morning—the draft he gave her—something felt off?

The director of the program was glued to the livestream feed, never expected Wendy would actually say such a thing. But now, anything involving Renee Morgan would blow up. As soon as Wendy finished, he quickly cut the main camera to Renee Morgan.

Everyone on site and in the livestream focused their gaze almost unanimously on Renee Morgan.

Renee always knew Wendy was a ruthless one. Reality proved she was right: seeing her own situation collapsing Wendy dared to walk the razor’s edge, pull a fast one, and admit her guilt right in front of everyone. This kind of preemptive confession is way better than the coach announcing the offense and getting forced into a public apology by netizens.

Her posture was upright, her face cold and detached, completely unmoved. Only her beautiful eyes, when looking at Wendy, showed an unexpected indifference—no anger, disdain, sarcasm, or contempt. More like she was simply used to dealing with clowns.

The catfight the netizens expected didn’t happen. They were hugely disappointed; it seemed the whole thing was always Wendy’s one-sided provocation?

Wendy noticed the shift in everyone’s gaze. Her fingernail tore the corner of the apology letter. Renee’s so damn calm, huh? Too bad, today I’m riding your heat, making sure everyone sees me.

So what if your luck’s good? In the end, you’ll be my stepping stone.

Wendy pulled her gaze back, lowered her eyes like she was checking her apology letter, lips curving into a twisted grin. When she looked again, the expression was gentle, full of apology; the change was so fast the cameras could barely catch it.

Wendy’s tone couldn’t be more sincere: "Why did I do this? I misunderstood the relationship between Renee Morgan and her exclusive PD staff, wanted to give them opportunities. And I’m a girl, I get jealous and feel upset—felt Renee was too favored by the production team, wanted to expose their relationship."

I know it’s childish, irrational—not an excuse for what I did. I’m determined to change.

These petty thoughts of women, I really despise them. Hope everyone, including Renee, can forgive me, give me a chance to make amends."

The squad leader’s eyebrows scrunched so tight they could squash a fly. He was now sure that the apology letter Wendy gave him was completely different; most of it was the same, but the differences were enough to turn a proper apology into a suggestive essay full of implications.

Lynn Miller and Miles Yates exchanged looks, brows tightly furrowed. Wendy’s so-called apology: absolutely not an apology—she was obviously throwing shade at Renee. What does she mean by "misunderstood Renee’s relationship with her exclusive PD staff"? And "Renee’s too favored by the production team"? Put together, those lines invite all sorts of speculation—hinting at something between Renee and the male staff.

The gossip-hungry livestream viewers were shocked, wondering if their badass Sasha Renee Morgan was secretly a seductress, running a harem among the production crew?

The scrolling comments are filled with wild speculations, nasty jabs. Renee Morgan’s stellar public image is crumbling fast.

The viewership numbers are exploding, comments flying everywhere, blossoms covering the screen—but mostly disbelief at how their hard-won variety show goddess is getting destroyed just like this.

[...]

Wendy Aldridge finished her apology and stepped down from the center, returning to the group.

The atmosphere suddenly felt frighteningly still. Nobody spoke.

Lynn Miller nervously approached Renee Morgan: "Morgan, what she said is seriously way out of line..."

Renee Morgan took a few deep breaths, stood firmly, raised her hand and saluted: "Report to the squad leader, I want to see the instructor."

The squad leader frowned, wanting to refuse Renee’s request.

Renee Morgan spoke up again: "I want to ask the instructor face-to-face—why was this apology letter approved for Wendy Aldridge to read out?"

The comments were still flying, but many people had cooled off, looking at the livestream and chiming in with confusion:

[Heh, Renee Morgan is hilarious. Her own scandal got exposed, now she’s furious at the coach? Or trying to drag the coach in for a forced whitewash?]

[Obviously she wants the coach to step in and calm things down. Let’s see if her idiot fans buy it.]

[People say: ’If you’re innocent, your shadow won’t be crooked.’ Renee Morgan really should reflect. Even if things aren’t as everyone suspects, her relationships with the crew are probably shady. I know tons of girls who flirt around—some have husbands, but still joke and mess around with guys, even their friends’ husbands. No boundaries, sharing water bottles, claiming they’re just thirsty. Heh, girls like that are the worst.]