Chapter 94: Chapter 94

To be honest, every domestic variety show, big or small and popular, wants to collaborate with Sterling Group.

In comparison, the variety show "Food and Love" neither has a good reputation nor popularity, so it’s virtually hopeless.

However, since this episode at least got Anna Thornton trending, Ethan agreed to put in a good word for the director in front of President Sterling.

When the elevator reached the top floor, Ethan first strolled around the secretary’s office area outside the CEO’s office, delivering coffee to the secretaries as he went. As part of his morning banter, he eagerly promoted yesterday’s show, swearing it was the best choice for killing time and entertainment with its hilarious content.

When it was about time to start work, he went to report to the CEO’s office.

Conrad Sterling always starts working earlier than his employees, and he was already in the office preparing for the morning meeting.

Ethan knocked and entered, and Conrad Sterling glanced at him: "Is there something you want to tell me?"

Although Ethan has only worked at Sterling for three years, he has been Conrad’s longest-serving assistant.

It’s not that he’s particularly capable; in fact, Ethan feels the reason he’s lasted so long by Conrad’s side is precisely because he’s not remarkable.

When it comes to excellence, no one can compare to President Sterling, and Conrad doesn’t need to cultivate a second version of himself!

For a position like an assistant, which isn’t highly regarded but needs to be by his side year-round, someone like Ethan is perfect—ordinary, genuine, and easy for Conrad to see through, making it impossible for him to play games under his nose or cause trouble.

"It’s , President Sterling, the director of ’Food and Love’ just called me, asking if there’s hope for sponsorship for the second half of the year."

"Do you think you need to ask me?" Conrad retorted.

"Uh." Ethan already expected President Sterling’s disdain, but since he promised the director, he had to deliver the compliment despite the awkwardness. "I think it’s worth asking. Although the show isn’t well-known, it has its merits. Yesterday’s episode was quite interesting; I wonder if you watched it, President Sterling?"

Conrad Sterling: "...No, I didn’t."

"You really didn’t watch it? That was Miss Thornton’s variety show debut!" Ethan slapped his thigh, looking genuinely regretful.

"Why must I watch her variety debut?"

"Not that, President Sterling. I just think Miss Thornton performed really well on the show. This episode is particularly good; you must watch it if you get the chance."

Hearing this, Conrad Sterling snorted and casually threw the words ’no time’ at Ethan.

"Seriously, President Sterling, even though we were there for the recording, the broadcast version is much more dramatic. Shows really need post-production subtitles and audience commentary for the best effect," Ethan earnestly shared, thinking Conrad wasn’t interested because he’d already seen the live recording.

However, President Sterling was clearly getting impatient: "Let you say one last sentence, then go do your work."

With only one final sentence left, Ethan felt continuing to praise the show would be futile.

After thinking it over, he realized there was nothing more to say.

It seemed there was no chance to secure sponsorship for "Food and Love" from President Sterling after all!

Ethan had never watched this show before, or even heard of it.

The only reason he was so eager to promote it was because of Anna Thornton.

If, as the director said, the show had to be taken down due to insufficient strong sponsorship, according to Ethan Hawthorne’s requirements, it would be a pity.

"President Sterling, my last word... I just think Miss Thornton is quite admirable," Ethan said, realizing too late that his tone seemed a bit melancholy, and quickly made his exit to avoid blame.

But the word had already been spoken, and after Ethan slipped out, Conrad Sterling suddenly put down his documents and picked up his phone.

Clicking on WeChat was almost an instinctive action. There were no new messages, but Anna Thornton had posted a new status an hour ago—[Heading to negotiate with Jennings the Skinner this afternoon, wish me luck! Prayers needed!]

Jennings the Skinner?

Conrad Sterling paused at the nickname, then realized it might be an alias for Jane Jennings.

Did Anna Thornton mean that after joining Dynasty Entertainment, she felt exploited and oppressed? Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn NovєlFіre.net

Even Ethan’s words just now suggested that Conrad Sterling was mistreating her?

The one who insisted on joining Dynasty Entertainment was Anna Thornton herself; Conrad Sterling never promised she’d get preferential treatment in his company.

However, Anna Thornton has made a comeback on her own, and even Jane Jennings in the company has heard of her achievements. Entertainment companies are always sensitive to trends within the industry and can receive news of events immediately. The effects of this episode of "Food and Love" were quite positive, and now several similar culinary shows want to invite Anna Thornton to participate.

After all, a trending topic "How bad is Anna Thornton at cooking" stayed on the hot searches all day, generating considerable discussion.

However, Jane Jennings, who received these variety invitation offers on Anna Thornton’s behalf, did not look happy.

She dismissed her assistant and dialed an unnamed number on her phone.

When the call went through, Jane Jennings directly asked, "Is this how you do business after getting paid?"

"Sorry!" the other side replied, "But there was really nothing that could be done this time. At most water armies can only go with the flow; did you really think we had godlike powers to hype up or suppress a celebrity at will?"

Jane said unwillingly, "Last night there was a large group of netizens united in denouncing Ethan Hawthorne, and the timing seemed perfect."

"Yeah, we tried to seize the moment, pulling Anna Thornton down alongside, wanting to use her to make a statement against Ethan Hawthorne. But there needs to be some evidence of them having a CP vibe or private interactions; who knew the final broadcast would turn out that way? You didn’t tell us in advance that she went on the show purely to mess with the male guest, making all the information we released to guide public opinion useless, wasting our resources," the other side explained.

"And now you’re blaming me?"

"Not at all. We normally handle a lot of such tasks, rare as it is to encounter this kind of failure. If you want to blacken your company’s artist, at least provide us with specific information so we can find a direction," the reply came.

Water army companies, after all, don’t rely solely on having lots of fake antagonists; they also need to employ strategic tactics.

Since Anna Thornton signed with Dynasty Entertainment, she’s been left to her own devices.

She rarely comes to the company. Jane Jennings had given Mary a handful of shows with no prospects as a formality, never paying her any serious attention or caring about how she performed on those shows.

Unexpectedly this time, Anna Thornton really stirred up some waves in stagnant water.

Jane Jennings also didn’t expect that despite Anna Thornton being such a terrible cook, she dare accept invitations to culinary shows.

Though the time and place factors were aligned, people power was lacking... she took an alternative route by reversing her fortunes with dishes like dumplings and cucumber that could make one spit.

Even the people from the water army workshop said they’d never encountered such a situation before.

The netizens who were originally indignant and prepared to denounce Ethan Hawthorne found their attention diverted after seeing the show, and even thought Anna Thornton purposefully cooked poorly to punish Ethan Hawthorne, automatically considering her comrades against him. How could this grudge be stirred up?

Anna Thornton, an unknown minor celebrity, presumably had no idea someone had already plotted a malicious trap against her.

Either she was lucky and hit the mark by accident, winning over the female audience Jane Jennings had planned to rally against her and Ethan Hawthorne.

Otherwise, this woman is too smart!

She appears bold and flamboyant on the surface but isn’t just a pretty face; Anna Thornton is more cautious than she seems, never making decisions lightly, having already thought through various outcomes.

Regardless of whether it was luck or not, Jane Jennings knew blaming anyone now was pointless.

"This time, the matter was not handled well, and I won’t pursue it. Miss Ford doesn’t want to see anyone threatening her position, but President Sterling also does not wish for our company to have dealings with water armies. You understand what I mean, right?"

"But Miss Ford is an award-winning goddess-level actress; how can Anna Thornton, a minor celebrity with little screen time, pose a threat to her? Isn’t it a bit early to suppress her?" the other side wondered.

"That’s none of your concern," she replied.

"Rest assured, Manager Jennings, you can relay to Miss Ford that she needn’t worry. Our workshop only takes tasks under confidentiality agreements, and there are opportunities for future collaborations. With the right opportunity and proper funding, I will definitely help you bring down Anna Thornton," they replied.

"It’s not your concern," Jane Jennings said before hanging up and immediately blocking the number.

Things turned out , and they still want to continue working together?

Given that Jane Jennings is responsible for managing the artists at the entertainment company and is aware that the audience still has some enthusiasm for Anna Thornton, any further action now would be ineffective and might backfire terribly.

So that afternoon, when her assistant reported that Anna Thornton was at the company and wanted to meet her,

Jane Jennings directly refused: "Tell her I’m in a meeting, no time today!"