44: The truth is out, and the consequences are self-inflicted

The waiter’s tearful accusation was the final straw, completely crushing the elaborate lie concocted by Wang Hong and Zhang Yang.

The entire banquet hall fell into a suffocating silence.

If Lin Da’s earlier defense had only made everyone suspicious of the truth, then at this moment, the waiter’s public confession was like a sharp dagger, nakedly exposing all the schemes and calculations to the light of day!

Everyone’s gazes, like poisoned arrows, shot in unison towards Wang Hong and Zhang Yang, whose faces were ashen and who were swaying precariously.

“No… it’s not like that! You… you’re talking nonsense! You’re slandering us!” Wang Hong’s sharp voice pierced the silence.

She pointed at the kneeling waiter, screaming hysterically, trying to make a final struggle, “It must be him! It must be him and Lin Da colluding to deliberately frame us!”

Zhang Yang also seemed to grasp at a life-saving straw and quickly echoed, “Right! Exactly! They colluded! Our Xinghui Entertainment is a big company with a large business, how could we use such despicable methods to frame an unknown newcomer? This is completely illogical!”

However, their pale and feeble defense appeared so ridiculous and futile in the face of ironclad facts.

Everyone present was shrewd; who couldn't see the trickery involved?

The passive effect of the Eye of Truth allowed Lin Da to clearly see that when Wang Hong and Zhang Yang spoke, their eyes were filled with panic and fear, utterly lacking confidence.

Lin Da looked at their outwardly fierce but inwardly timid appearance, a cold arc forming at the corner of his mouth.

He did not say anything more, because he knew that at this moment, he no longer needed to speak.

The public’s eyes are sharp.

“Illogical?” Li Shengshi’s loud and somewhat mocking voice echoed through the banquet hall, “I think the most illogical thing is that some people think they’re smart, but treat everyone else as fools!”

He slowly walked in front of Wang Hong and Zhang Yang, his gaze as sharp as a knife, and the powerful aura of an industry giant emanating from him almost suffocated the two of them.

“President Wang, Young Master Zhang,” Li Shengshi’s voice was bone-chillingly cold, “I don’t care how big your Xinghui Entertainment is or how vast your business is.

But on my territory, in the Beijing Circle film and television industry, playing such tricks of false accusation and malicious slander is absolutely unacceptable!”

He paused, his tone carrying an undeniable authority: “Today’s matter is extremely egregious! It not only damaged Mr. Lin Da’s reputation but also severely disrupted the normal order of our industry! I, Li Shengshi, will never stand idly by!”

Wang Hong and Zhang Yang turned ashen at Li Shengshi’s words, their bodies beginning to tremble slightly.

They knew that this time, they had truly hit a brick wall!

Li Shengshi’s status and influence in the Beijing Circle film and television industry were far beyond what Xinghui Entertainment could compare to.

Offending him would have unimaginable consequences!

“Chairman Li… Chairman Li, please… please listen to our explanation…” Wang Hong still wanted to make a final struggle.

“Explain?” Li Shengshi sneered, “The facts are clear, with conclusive human and material evidence (referring to the waiter’s testimony and the security guard’s flaws), how else do you want to explain? Do you want me to pull up the surveillance footage and let everyone enjoy how you meticulously planned this ‘good show’?”

At these words, Wang Hong and Zhang Yang’s faces turned completely ashen.

They knew everything was over.

The Hotel Manager also hurried forward, bowing repeatedly to Li Shengshi and Mr. Lin, apologizing: “Chairman Li, Mr. Lin, I am truly sorry! It was our hotel’s oversight in management, allowing such a scoundrel to sneak in and almost cause a major mistake!

On behalf of the hotel, I extend our sincerest apologies to both of you! The implicated security guard has been apprehended, and we will deal with him severely, without leniency! As for this waiter…”

He glanced at the waiter trembling on the ground and sighed: “Although he was instigated, he still made a mistake, and we will deal with him according to the hotel’s regulations.”

Lin Da looked at the sobbing waiter, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

Though he was detestable, he was indeed pitiable.

“Chairman Li, Hotel Manager,” Lin Da slowly began, his voice calm yet carrying a convincing power, “Since the truth has come to light, I think this matter can end here.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the pale-faced Wang Hong and Zhang Yang, his tone indifferent: “As for certain individuals, I believe justice resides in people’s hearts.

Everything they did today will surely come at a price.”

His words were neither humble nor overbearing, neither relentlessly pursuing nor easily letting go, demonstrating a maturity and demeanor unbefitting his age.

Li Shengshi nodded approvingly: “My young friend Lin said it well! Justice resides in people’s hearts! Some people really need to reflect properly!”

He turned to the Hotel Manager and said, “The follow-up matters will be handled by you.

Be sure to give me a satisfactory answer!”

“Yes, yes, yes! Chairman Li, rest assured!” The Hotel Manager felt as if he had been granted a great pardon.

A meticulously planned frame-up ultimately ended in the disastrous defeat of Wang Hong and Zhang Yang.

Not only did they fail to tarnish Lin Da’s reputation, but they also ruined their own, becoming the laughingstock of the entire Beijing Circle film and television industry.

It was foreseeable that in the days to come, the situation for Xinghui Entertainment and Zhang Yang would become exceedingly difficult.

As for Wang Hong, the instigator, she would likely not escape the fate of being abandoned by the company.

As for the security guard who was used as a pawn, and the waiter who was momentarily confused, they would also inevitably pay the price for their actions.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall became somewhat subtle after this sudden upheaval.

Those who had previously held a wait-and-see attitude or skepticism towards Lin Da now looked at him with admiration and… a hint of awe.

This young man not only possessed outstanding acting skills, but his temperament was also terrifyingly composed!

Facing such malicious framing, he was able to remain calm in the face of danger and resolve it with composure; this wisdom and courage were truly astonishing!

And Lin Da, under the gaze of everyone, still maintained his calm and composed demeanor.

He knew that this victory was just a small interlude on his path to fame in the capital.

The real challenges were yet to come.

Just then, the system’s prompt sounded in his mind again:

“Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully resolving the malicious framing incident targeting himself, and for gaining widespread recognition through wisdom and strength!”

“The second phase objective of [Path of the Golden Supporting Actor]: ‘Gaining Fame in the Capital,’ ‘Character Reputation Score reaching above 8.0 (professional film review website standard)’ has achieved overwhelming positive public opinion support!”

“Ding! Host’s prestige value has greatly increased, current prestige value: 3500 points.”

“Ding! Due to the host’s excellent psychological quality and adaptability demonstrated in crisis management, the proficiency of the [Aura Control (Beginner)] skill has increased! The proficiency of the [Language of Truth (Beginner)] skill has increased!”

“Ding! New items unlocked in the system store: [Crisis Warning Card (One-time)], [Acting Master Experience Card (Fragment)].”

The generous rewards made Lin Da even more delighted.

It seemed that sometimes, crisis also meant opportunity.

He raised his wine glass, toasted Li Shengshi from a distance, and a confident smile appeared on his lips.

He would continue to perform this play in the capital, and he would perform it even more wonderfully!