Chapter 53: This Melon is Guaranteed Ripe

Chapter 53: Chapter 53: This Melon is Guaranteed Ripe

Back in the CEO’s office.

Rian Sinclair relaxed her entire body, sinking into her office chair. Quentin Sinclair sat next to her, typing away and making non-stop edits on his computer.

"Quentin, have you finalized the termination list?" she asked. "We also need the list of artists whose contracts are being canceled. After that, we’ll bring in some fresh blood. Also, we need to speed up the development of new film, television, and variety show scripts."

"The termination list was already completed back in the conference room, and the list of artists for contract cancellation will be ready shortly. How should we handle the Z-listers and the artists who have been shelved?"

"Give them a choice. If they’re willing to stay, we’ll renegotiate their contracts and allocate resources based on their actual abilities. As long as they keep their noses clean and do their jobs, they won’t lack opportunities." Rian flipped through the documents in her hands. "Also, provide compensation to those who choose to leave. For those who stay, we’ll prioritize resources based on whether they are truly competent enough to handle them."

"Understood, Miss. Once the termination notices are sent out, they will complete their offboarding within three days. I am also following up on current work arrangements. Film and television shoots are proceeding normally. Regarding the variety shows, do you have any specific ideas, Miss?"

Rian thought for a moment. There were plenty of variety shows on the market right now—dating shows, rural life experiences, mystery-solving games—but their company didn’t have a single flagship program to its name.

"Lean toward the survival genre. Wilderness survival, deserted island survival, that sort of thing." Recalling the events of the day, Rian continued, "Bring in the fresh blood. We can also poach artists from other companies—specifically those who were falsely labeled as ’problematic’ but actually have good character, the ones who were just unfairly targeted by internet mobs. Toss them into the mix along with some *genuinely* problematic artists from rival agencies. We’ll use the other companies as stepping stones to elevate ourselves."

She wasn’t known for her good temper. Taking over this entertainment company meant she, as the new boss, needed to establish her dominance. Making an example out of a few was the most straightforward and brutal method. She would tear down the corrupt agencies to pave the way for her own company’s growth.

This was Rian’s initial idea, though putting it into practice would likely come with some challenges. The follow-up execution would largely depend on how Quentin arranged things.

Checking the financial records, Rian pointed to a profile picture of a man in a suit wearing black-rimmed glasses.

A ruthless glint flashed through her eyes. "There’s a problem with the people in the finance department. The income and expenses on the books don’t match up at all. When we fire them, make sure they spit out every single cent they embezzled. If they can’t cough it up, they can rot in prison for the rest of their lives.

"If we run short on funds at any point, tell me. I might not have much else, but I have plenty of money."

"Understood."

A short while later.

Ian Collins brought Grayson and Ron Sherman to the CEO’s office. Ian’s mind was full of questions; he truly had no idea why the big boss had called the three of them in privately after the meeting had ended.

He wondered if the big boss was unhappy that the three of them had formed a little clique. But that shouldn’t be the case! Given the big boss’s broad-mindedness, she wouldn’t care about something so petty!

Grayson, on the other hand, was feeling rather depressed. Ever since he found out about certain illicit matters, he had been trying to figure out a plan. But now the culprits had been kicked out of the company entirely. Where was he supposed to find evidence now?

"Come in."

Receiving permission, the three men pushed the door open and entered.

Rian finally looked up when she saw them. As the representative of the trio, Ian naturally spoke first. "President Rian, is there a specific reason you called the three of us in privately?"

"The HR department will probably be overwhelmed with the terminations," she said. "I want the three of you to go help them out. My special assistant will send you the list."

"Huh?" The three men were stunned. They had thought they were being called in for a private dressing-down, but it turned out they were just here to help HR process offboarding paperwork?

Rian looked up with a smile. "What? Unwilling?"

"No, no, no, we’re willing!" Ian knew that if the big boss was assigning them tasks, it meant the three of them were in the clear. Moreover, with the sheer boldness their new boss possessed, it was only a matter of time before their company reached the top of the industry!

"Communicate with my special assistant for any follow-up matters."

Prompted by this, Quentin immediately spoke up. "Hello, I am Quentin Sinclair. If you are unsure about anything, you can speak to me first, and I will follow up with the boss."

Meanwhile, Rian flipped through the variety show pitches that had been submitted. None of them had a unique style, and they weren’t appealing in the slightest. Variety shows were clearly still a major weakness for their company.

Grayson noticed her demeanor. "President Rian, is there something else you need arranged?"

Rian was pleased to see Grayson finally speak up. Excellent. The fish had taken the bait.

"I have a concept for a variety show here. The concept is quite exceptional, and if we film it, it will absolutely be a massive hit. However, it will definitely offend some people."

As a company executive, Ian was well aware of their current situation. The moment he heard the big boss had a hit variety show concept, his eyes burned with fierce enthusiasm.

"President Rian, what kind of show is it? If it’s a guaranteed hit, why should we care about offending anyone!"

Rian paused for a moment before saying, "In today’s entertainment industry, you can know a person’s face but not their heart. Some are dancing on the edge of the law, and others have already broken it."

Grayson hadn’t been very interested at first. His main goal was to investigate the dark secrets of the entertainment circle, so he couldn’t have cared less about some hit variety show. But the moment he heard the big boss’s words, his ears instantly perked up.

Catching Grayson’s gaze, Rian continued, "This variety show will be called *Expelled from the Entertainment Industry*. It will be broadcast via live stream. We can invite a hundred artists per episode, regardless of their current status, and lure them in with massive cash rewards. Those facing financial difficulties definitely won’t be able to resist the temptation. They’ll expose the little secrets of the people who have been oppressing them. In short—scandals."

Grayson lowered his eyes in deep thought. "This concept is actually quite good, but what if the artists we invite refuse to come? Furthermore, who will verify the authenticity of these scandals? Without solid evidence, throwing wild accusations won’t be enough to convince the public."

Ian listened from the sidelines, looking back and forth between Rian and Grayson. Great, just great. They weren’t even considering who they might offend, were they? To put it bluntly, a variety show like this was basically a total purge of the entertainment industry!

Without a rock-solid backer, there was no way this show could even get off the ground. Their company wasn’t the only one with artists. There were rival agencies, and the power players backing those agencies were not to be underestimated. Once this variety show aired...

Ian looked at Rian. She was basically tossing herself onto a roasting spit! He wanted to cry but had no tears left.

The two of them were still discussing it, not mentioning the risk of offending anyone at all... Oh no, they wouldn’t just be offending a few people. They would be offending the *entire* entertainment industry, plus the capitalist elites behind it!

"You don’t need to worry about verification," Rian said. "I have my ways. I guarantee that all the information we obtain will be completely accurate. We will never falsely accuse a good person, but we will never shield a bad one either."

Hearing the big boss’s response, Grayson realized this variety show was highly feasible. Forget about it just being popular—it was guaranteed to be a viral sensation!

What did ordinary people love to do the most? Gossip, of course! That love for drama was carved right into the bones of every Veridian! And this would be high-tier entertainment industry gossip that most people could never access. What’s more, someone would actually be fact-checking the drama.

In short—this tea came with receipts!

"President Rian, this show will work! It will definitely be a massive hit! How soon can we start filming?!" Grayson’s eyes were filled with urgency, practically screaming—*Let’s film it now! Hurry up!*

Rian shook her head with a melancholy sigh. "We can’t do it. If we film this, we won’t just be offending a few individuals; we’ll be offending the entire entertainment industry. We’d be touching the capitalists’ piece of the pie. With my current level of influence, I’m afraid I can’t pull it off... It’s truly a pity! If only we had..."

Rian hesitated, swallowing the rest of her sentence. She shook her head dejectedly, her face filled with sorrow. "But I’m afraid he wouldn’t be willing!"