It wasn't surprising at all.
The very next day, the entertainment media had already caught wind of the gossip that Anita Moore was dating a mysterious man. The story spread like wildfire, quickly climbing to the top of the trending searches on the internet.
Fans and onlookers alike were dying to know who the mysterious man was.
The more the paparazzi dug into the story, the more excited they became. They were determined to uncover the identity of this elusive figure.
Hater, always eager to redeem himself, saw an opportunity to make up for his previous blunders.
On the second day, he planted himself again outside Anita Moore's filming set.
To his surprise, the mysterious man showed up once more.
This was his chance!
Hater swore that this time, he would uncover the identity of this elusive man once and for all.
He hadn't paid much attention to entertainment gossip before, but Kate Williams had mentioned it to him earlier that morning. John Lopez, rather than laying low, had boldly returned to visit Anita Moore in public.
Anita Moore, on the other hand, seemed entirely unbothered by the media frenzy. She was focused on her filming, chatting and laughing with John Lopez during breaks, showing no concern at all about arousing suspicion.
Unlike many young actors, who marketed themselves as single in order to attract more fans, Anita Moore had no such worries. She didn't feel the need to keep up appearances or pander to her fans. She was confident in her acting talent and didn't need to hide her personal life.
Her authenticity was part of what made her so admired in the industry. Many younger actors could only dream of having the same level of independence and skill that Anita Moore had.
After his visit, John Lopez left the set.
But today, he didn't ride his bike with the oversized wheels. Instead, he hailed a taxi by the roadside.
Once inside, he leaned forward and asked the driver, "Hey, do you know any places around here where men go to have a good time?"
The previous location had been blown up, so he needed a new spot.
No one knew the ins and outs of local brothels better than a taxi driver.
As for John Lopez's purpose… well, it was obvious. He wanted to mess with the paparazzi.
The driver, seasoned and perceptive, understood what was going on the moment he heard the question. With a knowing tone, he responded, "Buddy, what price range are you looking for? I know a few places."
"The cheapest one," John Lopez replied casually.
"The cheapest one?" The driver glanced at him through the rearview mirror, sizing him up. "Look, buddy, I don't think you're the type to go for that low-end stuff. You're dressed pretty well. How about I take you to a high-end nightclub? You might meet a few rich girls there. Might help you blow off some steam."
John Lopez waved his hand dismissively. "Nah, I like the low-end places."
The driver shook his head in amusement, clearly thinking John Lopez had some strange tastes, but didn't press the issue. He stomped on the gas and took him to a narrow, dilapidated alley.
Once they arrived and John Lopez paid the fare, the driver stuck his head out of the window, still offering advice. "Look, buddy, don't take this the wrong way, but you're young and good-looking. You shouldn't be wasting your time in places like this. It's beneath you. There are plenty of good girls out there who'd be happy to date you."
John Lopez grinned. "You're right. I'll think about it on my way back."
As the driver left, John Lopez didn't immediately enter the alley. Instead, he walked around, casually scanning his surroundings. Then, a familiar sight caught his eye—a paparazzi, poorly hidden, was tailing him.
It was Hater.
Of course. John Lopez couldn't help but chuckle. He had expected it.
The paparazzi had been following him from the filming set all the way here. Now, John Lopez was in the perfect position to play along and have some fun with him.
His grin spread wider, knowing he'd have the last laugh.
Meanwhile, Hater, who was crouching behind a corner, ground his teeth in frustration.
"Did he do this again?" Hater muttered to himself. "This guy's really messing with me now. He's trying to pull the same stunt today."
Determined not to fall for the same trick twice, Hater was more prepared this time. He had brought along his "golden partner," a fellow paparazzo, who was hiding in the shadows and ready to collect evidence from a distance.
"I'm going to get to the bottom of this. Once I expose him, I'll make a fortune off Anita Moore. From then on, I'll be living the high life, no more being a paparazzi!" Hater thought, his mind already racing with the possibilities.
Feeling confident, he started to get closer to John Lopez, who seemed oblivious to his presence.
But just as Hater was about to snap the perfect shot, the police arrived—again.
The same officers, the same Hater. The only difference was that this time, one of Hater's partners had been caught.
The director of the Anti-vice Group nearly burst into laughter as he looked at Hater. "You again? You just got here yesterday, and now you're back for more? Think you're making a name for yourself bringing a friend along?"
Hater, panicked, immediately barked orders at his golden partner. "Damn it! I told you to keep your distance and watch from afar! Why'd you come in?"
The partner stammered, "I… I don't know what happened. My brain went blank, and before I knew it, I was already inside."
The director, piecing the situation together, raised an eyebrow. "So, you sent someone to monitor the police, and the guy got so excited he ended up joining in on the illegal activities? Looks like the lesson from yesterday didn't stick."
Tears of frustration welled up in Hater's eyes. "Sir, please, it's a misunderstanding!"
"A misunderstanding again?" The officer rolled his eyes. "Put your hands on your head and squat against the wall."