Long Jinmei muted the television and slowly leaned back against the headboard. Her long hair fell over her shoulders as she stared at the screen without speaking.
Long Jinhai stood near the large window and looked down at the waking city below. Even from that height, they could already see the giant public screens showing the same breaking news.
The world outside was beginning to panic.
But inside the room, the twins remained unusually calm.
Jinmei finally spoke quietly.
"They exposed the evidence earlier than expected."
Jinhai nodded slightly.
"Yes."
Neither of them looked surprised.
For them, the truth had never been a secret.
Those ten young men were not simply actors working under their company.
They were their brothers.
And the woman the world was arguing about…
Was their precious sister-in-law.
Jinhai turned away from the window and picked up his phone again. The security control system of the villa appeared on the screen.
Within seconds he activated multiple commands.
All external gates are locked.
All access roads are restricted.
Surveillance systems increased to maximum alert.
Anyone not registered in the villa's database would not even be able to approach the property.
Only after confirming the final security barrier did he put the phone down.
Jinmei watched him quietly.
"The boys will wake up soon," she said.
Jinhai glanced once more at the television screen filled with headlines and shouting reporters.
His expression remained calm.
"Before they wake up," he said softly, "the world will already be waiting for our answer."
And in less than one hour, that answer would begin at the 7 AM press conference of Sunshine Entertainment.
The press hall of Sunshine Entertainment was already full long before seven in the morning.
Reporters from every major television channel had rushed there the moment the company announced an emergency press conference. Cameras were placed everywhere. Microphones covered the long table prepared at the front of the hall. Bright studio lights made the entire room glow.
Outside the building, hundreds of journalists and photographers were still arriving.
Some news channels had already started broadcasting live.
"Sunshine Entertainment will respond to the biggest entertainment scandal of the year,"
one reporter said to the camera.
"No official statement has been given so far," another journalist added. "But the company owners themselves will address the media."
Inside the hall, the noise slowly grew louder.
Reporters discussed the evidence again and again.
"Ten actors wearing the same ring."
"Shared clothes."
"Joint property purchases."
"Vacation photos."
"And now the mysterious woman identified by fans."
Another journalist whispered to his colleague,
"This press conference may destroy their careers."
A senior reporter shook his head.
"Or it might make the story even bigger."
Suddenly the hall became quiet.
The side door opened.
Two people walked in calmly.
Long Jinhai and Long Jinmei.
Both of them wore simple but elegant business suits. Their expressions were calm and controlled, completely different from the chaotic atmosphere in the room.
The reporters immediately started taking photos.
Flashlights burst again and again.
The twins sat down at the table without showing any nervousness.
Jinhai adjusted the microphone slightly.
"Good morning."
His voice was steady.
"We understand that many questions have appeared today regarding our actors."
Before he could continue, reporters immediately raised their hands.
One journalist stood up quickly.
"CEO Long, is it true that ten actors from your company are in a relationship with one woman?"
The room became silent.
Jinhai answered without hesitation.
"The actors mentioned in the news are long-time friends."
"They have worked together for many years."
Another reporter spoke immediately.
"But the evidence suggests something more than friendship."
Jinmei calmly responded this time.
"The group system used by our company has always been public information."
Several reporters looked confused.
Jinmei continued explaining.
"Some actors work more effectively when they are assigned to projects together.
Because of that, our company organized certain artists into fixed groups."
"The ten actors being discussed today belong to one of those groups."
She looked around the hall.
"From the beginning of their careers until now, they have usually participated in projects that include at least one member from the same group."
Another reporter asked quickly,
"So they always work together?"
"Yes," Jinhai replied. "It makes management easier for the company."
He paused slightly.
"And the public has known this for many years."
A reporter raised another question.
"What about the villa mentioned in the reports?"
Jinhai answered calmly.
"That villa belongs to Sunshine Entertainment."
"It was assigned by the company for the actors in that group to stay together."
"Living in the same place makes scheduling and project coordination much easier."
A different journalist raised his voice slightly.
"But what about the woman in the scandal?"
The room grew silent again.
Jinmei spoke clearly.
"There is no mysterious woman."
Many reporters immediately started whispering.
One journalist said quickly,
"But the reports say the identity of the woman was hidden."
Jinmei shook her head slightly.
"The person shown in the photos is Suriya."
Several reporters typed the name into their devices.
"She has been seen with the actors before,"
Jinmei continued. "Many fans already know this."
Another journalist asked,
"Then why are people saying she suddenly appeared?"
Jinhai replied calmly.
"She did not suddenly appear."
"Suriya first began staying with the group after their trip to the Himalayas."
"She has been living in the same villa since that time."
The reporters quickly wrote down every word.
Another question came immediately.
"But there are photos showing the actors sharing rings, clothes, and accessories."
Jinhai nodded slightly.
"Yes."
He showed no attempt to deny it.
"The members of that group are extremely close."
"They have known each other for a long time."
"Sharing personal items is not unusual among close friends."
Some reporters looked doubtful, but they continued listening.
Another journalist spoke.
"What about the luxury women's items purchased by the actors?"
Jinmei answered calmly.
"People often buy gifts for friends."
"That is not unusual."
Another reporter raised a printed photograph.
"This ring was given to Starlight Jewellery ambassador Long Yuze. The company confirmed that only one piece exists. But all ten actors were photographed wearing it."
Jinhai looked at the photo briefly.
"Yes."
He answered without hesitation.
"They shared it."
A few reporters exchanged surprised looks.
Jinhai continued speaking calmly.
"The ring had symbolic meaning for their group."
Another journalist asked quickly,
"So the actors regularly share items with each other?"
"Yes."
The reporters continued asking questions rapidly.
"What about the photos showing them sleeping in the same place?"
Jinmei replied calmly.
"The group often gathers together when their schedules allow it."
"They have been close for many years."
Another reporter asked,
"Did your company know that someone was secretly photographing them?"
Jinhai's expression became slightly serious.
"No."
He paused briefly.
"Until today, the actors themselves did not realize someone had been following them outside their work schedule."
The reporters immediately began whispering again.
"So security failed?"
Jinmei responded firmly.
"Our company takes artist safety very seriously."
She continued,
"Security for the group has already been increased starting this morning."
Another reporter raised his voice.
"Will the actors speak publicly about the relationship rumors?"
Jinmei answered calmly.
"At the moment there is nothing further to announce."
"We ask the public to avoid spreading unnecessary speculation."
The reporters continued writing quickly.
Across the world, millions of viewers were watching the live broadcast.
Some believed the explanation.
Others did not.
But one thing was certain.
The story had only just begun.