Thug and Idol: 10X Rewards Second Identity System

A few moments later, Tristan pulled himself together.

'Look at the positive side. The controversy grows, and you still have plenty of allies on top of all the negative attention. It will actually boost the album sales!'

The only problem was that there were plenty of people who actually believed Gabrielle.

'There might be photos or videos made by other people in that moment which might disprove Gabrielle's words, but it seems unlikely. Otherwise, the people who took them would've spoken up already. But perhaps… There's something among Gabrielle's own files.'

With an evil smirk, Tristan made a fresh social account, put some photos from the Internet there to make it look like a real person, and began coming up with a message.

People who came up with stunts like these usually wanted attention… So Tristan wrote a very attentive message. It was all, "ohmygooood, I'm so sorry that you went through that shit!!!" and "I just wanted to say that I really want to support you!!! I followed your art page for a while, you are amazing!!!". And appropriate emojis.

And to the end, Tristan added an image file with an explanation of, "I drew something myself to cheer you up, queen!"

The image was a postcard with badly drawn kittens and hearts, which Tristan, without shame, found online. It was infected with Tristan's old reliable Beholder virus.

Feeling much better already, Tristan sent the message and spent his time doing much more productive things, while Derek poured water on all the online fires.

***

Vargas didn't disappoint and his report came a day after his previous one, just as Tristan asked.

[Got some guys to ask around post-haste, and they brought the results, boss. The people of interest will be in a charity gala in two weeks to gather money for some fund. For some kid sickness, I can't even spell it. They will represent the LAPD and shake hands with rich guys for police funding.

What's good for us is that invitations are not only gifted, they are also bought—all profit goes to the charity. Price is $100000. You still want to send someone?]

Tristan's eye twitched at the sum.

He could absolutely afford it, but it was going to add another reason he disliked the LA Chief of Police. Besides the fact that he was Chief of Police and way too good at his job.

[Yes, I still want to send someone, Vargas. But that person's involvement will be a secret, and I'm not telling anyone their name. What matters is that we will get the information.]

[But then who's going to arrange everything? The invitations are all named, so you will have to tell the organizer who you are buying an invitation for.]

Tristan huffed.

[Just forget about this all, Vargas. You did your job—astoundingly—and the rest isn't your problem.]

[As you say, boss.]

Tristan nodded, even though Vargas couldn't see it.

Thankfully, with all the points he put into the strategy skill, pulling out 100 thousand dollars on Tristan's personal account wasn't too hard. There was enough money saved in currency amid Tristan's criminal trade kingdom.

But he didn't actually do it. He had a potentially better idea.

For now, he went through the night simply dealing with his administrative work.

***

Next morning.

"Derek, I have an idea. I need to do something charitable. Something nice." Tristan announced to his manager.

This time they met in person, sharing a breakfast in a restaurant near Tristan's Los Angeles apartment.

Derek paused over his eggs-and-bacon and looked at Tristan questioningly.

"What are you talking about, Mr. Gemello?"

Today he was wearing a leopard-print tie with a brown suit.

The manager always dressed eclectically, but since the release of "Kinds of Animals" album, Derek almost always wore something animal-inspired.

It was flattering, and a crime against fashion.

'Good for Derek that I'm a criminal myself,' Tristan chuckled inwardly.

"I'm talking about donating to a charity by visiting one of those fancy charity galas," Tristan said. "One is going to happen soon, and I have just earned a ton of money I can burn. I'm going to buy myself a cool car, and then drive it to this charity. Should be able to afford both."

Derek eyed Tristan with a hint of caution. He knew Tristan long enough to recognize an idea with some deeper motives than the ones Tristan himself shared.

He also knew that if he had an Idea (with a capital letter), Tristan would go through it either way.

"You sound like you have something specific in mind, Mr. Gemello."

Tristan's face grew more serious.

'I was too enthusiastic about it… Damn… Lying to people whom you only meet occasionally is much harder than to play a role all the time. Especially when it means hiding knowledge. At least my criminal underbosses just assume that I know things because I'm that cool.'

It didn't feel good to have Derek suspicious. But at least, there was still a bright blue and red thread of a relationship between them: loyalty with some genuine care.

"As a matter of fact, I do, Derek. I looked things up, and there's a charity that happens soon. Invitations cost a lot, but it will show gossipers I'm not a total asshole. At least some of them." Tristan narrowed his eyes. "I also want to sue Gabriella, but I know it will work much better if I have evidence against you."

Derek nodded.

"Her accusation is serious enough to actually warrant a lawsuit, but if you only have eyewitnesses, then you might win the fight, but not the war. A charity… Well, it's not the worst thing to do with money. Do you need help with arranging things for it?"

Tristan beamed.

"Yes. Derek, this will be very helpful. And… while you are at it, look up for a personal assistant for me. You need some help with your workload."

Derek chuckled.

"This workload is a pleasure, trust me. With a rising star like you under my wing… But I will do as you ask, of course. Do you have any preferences about your PA?"