Please Take Me Home, Daddy - Chapter 360: Chapter 360

Evan's mind was racing. He couldn't afford to be caught in a lie and shift the blame onto Laura—his reputation with the public would be utterly destroyed!
But he didn't need to overreact. After all, Elsie was a seasoned agent. Perhaps she could get the video deleted. All he had to do was firmly deny everything during this critical period. Investigations into the video would take time anyway.
With a scowl, Evan spoke up, "Listen, kid, I've had it with you. I've been nothing but nice, and this is how you repay me? Find someone else then. I can't deal with an ungrateful brat like you on set. I'm out. Happy now?"
The live comments started to flow. [Yes! Just quit. What a drama! Laura is just a kid thinking she's all that.]
[Laura's fans are supporting such trash? Lying at a young age. What's gonna happen when she grows up? We shouldn't even bother recording this. Let's see what she does now!]
[We're walking out. Do you think Laura wants us to beg you? Don't be ridiculous, bro.]
[Don't forget they're still checking the surveillance. Wait until the investigation clears things up. Then Laura will be the one to throw shade on you!]
[Haha, whatever the kid says goes, is that it? Some people don't think at all. Some kids will lie just for attention. Guess Laura is no different!]
[Supporting Evan for not participating!]
[Not, I can't accept this. Evan signed up for this show. Why can't he film it? If anyone should leave, it's Laura!]
[Laura out! Laura out! Laura out!!]
[Can the lying kid just get lost? Go seek attention somewhere else. Do you come from a rich family and still need to lie? Is this what money teaches you?]
[I believe Laura is not lying. The one who needs to get lost is Evan!]
[Speaking as Evan's hater, he's the liar. He had always been a playboy, even before he became famous. There's no way people aren't aware, right?]
[Haha, so many haters today. Did Laura's fans send you to target Evan? He would never lie. The surveillance footage will prove it. It's Laura who's lying!]
[As a neutral party, I think Laura's probably the one lying. Kids might lie for attention, and Evan's an adult. He'd face real social suicide if caught, right?]
Evan watched Laura with a mocking gaze. How could such a little girl have the nerve to challenge him? Doesn't everyone know that his fans are mostly all over him, like girlfriends? Laura and her mom-fan, big-sis-fan energy just couldn't compare. His fans could easily drown out her little corner of the internet! And once Elsie hyped it up a bit, he'd be able to squish Laura down the ranks of online popularity with ease!
With his pride on full display, Evan condescended, "Laura, I get that kids like you crave attention, but that's no excuse to try and set me up. If you apologize now, I might still consider coming back to play the role of your trainee daddy."
[Evan is so kind-hearted!]
[Laura better take the deal. Don't push your luck and suffer the consequences!]
[Is it bad that I don't want Laura to accept? It'll be more satisfying to see her clap back!]
[Right! Laura is innocent. Don't back down. Just wait till you have to apologize to Evan. Hahaha]
Laura's fans were fuming, their teeth practically grinding as they typed out retorts in live comments. The other side snapped back like mad dogs. All her fans hoped was that Laura wouldn't be intimidated by this guy.
The live-streaming channel camera locked onto Laura. Everyone expected some hint of panic. But when she scrunched up her elegant features, her expression was disbelief incarnate. "Evan, shouldn't you be the one apologizing? Lala doesn't like liars!"
The live comments stunned everyone.
Evan was stunned.
Laura, fixing her clothes disdainfully and pouting, declared, "You were late from the start and tried to blame me. Now you're doing it again? I'm not your dumpsite."
Laura glared at him. "Unless you apologize to me, I refuse to work with you. So forget about it!"
Evan was stunned!!! Did she dare to talk back like that? Was she out of her mind? Evan wasn't one to indulge her. He scoffed, "Fine by me. Since you don't want to apologize, I simply won't do the shoot. You can work with whoever you wish, okay?"
The production team sensed trouble and quickly intervened, "Mr. Blackwell, don't be mad. The kid doesn't know any better. We're checking the footage and will get to the bottom of this soon. Your fans are all waiting, plus we're Livestream. Maybe both of you can compromise a bit. Let's not get angry here."
Evan was stoic, "I gave this kid a chance. She's the one smearing my name. How's that my fault? I'll just put it out there. I can keep filming, but there's no way I can be this child's trainee daddy. She's just too disappointing!"
[That's right! The show doesn't need Laura but Evan. Let her get lost!]
[It's a parent-child variety show for crying out loud. Laura doesn't even have a real dad. Evan's willingness to play father to her is a godsend. Don't bite the hand that feeds you!]
The production team was in a tight spot, turning to Laura with empathy cradling their tones, "Lala, sweetie, why don't you apologize to Mr. Blackwell? He wouldn't lie, right? Maybe you just remembered it wrong or saw it wrong."
Laura was stunned, "But Lala didn't do anything wrong. Why should I apologize for something I didn't do?"
Evan scoffed silently.
The staff, awkwardly earnest, intervened, "We know you're not at fault, but think about it. Each of you has your hard knocks, right? Without a dad, how can you keep filming? Do you want to go home instead?"
Laura's brow furrowed in discomfort, her eyes pleading as she glanced at Evan. Bert, standing aside, watched her conflicted emotions play out across her face, a tangled web of distress and defiance. It was clear she was telling the truth. And these crew members? They weren't after the truth but a way to keep their show on the road.
He faced Evan, "Can you continue the shoot or not?"
Evan, all nonchalant defiance, "I'll film, but only if Laura apologizes. Everything she has is because of me. She owes me!"
Bert's gaze turned icy, "And if we separate the two of you, the problem's solved?"
Evan, smirking absurdly, "No problem, but who'll play her trainee daddy then? This is a family show, after all."
Bert answered, "I will."
Laura gasped in confusion.
Bert's cool gaze was wrapped in a steely halo. He declared, "For the next three days, I'll be Laura's trainee daddy. And you, as a special guest, can keep shooting, alright?"
As the words fell, silence descended upon the surroundings.