So This Is Love?

Part 26: Mr. Eggold, Sit Your Ass Down!

He and Jason sat on a conference call with Dave, Freema, Jeff and their lawyers.

"I'm telling you, Ryan wasn't out of line or even like how she showed him. He was calm and only raised his voice in response to her inappropriate comments. This video is fraud. Compiled by some horrible editor to make him look bad." Freema states and Dave just shakes his head- angry that once more his show will have to shut down production until this mess is sorted.

"Do you have proof?" Jason asks and Freema leans back in her seat.

"Who even is this woman? Why would you even think it's appropriate to talk to her?!" Dave angrily asks and Ryan sighs, frustrated in himself.

"She said she was Tabitha Woods of Entertainment Weekly. She had a pass to be in the building." Freema states.

"Did she have an ID badge with her credentials?"

"N...No..."

"Did she give you her business card? The name of her Editor in Chief?" Dave continues.

"No..." Freema answers.

"Then why the FUCK did you give her an interview?! Do you know how stupid a choice that was? To not only put yourself at risk- but your baby! That woman obviously had the intent of making a news story out of this. She obviously wanted to show you both in a new horrible light. She could have easily physically hurt either of you or Gracie!" He goes off and the lawyer puts his hand on his arm. They can see the veins in his neck distancing outward and his face nearly purpling.

"Why was she on set? Where was security to make sure she was legit and safe?" Jeff counters and Dave raises an eyebrow.

"I'm sure they checked her out."

"Then either they did have identification that was falsified or your security team failed." Jeff crosses his arms and Freema glances at Ryan, who just seems green with sickness.

"All that aside- what are we able to do about this horrible video that is out there now." Freema asks.

"Well, because it got uploaded from a public computer at a library- with no actual credentials needed to operate it- we can only take it down. We can't stop who's already seen it or God forbid saved it to personal drives. We can only try to track down the woman and her video editor and force them into coming clean about their motives. Whether that's willingly or having to serve them. In the mean time, I suggest- Ryan- that you stay off of social media and don't address it. Freema, you're going to be getting a lot more attention in the next couple days. Best thing we can advice is that you be honest, but while being mindful of the circumstances we face now. We will have you continue filming so that production can get underway. Keep it normal and if any cast or crew has any information and or wish for answers to questions they have- refer them to me and I will take care of it." The Lawyer for NBC suggests and looks over both Freema and Ryan. "This is messy and is going to challenge us all- but if we stay United and continue as usual- we should get through this."

"Alright. If that's what we must do. Dave?" Freema looks at him and he sighs heavily.

"If all goes well, the show will come out in September- so we have nine months to get this filmed and hopefully by then it's all taken care of." He leans back in his chair, his arms helplessly resting on the arm rest of the conference chair.

"Okay, well we will get a team of private investigators to find out all we need too and we'll take it from there. Relax and just stay low for a while." Getting up, the three lawyers and Dave leave- quietly discussing everything and now only Jeff and Jason remain with the couple.

"So, do you two need anything from us?" Jason asks politely.

"I don't think so." Freema places a hand on top of Ryan's and looks sympathetically at him.