Chapter 7 - THE VIDEO THAT WENT VIRAL
The arena clip exploded online.
Not the version Cole planned.
A spectator posted full sequence.
Emily refusing to attack.
Parents cheering Jason.
Jason smiling.
Then one punch.
ENOUGH.
Millions of views.
Comments flooded.
Some praised Emily.
Some mocked Jason.
Some accused family of abuse.
Some called it staged.
Cole saw opportunity.
He immediately changed campaign.
New pitch:
EMILY STRIKES BACK.
Emily received sponsorship requests.
She rejected all.
Then Cole contacted her directly.
“We can monetize this.”
“No.”
“You don’t even know the number.”
“No.”
Then:
“Seven figures.”
Emily paused.
Not because tempted.
Because furious.
“You set me up without consent, and now you want to sell my reaction to being set up.”
Cole answered:
“I didn’t know you hadn’t consented.”
Potentially true.
Then:
“But the footage exists.”
Not his footage entirely.
Arena rights complicated.
Emily hired attorney Maya Grant.
Maya sent:
cease-and-desist,
preservation demand,
likeness claim notice.
May you like
The fight moved out of the ring.
Better.
