I think Creamy is worth featuring.
Give me another idea.
Creamy is out.
A few pages for Creamy can save us $5 million dollars.
Not a single page.
Why do I still need to change the layout?
Because Creamy might be in the next issue of Modes.
I heard from a reporter I know well that
Martha tipped them off about you and Mandy.
Still working on a Creamy replacement?
What about Zoe's ideas that were put aside?
You can recycle them.
Thanks. But Chief just said...
Zoe, where's Danielle?
Gone to the library.
Martha, not a moment too soon.
What's wrong with Phoebe?
I've been calling her for an hour.
Her phone's off.
I need to book her for a photo shoot.
I'll get her for you later.
Martha?
Danielle, it's urgent. I need to see Chief right away.
My source, Gina's assistant editor, is not talking anymore.
We may have to buy a copy for their content.
I don't think we need to know their topics.
We just need to make sure ours are captivating.
Chief, Phoebe closed a deal with Gina this morning.
She's their cover girl for the next issue.
Zita promised Phoebe that
they'd take care of all the legal fallout.
I'm sorry.
Zita came to me and I said no.
I thought that was the end of it.
I never thought she would go to Phoebe...
Hold on...
Tell Legal to serve Beauty Model Agency for breach of contract.
Tell Ada to cut Phoebe from her column.
Replace her with another model.
Get a star for a photo shoot if she can.
I can assign her the resources she needs.
OK. Got it.
I'm sorry. It was my oversight.
I'll keep a keen eye on Nana and others...
Hold on.
Martin, Zita has declared war.
Aside from models, I am sure she'll fight us for brands as well.
I'll go reconfirm with all the brands being featured in our next issue.
I know it has put you and Modes in hot water.
Our company has a contractual obligation with Modes.
You have the right to stop using our models.
Martha, thank you for coming to me right away.
Don't worry, the blame doesn't lie with you or your company.
You will not be affected.
I'm glad you understand.
I won't keep you.
I'll update you with the latest development.
It's urgent. I'm waiting in the podium garden.
What is it?
Will you give me an honest answer?
Did you tip the reporters off on me and Mandy?
Who fed you that nonsense?
Have you forgotten how much I have done after the photos came out?
You kept saying you'd help me with my comeback.
Are you actually trying to oust me?
Do you intend to dump me in Modes?
My comeback was never in your plans, right?
Yes, I tipped the reporters off.
Otherwise, my company would go down with you.
You keep blaming me for setting you up.
Actually, you caused all this.
You only have your temper to blame.
You shouldn't have ruffled the rich girl, of all people.
You mean Nana?
You should have known about her spoiled girl temper.
If she's not placated, it'll never end.
Her dad owns 40% of the company.
If he withdraws his investment, the company is toast.
You did all this to placate that brat?
Fan, there's no turning back the clock.
Just pretend you never learned the truth,
and it's just your bad luck that you got caught.
I won't forget what I promised you.
You'll be our top model again once you're back.
Yes, you, not Nana or Phoebe.
What? Still worrying about Creamy's libel lawsuit?
Among the 300 plus pages, one third goes to AM,
I don't believe your chief has a say on every page.
Are you thinking of slipping Creamy in as an ad?
Don't forget, every page of the bluebook needs Long's signature.
I'm sure he'll check every page of the next issue.
No way you'll pull one over him.
Martin, are you on my side?
Of course I'm on your side.
I'm also on Modes' side, and Long's side.
You can't hunt with the hound and run with the hare.
Answer me. Are you on my side?
Yes.
CK Cheung.
The Creamy stores in Central, Tsimshatsui and Causeway Bay are his properties.
If he will put in a word,
I'm sure Creamy will drop the lawsuit.
What? You don't believe me?
His wife is my good friend.
Thank you.
As Gina's editor-in-chief,
it's my pleasure to share this good news with you.
The cover girl for the next issue of Gina is indeed a total surprise.
Her appearance is proof that nothing is impossible.
She is...Phoebe Shum!
Since Gina has made it public,
I don't need to tell you the details.
Phoebe is blacklisted from the next issue on.
Replace her if she's in your columns.
Danielle, how come she's suddenly Gina's cover girl?
She has a contract with us.
She must have her personal reasons.
Legal has taken appropriate action.
So, don't make wild guesses.
But our readers are well aware she's our exclusive cover girl.
Her jumping ship means Modes has lost the first round.
Her affair was the talk of the town.
Now this high profile defection.
She's a pro in making headlines.
The subject is closed.
Go back to your work.
Don't forget the deadline is mid-month.
Don't hand in your work late.
Yes. OK.
Hey... What?
No sleeping yet. It's urgent.
Go ahead.
Chief suddenly made a u-turn.
The Creamy article get featured in the next issue.
Isn't that good?
Don't you find it odd?
He just insisted that not one page would go to Creamy.
Now he wants the article revised for the next issue.
What is he thinking?
Hey, you were eager for it to go to print this morning,
now you couldn't care less.
Chief wants a major overhaul.
Wake up...
Nana's here? Right away.
Look at me, alright?
Chief wants a major overhaul.
It's full of stickers.
I don't have a clue.
Tell me how to fix this.
Hey!
Nana, this way please...your profile...Good!
What's up? Want to have high tea with me?
I can't get away.
Nana may have to stay till 7pm for this photo shoot.
Hey, since you're here.
She's not OK with this outfit.
Do you have a better idea?
OK, take 15.
Nana, let's check out the photos.
No need.
If the shots are bad, Alan will tell me.
Hey, Francis, why are you here?
This column is not your business.
Are you here to see me?
I know.
Now that Phoebe has jumped ship,
you want me for your next column.
Just ask.
I wouldn't fill in for her for other editors.
You're the exception.
We're alumni after all.
I won't say no if you beg me.
I'd rather go without a model than using a mediocre one.
Phoebe...it was announced that you're Gina's next cover girl.
But don't you have a contract with Modes?
Did your manager know?
Does this mean you and Modes have gone separate ways?
Is the decision related to your scandal?
Any comments...
Flora.
Media friends, it was a well thought out decision.
Being Gina's cover girl is a new breakthrough for me.
Both my company and Modes want me to try new things
and work with new organizations.
I will make the best of this opportunity.
As for non-work related questions,
I ask you to respect my privacy.
Martha...
Did you approve of Phoebe's move to be Gina cover girl?
What about your contract with Modes?
Is this a breach of contract?
What do you think?
Any comments?
Martha, we've had such a long working relationship,
I don't want to beat around the bush.
You used to be a model yourself,
you should know we have a short shelf life.
You taught me that we should grab every opportunity.
This is a commercial society.
The highest bidder wins.
Isn't that fair?
You're allowed to make your own choice.
But you have a contract with us.
We have a contract with Modes.
It is a breach of contract on your side.
Gina made it clear that
they would take care of all legal fallout.
It won't cost you a dime if Modes takes legal action.
You should have come to me before taking on Modes and Ip Long.
What made you think it's the right time?
What made you think Gina can beat Modes?
You have left me a big mess.
As your manager I have to clean it up for you.
What's this?
Gina's legal representative.
He's handling the contract termination for me.
Call him when you have time.
Care for a coffee?
Jackie. Hi!
Really, you still come for your weekly yoga class with such a big belly?
My hubby insists.
I'm not allowed to miss any session up to the last month.
He said yoga is good for me and the baby.
You're now working for Modes, right?
How's it going?
I'm in a bit of a bind. That's why I'm here.
I need your help.
What's this about?
We were hit with a libel lawsuit.
The client happens to be CK's client as well.
If he will put in a word for us,
we may be able to settle it out of court.
So the lawsuit can be dropped.
No problem at all.
Why don't you go directly to CK?
You know him.
I think he has an appointment with a client in a hotel.
Let me call him to make an appointment for you.
Wait for him in the hotel coffee shop.
Thank you.
You're here for the cover girl thing, right?
No.
Can't we have a chat over a drink?
How long had you been a Modes model?
I've been in the business for five years.
Modes gave me my first fashion magazine shoot.
The photo spread was Danielle's work.
Yeah, at first we were going to use two models for a ten-page spread.
Five pages for each.
When I went to the studio,
I decided to drop the other model.
You were given the whole spread.
When I realised I had the whole spread to myself,
I got so scared that I went to the bathroom to cry.
I remember.
You came out with your eyes all red.
I pulled you aside and said,
you'd become an overnight sensation when the magazine hit the streets.
Do you remember?
Of course! Were it not...
You do? I thought you had forgotten everything.
So you remember who made you?
Modes put you on the map.
I put you on the map.
Yet you bit the hand that fed you.
I...
You know we are at war with Gina.
You went over to their side.
That's betrayal.
I'm here to tell you,
start praying that I don't come out victorious.
When that happens, you'll never work in this business again.
There you go again.
You believe you're always in the right.
Whoever ruffles you is a bad person.
Yes. I betrayed Modes.
But Modes betrayed me too.
A reporter told me a Modes person told them about me and Alan.
I don't know who that person was.
I don't know what that person stood to gain from that.
I just know that Modes has lost my trust.
You have lost my trust.
Trend Master!
CK, it's very kind of you. Thank you.
Come on, we're friends.
My wife told me everything.
I've already called Creamy's CFO.
He'll talk to their CEO.
He'll call me back later.
Thank you indeed.
Don't worry about it.
It'll come out fine.
We're discussing their lease renewal.
I don't think they'll hold out on a little favour.
Has Ben contacted you?
No. I'm sure he has access to Hong Kong news over there.
The police are trying to contact him.
I don't think he'd dare call me for the time being.
Don't worry. He has his connections and friends out there.
He can take care of himself.
Sometimes, I think no news is good news.
Now I have a job to spend my time on, I try not to think about it.
Call me or my wife right away if you encounter any problems.
Oh, may I ask you for a favour?
Of course, as many as you like.
A friend of mine brought some diamond necklaces back with him from South Africa.
I just went to his room to pick one for my wife.
I couldn't decide on one.
Since you're here, could you help me pick one?
Of course. I know Jackie's preferences.
Who bore Phoebe a grudge?
What would benefit from it?
Or was it done for some other purpose?
90 percent of the employees here are women.
Women can hate someone for a few words said, for a look,
or for no reason at all.
What about Kei Wan-wan?
She doesn't do things that don't benefit her.
Phoebe worked most frequently with Ada and Zoe.
One of them?
Anyway. Tim, do you remember which newspaper broke the story first?
I think it was Pioneers Daily.
Could we get a hold of the reporter for the source?
The reporter is our only clue.
I know what to do.
Long, what's the point?
We're at war.
This isn't the right time for this.
Have you heard of the saying:
One rotten apple spoils the barrel?
We have to kick the leak out of Modes.
CK, where's your friend?
Why do you have the room key?
Vincy, Ben has been gone for so long, don't you find life a bit boring?
As your friend, I should cheer you up a bit
Jackie is my good friend.
So?
Is that what worries you?
You have my word.
When I walk out of this room tomorrow,
my mind will be blank and my lips sealed.
Don't worry about it.
You may have no respect for your wife, but I won't betray my friend.
Let me tell you,
I'll forget what you just said once I leave the room.
Not for you, but for Jackie.
This is not the time for her to find out her husband is a scoundrel.
It's from Creamy's CFO. Should I take it?
Jackie. I just met your husband.
He tricked me into going up to a hotel room.
He wanted me to go to bed with him in return for the favour.
I'm calling to tell you that he's not as good a man as you think he is.
He's a scoundrel.
Vincy, I expected that.
I told him I had a date and would be home late.
Keep him company for me.
What are you talking about?
Are you asking me to go to bed with your husband?
He has needs which I can't satisfy in my condition.
I prefer a trusted friend to some unknown woman.
You two are crazy!
I'll go to the Creamy meeting with you tomorrow morning. You have my word...
Listen, from this moment on, you two are no longer my friends.
Oops...
Fan, help! I'm doomed.
Come away with me in the night.
Come away with me and I'll write you a song...
Yan, you alright?
Yan...
Yellow for composition,
pink for colour scheme,
purple for text,
green for photo size,
orange for heading.
What's wrong with you?
You called for help in the middle of the night,
then you speak in riddles.
Are you possessed?
Still working on the Creamy article?
Trend Master said it won't go to print.
Why waste your time on it?
Let me drive you home.
Whether it goes into print or not, I have to finish it.
I've spent a whole day revising it.
I don't know if I've got it right.
Master gave no hints, just tons of stickers.
One sticker means one problem.
There are 33 stickers, so 33 problems.
If you could deal with them all,
you'd be the trend master, not an assistant editor.
Look at you, your eyes are bloodshot.
Leave it for tomorrow.
Come on.
I asked you to come to help, not to take me home.
I may get a good night's sleep,
but the 33 issues won't go away.
So you won't help? Fine.
I can do it on my own.
You won't go?
Then bye.
I'm really leaving.
OK...I surrender.
You said it.
Yes, willingly. I'm so cheap.
Didn't you say you're surrendering?
Please, it's going to be a long night.
Can't I get a coffee?
While I'm safe there in your arms so all I ask is for you
to come away with me in the night.
Come away with me.
Thanks.
Your eyes are bloodshot. You stayed up all night?
Danielle, it's good you are here.
Could you do me a favor?
Fan and I spent the whole night here working on the Creamy article.
I don't know if it meets Chiefs standards.
Could you look it over for me?
It's not a problem at all.
But you should have confidence in yourself.
Chief usually has only two comments for articles submitted to him.
Either accepted or rejected.
He went to such lengths for you this time,
it's already very unusual.
I think he's guiding you by the hand, like a mentor.
Maybe so. But he could have been more specific.
33 stickers are too mind boggling.
So how should I size the composition?
There's no criteria for that.
Go by your gut feeling.
Just go for it.
If my guess is right,
Your position is just temporary.
What do you mean?
Fan is more like a visitor here.
He won't stay in Modes for long.
I think Chief is grooming you to fill his place.
An editor should have confidence in herself
Make your own judgments.
Leave being editor or whatever for later.
Read my article, please.
I had a long night last night. Let me sleep some more.
Come on, check it one more time.
I can give you an hour afterwards.
Wake up.
It's for Chief.
Wake up.
I need my sleep.
Check it one more time.
Hello?
Hello, Meg? Ray of Pioneers Daily here.
A colleague of yours just called me
asking me who tipped me off about Phoebe and the photographer.
I said I'd call back.
Hey, what should I say?
Wake up. Only one hour is left.
I want to sleep.
Say Cheung Yat-ning.
Come in. Mr Chi.
Vincy, what can I do for you?
Man, I don't think I have good news for you and the directors at the board meeting.
Why?
Creamy's lawsuit won't get dropped.
I can't think of any way to strike an out of court settlement.
Don't lose heart. Take your time.
There may be some other way.
I've done all I can.
Yet I still don't have a clue.
I'm here to ask you,
if I'm willing to bear responsibility, what can I do?
I can pick up the Creamy's compensation demands.
I can place an apology ad in Modes out of my own pocket.
Do you think the directors will agree to that?
It's not about money, it's about Modes' reputation.
Compensation or an apology means we admit we are in the wrong.
The board will not be OK with that.
What else can I do?
Modes is at war.
We can't afford to be embroiled in a lawsuit.
Let me explain it to the directors. What do you think?
Vincy, we should put the bigger picture first.
There's only one way out.
However, it may mean selling you short.
If it can settle things, I'm willing.
It really is our last resort.
I'm glad you're understanding.
An explanation won't help things.
We need a fall guy at this point.
Assume responsibility by resigning.
Is the Creamy article done?
Chief, it took Fan and I a whole night to do it.
Please take a look.
Fan, is this the best you can do?
It's not for me to say.
You are the chief, you decide.
Yan, is this the best you can do?
I think...
Not satisfied? Not the best?
It can be better?
Chief, I don't know how you see it,
I don't know how others see it.
You may still find it problematic.
You may think there's still room for improvement with the composition,
color scheme or even the theme.
However, I think it's the best.
My gut tells me it's the best.
You can ask me a hundred times or 10,000 times,
that will still be my answer.
I think it is the best.
You know what? Chief, this is the best.
I have repeatedly revised it over and over again for the past week,
I just can't change a single thing.
Maybe this layout to you
still has many problems.
But to me, this is the best,
this is my best, period!
Well done!
I'm very satisfied with the layout.
You haven't even taken a look.
Actually, I don't know what's a trend.
I don't know what is the best.
What we are doing has no set rules.
However, we each have our own yardstick.
It is up to us to decide.
If you don't have faith in it,
then it is not the best.
If you have faith in it,
then it is the best.
Thank you!
Not so soon.
Chief, we've handed it in.
But will it go to print?
I can't answer you yet.
You'll have the answer in an hour.
You two come with me.
Where to?
Creamy's IPO.
Hello, Mr Li.
I'm Ip Long, Editor-in-Chief of Modes.
Mr Ip? Our press conference starts in half an hour.
You picked this time to come.
Is it very urgent?
I know it's your IPO press conference.
It won't take long.
Yan, hand him the layout.
Does this mean you've accepted our settlement?
No. I'm here to offer you another option before the press conference begins.
This article will feature in our next issue
if you'll unconditionally drop the lawsuit against Modes,
and agree to my condition.
Go ahead.
You will sponsor the free gifts for our next five issues.
Five different products for five issues.
Each not less than 30ml.
And your circulation is...
No less than 130,000 copies per issue.
What? That's highway robbery!
Cost plus packaging,
130,000 pieces of 30ml products means at least $2 million per issue.
Why should we spend $10 million to boost your circulation?
Is this a settlement offer or blackmail?
I've heard of Trend Master.
Your name is well-known among my peers.
They say you won't let any opportunities slip away.
I'm impressed.
Yan, how much time left till the press conference?
15 minutes.
Time is running out.
Mr Li, may I have your answer right away?
Mr Ip, maybe you've got it wrong this time
You don't stand a chance.
I've consulted six law firms.
They all said your chance of winning the case is just 20%
Correct me if I'm wrong.
Instead of taking the case to court, you are still open for negotiation.
That means you don't really want the lawsuit to take place.
That doesn't bode well for a company about to be listed.
Am I right, Mr Li?
Fan, take this master of yours away.
Our answer is no.
I don't think we have any say here.
I think the decision rests with your regional president.
Mr Ip, convince me why I should agree to this one-sided option.
It's actually is a win-win option, advantage is yours.
Can't you see?
Yan, how much time left?
Eight minutes.
Mr Li, a nod wins you the right to announce in the press conference,
that Modes and Trend Master are your business partners.
What will investors think?
How will it boost your IPO subscription?
By 10%? 20% or double?
It's easy math.
Three minutes.
Mr Li, time is running out.
Once I step out of here,
that means my offer's been rejected.
The win-win option will be off the table.
Then...see you in court.
Creamy will be formally listed in HKEX on the 15th of next month.
The aim is to raise funds for the expansion and development
of our products and business.
I'm happy to announce that trendsetter Modes is our business partner in Hong Kong.
Starting with the next issue,
the magazine will be the exclusive launch platform for our new products.
My thanks to Mr Ip Long, Editor-in-Chief of Modes,
for making this partnership possible.
I knew you'd be here instead of downstairs.
Didn't you work overnight last night?
Why are you here instead of in bed?
I don't know why. I can't sleep even though I got no sleep last night.
I'm probably over-excited.
I need to unwind and calm down.
What's so exciting?
You're a small potato at the magazine.
And you're not going to war.
Don't joke, it's really a war.
Do you know where Chief took me today?
Where?
Creamy's IPO press conference.
He was there to strike a deal with Creamy.
A nod wins you the right to announce in the press conference,
that Modes and Trend Master are your business partners.
What will investors think?
How will it boost your IPO subscription?
By 20%? 30% or double?
Hey, give me a reaction!
Poor you...another innocent girl brainwashed by Trend Master.
Nonsense!
Go down to bed.
Make sure you wake up sane and normal.
Thanks.
Not at all.
I should thank you instead.
Were it not for you,
I wouldn't have gone to ask CK for help.
It was nothing.
If Long hadn't won Creamy over,
the lawsuit would still be with us.
Whatever, I still thank you.
I dare say no one has truly taken my side since I joined the magazine.
You are the exception.
I won't forget it.
You want to see me?
I met the Pioneers Daily reporter this morning.
He told me who tipped him off about Phoebe and Alan.
A Modes employee?
Yes. He said he didn't know her.
He said her name is Cheung Yat-ning.
Do you really intend to fire her?
It probably didn't mean anything.
She may have had a row with Phoebe and did it out of spite.
If you ask me,
she probably never thought it would lead to Phoebe leaving Modes.
Why not...
I know what to do.
Thanks, Tim.
OK. I won't take up more of your time.
Danielle, please come here.
Yan, you scored big for the company.
Were you promoted to editor right away?
Why was Creamy so easygoing?
Aside from dropping the lawsuit,
they're willing to spend big on Modes.
You were the witness. You should have the answer.
Tell us, every word of it!
I did nothing at all.
The credit goes to Chief alone.
Fan and I only had five lines between us.
Don't play humble with us.
Master took you along,
he must have had a part for you.
Tell us, what five lines?
15 minutes, eight minutes, three minutes.
Just three.
Believe me, I was just the human timer.
Yan. Danielle.
Pack your things and then go to HR.
I just notified them to prepare your termination letter and this month's pay
Then you can leave.
Why? She just scored big for the company.
Danielle, why?
Sorry, I don't know. It's Chiefs decision.
Is firing me your decision?
Yes.
Why? What have I done wrong?
I am the Editor-in-Chief of Modes.
I owe no one an explanation.
How can you fire me without telling me why?
You're the chief, not the emperor, nor a dictator.
You're not Hitler.
You can't do whatever you please.
I'm the emperor of Modes. I am the supreme leader.
I can do whatever I please.
I don't want to see you here from this moment on.